Best Buy! Washington state’s largest wine company deserves its worldwide reputation for Riesling, but the triumvirate of Bob Bertheau, David Rosenthal and Wendy Stuckey has been overlooked for their stellar work with Sauvignon Blanc in recent years. And the 2014 vintage, Stuckey's finale in Woodinville, stacks up with alongside their best, not only for the Horse Heaven … [Read more...] about Chateau Ste. Michelle 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $11
Best Buy
Bonair Winery 2012 Chateau Puryear Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Rattlesnake Hills, $15
Best Buy! Massachusetts native Bill Mechem got his start at Gail and Shirley Puryear’s winery as a cellar worker before moving to Walla Walla in 2003 for winemaking school. Two years later, he returned to Bonair as a winemaker, and this expression of estate Cabernet Franc shows a deft hand in the cellar. Charming barrel notes of chocolate allow for cassis, ripe blueberry and … [Read more...] about Bonair Winery 2012 Chateau Puryear Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Rattlesnake Hills, $15
Columbia Crest 2013 Grand Estates Merlot, Columbia Valley, $12
Best Buy! As more vines come into production in Washington state, consumers can expect more bargains akin to this remarkable work with Merlot on a grand scale. And while this entry tier doesn’t spend time in Columbia Crest’s “petit chai” production area, the quality of the juice is utterly remarkable, despite the work by Juan Muñoz Oca’s team to more than doubled production of … [Read more...] about Columbia Crest 2013 Grand Estates Merlot, Columbia Valley, $12
Waterbrook Winery 2014 Reserve Riesling, Columbia Valley, $15
Best Buy! Waterbrook is one of the few Walla Walla wineries that embraces Riesling, and the iconic Precept property works with estate fruit from Canyon Vineyard Ranch in the Yakima Valley near Prosser. This off-dry example from John Freeman, which also includes Oasis Farms fruit in the lower Yakima Valley, brings a spicy nose of clove and petrol to mix with fruity notes of … [Read more...] about Waterbrook Winery 2014 Reserve Riesling, Columbia Valley, $15
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2014 The Expedition Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $15
Best Buy! While Bill Murray focuses his red program on estate fruit from Washington state’s Horse Heaven Hills, he pulls from historic Sagemoor Farms near the scenic Hanford Reach and Precept colleague Dave Minick’s Willow Crest Vineyard in Prosser. The result is a bright and crisp Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of dried apricot, sweet herbs, starfruit and jicama with flavors to … [Read more...] about Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2014 The Expedition Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $15