Greg Koenig crafts the wines for several brands in Idaho's Snake River Valley, yet he also carves out the time to farm his slowly expanding vineyard in the Sunnyslope Wine District. This blend of muscular Bordeaux varieties leads with Petit Verdot (55%), and follows with Cabernet Sauvignon (35%) and Merlot, yet comes with a pleasing tannin structure. It's redolent of black … [Read more...] about Koenig Vineyards 2014 Estate Vineyard Reserve, Snake River Valley $30
Idaho
Telaya Wine Co. 2016 Grenache Blanc, Yakima Valley, $25
Earl & Carrie Sullivan continue to develop relationships with some of the top growers in the Pacific Northwest for their Boise-area winery, and Dick Boushey remains one of the leading viticulturists in Washington. His vineyard in the Yakima Valley has a well-earned reputation for Rhône Valley varieties, and Grenache Blanc isn't easy to find or work with. It spent 10 months … [Read more...] about Telaya Wine Co. 2016 Grenache Blanc, Yakima Valley, $25
3 Horse Ranch Vineyards 2014 Single Vineyard Eagle Foothills District Merlot, Snake River Valley $40
The Cunningham family established their vineyard as one of the highest elevation sites in Idaho and along the edge of the Snake River Valley, so Mother Nature sometimes thins their crop for them. A mere three barrels of Merlot made it into this prized bottling by their winemaker, Greg Koenig, and he turned it into the top Merlot at the 2017 Idaho Wine Competition. Dark purple … [Read more...] about 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards 2014 Single Vineyard Eagle Foothills District Merlot, Snake River Valley $40
Ste. Chapelle Winery 2016 Panoramic Idaho Block 16 Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $20
Boise native Meredith Smith took over as head winemaker a few weeks prior to the start of the 2016 harvest, and her debut vintage for Ste. Chapelle serves notice of delicious things in store. Grapes for these eight barrels of chardonnay came from 400-acre Skyline Vineyard, and there's light oak with toast and nuttiness alongside apple and lemon/lime acidity. This earned a gold … [Read more...] about Ste. Chapelle Winery 2016 Panoramic Idaho Block 16 Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $20
Sawtooth Estate Winery 2015 Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $15
Best Buy! Boise-native Meredith Smith invests 12 months in a French oak program of 30 percent new barrels, making for inviting aromas of toasted buttermilk biscuits and Nilla Wafer. Creamy vanilla and lemony flavors combine to create a light-bodied and balanced Chardonnay at an affordable price. Rating: Excellent Production: 1,000 cases Alcohol: 14.2% Winery … [Read more...] about Sawtooth Estate Winery 2015 Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $15