Best Buy! Vintage after vintage, Dusted Valley Vintners shines with its Yakima Valley Chardonnay program from the Olsen family, so it makes sense that their Boomtown line - which also pulls Chardonnay from the Yakima Valley - would over-deliver at this price point. The use of neutral oak allows the fruit profile to emerge on the aromas and on the palate, ranging from starfruit, … [Read more...] about Boomtown by Dusted Valley 2022 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $18.99
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Gordon Estate 2022 Rosé, Columbia Valley $20
Best Buy! The late-ripening vintage of 2022 set the stage for winemaker Joe Hudon’s Oct. 10 harvest of Phelps clone Syrah off Kamiak Vineyard that was destined for this rosé program. There’s a hint of Provence with the salmon color that brings aromas of pink strawberry, Rainier cherry, hibiscus and a cedar-lined chest of drawers. Dusty cherry and white strawberry flavors are … [Read more...] about Gordon Estate 2022 Rosé, Columbia Valley $20
Jones of Washington 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley $15.99
Best Buy! For the second time this decade, Victor Palencia has produced a Platinum with Sauvignon Blanc for the Jones family. And this three-time qualifier proved to be the highest- rated Sauv Blanc of this year’s judging. It’s redolent of tangerine, nectarine and honeydew melon with a pinch of cinnamon toast as a blend of pink raspberry and white peach impart a bit of … [Read more...] about Jones of Washington 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley $15.99
SCORIA Vineyards 2022 Grüner Veltliner, Snake River Valley $18
Best Buy! James Nederend of Koenig Vineyards also crafts the wines for the Williamson family, who earned a double gold medal at the 2023 Great Northwest Invitational in early October for the Grüner they grow, so it makes sense that judges would think so highly of the Grüner under his own label. The Williamsons picked it Oct. 7 at nearly 23 Brix, and it’s a classic example of … [Read more...] about SCORIA Vineyards 2022 Grüner Veltliner, Snake River Valley $18
Maan Farms Estate Winery NV Raspberry Dessert Wine, British Columbia $23
Best Buy! This Fraser Valley farming family scores its second Platinum with this fortified raspberry beauty, only this received a unanimous vote for gold from the judging panel — making it a Double Platinum. It’s unmistakable, beginning with ripe and smashed raspberries and a silky mouthfeel of caramel. Raspberry is a naturally tart fruit, so there’s ample acidity, and the … [Read more...] about Maan Farms Estate Winery NV Raspberry Dessert Wine, British Columbia $23