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Elephant Seven 2017 Blue Mountain Vineyard Viognier, Walla Walla Valley, $20

By Great Northwest Wine on November 14, 2018

Joshua West fled the life of an investment banker and plunged himself in the Walla Walla Valley wine community. Earlier this year, the College Cellars product opened his own tasting room downtown to more properly showcase his love for Rhone varieties made from nearby vines. His stainless-steel work with clone 1 Viognier from sheep-grazed Blue Mountain Vineyard is priced as a steal and far from flabby, starting with aromas of white peach, lemon zest and apricot skin. Across the palate come bright flavors of Bosc pear and Granny Smith apple peel with a rewarding finish of grapefruit pith. Suggested fare includes fresh goat cheese, poultry and seafood in lighter sauces. His wines are available in select shops and restaurants throughout the Northwest, including Dahlia Lounge, PCC Community Markets and Esquin Wine & Spirits in Seattle, Village Wines in Woodinville and Blackbird Wine Shop in Portland as well as in Walla Walla at Whitehouse-Crawford and The Vineyard Lounge at the Marcus Whitman.

Rating: Excellent

Production: 44 cases

Alcohol: 13.4%

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About Great Northwest Wine

Articles authored by Great Northwest Wine are co-authored by Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue. In most cases, these are wine reviews that are judged blind by the Great Northwest Wine tasting panel.