Naramata Bench winemaker Lyndsay O’Rourke produces brilliant whites and bright reds that earn high marks in U.S. competition, and this latest version of her proprietary blend with a focus on Merlot (58%), Barbera (27%) and Cabernet Franc. All three varieties are grown on their vineyard near Fleet Road, this carries the boldest profile in her portfolio, opening with aromas of … [Read more...] about Tightrope Winery 2014 Vertigo Red Wine, Okanagan Valley, $40
Tucannon Cellars 2012 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $29
Phil Warren’s winery on the western flank of Red Mountain in Benton City, Wash., offers this Merlot from the classic 2012 vintage. Aromas of black cherry, dried blueberry, vanilla bean and maple syrup pick up a pinch of barbecue rub spices. The flavors focus on acidity rather than tannin as blueberry, black raspberry and Montmorency cherry are allowed to shine over the mild oak … [Read more...] about Tucannon Cellars 2012 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $29
Sawtooth Winery 2015 Estate Pinot Gris, Snake River Valley, $12
Best Buy! One of Idaho’s premier vineyards leads to one of the state’s largest productions of Pinot Gris year after year. Fruit-forward aromas of pear butter, Golden Delicious apple, gooseberry and lime peel are mirrored on the palate. The pleasing mouth feel offers roundness of Spanish almond before the cleansing blast of citrusy acidity and Bosc pear skin creates a dry … [Read more...] about Sawtooth Winery 2015 Estate Pinot Gris, Snake River Valley, $12
Bella Wines 2012 Oliver Eastside Reserve Brut Natural, Okanagan Valley, $55
As part of his second commercial vintage, Naramata Bench sparkling wine producer Jay Drysdale produced 50-case, single-vineyard reserve sparkling Chardonnay lots from two blocks near Oliver, British Columbia - not far from the border crossing at Oroville, Wash. Each lot was developed for a delayed release, and Drysdale chose to debut half of each bottling during 2016. (The … [Read more...] about Bella Wines 2012 Oliver Eastside Reserve Brut Natural, Okanagan Valley, $55
Daven Lore Winery 2013 Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $29
Gordon Taylor’s winery on the northern slope of Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills continues to produce marvelous Malbec, and this marks the second straight vintage he’s received our top rating for this Bordeaux variety. He took the Malbec from Double Canyon Vineyard on Oct. 9 and blended in Syrah (10%) and Merlot (5%) from Todd Newhouse-farmed vineyards on Snipes Mountain. … [Read more...] about Daven Lore Winery 2013 Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $29