One of Washington’s oldest plantings of Mourvèdre, a block dating to 1998, comes to life in the hands of Walla Walla’s Brett Isenhower. His presentation of fruit harvested Oct. 9 leads to enticing aromas of dusty blackberry and Jolly Rancher grape candy with pinches of black pepper, anise and oregano. The free-run juice from used French oak barrels brings flavors of elderberry … [Read more...] about Isenhower Cellars 2014 Wallula Vineyard Mourvèdre, Horse Heaven Hills, $34
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Avennia 2014 Boushey Vineyard Arnaut Syrah, Yakima Valley, $50
Woodinville winemaker Chris Peterson and grower Dick Boushey continue their remarkable connection with Syrah, and this marks the second consecutive vintage in which Avennia has earned our top rating for this annual tribute to Arnaut Daniel, a medieval French lyrical poet. The subtle use of new French oak (15%) over 16 months offers aromas of blueberry jam on toast with Western … [Read more...] about Avennia 2014 Boushey Vineyard Arnaut Syrah, Yakima Valley, $50
Telaya Wine Co. 2014 Daniel Vineyard Merlot, Snake River Valley, $45
Idaho winemakers Earl and Carrie Sullivan turn much of their attention to famed producers in Washington state’s Columbia Valley such as Boushey and Quintessence for their Bordeaux varieties. And yet, they’ve established a relationship with Dave Daniel’s vineyard south of Lake Lowell in the Snake River Valley. This signaled a bounce-back vintage for Daniel, whose site on the … [Read more...] about Telaya Wine Co. 2014 Daniel Vineyard Merlot, Snake River Valley, $45
Fujishin Family Cellars 2014 Syrah, Snake River Valley, $25
Snake River Valley native Martin Fujishin has displayed a knack for blending that has earned him national attention with his Rhône-inspired Amatino. However, the 2014 vintage prompted him to release a standalone Syrah, something he doesn’t do every year. Polo Cove, a large block adjacent to acclaimed Fraser Vineyard, is a core of the Fujishin Syrah program, and it accounts for … [Read more...] about Fujishin Family Cellars 2014 Syrah, Snake River Valley, $25
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2012 Reserve Rusty Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $44
Sonoma winemaker Michael Sebastiani focuses on two sites near the Columbia River on the Oregon side for this blend of Syrah from Bangsund Vineyard and Zinfandel, a crop from Moody Vineyard near the Deschutes River. There’s a wealth of barrel influence, which contribute Christmas spices to the mix of cherries and cassis and orange zest. There’s also zestiness to the structure as … [Read more...] about Cathedral Ridge Winery 2012 Reserve Rusty Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $44