Coastal winemaker Dana Roberts collaborates historic Red Willow Vineyard and Two Blondes - the estate vineyard of acclaimed maritime winemaker Chris Camarda of famed Andrew Will - for this swimmingly easy-drinking Merlot. Bing cherries, cocoa powder, mint and brushy aromas lead to a jammy tasting profile of strawberry and raspberry with chocolaty oak. Plush and sandy tannins … [Read more...] about Westport Winery Garden Resort 2014 Mermaid Merlot, Yakima Valley, $28
Commentary: Why the lack of women winemakers in Washington?
WALLA WALLA, Wash. - Richard Olsen-Harbich of Bedell Cellars recently wrote an article published in the Huffington Post about the great strides that women have been making over the past decade within the wine industry. It is a terrific article written by someone who seems to be a kind man. I hope, for his winery’s sake, that he has hired some fantastic female … [Read more...] about Commentary: Why the lack of women winemakers in Washington?
Dobbes Family Estate 2013 Patricia’s Cuvée Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $55
Dundee vintner Joe Dobbes creates a beautiful Pinot Noir worthy of its namesake, his wife Patricia, and the winemaking starts with a barrel program of 60% new French oak. The lively aromatic profile hints at cherry-led fruit punch, joined by fresh lavender and mint with cedar, cocoa powder and lavender. It’s an acid lover’s dream on the inside as red cherry and pink raspberry … [Read more...] about Dobbes Family Estate 2013 Patricia’s Cuvée Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $55
Wit Cellars 2015 Chardonnay, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $22
The hits keep coming from Wit Cellars, an exciting new winery in Prosser, Wash., that features winemakers Flint Nelson and Carolina Warwick. They combined forces at Kestrel Vintners before launching their own brand, and their connections within the industry granted them access to prized Evergreen Vineyard for many of their white wines, including this fruit-forward Chardonnay. … [Read more...] about Wit Cellars 2015 Chardonnay, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $22
Claar Cellars 2013 White Bluffs Merlot, Columbia Valley, $22
The Claar-Whitelatch family seized upon the early opportunity to harvest its Merlot during warm 2013 vintage, picking from its Salmon-Safe and estate White Bluffs Vineyard on Sept. 5. Barrel aging for 18 months makes for a dense nose of dusty blueberry and Marionberry with brown sugar, black pepper, Graham cracker and a whiff of wild game. Inside, it’s definitely a Washington … [Read more...] about Claar Cellars 2013 White Bluffs Merlot, Columbia Valley, $22