Don't Miss
- VineLines Dispatch: Harvest surrounding Lake Chelan
- Northwest restaurateurs purchase Basel Cellars in Walla Walla
- Hayden Homes CEO buys interest in Pepper Bridge, Amavi wineries
- Walla Walla Community College to receive $15 million gift from MacKenzie Scott
- Brian Carter Cellars adds Latin influence with marketing hire
- VineLines Dispatch: A Gorgeous look at harvest
- Goose Ridge hires Peter Devison as winemaking consultant
- Tri-City winemaker Palencia partners on Culture Shock mobile catering
- Armstrong Family Winery turns Discovery Vineyard Syrah into best wine at Great Northwest Invitational
- VineLines Dispatch: Harvest of Walla Walla Valley
Tempranillo enjoying growing fame in Northwest
By Great Northwest Wine on June 12, 2016
Columbia Winery 2013 Tempranillo, Horse Heaven Hills, $35
This big red grape variety from the Iberian Peninsula shines in the Pacific Northwest, and it’s found a home in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills. Columbia winemaker Sean Hails harvested this early ripener in mid-September and his use of both French and American barrels shows a light hand with new oak – just 11 percent. That allows for a robust and stylistic nose of black currant and dark plum with notes of white pepper, horehound and roasted meat. On the plate, there’s a mouth-filling delivery of plum and pomegranate, backed by tannins that provide plenty of grip. Enjoy with marbled meat.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 950 cases
Alcohol: 14.3%
0 comments