Best Buy! Melissa Sanborn and Mike Pearson continue to develop their estate wine program in the historic Lewis-Clark Valley, but they pull from Sawtooth Vineyard — Idaho’s most important site — for this delicious, food-friendly Chardonnay. Aromas of lemon oil, orange zest, white peach and white pine pitch lead to a balanced drink of Asian pear, jasmine and more lemon oil. Its … [Read more...] about Colter’s Creek Winery 2015 Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $15
Tsillan Cellars 2015 Estate Dry Riesling, Lake Chelan, $18
One of the most underrated growing regions in the Northwest also is among the most scenic, and Tsillan Cellars benefits from both. Riesling devotee Shane Collins gets to work with estate fruit from the south shore of Lake Chelan to create aromas of Granny Smith apple, Asian pear, ginger, orange Pixy Stix and yerba mate. Those orchard fruit tones make their way to the palate in … [Read more...] about Tsillan Cellars 2015 Estate Dry Riesling, Lake Chelan, $18
Armonéa Wines 2015 Wine Country Farm Late Harvest Riesling, Dundee Hills, $30
When the late Joan Davenport took over this showpiece property in 1990, the Riesling vines were two decades old. Last year marked the 45th anniversary of this planting, which is believed to be the third-oldest in the Dundee Hills. It’s an expensive neighborhood for vineyards, which makes this dessert Riesling from Breyman Orchard Road a novelty. Ken Wright cellarmaster Alberto … [Read more...] about Armonéa Wines 2015 Wine Country Farm Late Harvest Riesling, Dundee Hills, $30
Wit Cellars 2013 Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $45
Some of Washington state’s best examples of Malbec come from Gamache Vineyard, and this blend of Bordeaux varieties by Flint Nelson and Cat Warwick showcases Malbec (61%) from that planting near historic Sagemoor Vineyard. It’s backed by Petit Verdot (21%) and Cabernet Sauvignon from Wahluke Slope Vineyard. Aromas of sweet herbs, black cherry, blueberry and toast include anise … [Read more...] about Wit Cellars 2013 Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $45
L’Ecole No. 41 2013 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Perigee Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, $54
For two decades, Marty Clubb’s reds from Seven Hills Vineyard rank among the Walla Walla Valley’s most cellar-worthy wines, and the 2013 edition of Perigee from this 230-acre site is no different. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (20%) Cabernet Franc (15%), Malbec (9%) and Petit Verdot, its stately profile opens with aromas of black cherry, vanilla and coffee with … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41 2013 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Perigee Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, $54