Malbec is an up-and-comer in the Northwest, particularly in Washington, where we are able to find as many 100 examples. This is a good example of a Washington Malbec, with dense aromas of blackberry, brownie mix and vanilla, followed by flavors of boysenberry and smooth dark chocolate. Its rich midpalate leads to an elegant finish, and we would pair this with flank … [Read more...] about Lookout Point Winery 2010 Malbec, Rattlesnake Hills, $24
Raptor Ridge Winery 2010 Estate Adalfo’s Block Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $38
The Chehalem Mountains AVA is in the northern Willamette Valley, near the town of Newberg, Ore. This tasty Pinot Noir offers aromas of cherry jam, pomegranate and red currant, as well as almost no noticeable oak. On the palate, it reveals flavors of raspberry, black truffle and black cherry. It's a gentle, approachable red with mild tannins. Rating: … [Read more...] about Raptor Ridge Winery 2010 Estate Adalfo’s Block Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $38
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10
Best Buy! This is likely the largest single bottling of Riesling anywhere in the world, and it seems a little unfair that it is so delicious. But Ste. Michelle white winemaker Wendy Stuckey has some great fruit to work with from the broad Columbia Valley, including fruit from the Yakima Valley, Horse Heaven Hills and Wahluke Slope. This is a stunning white wine that opens with … [Read more...] about Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10
Knight Hill Winery 2010 Mourvèdre, Wahluke Slope, $24
Owners Anne and Terry Harrison use the services of winemaker Anke Wildman to produce some of the best wines coming out of the Zillah area of the Yakima Valley. The grapes for this wine were sourced from StoneTree Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope (which, not coincidentally, is owned and operated by Anke's husband, Tedd Wildman). This luscious Mourvèdre offers aromas of thyme, … [Read more...] about Knight Hill Winery 2010 Mourvèdre, Wahluke Slope, $24
Native Sun 2009 Petit Verdot, Red Mountain, $50
Kyle Johnson, winemaker for the now-defunct Olsen Estate, now has his own gig with Purple Star and Native Sun. Johnson used grapes from the pioneering Kiona Vineyards on Red Mountain for this delicious but rarely made 100% Petit Verdot. It opens with aromas of chocolate, black licorice, walnut and black cherry. On the palate, it offers flavors of chocolate-covered blueberry, … [Read more...] about Native Sun 2009 Petit Verdot, Red Mountain, $50