One of the Walla Walla Valley’s most enterprising and successful wine companies continues to explore higher-elevation sites in the Yakima Valley for its Chardonnay, and the Olsen family's vineyard reaches up toward the Rattlesnake Hills at 1,350 feet. The multi-faceted fermentation by the Wisconsin boys includes 20% new French oak barrels, 15 percent in stainless steel and 5 … [Read more...] about Dusted Valley Vintners 2015 Olsen Vineyard Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $34
Sparkman Cellars 2013 Ruckus Syrah, Red Mountain, $52
Woodinville vintner Christian Sparkman deepens his reputation with Ruckus, a Côte Rôtie style of Syrah he began courting in 2006. The focus is on Ciel du Cheval on Red Mountain with Boushey Vineyard (8%) contributing the Viognier. Despite the 25 miles apart, both sites were harvested the same day — Sept. 13 — and his Sparkman's program of 33% new French oak makes for enticing … [Read more...] about Sparkman Cellars 2013 Ruckus Syrah, Red Mountain, $52
Milbrandt Vineyards 2013 Northridge Vineyard The Estates Malbec, Wahluke Slope, $45
Northridge Vineyard is one of nine Milbrandt sites in Washington state’s Columbia Basin and perhaps the most prized among the company’s six plantings on the Wahluke Slope. Joshua Maloney allowed this lot of Malbec to hang until Oct. 22, and the barrel program of 18 months in neutral oak explains why the dark blue fruit tones of plum, pomegranate and black cherry remain at the … [Read more...] about Milbrandt Vineyards 2013 Northridge Vineyard The Estates Malbec, Wahluke Slope, $45
Silvan Ridge Winery 2014 Malbec, Rogue Valley, $26
Juan Pablo Valot’s instinctive touch for Malbec is revealed again as the Argentine pulls from the Rogue Valley. This marks the fourth vintage of Malbec for this Eugene, Ore., property, and the Mendoza native produces greatness from Gold Vineyard near Talent. Dark purple fruit tones of black currant and dark plum pick up boysenberry acidity, savory black olive notes and … [Read more...] about Silvan Ridge Winery 2014 Malbec, Rogue Valley, $26
Telaya Wine Co. 2014 Petit Verdot, Snake River Valley, $35
Boise winemaker Earl Sullivan relies on famed growers in Washington state for much of his Cabernet Sauvignon, but he enjoys working with scenic Sawtooth Vineyard and viticulturist Dale Jeffers for this Petit Verdot — a Bordeaux grape that’s traditionally a blender and not easy to balance for a standalone bottling. These four barrels of Petit Verdot from Idaho's Snake River … [Read more...] about Telaya Wine Co. 2014 Petit Verdot, Snake River Valley, $35