Camaraderie Cellars 2009 Tempranillo, Yakima Valley, $28 This red Spanish variety has gained a small but solid foothold in recent years in the Pacific Northwest, and Washington is proving to be a great place to grow the robust grape. This wine from a longtime Port Angeles winery uses grapes from Two Coyote Vineyard in the Rattlesnake Hills and Crawford Vineyard near the Yakima … [Read more...] about 10 Pacific Northwest Tempranillos to try today
Winter’s Hill Vineyard 2012 Pinot Gris, Dundee Hills, $17
This multi-generation family farms 35 acres in Oregon's famed Dundee Hills, and their site has been Salmon Safe for nearly 15 years. Their Pinot Gris releases subtle aromas of cantaloupe, Gala apple and lemon, but there's much more inside. Flavors start with a bold entry of Bosc pear, followed by Granny Smith apple peel, minerality and pleasing lemony crispness. Rating: … [Read more...] about Winter’s Hill Vineyard 2012 Pinot Gris, Dundee Hills, $17
Mercer Estate, 2011 Reserve Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills, $42
Much of the Mercer family's white wine program comes from its holdings in the Yakima Valley near Sunnyside, Wash., but this reserve lot hails from their Horse Heaven Hills neighbors at Zephyr Ridge Vineyard. They didn't cut corners on this California-style Chardonnay, dropping it in 100% new French oak and hand-stirring on the lees for nine months. It creates aromas of lemon … [Read more...] about Mercer Estate, 2011 Reserve Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills, $42
L’Ecole No. 41 2010 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $34
Despite what many maintain, there is still a market for great Syrah, and here's one from a legend in Walla Walla that you don't need to be on a waiting list for. It opens with aromas of black cherry, poached plum, blueberry, vanilla and minerality. The drink brings a bold and rich structure of boysenberry, chocolate-covered cherries and fig with Marionberry and earthiness in … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41 2010 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $34
Ghost Hill Cellars 2012 Bayliss-Bower Vineyard Pinot Noir Blanc, Yamhill-Carlton, $25
Rebecca Pittock-Shouldis, a winemaking member of the Oregon Air National Guard, dials in one of the Northwest's more fascinating wines, and she describes it as made in the style of a Champagne "just minus the bubbles." This estate blanc de noir comes from Dijon clones, and while it is done in all stainless steel, it is aged on the lees for several months. All of the above … [Read more...] about Ghost Hill Cellars 2012 Bayliss-Bower Vineyard Pinot Noir Blanc, Yamhill-Carlton, $25