Best Buy! Steven Sealock has headed up the Pacific Rim Winemakers project in West Richland, Wash., since 2007, and this bottling reaffirms his rank among the Pacific Northwest’s top producers of Riesling. This off-dry expression scales just to the right of "medium dry" on the International Riesling Foundation's Riesling Taste Profile, opening with lovely aromas of orchard … [Read more...] about Pacific Rim Winemakers 2014 Riesling. Columbia Valley, $11
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Airfield Estates 2014 Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $15
Best Buy! Yakima Valley native Marcus Miller continues his reputation of stunning and affordable wines with this bright Chardonnay from his family’s estate, established in 1968. Their County Line block, planted at 1,100 elevation, is at the high point of their vineyards. It offers complex aromas of citrus, Granny Smith apple, dried pineapple, a touch of butter, light toast and … [Read more...] about Airfield Estates 2014 Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $15
Nk’Mip Cellars 2014 Winemakers Series Dreamcatcher, Okanagan Valley, $16
Best Buy! The winemaking team of Randy Picton and assistant Justin Hall, a member of the Osoyoos Indian Band, stick with their tradition of using Riesling (45%) as the base grape in this melange, but their blending talents shine this time by stitching together Sauvignon Blanc (29%), Pinot Blanc (12%), Ehrenfelser (6%), Sèmillon (6%) and Chardonnay. One might believe there’s a … [Read more...] about Nk’Mip Cellars 2014 Winemakers Series Dreamcatcher, Okanagan Valley, $16
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2013 Merlot Columbia Valley, $15
Best Buy! Bob Bertheau’s red wine team, headed by Ray McKee, delivers something that’s not easy to pull off with Merlot in Washington — produce something that’s supple and elegant. A span of 14 months in 32% new oak creates aromas of dark toast, toffee and cherry pipe tobacco with black currant, Rainier cherry, raspberry jam, sweet thyme and a whiff of caramel corn. Just as … [Read more...] about Chateau Ste. Michelle 2013 Merlot Columbia Valley, $15
Washington Hills 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Washington, $9
Best Buy! Hal Landvoigt, director of winemaking for Precept Wine, focuses on 40-year-old Oasis Vineyard in the Yakima Valley for this sleek and sassy Sauvignon Blanc. The collaboration with grower Brenton Roy, a graduate of Gonzaga University, is a knockout. Aromas range from dusty gooseberry to Nellie and Joe’s Key Lime Juice to crème brûlée topping while offering hints of … [Read more...] about Washington Hills 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Washington, $9