By Barbara Robertson When the internationally acclaimed Hospice du Rhône revealed its decision to stage its prestigious wine event in the Walla Walla Valley this year, it was met with excitement among lovers of Rhône varietals grown in the region. The choice reflects the organization’s commitment to growth, exploring and showcasing regions at the forefront of Rhône … [Read more...] about Hospice du Rhône hones in on Walla Walla Valley
Sokol Blosser Winery 2022 Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Columbia Valley, $38
Here's a delicious wine that comes with a backstory of some savvy logistics. Second-generation winegrowers Alex, Allison and Nik Sokol Blosser use the phrase “We know Pinot,” but they also know how to respond in a moment of crisis. Those who grew Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley freaked out early on in the 2022 vintage when the Northwest — on the eve of Tax Day — experienced … [Read more...] about Sokol Blosser Winery 2022 Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Columbia Valley, $38
Valo 2020 Conner Lee Vineyard Right Bank, Columbia Valley, $50
Few could have gotten into the vineyards that helped Michael Ruhland and Matías Kúsulas to achieve immediate acclaim for their young Valo project. Conner Lee, a comparatively cooler site near the Columbia Basin town of Othello, Wash., was planted in 1980 under the auspices of the late Walter Clore, and this bottling represents the vineyard’s second vintage under the ownership … [Read more...] about Valo 2020 Conner Lee Vineyard Right Bank, Columbia Valley, $50
Dineen Vineyards 2021 Estate Vintner’s Blend Red Wine, Yakima Valley $25
This second-generation vineyard in the upper reaches of the Yakima Valley north of Zillah is one of the early adopters of the Sustainable WA program, and the 2021 vintage brought a different set of challenges via the "heat dome" event in late June when the Dineen family as the temperature in the vines reached 112. Their charming Bordeaux-driven blend of Malbec (21%), Cabernet … [Read more...] about Dineen Vineyards 2021 Estate Vintner’s Blend Red Wine, Yakima Valley $25
Cristom Vineyards 2021 Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills $45
The Gerrie family and longtime winemaker Steve Doerner used Chardonnay to help launch Cristom Vineyards in 1992, and this flagship expression of Chardonnay remains emblematic of the Eola-Amity Hills, starting with the melange from eight vineyards — each within the American Viticultural Area and harvested by hand. Von Oehsen and Eola Springs make up nearly two-thirds of this … [Read more...] about Cristom Vineyards 2021 Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills $45