Yakima Valley vintner Kent VanArnam continues to release impressive work with red Bordeaux grapes from the 2013 vintage, and the Rattlesnake Hills grower shows a suave touch with one of Washington's emerging varieties. It’s a fruit-forward version that carries a theme of dark purple fruit akin to blueberry and huckleberry, joined by pipe tobacco and cherry pie. The texture … [Read more...] about VanArnam Vineyards 2013 Malbec, Yakima Valley, $34
Sawtooth Estate Winery 2013 Vineyard Select Skyline Red, Snake River Valley, $12
Best Buy! Idaho-grown winemaker Meredith Smith earned the promotion to associate winemaker for Sawtooth during this 2013 vintage, and her meticulous approach to blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah and Malbec shows with this delicious and affordable blend from Precept’s own Skyline Vineyard. Two years of 30% new French oak helps create aromas of black … [Read more...] about Sawtooth Estate Winery 2013 Vineyard Select Skyline Red, Snake River Valley, $12
Tricycle Cellars 2013 Winesap Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $49
Chuck Hundley, Class of ’13 in Walla Walla Community College’s viticulture and enology program, pulled from Winesap Vineyards in The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater for this expressive Cabernet Sauvignon as the debut release for his young brand. The nose offers hints of brambly Marionberry and blueberry with red currant, Western red cedar, moist earth and savory black olive. … [Read more...] about Tricycle Cellars 2013 Winesap Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $49
Lauren Ashton Cellars 2013 Roussanne, Columbia Valley, $25
Woodinville vintner Kit Singh develops this white wine native to the Rhône Valley in France starting with respected Dineen Family Vineyards in the Yakima Valley’s Rattlesnake Hills. The dentist ferments the lot using a combination of new French oak, neutral oak and stainless steel, which sets the table for opening aromas of baked peach pie, fresh-cut apple, dried pineapple and … [Read more...] about Lauren Ashton Cellars 2013 Roussanne, Columbia Valley, $25
Brilliance of Oregon Pinot Noir
When you focus on one grape, you get pretty good at it. This works in the Old World with Burgundy (Pinot Noir), Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon) and Tuscany (Sangiovese), as well as in the New World with Napa Valley (Cabernet Sauvignon) and Australia (Syrah). In Oregon, more than 60 percent of the vines are planted to Pinot Noir, making Oregon the most focused wine-producing … [Read more...] about Brilliance of Oregon Pinot Noir