One of Washington’s most storied winemakers, Mike Januik, continues to showcase Tom Alberg’s acclaimed site on the Royal Slope and its work with one of the state’s hottest varieties. A 20-month program with French and American barrels, 43% of them new, account for a pleasing aromatic profile of dark toast, black cherry and blueberry backed by vanilla, chocolate, coffee and wet … [Read more...] about Novelty Hill 2013 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Malbec, Columbia Valley, $28
Washington
Martin-Scott Winery 2015 Rosé of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $18
This Wenatchee Valley winery, vineyard and tasting room continues its tradition of providing an off-dry rose from 15-year-old Sangiovese vines planted at Lewis and Clark Vineyard near Red Mountain. Aromas of strawberry shortcake, cherry candy, apricot and mint spill into flavors of sweet cherries, sugared plums and strawberry with enough cherry skin tannin and melon to create … [Read more...] about Martin-Scott Winery 2015 Rosé of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $18
Kestrel Vintners 2015 Falcon Series Estate Gewürztraminer, Yakima Valley, $17
This vintage marked the 20th anniversary of the late John J. Walker’s purchase of Kestrel View Estate Vineyard, which ranks among the oldest plantings in Washington state. Here’s one of the Yakima Valley’s largest offerings of Gewürztraminer, and it comes with a classic perfume of lychee, jasmine, honeysuckle and kiwi fruit. The flavors open with more tropical lychee notes, and … [Read more...] about Kestrel Vintners 2015 Falcon Series Estate Gewürztraminer, Yakima Valley, $17
Côtes de Ciel 2013 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Counoise, Red Mountain, $23
Red Mountain pioneering vigneron Jim Holmes and his winemaking son Richard launched their Côtes de Ciel brand with the 2012 vintage. This effort with Counoise is the first vintage for their label with this grape they planted in 2000, thanks to cutting from Tablas Creek Nursery in Paso Robles. Its time in 22 months in neutral oak leads to aromas of cherries, blueberry and … [Read more...] about Côtes de Ciel 2013 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Counoise, Red Mountain, $23
Walla Faces 2015 Art Rosé, Walla Walla Valley, $20
Rick and Debbie Johnson’s multi-layered operation in Walla Walla, which includes lodging, vineyard and wine program, takes a Rhône approach to this lightly salmon-colored rosé. It started Oct. 5 with Syrah from Walla Faces Estate Vineyard, a lofty site in the Walla Walla Valley at 1,360 feet elevation along Wheat Ridge Lane. Next came co-fermention with Viognier (20%) from … [Read more...] about Walla Faces 2015 Art Rosé, Walla Walla Valley, $20