Best Buy! Mirage Vineyard along the Columbia River north of Pasco, Wash., and famed Klipsun Vineyard on Red Mountain and Browne Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley come together for this Syrah by John Freeman that's both fabulous and a bargain. Fun aromas of blueberry taffy, blackberry pie and smoked meat funnel into a wine of remarkable depth. Creamy flavors of rich … [Read more...] about Waterbrook Winery 2017 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $15
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Hester Creek Estate Winery 2018 Character Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer White Wine, Okanagan Valley, $16
Best Buy! One of the South Okanagan Valley's most popular proprietary white blends, this Alsatian-inspired blend of estate Gewürztraminer with Pinot Gris from nearby Fairview Vineyard, which is owned by Hester Creek vineyard manager Iqbal Gill. It's a charming wine all the way through, as its tropical profile of lychee picks up gooseberry, lavender and a twist of lemon. A … [Read more...] about Hester Creek Estate Winery 2018 Character Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer White Wine, Okanagan Valley, $16
Sagelands Vineyard 2017 Riverbed Red Blend, Columbia Valley, $12
Best Buy! Cesar Cuellar, a longtime member of the winemaking team at historic Waterbrook — Precept's flagship brand in Washington state — took over the helm at Sagelands Vineyard for the 2017 vintage so this represents his first Riverbed Red blend. He chose Syrah (53%) as the foundation and filled in with Bordeaux reds Merlot (18%), Cabernet Sauvignon (9%), Malbec (9%) and … [Read more...] about Sagelands Vineyard 2017 Riverbed Red Blend, Columbia Valley, $12
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2016 The Expedition Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $15
Best Buy! The namesake site in the Horse Heaven Hills behind this longtime Walla Walla producer is more than 30 years old, and the entry-level Cab serves as an easy introduction. There's a fair bit of finesse to the structure with beveled tannins, and some pleasing complexity as cassis, cedar, caramel and green peppercorns come together for a bright and juicy … [Read more...] about Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2016 The Expedition Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $15
Treveri Cellars NV Blanc de Blancs, Columbia Valley, $15
Best Buy! Juergen Grieb crafts his flagship sparkling wine methode Champenoise from 100% Chardonnay grapes, and he’s been skilled with it ever since he launched his family brand near Union Gap in 2010. It leads off with a mouth-filling mousse, citrusy notes and a hint of toast, then delivers lemon-lime flavors, crisp acidity and abundant bubbles from front to back. There’s a … [Read more...] about Treveri Cellars NV Blanc de Blancs, Columbia Valley, $15