Woodinville winemaker Charlie Auclair remains devoted to the vineyard of the late Fred Artz, relying on the Red Mountain site to create this tribute to Right Bank Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot (73%) and Cabernet Franc (25%) with a splash of Petit Verdot from nearby Heart of the Hill Vineyard. Engaging aromas of dark chocolate, cinnamon and nutmeg include rose petal, sage and … [Read more...] about Auclair Winery 2013 Artz Vineyard Right Blend, Red Mountain, $39
Mercer Estates 2015 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $13
Best Buy! The Mercer team goes beyond the Yakima Valley for its latest bottling of Pinot Gris, which opens with aromas and flavors of Bartlett pear, pineapple juice, lime and lemongrass. Ample acidity leads to a dry finish of dried apricot and pear skin. Rating: Recommended Production: 3,104 cases Alcohol: 12.7% Winery website Subscribe to Thursday’s Wine of the … [Read more...] about Mercer Estates 2015 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $13
Rainstorm 2015 Silver Linings Pinot Noir Rosé, Oregon, $17
One of Oregon’s largest productions of Pinot Noir rosé continues to expand as the price remains in the teens. Its lighter pink color leads to aromas of Rainier cherry and Cling peach with strawberry rhubarb pie and vanilla. There’s virtually no sweetness to the palate, which brings dusty cherry, white peach and Meyer lemon flavors. Lees aging for three months presents a bit of … [Read more...] about Rainstorm 2015 Silver Linings Pinot Noir Rosé, Oregon, $17
Evolution NV Winemaker’s Big Time Red Blend, American, $15
Best Buy! The team at Sokol Blosser bills this segment within its expanding second label project as an “American Red Wine from Oregon with love,” and this fourth edition continues to carry an Italian theme with Sangiovese and Montepulciano, backed by Syrah and splash of Evolution Lucky No. 9 white juice to boot. There’s no wood barrel involved, but there are oak influences with … [Read more...] about Evolution NV Winemaker’s Big Time Red Blend, American, $15
Ryan Patrick 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Rattlesnake Hills, $50
Elephant Mountain Vineyard, high above the Yakima Valley in Washington's Rattlesnake Hills, produced the grapes for this reserve project from Jeremy Santo. It offers spice, blackberries and black currants on the nose, then augments them with brambleberries and a hint of black tea, creating a sophisticated wine worthy of a thick New York steak seared and served medium rare. This … [Read more...] about Ryan Patrick 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Rattlesnake Hills, $50