Columbia Valley vintner Victor Palencia continues his string of success with Sauvignon Blanc, earning our top rating with successive vintages from one of Washington's top growing regions for aromatic whites, and doing so with a slightly off-dry panache. The inviting nose of dusty orchard fruit and lime peel includes gooseberry, spearmint, lavender, lilac and oyster crackers. … [Read more...] about Jones of Washington 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $17
TeSòAria Vineyard & Winery 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Southern Oregon, $35
Vegan vintner John Olson bought this Roseburg, Ore., winery in 2008 and opened a Portland tasting room five years later. He crafts a wide variety of wines, and this Sauvignon Blanc is one of his best. Aromas of grass, green herbs and muskiness lead to flavors of crisp Granny Smith apple and fresh-cut herbs. Bright yet elegant acidity makes this a sure bet with shellfish, … [Read more...] about TeSòAria Vineyard & Winery 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Southern Oregon, $35
Pedestal 2013 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $60
Demand and production continues to grow for this Merlot spearheaded by French winemaking icon Michel Rolland under the Long Shadows Vintners banner. He collaborates at more than 100 wineries around the globe, including this Walla Walla project with countryman Gilles Nicault. This 2013 vintage is the 11th that Rolland has created for Allen Shoup, and it may well be his best. … [Read more...] about Pedestal 2013 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $60
Drumheller Wines 2014 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $12
Best Buy! Tim Jones heads up this young Ste. Michelle Wine Estates program, and this example of Chardonnay shows opulence and richness from start to finish. Most of this fruit comes from Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills, and the fermentation process features 10 months of barrel aging. That helped produce aromas of toasty oak and butter with grilled peach, vanilla bean and … [Read more...] about Drumheller Wines 2014 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $12
L’Ecole No. 41 2015 Old Vines Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, $15
Best Buy! A generation ago, Chenin Blanc was a variety that produced cherished wines along the West Coast. Fortunately, Marty Clubb has remained an ardent champion of this grape native to the Loire Valley, and he continues to secure contracts with four venerable vineyards in the Yakima Valley. Phil Church, Rothrock, Upland and Willard Farms each contribute to this bottling … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41 2015 Old Vines Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, $15