It was the charm of Syrah in the Snake River Valley that lured Leslie Preston back home to Boise from Napa Valley's Stags Leap District, so it makes sense that her Sidewinder Syrah remains her flagship red wine at Coiled. This is a generous representation of the red Rhone variety without being over the the top. Redolent of Triple Berry Pie, it's balanced and gracefully presents … [Read more...] about Coiled Wines 2016 Sidewinder Syrah, Snake River Valley $28
Idaho
Sawtooth Winery 2016 Classic Fly Series Tempranillo, Snake River Valley $30
In typical fashion, the Idaho wine industry enjoyed a bounce-back vintage in 2016 on the heels of a devastating winter the vintage prior. This work from Sawtooth Vineyard by Meredith Smith came onto the crush pad before the start of October, one reason why Snake River Valley winemakers embrace this early-ripening variety native to Spain. Given the luxury of working with French … [Read more...] about Sawtooth Winery 2016 Classic Fly Series Tempranillo, Snake River Valley $30
Koenig Vineyards 2017 Sunny Slope Cuvée Riesling, Snake River Valley $12
Best Buy! Several of Idaho's top examples of Riesling emerge from Greg Koenig's vinification facility on the Sunnyslope west of Boise, whether it be under the Bitner brand, Martin Fujishin's Lost West label or for Koenig Vineyards. The Notre Dame grad cites Pflaz as his inspiration for this bone-dry blend of Vickers and Williamson vineyards. It opens with a nose of orange … [Read more...] about Koenig Vineyards 2017 Sunny Slope Cuvée Riesling, Snake River Valley $12
Two Bad Labs Vineyard 2017 Dry Riesling, Lewis-Clark Valley, $15
Best Buy! Paul and Heidi Sullivan moved from Oregon's Willamette Valley to the Lewis-Clark Valley in 2011, and four Labrador retrievers have been rescued by the Sullivans leading up to their entry to the Northwest wine industry. It seems as though a pair of these Labs are partners in crime at any one moment, so they've dubbed their young vineyard as such. This product of their … [Read more...] about Two Bad Labs Vineyard 2017 Dry Riesling, Lewis-Clark Valley, $15
Spiral Rock Vineyard 2017 Riesling, Lewis-Clark Valley, $18
One of Idaho's youngest plantings got its start in 2014 with a single acre of Riesling by Stuart Davis and Shane Hyde. Davis, the winemaker, works with vines planted along a breathtaking slope at 1,200 feet elevation high above the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers. This marks the debut vintage of Riesling grown along the Old Spiral Highway, and it takes a … [Read more...] about Spiral Rock Vineyard 2017 Riesling, Lewis-Clark Valley, $18