Thanks to a long history of great winemaking and grape growing, the Walla Walla Valley is perhaps the best-known wine region in the Pacific Northwest. Success in the '70s and '80s by such producers as Leonetti Cellar, Woodward Canyon, L'Ecole No. 41, Waterbrook and Seven Hills Winery put the Walla Walla Valley on the wine map, and the wineries that came into the valley since … [Read more...] about Walla Walla Valley known for great vines, wines
Evolution NV Sparkling Wine, American, $20
Sokol Blosser’s popular Evolution No. 9 White program continues to percolate with what the Dundee Hills winery has dubbed “the evolution of celebration” - a methode Champenoise sparkling wine program using that nine-grape base for these bubbles (Semillon, Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Muscat Canelli, Early Muscat and Chardonnay). Nose-tickling hints of … [Read more...] about Evolution NV Sparkling Wine, American, $20
Balancing Act 2014 Chardonnay, Washington, $12
Best Buy! The Chardonnay portion of this second label for Tamarack Cellars in Walla Walla is unoaked and fruit-forward as it blends Ron Coleman’s grape sourcing and Danny Gordon’s skill with blending. Expressive aromatics instill thoughts of honey, dried pineapple, candied apricot, white peach, canned corn and lemon juice. There’s a touch of creaminess on the rich entry as … [Read more...] about Balancing Act 2014 Chardonnay, Washington, $12
Mercer Estates 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Horse Heaven Hills, $13
Best Buy! Some of the best Sauvignon Blanc produced in Washington state hails from the Horse Heaven Hills, and the Mercer family reaches into its 525-acre Princeton Vineyard for its first HHH release of this white Bordeaux grape. The nose hints at ripe Golden Delicious apple, baked pear with cinnamon and a touch of toffee. Inside, the fluid is fruit-forward brisk with Asian … [Read more...] about Mercer Estates 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Horse Heaven Hills, $13
Dobbes Family Estate 2013 Quailhurst Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $65
Joe Dobbes creates 11 styles of Pinot Noir under his eponymous brand, based in Dundee, Ore., and this marks his 10th vintage of working with Quailhurst Vineyard. The Ladd Hill site, planted by his friend, Dr. Marvin Hausman, was the first vineyard designate under Dobbes Family Estate. His latest unfiltered release from Quailhurst brings aromas of a dark chocolate cordial cherry … [Read more...] about Dobbes Family Estate 2013 Quailhurst Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $65