This winery is the collaboration of winemaker Robert Smasne and Alan Busacca, the new director of Walla Walla Community College's enology and viticulture program. The winery tasting room was located in the Columbia Gorge town of Bingen, Wash., prior to Busacca moving to Walla Walla, so now all wines are for sale online. This is a delicious Syrah with aromas of cedar, tobacco … [Read more...] about AlmaTerra Wines 2008 Coeo Three Vineyard Syrah, Columbia Valley, $36
JoieFarm 2011 En Famille Reserve Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, $40
Robert Thielicke works alongside Heidi Noble as the winemakers for JoieFarm, one of British Columbia's best producers. He is a veteran winemaker who has spent more than a decade in the valley's cellars. This reserve-level Pinot Noir uses grapes from the Naramata Bench and other nearby vineyards, and only the top barrels are chosen. This opens with aromas of ripe watermelon, … [Read more...] about JoieFarm 2011 En Famille Reserve Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, $40
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2012 The Expedition Pinot Gris, Horse Heaven Hills, $15
Best Buy! Pinot Gris is a hot grape in Washington state, where production has surpassed Oregon in recent vintages. Here's a delicious and affordable example by one of Walla Walla's older producers. This opens with aromas of yellow rose petal, Granny Smith apple and slate, followed by bright flavors of nectarine, Asian pear and melon. It is loaded with upfront acidity and should … [Read more...] about Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2012 The Expedition Pinot Gris, Horse Heaven Hills, $15
Smasne Cellars 2011 Upland Vineyard Aligoté, Snipes Mountain, $18
Aligoté is a rare white grape variety that is grown primarily in Burgundy, where it is made into a varietal wine and also is used to make the popular French cocktail kir (blended with crème de cassis). One of the few places outside of Europe where it is grown is in Washington state - and only in tiny amounts. This is a yummy example using grapes from the central Yakima Valley. … [Read more...] about Smasne Cellars 2011 Upland Vineyard Aligoté, Snipes Mountain, $18
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2011 Reserve Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills, $24
This Walla Walla winery with estate vines in the Horse Heaven Hills has a fairly lengthy history going back to the late 1980s. It's now owned by Precept Wine in Seattle. This opens with aromas of pear, lemongrass, pineapple and butter, followed by flavors of lemon, honeydew melon and banana. It is made in a rich, mouth-filling style that should pair well with Dungeness … [Read more...] about Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2011 Reserve Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills, $24