Best Buy! The Northwest's largest winery continues to do a marvelous job with this tier, and the amount of expression is rather remarkable at this price point. Aromas include root beer barrel candy with plums, dried cherry, chocolate and vanilla. The drink, juiced up by Syrah (11%), is fruit-driven with plum, strawberry, dark cherry and chocolate flavors with mouth-filling … [Read more...] about Columbia Crest 2009 Grand Estates Merlot, Columbia Valley, $12
Johan Vineyards 2009 Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $28
The cooling influence of the Van Duzer corridor during a hot summer and Daniel Rinke's deft winemaking with the estate site in Rickreall, Ore., shows in this superbly balanced Pinot Noir. Lovely floral aromas of violet, lavender and lilac include raspberry and Montmorency cherry. The drink carries more of the cherry and raspberry along with strawberry jam and fresh cranberry. … [Read more...] about Johan Vineyards 2009 Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $28
Coach House Cellars 2010 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $30
Scott and Denise Whitman hatched this young Bellingham, Wash., winery in Paxton and Shannon Rembert's "coach house" — aka garage — and their wines are gaining acclaim in part because of vineyard sources such as Copeland, Elephant Mountain, Lowden Hills and Sheridan. Whiffs of dark strawberry, bright cherry, bittersweet chocolate, sarsaprilla and pipe tobacco transcend into … [Read more...] about Coach House Cellars 2010 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $30
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2010 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $14
Best Buy! One of Washington's largest productions of Merlot also serves as a delicious example of what the state is doing with the variety, despite a vintage that started three weeks late. Its inviting nose hints at dark cherries, blackberries, fresh espresso, cherry wood and Costa Rican cardamom. On the palate, it's big, smooth and well balanced with sweet blackberry, cherry, … [Read more...] about Chateau Ste. Michelle 2010 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $14
Amalie Robert Estate, Estate Selection Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $50
Oregon icon Dick Erath convinced Ernie Pink to leave Microsoft in Seattle and buy 60 acres in Dallas, Ore., in 1999. After several years of selling fruit to some of the Willamette Valley's most renowned wineries, Pink and his partner Dena Drews began making Amalie Robert Estate wines in 2006. Pink chooses the final blend each year for this release, and it starts with aromas of … [Read more...] about Amalie Robert Estate, Estate Selection Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $50