McClellan Vineyard figured into a number of the top wines from Wine Press Northwest's 2009 "Bordeaux Gems" judging. Fruit of that quality in the hands of someone as talented at Richard Funk produces something as marvelous as this. He invested 100% new French oak barrels into this, which helps account for dense aromas of Marionberry, blueberry, white chocolate and vanilla. The … [Read more...] about Saviah Cellars 2008 Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley, $35
Archives for January 2013
Sweet Cheeks Winery 2011 Vintage Riesling, Oregon, $14
Best Buy! Estate vineyards first planted in 1978 at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, south of Eugene, Ore., make up most of this blend definitely appeals to the tasting room crowd. It’s hugely tropical from beginning to end, flashing aromas of guava and lychee, backed by minerality and a whiff of petrol. The drink is akin to fruit cocktail in a medium syrup, finished … [Read more...] about Sweet Cheeks Winery 2011 Vintage Riesling, Oregon, $14
Waterbrook Winery 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $12
Best Buy! This large-production, historic winery in Walla Walla produces a fruit-forward, yet bone-dry Sauvignon Blanc that should pair quite well with ceviche. The nose leads with bake pears, lemon custard, pineapple, honeydew melon, gooseberry and chalkboard dust. Lime and gooseberry lead the flavor profile, finished with more lemon and some lemongrass. Rating: … [Read more...] about Waterbrook Winery 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $12
SuLei Cellars 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $18
Walla Walla Valley vintner Tanya Woodley, winemaker of Wine Press Northwest’s 2012 Washington Winery to Watch, produces a rather fascinating version of Sauvignon Blanc using grapes from Spring Creek Vineyard near Benton City, Wash. It brings a tropical nose featuring fresh-peel lychee, backed by grassiness and a hint of tomcat. The tropical and herbal complexity continues … [Read more...] about SuLei Cellars 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $18
Ghost Hill Cellars 2011 Bayliss-Bower Vineyard Pinot Noir Blanc, Yamhill-Carlton, $25
This is the fifth generation of the Bayliss family to farm this 200+ acre property near Carlton, Ore., which seems to suit Pinot Noir, and winemaker Rebecca Pittock-Shouldis turned some of their fruit into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most unique wines. It is billed as a “Champagne minus the bubbles,” and it indeed smells Burgundian, leading with aromas of apple and pear, … [Read more...] about Ghost Hill Cellars 2011 Bayliss-Bower Vineyard Pinot Noir Blanc, Yamhill-Carlton, $25