The Pinot Noir and Chardonnay produced by acclaimed winemaker Tony Rynders for this young brand, created by Marnie Wall and her husband, Brett, will elevate the profile of the nascent Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon appellation — established July 5, 2022 as the state's 23rd American Viticultural Area. Two of the 10 blocks farmed organically by Oregon State University grad … [Read more...] about Open Claim Vineyards 2018 Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, $75
A56 Wines 2019 Red Blend, Red Mountain, $60
The Aquilini family uses this new brand to pay tribute to the year - 1956 — patriarch Luigi Aquilini moved from Italy to Canada and began a new life that led to him receiving the Order of British Columbia in 2011. This is the youngest of seven wine brands under the Aquilini Beverage Group, and here's a Right Bank Bordeaux-inspired assemblage of Merlot (40%), Cabernet Sauvignon … [Read more...] about A56 Wines 2019 Red Blend, Red Mountain, $60
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2020 Expedition Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $17
Haydn Mouat's third vintage at this Walla Walla winery produced a bottling of Malbec that features purity of fruit, part of the variety's charm and why it's helped raise the profile of Argentina's wine industry. Plum, black cherry and boysenberry dominate the aromas and flavors as the oak influence is minimal. It's bright but not tart, with nicely managed tannins. It could … [Read more...] about Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2020 Expedition Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $17
Lauren Ashton Cellars 2021 Rosé, Columbia Valley, $21
The Morrell family's vineyard — Lonesome Spring Ranch — spans nearly 110 acres along the eastern edge of the Yakima Valley, and the family grows nearly 30 grape varieties on behalf of many winemakers across the state. Rhône varieties Grenache and Mourvedre are among their more recent plantings, with Grenache in 2004 and Mourvèdre two years later. Kit Singh crafts this rosé as a … [Read more...] about Lauren Ashton Cellars 2021 Rosé, Columbia Valley, $21
Explohr Wine Co. 2021 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Walla Walla Valley, $25
Winemaker/co-owner Rob Wohr is a recent product of The Institute of Enology and Viticulture — Class of '21 — so this work is symbolic of his first commercial vintage as a Walla Walla Community College grad. Cool-climate varieties will be the focus of the brand launched by Wohr and fellow Rutgers alum John Kruger, and this work with Breezy Slope Vineyard is an impressive debut. … [Read more...] about Explohr Wine Co. 2021 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Walla Walla Valley, $25