Famed winemaker Brian Carter crafted Apex back in the 1980s, '90s and '00s before launching his eponymous brand in Woodinville. Today, Apex is owned by Precept Wine in Seattle, and its tasting room is in Prosser. This delicious red opens with aromas of sweet oak, ripe strawberry, chocolate and rhubarb, followed by flavors of boysenberry, raspberry and black olive, all backed … [Read more...] about Apex Cellars 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $30
Eleven Winery 2010 La Ronde, Washington, $33
This winery is just a 30-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island, and winemaker Matt Albee is crafting some beautiful wines. This red blend offers aromas of blueberry, black tea, maple syrup and fresh-roasted coffee, followed by flavors of blackberry, pomegranate and Marionberry cobbler. It is a delicious wine to pair with grilled flank steak or portabella … [Read more...] about Eleven Winery 2010 La Ronde, Washington, $33
Holmes Harbor Cellars 2009 Carménère, Walla Walla Valley, $34
Carménère is one of our favorite red wine grapes - not only does it produce delicious and distinctive wines, but it also has a great story behind it. Carménère is one of the original Bordeaux red varieties and was once thought to rival Cabernet Sauvignon in quality. But the great phylloxera scourge in the late 19th century all but wiped out the variety because it didn't take … [Read more...] about Holmes Harbor Cellars 2009 Carménère, Walla Walla Valley, $34
Smasne Cellars 2010 Upland Vineyard Mourvèdre, Snipes Mountain, $44
Robert Smasne is making more wines from Snipes Mountain than any other Washington winemaker. Between his own label - which contains a large number of Upland Vineyard-designated wines - and the wines he makes for Upland Estate Winery's offerings, he is the expert on the grapes of Snipes Mountain. This superb Rhône-style red is one of his best wines to date. It opens with aromas … [Read more...] about Smasne Cellars 2010 Upland Vineyard Mourvèdre, Snipes Mountain, $44
Waterbrook Winery 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $14
Best Buy! Leave it to this longtime Walla Walla Valley to continue to produce high-quality, high-value reds after three decades. Now owned by Precept Wine in Seattle, Waterbrook has a beautiful winery west of Walla Walla, where it also makes all its wine. This luscious red opens with aromas of Bing cherry, strawberry, fresh thyme, clove and brown sugar, followed by flavors of … [Read more...] about Waterbrook Winery 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $14