Savage Grace focuses on old-world style wines. Winemaker and owner Michael Savage established the Columbia Gorge winery on Underwood Mountain in 2011. His wines are terroir driven, and low-intervention.
2020 Sauvignon Blanc Red Willow Vineyard. Meyer lemon, creamy mouthful, long finish with grassy nutty notes and light oak. 5 months neutral oak. $24. Score 92. 2021 Gruner Veltliner Underwood Mountain. Whole cluster. French neutral oak. Round mouthfeel. Nice tart lemony, oyster and salinity. Touch if Lime rind and grassy. $36. Score 93. 2021 Gewurtztraminer Brilliant orange soda in the glass. Enticing aromas of white flower and roses. Very dry, with notes of lychee, touch of salinity. Skin contact creating nice tannins and structure. $36. Score 94. 2019 Cot (malbec) Dineen Vineyard. Whole cluster. Lighter style loire valley style. Beautiful nose of bright raspberries. Light black tea, stewed watery dark plum, nice pepper and slightly grippy tannic finish. $36. Score 93. 2019 Cabernet Franc, Copeland Copeland Vineyard. 20% whole cluster. Neutral French oak. Nose of blueberries, currant. black tea and roses. Palate the same, and raspberries. again nice tannic finish with light oak. $36. Score 95. 2019 Cabernet Franc, Pollard Pollard vineyard. Nose again of tea leaves and roses. Pomegranate. Palate Tea leaves, blueberries, touch of vanilla. Fine tannins. $40. Score 95. 2021 Field Blend Underwood Mountain estate "x block" 32 % Syrah, 32% Pinot Noir, approx 20% Merlot 20ish, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zwiegelt. Dandelions and tea, floral nose, ash. Fuller bodied of the bunch, but by no means heavy, still light. Bolder because of syrah. Slightly chewy tannins. $42. Score 94.
The selection at Savage Grace was delicate, carefully crafted, with expressive terroir. I was intrigued by the 2021 Gewurtzraminer. I particularly enjoyed the Cabernet Franc, both from Copeland and Polland Vineyard. I will need to return to try their Syrahs, which unfortunately were not available this tasting.
