Best Buy! This longtime Walla Walla Valley winery now owned by Precept Wine in Seattle has expanded its production facility west of downtown Walla Walla and created a beautiful welcome center and space for concerts. It's also making some delicious wines. This Chardonnay will appeal to those who love the big, buttery, California-style wines. It opens with rich aromas of oak, … [Read more...] about Waterbrook Winery 2011 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $12
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Tsillan Cellars 2010 Estate Gewürztraminer, Lake Chelan, $14
Best Buy! Bob Jankelson has created what is easily one of the most beautiful wineries on the West Coast in one of the most wonderful settings on the south shore of Lake Chelan. Here, Jankelson has the vision of combining a world-class destination with superb wine and hospitality. He has achieved all of this with Tsillan Cellars. This wine, made from estate grapes, opens with … [Read more...] about Tsillan Cellars 2010 Estate Gewürztraminer, Lake Chelan, $14
Columbia Crest 2009 Grand Estates Amitage, Columbia Valley, $12
Best Buy! Winemaker Juan Muñoz Oca and his team have crafted a superb and affordable red blend that leads with Merlot (63%), Syrah (33%) and Cabernet Franc using grapes primarily from the warm Wahluke Slope and Horse Heaven Hills. Because the bulk of this wine uses early ripening varieties, it was less likely to be affected by an Oct. 10 frost that cut short the end of the … [Read more...] about Columbia Crest 2009 Grand Estates Amitage, Columbia Valley, $12
Mercer Canyons 2011 Riesling, Yakima Valley, $13
Best Buy! The Mercer family has been farming in Washington for more than a century and has been in the wine business since the early 1970s. Now that it has a namesake winery in the Yakima Valley, it is able to take full advantage of its legacy and expertise. This is a superb and affordable Riesling using grapes from Brooks Vineyard. From a cool vintage, this was picked late in … [Read more...] about Mercer Canyons 2011 Riesling, Yakima Valley, $13
Seven Falls 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $15
Best Buy! This is the best of the three wines under this new label from winemaker Doug Gore and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. It is a smooth, supple red that is eminently approachable in its youth and priced to enjoy any night of the week. It opens with aromas of ripe raspberry, Belgian chocolate and black licorice. On the palate, it unveils plush, delicious flavors of … [Read more...] about Seven Falls 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $15