Idaho's winter-damaged vintage of 2017 forced Snake River Valley vintner Gregg Alger of Huston Vineyards to reach into Washington for the grapes to appease the fans of his wildly successful Chicken Dinner brand. Here, he leans on robust Rhône variety Mourvèdre. Bold aromas of strawberry, cherry, fresh raspberry and rose petals leap from the glass to entice the first sip, which … [Read more...] about Huston Vineyards 2017 Chicken Dinner Rosé, Washington, $19
Idaho
Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2014 Selway Red Wine, Washington, $45
This Malbec-based blend starts out strong with minerality and then yields to the Merlot (30%), offering chocolate covered cherries, followed by fragrant Cabernet Franc offering up bouquets of violets. The tannins and concentrated fruit offered by Petit Verdot (26%) round out this exciting blend by rising winemaking talent Coco Umiker, whose deft use of Syrah (3%) provides … [Read more...] about Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2014 Selway Red Wine, Washington, $45
Telaya Wine Co. 2015 Boushey Vineyards Sruth Red Wine, Yakima Valley, $30
Telaya Wine Co. called in Yakima Valley fruit from acclaimed Boushey Vineyards for its 2015 Sruth red blend, focusing on Cabernet Franc. Sruth, the Irish word for river, shows off its Cab Franc heritage with a bit of leaf and smoke in its dark cherry aromatics, then smooth dark cherries and elegant tannins in a long finish. This won a gold medal and best of class at the 2018 … [Read more...] about Telaya Wine Co. 2015 Boushey Vineyards Sruth Red Wine, Yakima Valley, $30
Potter Wines 2012 The Ambassador Red Wine, Horse Heaven Hills, $28
Von and Crystal Potter have made a big splash among Boise mixologists with their Jalapeno & Grape Wine, but this four-barrel, Syrah-based blend from a classic vintage in Washington's Horse Heaven Hills continues to earn praise with wine critics. There's a beautiful display of blueberry and new leather, supported by fresh tobacco and black pepper. The acidity is spot-on, and … [Read more...] about Potter Wines 2012 The Ambassador Red Wine, Horse Heaven Hills, $28
Sawtooth Estate Winery 2015 30th Anniversary Red Blend, Snake River Valley, $25
Meredith Smith showcases some of Idaho's Snake River Valley terroir while also providing another example of how the influence of Syrah lifts so many Northwest red blends. She began with Bordeaux varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Petit Verdot (20%), Merlot (10%) and Malbec (10) and made room for Syrah (20%). While there's a theme of chocolate-coverage cherries, notes of … [Read more...] about Sawtooth Estate Winery 2015 30th Anniversary Red Blend, Snake River Valley, $25