Wenatchee Valley viticulturist/winemaker Garrett Grubbs grew these grapes on his vineyard in Entiat, Wash. His six months of aging on the lees in neutral French oak barrels leads to aromas and flavors of Golden Delicious apple, dried pear, clove and slate. It was fermented to dryness, creating a tart finish of lime peel. These wines are available at the winery in Plain as well … [Read more...] about Plain Cellars 2014 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $18
Rocky Pond Winery 2014 Clos Chevalle Vineyard Riesling, Lake Chelan, $19
Ron Bunnell left Napa in 1999 to make red wine Washington, but he continues to show his wide-ranging talents with his work in the emerging Lake Chelan region for the Dufenhorst family. Their Riesling hails from high above the south shore of Lake Chelan in Clos Chevalle Vineyard, a 50-acre site that reaches to 1,600 feet elevation and woven within the tony Bear Mountain golf … [Read more...] about Rocky Pond Winery 2014 Clos Chevalle Vineyard Riesling, Lake Chelan, $19
Tucannon Cellars 2015 Gewürztraminer, Yakima Valley, $18
Red Mountain producers didn't become famous for their work with aromatic whites, but Demoss Road vintner Phil Warren offers this tasty late-harvest style Gewürztraminer along with views of the Yakima River. Aromas of pear butter, Golden Delicious apple, almond extract and honeysuckle include a whiff of petrol. The drink is akin to fruit cocktail in a glass with honeyed … [Read more...] about Tucannon Cellars 2015 Gewürztraminer, Yakima Valley, $18
Washington Merlot a suave, supple red
Though in recent years it has come to play second fiddle to Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington Merlot remains among the state's most important wines. As recently as 2004, Merlot was Washington's No. 1 red wine grape. Since then, the Cab craze has left its mark, with Merlot production now at 10,000 fewer tons per year than Cabernet Sauvignon. But this does not mean Merlot is … [Read more...] about Washington Merlot a suave, supple red
Clearwater Canyon Cellars NV Lolo White Wine, Idaho, $15
Best Buy! Lewis-Clark Valley firebrand Coco Umiker produces only one white wine that’s even slightly off-dry — this friendly and aromatic blend from the 2014 and 2015 vintages off two sites within newly established American Viticultural Area - Arnett Vineyard in Clarkston, Wash., and the Clearwater Canyon Cellars' estate planting in Lewiston, Idaho. Her collection of Pinot Gris … [Read more...] about Clearwater Canyon Cellars NV Lolo White Wine, Idaho, $15