Longtime Prosser winemaker David Forsyth has his pick of many vineyards throughout Washington, but he's made Kiona Vineyards a focus of his personal program. Opulent aromas of black currant, Chukar Cherry, graphite and Weetabix transition to a bold drink of blackberry and cherry. A pour of dark-roast coffee, sizable Red Mountain tannins and an injection of pomegranate and … [Read more...] about Forsyth Brio 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $50
Split Rail Winery 2014 Barbera, Snake River Valley, $35
Engineer-turned-winemaker Jed Glavin is helping to grow the audience for Idaho wines with the work at his Split Rail Winery in the Boise suburb of Garden City. He pulled the fruit for this Barbera from Arena Valley Vineyard near Parma, and the results are impressive. The theme centers on expressive oak, plum and blueberry aromas and flavors in a plush, spicy and surprising … [Read more...] about Split Rail Winery 2014 Barbera, Snake River Valley, $35
Crossings Winery 2012 Bleu Noir Estate Blaufränkisch, Snake River Valley, $19
Owner/general manager Doug Jones is a West Coast promoter of Blaufränkisch, a rare red grape with Austrian origins. It’s more commonly known in this country as Lemberger, but Jones has enjoyed success labeling and marketing it in Idaho as “Blue Noir,” a term he’s trademarked yet is willing to share with other wineries to help raise the grape's status with consumers. Neil … [Read more...] about Crossings Winery 2012 Bleu Noir Estate Blaufränkisch, Snake River Valley, $19
Elk Cove Vineyards 2014 Goodrich Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $60
In the spring of 2014, the Campbell family grabbed Goodrich Vineyard near Yamhill, Ore. A few months later, Elk Cove winemaker Adam Campbell confirmed that the 69-acre, former Premier Pacific Vineyards holding was worthy of a single-vineyard bottling. There’s sweetness to the nose that’s akin to Hawaiian Fruit Punch as cherry juice, fresh red raspberry and orange include a hint … [Read more...] about Elk Cove Vineyards 2014 Goodrich Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $60
Domaine Drouhin Oregon 2014 Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, $45
This large-scale release started with hand-selected berries dropped in 25-pound totes from Sept. 12 through Oct. 9. At that point, the hands-on work of Arron Bell and a barrel regimen with 20% new French oak allows for the richness of the ripe 2014 vintage to be on display. Fruity aromas of black raspberry and Bing cherry include cocoa powder, black olive and dusty minerality. … [Read more...] about Domaine Drouhin Oregon 2014 Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, $45