This Woodinville, Wash., producer is crafting some superb wines using Red Mountain grapes. This is a Southern Rhône blend of Mourvédrè (55%) from Red Heaven Vineyard and Syrah from Ciel du Cheval. The result is a wine with aromas of sarsaparilla, blackberry, black pepper and chocolate and flavors of cherry, boysenberry jam and dark chocolate. It's a rich, luscious wine with … [Read more...] about Convergence Zone Cellars 2010 Virga, Red Mountain, $28
Archives for May 2013
Koenig Vineyards 2010 Cabernet-Syrah, Snake River Valley, $25
Greg Koenig is one of the top winemakers in Idaho, and he produces wines not only for his eponymous winery but also for several other operators in the Snake River Valley. In addition, he and his brother also operate the state's first craft distillery, an operation that goes back more than a decade. This red blend is one of his finest efforts, as he used Cabernet Sauvignon from … [Read more...] about Koenig Vineyards 2010 Cabernet-Syrah, Snake River Valley, $25
Washington wines win medals at Seattle Wine Awards
SEATTLE - More than 850 wines were awarded medals Thursday in Washington's largest wine competition. The results of the eighth annual Seattle Wine Awards were announced. Of the 1,105 entries - the largest ever - nearly 80 percent were given medals. Of these, 258 or 23 percent earned unanimous double gold medals, while 251 or 22 percent were awarded gold medals. Meanwhile, … [Read more...] about Washington wines win medals at Seattle Wine Awards
Columbia Crest 2010 StoneTree Vineyard Reserve Primitivo, Wahluke Slope, $30
Primitivo and Zinfandel are considered clones of a Croatian grape called Crljenak Kaštelanski. In Italy, Primitivos may legally be labeled as Zinfandel and shipped to the United States, while here in the USA, the two are considered distinctly different grapes. Confusing? Let's move on to this delicious wine using grapes from one of the Wahluke Slope's top vineyards. It opens … [Read more...] about Columbia Crest 2010 StoneTree Vineyard Reserve Primitivo, Wahluke Slope, $30
Maryhill Winery 2010 Les Collines Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $36
"Les Collines" translates to "The Foothills" - and appropriate name for this vineyard south of downtown Walla Walla, Wash., as the elevation reaches 1,380 feet and begins to reach up into the Blue Mountains. This wine opens with aromas of sweet oak, horehound candy, ginger root and boysenberry syrup. On the palate, it offers purple and dark fruit, as well as dried cherry and … [Read more...] about Maryhill Winery 2010 Les Collines Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $36