This publicly traded company’s troika of 30-year-old vineyards - Elton, Tualatin Estate and founder Jim Bernau’s Estate Vineyard - are blended beautifully into one of Oregon’s best and largest single bottlings of Pinot Noir. The combined development of these 645 barrels leads to aromas of light chocolate, plum juice, Bing cherry, vanilla bean, pepper and lightly roasted coffee. … [Read more...] about Willamette Valley Vineyards 2014 Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $30
Basalt Cellars 2013 G • S • M, Columbia Valley, $36
Pharmacist/winemaker Rick Wasem in Clarkston, Wash., shows his knowledge of chemistry with this blend of Grenache (36%) and Mourvèdre (32%) from Gilbert Cellars’ 24K Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope with Syrah not far downstream off Sagemoor’s historic Bacchus Vineyard. Enticing herbal aromas of thyme, California peppercorns and crushed oregano also offer black licorice, raspberry … [Read more...] about Basalt Cellars 2013 G • S • M, Columbia Valley, $36
Feather 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $60
Of all the wines produced within the Long Shadows Vintners constellation, the Cabernet Sauvignon made under the auspices of Napa maverick Randy Dunn might be the most age-worthy. While 100 percent Cab, they are a blend of three vineyards near the Columbia River - Weinbau on the Wahluke Slope, Sagemoor’s Dionysus and The Benches in the Horse Heaven Hills. Endearing aromas of … [Read more...] about Feather 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $60
Pondera Winery 2012 Cuvée Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $19
One of Woodinville’s most overlooked wineries is Pondera, and Shane Howard continues to burnish his reputation for producing some of Washington state’s top reds. This blend from Dineen Family Vineyard in the Yakima Valley and Stillwater Creek Vineyard in the Frenchman Hills drinks akin to a Meritage, and yet he’s priced it in the teens. He leads with Cabernet Franc (64%) and … [Read more...] about Pondera Winery 2012 Cuvée Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $19
Armstrong Family Winery 2013 David’s Folly, Yakima Valley, $36
Two vintages ago during his inaugural crush, Woodinville vintner Tim Armstrong’s Meritage-style blend included a significant contribution from Cabernet Franc. This time, it’s the power of Petit Verdot (34%) from acclaimed Dineen Vineyard in the Rattlesnake Hills that poured in behind Cabernet Sauvignon (66%) off the Rawn brothers’ Copeland Vineyard. A 23-month barrel program … [Read more...] about Armstrong Family Winery 2013 David’s Folly, Yakima Valley, $36