Best Buy! King Estate continues to expand its Acrobat program, and the tandem of Spencer Spetnagel and Brent Stone combined for a beautiful and serious rosé that’s open to a wide assortment of food pairings. More than a dozen vineyards in Western Oregon factor into this, but much of the Pinot Noir comes off the Eugene estate. Created in the saignée method, it then spent two … [Read more...] about Acrobat Winery 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Oregon, $14
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Airfield Estates 2014 Red Wine, Yakima Valley, $18
Marcus Miller creates this Left Bank Bordeaux-stye red from his family’s 900-acre vineyard near Prosser, Wash., that’s nearly five decades old. Cabernet Sauvignon (57%) and Merlot (27%) are trailed by Cabernet Franc (12%), Petit Verdot and Malbec, stitched together to create aromas of blackberry pie, chalkboard dust and black licorice. There’s a rich entry and pleasing density … [Read more...] about Airfield Estates 2014 Red Wine, Yakima Valley, $18
Vidon Vineyard 2014 Estate Chardonnay, Chehelem Mountains, $35
Fourth-leaf Chardonnay fruit from Dijon clones 76 and 95 came off Don Hagge’s Vidon Vineyard hamlet in the Chehalem Mountains on Sept. 11, and he took a lemony and complex path. A program of 25% new French oak and full malolactic fermentation leads to aromas of cotton candy, toffee and toast with lemony nougat. Inside, it’s tasty with flavors of Lemonhead candy and apple with … [Read more...] about Vidon Vineyard 2014 Estate Chardonnay, Chehelem Mountains, $35
William Church Winery 2013 Billy’s Vintage Sur La Mer Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $38
The Balsleys have earned a reputation as one of the best blending houses in Woodinville, and Noah Fox Reed furthers that with this Meritage-style blend of Merlot (58%), Cabernet Sauvignon (18%), Petit Verdot (8%), Cabernet Franc (8%) and Malbec. Its pedigree of Red Willow, Dineen, Elephant Mountain, Gamache and Northridge vineyards is illustrious. And the French oak program … [Read more...] about William Church Winery 2013 Billy’s Vintage Sur La Mer Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $38
Wind Rose Cellars 2013 Bravo Rosso Red Table Wine, Washington, $22
Olympic Peninsula winemaker David Volmut continues his tradition of success with this Italian-themed blend. Barbera (52%), Primitivo (24%), Nebbiolo (4%) and Dolcetto (2%) get a Super Tuscan-type influence from Cabernet Sauvignon (18%), and the blend spent 20 months in 30 percent new French oak. As a result, the nose is bright and spicy with cherry and raspberry, joined by rose … [Read more...] about Wind Rose Cellars 2013 Bravo Rosso Red Table Wine, Washington, $22