Best Buy! John Freeman’s bargain Syrah is 100% and hails from Mirage and Waterbrook Estate as well as Yakima Valley sites Canyon Vineyard Ranch and Skyfall, both owned by parent company Precept Wine. There’s a fruit-forward, minimal-oak theme throughout, starting with a nose of Marionberry taffy, red plum, Bing cherry and pipe tobacco. It’s lively on the palate with an easy and … [Read more...] about Waterbrook Winery 2014 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $15
Airfield Estates 2013 Barbera, Yakima Valley, $28
The Miller family established their blocks of Barbera near their Sangiovese and red Rhône varieties along the Roza Canal, and the site seems to suit them. There’s a prelude to the juiciness on the palate with notes of blueberry and cherries, joined by caramel and a cup of coffee. It comes across with flavors focused on blueberries and Montmorency cherry, bringing tangy acidity, … [Read more...] about Airfield Estates 2013 Barbera, Yakima Valley, $28
Bonair Winery 2013 Chateau Puryear Vineyard Petit Verdot, Rattlesnake Hills, $24
Gail Puryear began planting Bordeaux varieties throughout his 40 acres above the Yakima Valley in 1980, and winemaker Bill Mechem produces small-lot, standalone varietal bottlings to showcase five of them. Their work with this Petit Verdot spent two years in new French and American oak barrels, leading to aromas that hint at cherry jam, dried blueberry, tar, thyme and mint. … [Read more...] about Bonair Winery 2013 Chateau Puryear Vineyard Petit Verdot, Rattlesnake Hills, $24
Argyle Winery 2011 Artisan Series Knudsen Vineyard Julia Lee’s Block Blanc de Blancs, Dundee Hills, $50
Cool vintages such as 2011 — the coolest in Oregon since 1954 — often lead to stunning white wines, and bubble masters Rollin Soles and Nate Klostermann chose to take the Chardonnay from this historic Oregon vineyard just three days in front of Halloween at less than 19 Brix of ripeness. He developed a complex aromatic profile of fresh-baked bread, cherry, tangerine and … [Read more...] about Argyle Winery 2011 Artisan Series Knudsen Vineyard Julia Lee’s Block Blanc de Blancs, Dundee Hills, $50
Double Canyon 2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $65
It’s barely a decade in the making yet the Double Canyon brand is quickly hitting its stride, thanks to its 90-acre vineyard established in in the Horse Heaven Hills in 2007 under the management of Will Beightol and winemaking in the hands of Stephanie Pao. While Cabernet Sauvignon (75%) dominates the blend on the books, the influence of Syrah (15%), Malbec and 18 months in … [Read more...] about Double Canyon 2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $65