Best Buy! Marcus Miller, a product of Walla Walla Community College’s winemaking school, grows 27 varieties across nearly 900 acres of vines on his family’s estate near Prosser, Wash. That gives him the flexibility to develop Riesling in a variety of ways, including this in an off-dry style the German classify as Kabinett. It’s low-alcohol, low pH (2.8), lofty total acidity … [Read more...] about Airfield Estates 2015 Sweet Riesling, Yakima Valley, $15
Syrah leads Northwest’s Rhône revolution
One of the most fascinating developments in the past 20 years has been the intense interest in red Rhône varieties. For the most part, these wines include Mourvèdre, Grenache, Counoise, Petite Sirah and a few other varieties. But first in line is Syrah, the noble grape of the northern Rhône Valley. First planted in Washington 30 years ago, Syrah is now the No. 3 red wine … [Read more...] about Syrah leads Northwest’s Rhône revolution
Gordon Estate 2013 Tempranillo, Columbia Valley, $35
One of Washington state’s oldest farming families began offering Tempranillo with the 2007 vintage, establishing the plantings in 2005 back when this brand was known as Gordon Brothers. It’s full of dark, spice and toasty tones of blackberry, black cherry and roasted coffee with bittersweet chocolate and vanilla bean. The influence of American oak, 35% new, carries onto the … [Read more...] about Gordon Estate 2013 Tempranillo, Columbia Valley, $35
Seven Hills Winery 2015 Pinot Gris, Oregon, $17
One of the Walla Walla Valley’s most historic figures, Casey McClellan, owns estate vineyards on the Oregon side of the stateline. And he used to make wine in Milton-Freewater. It makes sense that he relies on sites in Oregon — Abiqua Wind near Salem, Dunning near Corvallis and Melrose in the Umpqua Valley - for his stylish Pinot Gris. It’s primarly produced in stainless steel, … [Read more...] about Seven Hills Winery 2015 Pinot Gris, Oregon, $17
Evolution NV Winemaker’s Lucky No. 9 White Wine, American, $15
Best Buy! It would seem there’s no looking back for the Sokol Blosser family, which now has 19 years of trailblazing with this brand. The Dundee Hills leaders, with the help of longtime winemaker Russ Rosner, established a following for blended wines along the West Coast with the annual, albeit nonvintage, melange of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Sèmillon, Müller-Thurgau, … [Read more...] about Evolution NV Winemaker’s Lucky No. 9 White Wine, American, $15