Ginkgo Forest Winery 2010 Ginkgo Red, Wahluke Slope, $15
Best Buy! Wahluke Slope grower/winemaker Mike Thiede blends and prices this Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Syrah (33%) and Merlot in order to move quickly through his Old Town Tacoma tasting room. It accounts for about 25% of his annual total case production, but he takes time with the wine by aging it in neutral oak for 30 months. The nose hints at crushed red currant, pie cherry, Marionberry and cherry SweeTart, joined by notes of barrel spice and cedar. There’s a smooth entry leading with cherries and currants with bright acidity and a raspberry finish, making it an easy drink that Thiede pairs with blue cheese.
Rating: Recommended
Production: 480 cases
Alcohol: 14.3%
Thank you for the info on $15 and under wines. I’ve been a red wine fan for most of my adult life and now that I’m retired I must be frugal with wine costs. I appreciate the information, especially because I want to support Washington wines.
Mike, thanks for the note. These are simply some of the wines we’ve tasted in recent weeks. Look for brands such as Columbia Crest, 14 Hands, Washington Hills, Waterbrook and Hogue and you’ll find a fair number of wines in that nice price range (reds and whites).