Best Buy! Sawtooth Winery is one of Idaho's oldest producers, having started life as Pintler Cellars in 1987. Today, it is owned by Precept Wine in Seattle, and the wines are made by Bill Murray. This red blend from the Gem State's largest vineyard includes no fewer than eight varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Grenache, Malbec and … [Read more...] about Sawtooth Winery 2010 Vineyard Select Skyline Red, Snake River Valley, $12
Archives for January 2013
Gresser Vineyard 2009 Vineyard Select Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $19
We had to do a double-take on the price of this superb Pinot Noir by Paul Gates because rarely do we find anything of this quality below $30, much less below $20. This young producer is in the northern Willamette Valley town of Forest Grove and uses estate grapes from the nearby Chehalem Mountains. This opens with gorgeous aromas of pomegranate, plum, toasted coconut and exotic … [Read more...] about Gresser Vineyard 2009 Vineyard Select Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $19
Book review: Dishing Up Oregon
One of the truly great things about living in the Pacific Northwest is the bounty of food we have - and that includes wine, an agricultural gift of nature. Let's face it. Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Idaho are teeming with wonderful small farmers who sell their wares at roadside stands and in farmers markets. In the last 20 years in particular, our region has … [Read more...] about Book review: Dishing Up Oregon
Pleasant Hill Cellars 2009 Third Renaissance, Columbia Valley, $29
Larry Lindvig is a graduate of the Boeing Wine Club, an amateur winemaking society made up of Boeing employees that, through the years, has sent many winemakers into the professional ranks. Lindvig runs his winery in the Cascade foothills town of Carnation, Wash., and has crafted a delicious red wine that undoubtedly is unique to Pleasant Hill. This is a blend of Lemberger … [Read more...] about Pleasant Hill Cellars 2009 Third Renaissance, Columbia Valley, $29
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2010 Indian Wells Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $17
While the Indian Wells tier of wines now indicates more of a style than terroir, Bob Bertheau takes most of the fruit for this Chardonnay off the warm Wahluke Slope that's home to that vineyard. And while there are lots of tropical aromatics and flavors, it's a classic oak-driven Chardonnay with creamy and buttery notes. The aromas include carmel corn and fresh-cut grass, while … [Read more...] about Chateau Ste. Michelle 2010 Indian Wells Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $17