The Pacific Northwest’s growing thirst for Tempranillo might be most evident with Abacela’s Fiesta project. Production for their most approachable example of this robust Spanish grape from the 2014 vintage marks a 40 percent increase from the prior harvest. Seven separate picks from across the Jones family’s Fault Line Vineyards were wrapped up by Oct. 9, and winemaker Andrew … [Read more...] about Abacela 2014 Fiesta Estate Tempranillo, Umpqua Valley, $23
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Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2013 Oldfield Series Estate 2Bench Red, Okanagan Valley, $31
The Oldfield family’s vision, investment and expertise continues to show with this Left Bank Bordeaux-style red from their estate plantings in British Columbia’s Southern Okanagan on the Black Sage Bench and Golden Mile Bench. Cabernet Sauvignon (47%), Cabernet Franc (24%), Merlot (20%), Malbec (6%) and Petit Verdot come together for aromas of huckleberry, violets and vanilla … [Read more...] about Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2013 Oldfield Series Estate 2Bench Red, Okanagan Valley, $31
Plaisance Ranch 2014 Papa Joe’s Private Stash Mondeuse, Applegate Valley, $30
One of the most fascinating and fun stories is that of erstwhile dairyman Joe Ginet, who was inspired to enter the wine industry because of his ancestral ties to Mondeuse - an obscure grape in his native Savoie region of France. These three barrels of this wine serve as the signature for this Southern Oregon grower/winemaker, and it comes across with a theme of blueberry, black … [Read more...] about Plaisance Ranch 2014 Papa Joe’s Private Stash Mondeuse, Applegate Valley, $30
Cairdeas Winery 2014 Cinsault, Yakima Valley, $34
While Charlie Lybecker labels this as Cinsault, it’s really a deliciously intriguing collection of Rhône varieties as Cinsault (75%) is backed up by single-digit fractions of Counoise, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre in equal amounts. Two premier sites in the Yakima Valley — Boushey and Meek — each make up half of the final blend, which casts off aromas of spicy cranberry, … [Read more...] about Cairdeas Winery 2014 Cinsault, Yakima Valley, $34
L’Ecole No. 41 2013 Candy Mountain Vineyard Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $39
The trio of vintner Marty Clubb, winemaker Mike Sharon and vineyard manager Tom Waliser combines for their successful second vintage of Candy Mountain Vineyard Red Wine. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Merlot is a mirror of the debut bottling from the 2010 vintage, and harvest was wrapped up for the Cab by Sept. 20 — two weeks sooner than during the cool vintage … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41 2013 Candy Mountain Vineyard Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $39