Laissez Faire 2018 Red Table Wine, Snake River Valley, $18

Melanie Krause and Joe Schnerr of acclaimed Cinder Wines near Boise continue show their talented resourcefulness with the everyday Laissez Faire program. Their latest edition pulls in Sangiovese (48%), Mourvedre (24%), Merlot (14%) and Tempranillo from Williamson and Sawtooth vineyards. They keep this pleasing, well-made and approachable, thanks in part to aging the lots for just six months in neutral oak barrel. Raspberry pie, chalky earth, nutmeg and vanilla aromas bid a sip. Sweet raspberry, loganberry and Red Delicious apple flavors create a juicy medium-bodied wine that is fun to drink. The intertwined acidity and tannin are in the background but help to produce an easy-drinking wine that will pair well with just about any mid-week meal – fish to heavy meat or pasta dishes – or a treat while making the meal. This earned a best-of-class award in the Red Blend category at the 2019 Cascadia International Wine Competition – one of four gold medals awarded to Team Cinder at the judging in Washington state.

Rating: Outstanding!

Production: 900 cases

Alcohol: 13.6%

Winery website

Subscribe to our Wine of the Week newsletter