Squirrel Tooth Alice has gotten around. While the previous vintage for this GSM-style blend reached into a couple of top sites on the sultry Wahluke Slope, the 2014 is devoted to Red Heaven Vineyard on hot Red Mountain. And this time, it is led by Mourvèdre (63%) with typical bedfellows Grenache (27%) and Syrah (10%) playing second fiddle. The perfumy features an alluring blend … [Read more...] about Dusted Valley Vintners 2014 Squirrel Tooth Alice Red Wine, Red Mountain, $39
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2014 Bordheauxd Red, Columbia Valley $28
One of the first wines that owner Robb Bell created with Sonoma-based winemaker Michael Sebastiani after buying Flerchinger Vineyards in Hood River, Ore., was this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, and it remains a fixture. Bordheauxd serves as a tribute to the area's iconic windsurfing culture and Bell brings in grapes from vineyards not far from the “board head” … [Read more...] about Cathedral Ridge Winery 2014 Bordheauxd Red, Columbia Valley $28
Syrah plays big role in Northwest red blends
After Australia flooded the U.S. market with inexpensive and uninteresting Shiraz, Syrah has been a tough sell with consumers. Yet acreage and tonnage of Syrah continues to increase year after year. Last year, Washington winemakers harvested more than 20,000 tons of the red wine grape for the first time in state history. There are two main reasons for this. First of … [Read more...] about Syrah plays big role in Northwest red blends
Truth Teller Winery 2014 Satire Red Wine, Yakima Valley, $35
Definitely a winery worth watching, Truth Teller and owner/winemaker Chris Loeliger recently won best Syrah with his Cynic at this winter’s Savor NW Wine Awards judging on the Oregon Coast. His Right Bank Bordeaux-style blend is the flagship bottling for his Woodinville winery, and the blend of Merlot (44%), Cabernet Franc (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (15%), Malbec (7%) and Petit … [Read more...] about Truth Teller Winery 2014 Satire Red Wine, Yakima Valley, $35
Martinez and Martinez Winery 2013 Petit Verdot, Horse Heaven Hills, $30
Sergio Martinez grows the grapes, both across his estate near Champoux Vineyard and for Alder Ridge Vineyard, and his son, Andrew, turns them into wine. This three-barrel lot exudes aromas of sugared plum, vanilla bean and horehound, which extends into the flavors that include chocolate-covered pomegranate and the firm tannins that come naturally from this inky and sturdy … [Read more...] about Martinez and Martinez Winery 2013 Petit Verdot, Horse Heaven Hills, $30