Best Buy! This renowned Washington state producer of aromatic whites has been known to produce as many as a dozen styles Riesling in any given vintage, and the profile of this one — harvested at 21 Brix — takes on a late harvest approach. Its nose is gorgeous with hints of apricot jam, pineapple, guava, clove, mint and a whiff of caramel and botrytis. Inside, it offers baking … [Read more...] about Pacific Rim Winemakers 2013 Sweet Riesling, Columbia Valley, $11
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Columbia Crest 2013 Grand Estates Limited Release Gold, Columbia Valley, $12
Best Buy! The red wine team at Columbia Crest makes selections for this annual, yet special, bottling that spotlights the best of its Grand Estates program. Then, Argentine winemaker Juan Muñoz Oca arrived at this blend of Cabernet Franc (70%) and Merlot which spent 17 months in 32 percent new French oak. It offers lots of freshly brewed espresso aromas, joined by Chukar … [Read more...] about Columbia Crest 2013 Grand Estates Limited Release Gold, Columbia Valley, $12
Camas Prairie Winery 2015 Palouse Gold Mead, Idaho, $13
Best Buy! One of Idaho’s longest operating wineries also serves as the benchmark for Pacific Northwest mead — the planet’s historic wine that put the honey in the term “honeymoon.” The Ritters produce five berry-flavored meads, but Palouse Gold is the purest form. It is honey and water, and serves as the base wine for the others, offering clear tones of honey, orange zest and … [Read more...] about Camas Prairie Winery 2015 Palouse Gold Mead, Idaho, $13
Henry Estate Winery 2014 Veraison, Umpqua Valley, $15
Best Buy! Internationally acclaimed viticulturist/winemaker Scott Henry III presents his rosé as an off-dry blush style that continues to be a fan favorite in the tasting room. Wide-ranging aromas of dusty rose, cherry, grilled strawberry, blood orange and sarsaparilla lead to bright flavors of ripe and soft strawberry with cherry hints. The residual sugar (3%) arrives early … [Read more...] about Henry Estate Winery 2014 Veraison, Umpqua Valley, $15
Willow Crest Winery 2014 Pinot Gris, Yakima Valley, $14
Best Buy! Crisp white wines are the focus of the label founded by Prosser vintner David Minick, and Los Angeles native Julie Brown — Ron Bunnell's niece — took the lead on this bottling for Precept. Recently, the grape sources have ventured beyond the Minick estate planting and into Canyon Ranch Vineyard, and the results make this prime example of Pinot Gris in Washington. … [Read more...] about Willow Crest Winery 2014 Pinot Gris, Yakima Valley, $14