Best Buy! Mike Conway worked at Gallo and Parducci in California before migrating to Washington in 1980, where he made wine for Worden and Hogue before launching Latah Creek in Spokane. He has been crafting delicious and affordable wines ever since and now is passing the winemaking torch on to his daughter Natalie. This white is a classic Washington Pinot Gris that shows off … [Read more...] about Latah Creek Wine Cellars 2011 Pinot Gris, Washington, $11
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Coyote Canyon Winery 2010 Downtown White, Columbia Valley, $12
Best Buy! This value-priced tier from Coyote Canyon Winery in Prosser is the last vestige of Yakima Cellars, which the Andrews family purchased Yakima Cellars in 2006. It opens with aromas of orange, strawberry, gooseberry and lavender, followed by flavors of SweeTarts, Granny Smith apple and a hint of sweet spice. Enjoy this with shellfish, baked chicken or pasta in a cream … [Read more...] about Coyote Canyon Winery 2010 Downtown White, Columbia Valley, $12
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2011 Horse Heaven Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Horse Heaven Hills $15
Best Buy! This breezy site in Paterson, Wash., that looks across the Columbia River into Oregon supplies much of the Sauvignon Blanc for Chateau Ste. Michelle. It presents abundant aromas of lychee and grapefruit, along with a pinch of white pepper and a tiny whiff of smoke. Those who enjoy a dry Gewürztraminer should delight with its continuation of grapefruit flavors, backed … [Read more...] about Chateau Ste. Michelle 2011 Horse Heaven Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Horse Heaven Hills $15
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $13
Best Buy! Chateau Ste. Michelle's largest-production Sauvignon Blanc is far from shy with its grassy and zesty approach, a sign of relatively cool vintage for Washington state. The nose hints at light oak — a third of the blend spent five months in older French oak — backed by peach, muskmelon, lime and minerality. There's tasty honeydew melon on the bone-dry entry, followed by … [Read more...] about Chateau Ste. Michelle 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $13
Delfino Vineyards 2011 Vin Gris de Zinfandel, Umpqua Valley, $14
Best Buy! Jim and Terri Delfino left the bustle of the Bay Area behind when they arrived in the Umpqua Valley and became grape growers, and guests at their bucolic B&B will especially enjoy a drink of this flashy pink made from estate Zinfandel. Dusty cherry, peach skin and cinnamon bark aromas lead to a delicious drink of cherries and raspberry. There’s some cherry skin … [Read more...] about Delfino Vineyards 2011 Vin Gris de Zinfandel, Umpqua Valley, $14