Vine 46 is a young winery in historic Lewiston, Idaho, but the grapes for its Latitude 2015 came from Washington vineyards. It's an unusual but delicious blend of grapes from Bordeaux, Rhône, Spain and Italy. It opens with dark cherries and blackberries from its Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Malbec, Syrah and Sangiovese. Those fruit flavors are joined by a touch of Kalamata … [Read more...] about Vine 46 Winery 2015 Latitude Red Wine, Washington, $24
Idaho
Ste. Chapelle 2016 Special Harvest Riesling, Snake River Valley, $12
Best Buy! Ste. Chapelle's work with this late-harvest style Riesling ranks among the most recognizable ambassadors for Idaho's emerging wine industry. Homegrown winemaking talent Meredith Smith draws from estate Skyline Vineyard as well as nearby Williamson and Winery Mill vineyards, and she left it with a pleasing level of sweetness at 7% residual sugar. Sweet lemon, apricot … [Read more...] about Ste. Chapelle 2016 Special Harvest Riesling, Snake River Valley, $12
Cinder Wines 2016 Dried on the Vine Viognier, Snake River Valley, $25
Cinder winemaker Melanie Krause selected a block of Viognier at Sawtooth Vineyard for her dessert wine project and stripped the leaves from the vines in September. That allowed the grapes to dry on the vine, and by Nov. 8 they had reached 32 Brix. Krause then turned those berries into this elegant nectar with 12% residual sugar. The resulting "straw wine" is rich aromas and … [Read more...] about Cinder Wines 2016 Dried on the Vine Viognier, Snake River Valley, $25
Huston Vineyards 2016 Chicken Dinner White, Idaho, $16
Riesling from Williamson Vineyard in the Sunnyslope Wine District of Idaho drove this blend for Gregg and Mary Alger. Their tasting room and estate vineyard in the tiny community of Huston are established along Chicken Dinner Road. Skillful touches of Muscat Blanc and Roussanne make for a beautiful and beguiling nose of lychee, rosewater and tangerine. Those tropical notes are … [Read more...] about Huston Vineyards 2016 Chicken Dinner White, Idaho, $16
Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2017 Umiker Vineyard Lochsa Chardonnay, Lewis-Clark Valley, $15
Karl Umiker manages the vineyard and his wife, Coco, handles the winemaking at their estate operation in the Lewiston Orchards in the hills above the Clearwater River. Wonderful aromas and flavors of melted butter, Gala apples, and lemon zest are also found on the palate. Just the right amount of acidity supports the mouth feel, which keeps things bright and fresh. It earned a … [Read more...] about Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2017 Umiker Vineyard Lochsa Chardonnay, Lewis-Clark Valley, $15