ORR WINES Columbia Valley Grenache 2017
93 points
There’s a very pure and attractive feel to the nose of this grenache, which is centered around ripe raspberries and flowers on the nose. Super elegant and balanced in the mouth, this has a lot of appealing fresh fruit. Drink now. Small production: only 148 dozen made -- Nick Stock for JamesSuckling.com
ORR WINES Old Vine Columbia Valley Chenin Blanc 2017
91 points
Real chenin character with dried-pineapple and peach-skin aromas that follow through to a medium body, tight and juicy fruit and a phenolic, slightly tannic finish. Fun. Dry. Drink now. -- James Suckling
ORR WINES Old Vine Columbia Valley Chenin Blanc 2016
88 points
(aged in neutral barrels): Bright yellow. Subtle stone fruits and a whiff of almond on the nose. Juicy, savory and quite dry, offering subtle flavors of wet stone and spices that reminded me of Savennières. Very laid-back, uncompromisingly dry white wine. --Steven Tanzer for VINOUS
ORR WINES Columbia Valley Grenache 2016
88 points
(from Stillwater Creek): Medium red. Aromas of plum, redcurrant and spices are accented by a tangy cherry quality and a note of herbs. Fine-grained and brisk if not especially fleshy or deep, with its flavors of dried cherry, herbs and flowers conveying good energy. Finishes with fine-grained tannins and good length and lift. --Steven Tanzer for VINOUS
ORR WINES Old Vine Columbia Valley Chenin Blanc 2015
90 points
The 2015 Orr Wines 'Old Vines' Chenin Blanc is an outstanding effort from superstar winemaker Erica Orr. The wine begins with a bouquet of unripe pear, cantaloupe, and lemongrass with hints of beeswax. There are flavors of honeydew melon, Japanese pear, and starfruit with a nutmeg edge. This is balanced wine that needs a bit of warming up to be fully expressive. There is nice weight and texture on the mid-palate that impresses. This is a really nice value at this price point. Drink 2016-2021 -- Owen Bargreen for Washington Wine Report
ORR WINES Old Vine Columbia Valley Chenin Blanc 2014
89 points
Pale, bright straw-yellow. Orange zest, apricot, mint, flowers, resin and straw on the nuanced nose. Rich, spicy, slightly tart citrus zest flavors are given punch by a firm spine of acidity. A touch of wet wool reminded me of Savennières. This is the project talented consulting winemaker Erica Orr, who currently is also involved at Guardian Cellars and Baer Winery. $22
-- Stephen Tanzer VINOUS
ORR WINES Old Vine Columbia Valley Chenin Blanc 2013
91 points
(just 12.4% alcohol; from 40-year-old vines): Very pure, discreet aromas of white currant, greengage plum, lemon zest and minerals. Very intense and fresh, offering sharp definition to the flavors of Granny Smith apple, pineapple and damp stone. Nice texture and a touch of sweetness, plus a hint of tannins on the firm finish. I like this! The first vintage for this wine, under the new label of talented consulting winemaker/enologist Erica Orr.-- Stephen Tanzer VINOUS
7 Washington State Whites for the End of Summer for FOOD & WINE by Charles Antin
Chenin Blanc’s spiritual home is the Vouvray region in France’s Loire Valley, but Erica Orr makes a stellar example in the Columbia Valley. After quitting her job as a lab tech at the University of California, San Francisco, Orr worked in wineries all over the world: Rudd Estate (Napa), Domaine Dujac (Burgundy) and Yering Station (Australia’s Yarra Valley). The aromatics are subtle in this wine and the acidity is racy, just like a good dry Vouvray.