Sommelier-turned-winemaker Brad Binko trained at Walla Walla Community College, and he worked with Morrison Lane grapes for this fanciful Viognier. The Morrisons established Viognier on their four-generation farm in Walla Walla, and Viognier historically has been the only white grape they grow in the 20-year history. Beautiful aromas of piña colada include banana chips, … [Read more...] about Eternal Wines 2015 Sunshine Viognier, Walla Walla Valley, $35
Winter’s Hill 2015 Reserve Estate Pinot Gris, Dundee Hills, $29
An early autumn harvest in 2015 of his family’s 35-acre estaste allowed Russell Gladhart to expand his reserve Pinot Gris program from the 2014 vintage, and he’s done a remarkable job with this release that blends some juice from neutral French oak barrels with stainless steel fermentation. It creates a theme of lemon bar and tutti frutti notes with bright, lively and long … [Read more...] about Winter’s Hill 2015 Reserve Estate Pinot Gris, Dundee Hills, $29
An Outstanding selection of Northwest wines
We taste many Northwest wines. When wine is submitted to us for review, it goes into a queue to be tasted under blind conditions - the fairest way we can think to evaluate it. During the evaluation process, we don't know the producer or the price until we have written our notes and determined our scores are completed. We don't use a point scale, rather, we use the same … [Read more...] about An Outstanding selection of Northwest wines
Vidon Vineyard 2013 Hans Clone Pommard Estate Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $50
Vicki and Don Hagge began to lay out Vidon (VEE-Dohn) Vineyard in 1999, and they’ve achieved L.I.V.E. status as a certified sustainable site near Newberg, Ore. Don’s work with Pommard in his Hans Block, planted within the elevation range of 400-500 feet, shows the dark and ripe tones one expects from Pommard. Lush aromas of sugared plum, cherry pie and cocoa powder transition … [Read more...] about Vidon Vineyard 2013 Hans Clone Pommard Estate Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $50
Lopez Island Vineyard 2015 Estate Grown Organic Madeleine Angevine, Puget Sound, $25
Brent Charnley established his vineyards on Lopez Island in 1987, and his work with Madeleine Angevine serves as a stunning example of terroir and maritime climate. The record warmth of the 2015 vintage allowed him to create floral aromas of jasmine and lychee with apricot and Mandarin orange. Delicious flavors of tangelo and apricot nectar include a nibble of skin tannin that … [Read more...] about Lopez Island Vineyard 2015 Estate Grown Organic Madeleine Angevine, Puget Sound, $25