Best Buy! One of the Pacific Northwest’s largest productions of rose remains devoted to the Italian variety. Aromas of raspberry, fresh cranberry, peach skin and green peppercorn lead to flavors of Rainier cherry, strawberry and plum. Its tangerine-like acidity and sweetness profile of 1% residual sugar make this a quaffer that’s intended to be served well-chilled. Enjoy with … [Read more...] about Waterbrook Winery 2015 Sangiovese Rosé, Columbia Valley, $13
Washington
14 Hands Winery 2014 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $15
Best Buy! “Textbook” may be a cliche in describing a wine of startling character, but it can be appropriate, as here. This is one fragrant, composed and resilient Merlot, yet it upholds the variety’s reputation for being capable of accommodating a wide range of foods at the table, such as ribs, tri-tip or pasta in a tomato sauce. This won a gold medal and best Merlot at the … [Read more...] about 14 Hands Winery 2014 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $15
Isenhower Cellars 2014 Cabernet Franc, Yakima Valley, $19
Retired pharmacists Brett and Denise Isenhower recently rolled out this remarkable and affordable Cabernet Franc from two of the Yakima Valley’s prized vineyards — Dineen in the Rattlesnake Hills and Olsen Brothers Ranch near Prosser. It’s an even blend of the two sites, showcasing aromas of green peppercorns, dark plum, blackberry and toast. Inside, it’s juicy and balanced … [Read more...] about Isenhower Cellars 2014 Cabernet Franc, Yakima Valley, $19
College Cellars 2014 Cockburn Ranch Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $26
While some of the credit goes to instructors Tim Donahue and Sabrina Lueck, the success of College Cellars wines starts with growers. In this case, it’s Cecil Zerba, who owns Cockburn Ranch Vineyard and sold this lot on Sept. 18, 2014. Attractive aromas of black currant, blackberry and dark chocolate lead to a round and rich drink of Marionberry, boysenberry and Devil’s Food … [Read more...] about College Cellars 2014 Cockburn Ranch Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $26
Buty Winery 2013 Rockgarden Estate Rediviva of the Stones Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, $60
If she and winemaker Chris Dowsett wanted, Nina Buty could legally label this longtime proprietary blend as Syrah (80%), yet they continue to enjoy what Cabernet Sauvignon (14%) and Mourvèdre (6%) bring to the blending bench. And 100% of it is pulled from their certified-organic Rockgarden Estate Vineyard in The Rocks District, where they grow three clones — Joseph Phelps, … [Read more...] about Buty Winery 2013 Rockgarden Estate Rediviva of the Stones Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, $60