The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Founded in 1987, Argyle jump-started the current trend for Champagne-caliber sparkling wines in Oregon. Nothing is more festive on a holiday table than a bottle of great bubbly. There’s nothing wrong with cheap alternatives such as Prosecco, but if you want true Champagne quality it’s going to cost a bit more, which makes this $30 bottle a relative bargain. The blend is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier, and brings a fine bead (tiny bubbles), refreshing acids, a light hint of spice and plenty of crisp green apple fruit. Argyle makes more expensive offerings such as its excellent Extended Tirage Brut which sells for $85 and might get a point or two higher score. But for $30 this Blanc de Noirs is hard to beat. [Score: 92/100]

3983 cases; 12.5%; $30 Willamette Valley

https://shop.argylewinery.com/product/2018-Blanc-de-Noirs