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
Foris Vineyards Winery 2012 Siskiyou Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon, Rogue Valley, $20
Foris Vineyards of Cave Junction, Ore., which has entered its fourth decade of production, brought in Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the Siskiyou Terrace Vineyard of the Rogue Valley for this wine and turned them into an elegant sipper. It shows off ripe blackberry, black currant and spice in its aromas and flavors before closing with restrained tannins. This earned a gold … [Read more...] about Foris Vineyards Winery 2012 Siskiyou Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon, Rogue Valley, $20
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
Aluvé Winery 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $48
Air Force pilots JJ and Kelly Menozzi flew around the world for their country, which also afford them a global view of the international wine industry. After decades of reconnaissance, they chose to retire in the Walla Walla Valley along Mill Creek. As their young estate plantings mature, they’ve chosen to produce their first commercial vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon from nearby … [Read more...] about Aluvé Winery 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $48
Buried Cane 2013 Heartwood Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $25
The Middleton family owns two brands in their native Washington state, and it would seem to be a bit improper to refer to Buried Cane as a second label for Cadaretta. This GSM-style blend serves as the latest example of work that Brian Rudin passed along to Kendall Mix, who stitched this together so deliciously. The growth of Grenache (24%) plantings in the Columbia Valley … [Read more...] about Buried Cane 2013 Heartwood Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $25