Justin Michaud’s second vintage for Horse Heaven Hills grower Mike Andrews included this tasty desert wine that’s a Coyote Canyon traditional blend of Viognier (62%) and Riesling. It finished out at 21% residual sugar with a classic ice wine nose of apricot glacéed, fig, poached pear with cinnamon and honey. Those notes come through as flavors, too, wrapped in a texture of … [Read more...] about Coyote Canyon Winery 2014 Sweet Louise Late Harvest Viognier Riesling, Horse Heaven Hills, $22
Martin-Scott Winery 2013 Needlerock Vineyard Montepulciano, Columbia Valley, $30
This famed Italian grape named for the southern Tuscan town is slowly gaining an audience with a handful of Washington state winemakers, and Wenatchee Valley vigernon Mike Scott etablished his Montepulciano near his Tempranillo. In many instances throughout Italy, Montepulciano is blended with Sangiovese. Not here. Instead, Scott swirls in Aglianico (15%) to help develop aromas … [Read more...] about Martin-Scott Winery 2013 Needlerock Vineyard Montepulciano, Columbia Valley, $30
Ryan Patrick Vineyards 2014 Bacchus Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $30
The Flanagan family and winemaker Jeremy Santo set out to create a reserve style Chardonnay, and they worked with some of the oldest plantings in Washington to achieve their goal. Following the Sept. 14 harvest, a seven-month fermentation in 30% new French oak sets the stage for aromas of dusty orchard fruit, toast, butterscotch, pine forest and citrus. Those lead to flavors of … [Read more...] about Ryan Patrick Vineyards 2014 Bacchus Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $30
Novelty Hill 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $26
Most, but not all, of the fruit for this large-production Cab by Washington veteran winemaker Mike Januik was pulled off Frenchman Hills site Stillwater Creek Vineyard - the estate planting for Tom Alberg Jr.'s showpiece winery in Woodinville. It’s loaded with dark plum, fig and cherry aromas, joined by white chocolate, tar and saddle leather. Inside, the rounded mouth feel … [Read more...] about Novelty Hill 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $26
Côtes de Ciel 2012 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Flagship Reserve Red Wine, Red Mountain, $49
The Holmes family produced 53 barrels of wine from the inaugural 2012 vintage for its Côtes de Ciel brand. Of the top 12 barrels, they selected six for this Meritage-style blend of Merlot (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (33%) and Cabernet Franc. These six were all new French oak, and the 22 months in them leads to sweet oak aromas of vanilla and chocolate that pick up elderberry, … [Read more...] about Côtes de Ciel 2012 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Flagship Reserve Red Wine, Red Mountain, $49