The trend of white Rhône blends continues in the Pacific Northwest, and this Kirkland, Wash., winery sources the Roussanne (55%) from Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills and Viognier from Upland Vineyard on Snipes Mountain. This quaffer opens with tropical aromas of banana and pineapple along with notes of caramel and vanilla. On the palate, the profile turns toward … [Read more...] about Northwest Cellars 2012 Sonatina, Columbia Valley, $18
Archives for 2013
Great Northwest Wine top 100 wines of 2013: 60-51
Eleven Winery 2012 Elephant Mountain Vineyard Roussanne, Yakima Valley, $24
Bainbridge Island winemaker Matt Albee spent three years working at a Livermore, Calif., winery before he and his wife moved to Washington and entered the Northwest wine industry a decade ago. During that time, he's developed relationships with some of the state's up-and-coming vineyards, and Elephant Mountain in the Rattlesnake Hills overlooking the Yakima Valley is a rising … [Read more...] about Eleven Winery 2012 Elephant Mountain Vineyard Roussanne, Yakima Valley, $24
Great Northwest Wine top 100 wines of 2013: 70-61
Dusted Valley Vintners 2011 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $42
Here's one of the Pacific Northwest's most extravagant examples of Cabernet Franc, a product of three distinctive vineyards — Bacchus in the Columbia Valley AVA, Minnick Hills in the Walla Walla Valley and StoneTree on the Wahluke Slope. The experience starts with gorgeous cherry and Italian herb aromas, backed by baking spice, pipe tobacco and celery leaf. There's a bold entry … [Read more...] about Dusted Valley Vintners 2011 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $42