Best Buy! It’s rare to see a family-owned winery such the Puryears to offer Cabernet Sauvignon at the bargain price, but then many of their red bottlings fall can be had in the teens. Perfumy aromas of spicy oak, toast and cedar are joined by strawberry taffy, boysenberry, peach skin and plums on parchment paper. On the palate, it’s a medium to full-bodied Cab with Bing cherry … [Read more...] about Bonair Winery 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, $13
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Sweet Cheeks Winery 2013 Riesling, Oregon, $14
Best Buy! Leo Gabica, who spent eight years as the assistant winemaker at this bucolic winery near Eugene, Ore., took the reins for owner Dan Smith starting with this vintage. He crafted this remarkable Riesling from vineyards in three regions — Foris (Rogue Valley), Three Creeks (Illinois Valley) and Kraemer Farm in the Willamette Valley. The approach of leaving it with 5% … [Read more...] about Sweet Cheeks Winery 2013 Riesling, Oregon, $14
Waterbrook Winery 2014 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $14
Best Buy! Four sites provided all the fruit for this 100% Merlot, including Precept’s new Skyfall Vineyard, planted at the northern base of the Horse Heaven Hills. Its oak profile is signaled with hints of caramel corn and chocolate-covered blueberry with sarsaparilla, plums, strawberry and red cherry. Tones of those darker fruit spill out on the palate, which offers bold … [Read more...] about Waterbrook Winery 2014 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $14
Vino la Monarcha 2014 Pinot Grigio, Columbia Valley, $15
Best Buy! In a short period of time, Victor Palencia has emerged as one of Washington state’s premier winemakers, and few can match his skill with white wines. He launched his own winery in 2013 in Walla Walla — where he went to winemaking school — and the stream of stellar wines is constant. His go-to site for his Pinot Gris is Frenchman Hills Vineyard near the Royal Slope, … [Read more...] about Vino la Monarcha 2014 Pinot Grigio, Columbia Valley, $15
Columbia Crest 2014 Grand Estates Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $12
Best Buy! Washington has a reputation for Pinot Gris made in a tropical style, but Juan Muñoz Oca and his team take a rather citrusy approach with this bottling, which begin with harvest at 22 Brix. The nose is a greeting of starfruit, Key Lime and orange with kiwi fruit, honeydew melon, yellow grapefruit and spearmint. Flavors bring hints of white peach, tangerine and melon, … [Read more...] about Columbia Crest 2014 Grand Estates Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $12