Best Buy! Using estate grapes on the northern edge of the Yakima Valley near Prosser, winemaker Marcus Miller has crafted a delicious tree-free Chardonnay from grapes planted in 1995. It opens with aromas of lemon water, minerality, green apple and a spritz of lime. On the palate, it shows off refreshing flavors of dried mango, pineapple and banana. It's an easy wine to enjoy … [Read more...] about Airfield Estates 2012 Unoaked Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $13
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Palencia Wine Co., Selección Series 2011 Blanco Riesling, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $9
Best Buy! Victor Palencia, the winemaking talent behind Jones of Washington — Wine Press Northwest’s 2012 Washington Winery of the Year — is branching out in some fascinating ways. Later this summer, he’s opening his own winery in Walla Walla, but earlier this year he began his keg program for Northwest restaurants. The Prosser High product makes some of the best Riesling in … [Read more...] about Palencia Wine Co., Selección Series 2011 Blanco Riesling, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $9
Ryan Patrick Vineyards 2011 Ryan’s Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10
Best Buy! Jeremy Santo of Wahluke Wine Co., makes the wine for the Flanagan family, and this off-dry Riesling continues to pick up honors. The nose flashes hints of white peach, apricot, baked apple and slate, setting the stage for a nearly seamless transition. There’s a thin trail of pie cherry juice and orange acidity to balance the residual sugar of 2.4%. It’s widely … [Read more...] about Ryan Patrick Vineyards 2011 Ryan’s Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10
Cinder Wines 2012 Dry Rosé, Snake River Valley, $15
Best Buy! Winemaker Melanie Krause made this luscious rosé using Syrah from Williamson and Skyline vineyards. It opens with aromas of cranberry, black currant jam, peach and a touch of smoke, followed by flavors of strawberry, raspberry and cherry. This is a perfect wine to go with smoked turkey, grilled chicken or tortellini. While the bottles are long gone at the winery, it … [Read more...] about Cinder Wines 2012 Dry Rosé, Snake River Valley, $15
Abiqua Wind Vineyard 2011 Collier’s Early Muscat, Willamette Valley, $14
Best Buy! Early Muscat is a fairly new variety in the world of wine, having been the crossbreeding creation of Harold Olmo from U.C. Davis in the 1940s. Originally, Early Muscat was meant as a table grape, but it has found a home in Oregon, and several examples can be found from various wineries. This version from Abiqua Wind east of Salem is delicious. The aromas are … [Read more...] about Abiqua Wind Vineyard 2011 Collier’s Early Muscat, Willamette Valley, $14