Walla Walla Valley winemaker Brett Isenhower develops his El Conquistador blend as a tribute to the Iberian Peninsula, using Tempranillo (70%) from nearby Les Collines Vineyard with Mourvedre from The Benches (26%) near the confluence of the Walla Walla and Columbia rivers, and a dab of Syrah from Olsen Ranch Vineyard. Tempranillo, an early ripening grape, was the first to be … [Read more...] about Isenhower Cellars 2014 El Conquistador Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $34
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Dusted Valley Vintners 2014 Squirrel Tooth Alice Red Wine, Red Mountain, $39
Squirrel Tooth Alice has gotten around. While the previous vintage for this GSM-style blend reached into a couple of top sites on the sultry Wahluke Slope, the 2014 is devoted to Red Heaven Vineyard on hot Red Mountain. And this time, it is led by Mourvèdre (63%) with typical bedfellows Grenache (27%) and Syrah (10%) playing second fiddle. The perfumy features an alluring blend … [Read more...] about Dusted Valley Vintners 2014 Squirrel Tooth Alice Red Wine, Red Mountain, $39
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2014 Bordheauxd Red, Columbia Valley $28
One of the first wines that owner Robb Bell created with Sonoma-based winemaker Michael Sebastiani after buying Flerchinger Vineyards in Hood River, Ore., was this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, and it remains a fixture. Bordheauxd serves as a tribute to the area's iconic windsurfing culture and Bell brings in grapes from vineyards not far from the “board head” … [Read more...] about Cathedral Ridge Winery 2014 Bordheauxd Red, Columbia Valley $28
Truth Teller Winery 2014 Satire Red Wine, Yakima Valley, $35
Definitely a winery worth watching, Truth Teller and owner/winemaker Chris Loeliger recently won best Syrah with his Cynic at this winter’s Savor NW Wine Awards judging on the Oregon Coast. His Right Bank Bordeaux-style blend is the flagship bottling for his Woodinville winery, and the blend of Merlot (44%), Cabernet Franc (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (15%), Malbec (7%) and Petit … [Read more...] about Truth Teller Winery 2014 Satire Red Wine, Yakima Valley, $35
Martinez and Martinez Winery 2013 Petit Verdot, Horse Heaven Hills, $30
Sergio Martinez grows the grapes, both across his estate near Champoux Vineyard and for Alder Ridge Vineyard, and his son, Andrew, turns them into wine. This three-barrel lot exudes aromas of sugared plum, vanilla bean and horehound, which extends into the flavors that include chocolate-covered pomegranate and the firm tannins that come naturally from this inky and sturdy … [Read more...] about Martinez and Martinez Winery 2013 Petit Verdot, Horse Heaven Hills, $30