A decade ago, Aryn Morell began working with Royal Slope growers/owners Josh and Lisa Lawrence, and the Walla Walla winemaker approached the warm 2017 vintage as one to be particularly careful with during the fermentation so as to not extract too much in the way of tannins. His dual-pronged approach with concrete (68%) and stainless steel (32%) tanks, then a program of 50% new … [Read more...] about Gård Vintners 2017 Lawrence Vineyards Estate Malbec, Columbia Valley, $40
Wine of the Week
Coeur de Terre Vineyard 2017 Oregon Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $22
Scott Neal's flagship wine routinely yields gold medals in regional competitions, and his latest work pulls heavily from his vineyard outside of McMinnville, Ore., incorporating his Renelle’s Block, Sarah Jane’s Block, Abby’s Block and Tallulah’s Run while gathering up Pinot Noir from eight clones, including Pommard, Coury and five Dijon clones. The nose delights with aromas of … [Read more...] about Coeur de Terre Vineyard 2017 Oregon Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $22
Battle Creek Cellars 2019 Unconditional Pinot Noir Blanc, Oregon, $28
Many of us are quite fond with "Pinot Noir Blanc" as a sparkling wine, aka "blanc de noir." Fortunately, a small but growing number of talented winemakers in the Willamette Valley are producing white Pinot Noir as a still wine. Sarah Cabot's example under the Battle Creek Cellars banner ranks among the Northwest's most delicious. The nose of strawberry/banana, Pink Lady apple … [Read more...] about Battle Creek Cellars 2019 Unconditional Pinot Noir Blanc, Oregon, $28
Tertulia Cellars 2019 Whistling Hills Estate Vineyard Viognier, Walla Walla Valley $25
The 2019 harvest marked the 10th anniversary of the first commercial vintage for proprietor Jim O'Connell's first vineyard, which frames his inaugural tasting room south of downtown Walla Walla. And while winemaker Ryan Raber has three estate vineyards in the portfolio and Syran is represented at each site, Whistling Hills is the only source for his Viognier. Sweet aromatic … [Read more...] about Tertulia Cellars 2019 Whistling Hills Estate Vineyard Viognier, Walla Walla Valley $25
Maryhill Winery 2019 Otis Vineyard Proprietor’s Reserve Albariño, Columbia Valley, $24
The Tudor family in Washington's Yakima Valley continues to honor the legacy of Otis Harlan with the work at this historic vineyard near Grandview. The versatility of this site, where Harlan established Cabernet Sauvignon in 1957. It garnered the attention of the late David Lake, and the Tudors acquired the vineyard in 2013. Their growing relationship with Maryhill has made … [Read more...] about Maryhill Winery 2019 Otis Vineyard Proprietor’s Reserve Albariño, Columbia Valley, $24