Year after year, one of Oregon’s largest productions of Pinot Gris also ranks among the best in the Pacific Northwest - thanks to the long-range devotion of the Campbell family and second-generation winemaker Adam Campbell. Some of their vines stem back to 1985, and the 50 acres established within Mount Richmond Vineyard stand among the largest in the North Willamette Valley. … [Read more...] about Elk Cove Vineyards 2015 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $19
Skyfall Vineyard 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $16
Yakima Valley vintner David Minick rose to fame with his Willow Crest brand in Prosser before heading up the viticulture program for Precept Wine. He shifts some of his focus to this new brand named for Precept's young and expanding Skyfall Vineyard near Red Mountain. It’s a collaboration with Connecticut-based Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, and their youngest Cab is quite … [Read more...] about Skyfall Vineyard 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $16
Inside Walla Walla’s Artifex: More than a custom-crush facility
WALLA WALLA, Wash. — It’s the height of the harvest in the Walla Walla Valley, and Artifex is humming along at a pace that could be described as a controlled frenzy. Six full-time staff and a harvest crew of 15 interns are scrubbing tanks, dragging hoses, cleaning the press, doing pump overs, hosing down the floors and all the other tasks that come along with processing 700 … [Read more...] about Inside Walla Walla’s Artifex: More than a custom-crush facility
Milbrandt Vineyards 2013 The Estates Malbec, Wahluke Slope, $26
The Milbrandts sourced from their Northridge Vineyard (56%) and Clifton Bluff Vineyard for this inky and insistent Malbec under their consistently superb Estates tier. Baker’s chocolate, blueberry and dark mulberry aromas include mint, dried sage and Californian pepper. Inside are huge flavors of blackberry with cherry skins tannins, capped by mint, Earl Grey tea, chocolate and … [Read more...] about Milbrandt Vineyards 2013 The Estates Malbec, Wahluke Slope, $26
Forsyth Brio 2011 Kiona Vineyard Mourvèdre, Red Mountain, $35
David Forsyth has earn respect throughout his career in the Washington wine industry both in terms of research and winemaking for some of the state’s most important wineries. His own boutique project focuses on small lots - no more than three barrels - from a single vineyard. And they aren't rushed out to market. In this case, he pulls this late-ripening Rhône grape off warm … [Read more...] about Forsyth Brio 2011 Kiona Vineyard Mourvèdre, Red Mountain, $35