Best Buy! Walla Walla's Waterbrook has long been known for producing high-quality, value-minded wines, and this continues under Precept Wine's ownership. This bright, delicious Sauvignon Blanc opens with aromas of apple, slate and lemon, followed by flavors of lime, sweet herbs and apple. It has a touch of residual sugar and should pair nicely with salmon, fish and chips, … [Read more...] about Waterbrook Winery 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $11
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House Wine 2012 Fish House Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $10
Best Buy! Sauvignon Blanc is a bit of an underrated grape in Washington. Typically, it is not nearly as classically herbaceous as examples from Northern California or New Zealand, yet it often provides bright acidity and clean fruit flavors that pair well with any number of dishes, such as halibut with a caper sauce or linguine in a cream sauce. If you haven't tried a … [Read more...] about House Wine 2012 Fish House Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $10
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10
Best Buy! This is likely the largest single bottling of Riesling anywhere in the world, and it seems a little unfair that it is so delicious. But Ste. Michelle white winemaker Wendy Stuckey has some great fruit to work with from the broad Columbia Valley, including fruit from the Yakima Valley, Horse Heaven Hills and Wahluke Slope. This is a stunning white wine that opens with … [Read more...] about Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2011 Gewürztraminer, Columbia Valley, $11
Best Buy! Pacific Rim near Washington's Red Mountain focuses on Riesling, but this is one of the rare non-Rielsing wines it produces. The connection to this German variety is obvious, and Pacific Rim consistently produces one of the tastier Gewürztraminers we review each year. This is a classic with aromas of lychee, grapefruit, clove and lemon custard, followed by flavors of … [Read more...] about Pacific Rim Winemakers 2011 Gewürztraminer, Columbia Valley, $11
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10
Best Buy! Based on price, quality and production, this Riesling from Washington's flagship winery is difficult to beat. Thanks to efforts like this, as well as superb Rieslings coming from Washington, New York and Australia, consumers are gaining a great understanding and appreciation of dry Rieslings. This effort from the Ste. Michelle team actually has enough residual sugar … [Read more...] about Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10