Three generations of the Martinez family are represented in this fun pink wine — owner/grower Sergio, son/winemaker Andrew and granddaughter Mayli Mae. It’s almost unthinkable that fruit from one of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon plantings in this famous neighborhood of the Horse Heaven Hills would be used for rosé, but its beautiful hot pink color and splash of sweetness make … [Read more...] about Martinez & Martinez 2015 May Mae Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $20
Panther Creek Cellars 2014 Lazy River Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $45
The Lumpkins, successful and proud University of Washington grads, established their 30-acre Lazy River Vineyard in 2000 on Mount Richmond near Yamhill, Ore. In addition to their own winery, they sell to a handful of premier producers in the Willamette Valley, and Tony Rynders gets to work with their fruit on behalf of Panther Creek. He applies a practice of less than a year in … [Read more...] about Panther Creek Cellars 2014 Lazy River Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $45
Argyle Winery 2014 Master Series Nuthouse Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills, $40
The estate Lone Star Vineyard, a tribute to founding winemaker Rollin Soles’s Texas heritage, takes up all the real estate in this Chardonnay from Argyle Winery that’s a beautiful example of the stylistic approach taking place in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Picked over the course of two days — Sept. 20-21 — at 22 Brix, lead winemaker Nate Klostermann’s use of 40% new French … [Read more...] about Argyle Winery 2014 Master Series Nuthouse Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills, $40
Claar Cellars 2015 White Bluffs Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $16
Joe Hudon’s stint in New Zealand with Kiwi icon Kim Crawford is on display with this latest Sauvignon Blanc from the Claar-Whitelatch family’s Salmon Safe vineyards above the Columbia River near Pasco, Wash. The nose carries slices of gooseberry pie and Key Lime pie with lychee, grassiness and just a wink of tomcat. Its strident acidity is a ripper, focusing on bone-dry flavors … [Read more...] about Claar Cellars 2015 White Bluffs Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $16
Koenig Vineyards 2014 Botrytis Single Berry Select Late Harvest Riesling, Snake River Valley, $30
Made in the classic trockenbeerenauslese style of Germany comes this gorgeous dessert wine from the Sunnyslope area of Idaho’s Snake River Valley. Aromas of apricot, honey and rich peach are backed by thick, textured flavors of creme brulee and apricot. This wine is a stunning achievement by winemaker Greg Koenig, and the scale of his production with it is delightful … [Read more...] about Koenig Vineyards 2014 Botrytis Single Berry Select Late Harvest Riesling, Snake River Valley, $30