Best Buy! Sawtooth Winery was known as Pintler Cellars when it launched in 1987. It is now one of Idaho's oldest and largest producers. Precept in Seattle has owned Sawtooth since the company began in 2003 (and actually well before that). This delicious and affordable dessert wine opens with aromas of honey, lavender and yellow grapefruit, followed by flavors of fruit cocktail … [Read more...] about Sawtooth Estate Winery 2010 Late Harvest Riesling, Snake River Valley, $12
Archives for April 2013
Warm, early spring excites Washington wine grape growers
Wine grape vines are waking up across Washington's Columbia Valley, and growers could not be more pleased. "I'm plenty happy," said Mike Sauer, owner of Red Willow Vineyard west of Wapato in the Yakima Valley. "We haven't had it this early in several years." The first sign of grape vines waking up from their winter slumber is called bud break, when baby leaves begin to … [Read more...] about Warm, early spring excites Washington wine grape growers
Rio Vista Wines 2009 Loony Red, Columbia Valley, $28
Owner/winemaker John Little grows wine grapes along the Columbia River near Highway 97 north of the cutoff to Lake Chelan. The grapes for this popular red blend include Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon from his estate fruit. It's a delicious wine with aromas of cranberry, lime zest and spices, followed by flavors of cherry, boysenberry and dark chocolate. Smooth, rich … [Read more...] about Rio Vista Wines 2009 Loony Red, Columbia Valley, $28
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2011 The Expedition Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills, $15
Best Buy! This winery in Walla Walla was sold many years ago to an international spirits company, which was letting it slip away. Fortunately, Precept Wine in Seattle swooped in and purchased the winery and estate vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills. The tasting room is open again, and the wines are delicious. This affordable white wine opens with aromas of lemon, baked pear and … [Read more...] about Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2011 The Expedition Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills, $15
Helix by Reininger 2010 Phinny Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $29
When it comes to Washington Cabernet Sauvignon, there is this really cool little neighborhood in Washington's Horse Heaven Hills. It includes such vineyards as Champoux, Martinez, Palengat and Phinny Hill among them. In the past few years, some of the finest red wines in the state have come from the grapes in this small area just north of the Columbia River. This stunner from … [Read more...] about Helix by Reininger 2010 Phinny Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $29