The steadfast relationship between Conner Lee Vineyard and Nina Buty goes all the way back to the Walla Walla vintner’s inaugural 2000 vintage, and this 2,000-foot elevation site on Radar Hill near Othello stands out in Washington, particularly for its cooler climate that's ideal for Chardonnay. Complexity began with the two-phase harvest on Sept. 4 and Sept. 19 and continued … [Read more...] about Buty Winery 2014 Conner Lee Vineyard Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $42
Northwest Cellars 2013 Kestrel Vineyard Merlot, Yakima Valley, $16
Kirkland vintner Robert Delf contracted with one of Washington’s oldest sites for Merlot — Kestrel View Estate Vineyard - and continues his association with standout winemaker Robert Smasne for this rather hedonistic bottling emblazoned simply as “M.” Those old vines, established in 1972 near Prosser, set the table for aromas of sweet plum, macerated black cherry and maple … [Read more...] about Northwest Cellars 2013 Kestrel Vineyard Merlot, Yakima Valley, $16
Muret-Gaston 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $42
Kyle Johnson of Purple Star, Native Sun and For A Song brands recently launched Muret-Gaston in Benton City, Wash. He used grapes from the Williams family's Heart of the Hill Vineyard on nearby Red Mountain for this 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, which includes Petit Verdot (20%). It offers aromas of ripe blackberries, black currants and spice, then shows off the same flavors, … [Read more...] about Muret-Gaston 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $42
Smasne Cellars 2012 Three Vineyard Reserve Malbec, Columbia Valley, $44
Among the vineyards Robert Smasne pulls from for his acclaimed work with Malbec are Phinny Hill (Horse Heaven Hills), Upland (Snipes Mountain) and Verhey (Yakima Valley), and this lot - the equivalent of two barrels - ranks with his best efforts. Inviting aromas of black plum and black currant also offer up black pepper, tar and minerality. There’s great density to the … [Read more...] about Smasne Cellars 2012 Three Vineyard Reserve Malbec, Columbia Valley, $44
Spangler Vineyards 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Oregon, $39
Patrick Spangler, owner of this popular Roseburg, Ore., winery, labeled his 2013 Reserve as simply Oregon, but there's nothing simple about the results. This wine has aromas of vanilla and red currant, then flavors of red and black currants and finishes with brisk tannins and a nip of licorice. This earned a gold medal at the 2016 Cascadia Wine Competition, and it adds to the … [Read more...] about Spangler Vineyards 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Oregon, $39