All posts by Great Northwest Wine

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.
  • Cougar Crest Estate Winery 2014 Estate Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley $42

    The Hansens planted Cougar Hills Vineyard in the southern end of the Walla Walla Valley, not far from venerable Windrow Vineyard, and Cabernet Franc is a significant part of the program at Cougar Crest. In fact, they’ve...

    • Posted October 16, 2018
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  • Walla Walla Vintners 2016 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $35

    The red-roofed barn along Mill Creek Road in Walla Walla made famous by Walla Walla Vintners’ former owners Myles Anderson and Gordy Venneri also set the standard for Cabernet Franc in the Pacific Northwest. Their apprentice-turned-winemaker William...

    • Posted October 16, 2018
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  • Yamhill Valley Vineyards 2016 Riesling, Willamette Valley, $18

    The 2018 vintage signals Ariel Eberle’s 10th anniversary at Yamhill Valley Vineyards, and her recent work has furthered the McMinnville, Ore., winery’s reputation as one of the Pacific Northwest’s leaders in cool-climate varieties. Estate fruit fuels program...

    • Posted October 16, 2018
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  • King Estate Winery 2016 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $29.00

    This past summer, the King family promoted head winemaker Brent Stone into the newly created role of chief operating officer at their Eugene-area winery, and his team shows a deft touch with one of the Pacific Northwest’s...

    • Posted October 15, 2018
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  • Drum Roll Wine 2017 Chardonnay Monet, Columbia Valley, $15.99

    This young project between Matt Frazier and Dave Hill Jr., consults with one of Woodinville’s top winemakers, and their second vintage of Chardonnay backs up the buzz of their debut releases. The blend of fruit from warm...

    • Posted October 15, 2018
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  • L’Ecole No. 41 2015 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $25

    The little historic schoolhouse in the Walla Walla Valley town of Lowden continues to set the bar high for producers of Merlot in Washington state, and it all starts with a constellation of some of the Northwest’s...

    • Posted October 15, 2018
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  • L’Ecole No 41 2015 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley, $37

    Historically, savvy supporters of L’Ecole don’t seem to waste any time in jumping on the limited release of Cabernet Franc, which Marty Clubb and Mike Sharon have been producing as single-variety bottlings since 2006. It’s a special...

    • Posted October 14, 2018
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  • Browne Family Vineyard 2015 Tribute Red, Columbia Valley, $30

    Fresh aromas and flavors of cherry, black pepper, sandalwood and plum mingle together, supported by well-managed tannins, delivering a medium bodied blend suited perfectly for sipping then dinner. The creative use of some of the “big guys”...

    • Posted September 26, 2018
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  • Brian Carter Cellars 2014 Trentenaire Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $50

    Brian Carter could well be Washington’s master of blends, with his long tenure as a top winemaker and his enthusiasm for blending. His 2014 Trentenaire, which is Petit Verdot-focused, is named in recognition of his three decades...

    • Posted September 26, 2018
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  • Belle Fiore Winery 2014 Reserve Tempranillo, Rogue Valley, $41

    This Spanish variety has found a home in Southern Oregon, and Ed Kerwin’s sprawling French-themed estate provides an elegant showcase for his Tempranillo. Blackberry, plum, blueberry and mulling spices combine with the racy acidity naturally found in...

    • Posted September 25, 2018
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