Rio Vista Winery 2010 Barbera, Columbia Valley, $37

John Little grew up on the Olympic Peninsula and, after graduating from Central Washington University, worked in Seattle for nine years. But his roots were in farming, so he moved to Central Washington, bought an orchard and worked at Wenatchee Valley College until retiring in 2004. He and his wife, Jan, now own Rio Vista, a winery along the Columbia River north of Lake Chelan. This is a stunning red using grapes from Lonesome Spring Vineyard, opening with aromas of chocolate, toasted marshmallow and black raspberry. On the palate, it reveals flavors of poached plum, walnut, dark cherry and huckleberry.

Rating: Outstanding!

Production: 100 cases

Alcohol: 13.8%

Distribution: This is for sale only at Rio Vista.

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