Sandra Oldfield made Cabernet Franc a focus soon after she landed in British Columbia after growing up in the Bay Area and graduating from University of California-Davis. She can look down from her winery on the Golden Mile Bench and across the valley to the Black Sage Bench and their Diamondback Vineyard, the home for her traditionally graceful Cab Franc. In fact, this is … [Read more...] about Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2013 Oldfield Series Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, $32
Martinez and Martinez Winery 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $34
Andrew Martinez works with small lots from his father’s historic planting in the dusty Horse Heaven Hills. Neighboring vineyards include Champoux, Phinny Hill and Quilceda Creek Vintners’ Palengat — once known as Matador Vineyard. Sergio Martinez now owns one of the oldest sites for Cab in the state, gnarled vines he’s nurtured since 1981, and those 3 acres created this regal … [Read more...] about Martinez and Martinez Winery 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $34
Owen Roe 2013 Red Wine, Yakima Valley, $28
While it doesn’t meet the Meritage criteria as his most expensive wine, Yakima Valley champion David O’Reilly devotes fruit from some of Washington’s top vineyards to the flagship offering under his iconic Owen Roe brand. DuBrul, Red Willow, Eldering and O’Reilly estate plantings Outlook and Union Gap make up this Right Bank-style blend of Merlot (45%), Cabernet Franc (33%) and … [Read more...] about Owen Roe 2013 Red Wine, Yakima Valley, $28
50th Parallel Estate shows successful reach of British Columbia wines
LAKE COUNTRY, British Columbia — Few principals in the British Columbia wine industry are as flamboyant as Curtis Krouzel, yet his passion and dedication at 50th Parallel Estate Winery have meshed with winemaking talent Grant Stanley to produce some of the Pacific Northwest's most sophisticated wines. Krouzel and his wife, Sheri-Lee Turner-Krouzel, established 50th Parallel … [Read more...] about 50th Parallel Estate shows successful reach of British Columbia wines
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2013 Reid Vineyard Merlot, Columbia Valley, $32
Columbia Gorge vintner Robb Bell and Sonoma winemaker Michael Sebastiani show their dedication to Merlot in Oregon with this vineyard-designate project with Reid Vineyard, up the Columbia River near The Dalles. Their approach for 22 months with a blend of barrels creates aromas of blackberry and cherry juice with Sunsweet Dried Plums and pink peppercorns. On the palate, there’s … [Read more...] about Cathedral Ridge Winery 2013 Reid Vineyard Merlot, Columbia Valley, $32