A year ago, Martin Fujishin earned recognition for one of Wine Business Monthly magazine's U.S. Hot Brands, and he's back with this full-bodied Tempranillo from Skyline Vineyard, the largest planting in Idaho's Snake River Valley. Fujishin's third expression of this big Spanish grape features a theme of Bing cherry, blackberry, sage and California peppercorns with a fascinating … [Read more...] about Fujishin Family Cellars 2015 Tempranillo, Snake River Valley, $25
Idaho
Williamson Vineyards 2016 Dry Rosé, Snake River Valley, $14
Best Buy! It was Greg Koenig who first talked the Williamson family into creating its own brand rather than just selling its fruit, and he's well into his second decade as their winemaker. Koenig produces this rosé in the saignée method with Syrah from their Sunnyslope Wine District estate and presents it with a gorgeous pink color that comes with aromas of strawberry jam, … [Read more...] about Williamson Vineyards 2016 Dry Rosé, Snake River Valley, $14
Indian Creek Winery 2016 White Iris Sweet Gewürztraminer, Snake River Valley, $15
Best Buy! Sadly, there's less passion in Idaho's vineyards for Gewürztraminer, much to the dismay of some of the Snake River Valley's most talented winemakers. Mike McClure at his family's Indian Creek Winery used Skyline Vineyard to present fruit salad in a glass. Classic aromas and flavors of lychee, clove and rose petal include baked pineapple with a spoonful of lightly … [Read more...] about Indian Creek Winery 2016 White Iris Sweet Gewürztraminer, Snake River Valley, $15
Colter’s Creek Winery 2014 Cabernet Franc, Lewis-Clark Valley, $28
Spokane native Melissa Sanborn learned winemaking at Washington State University, and she and grape-growing husband Mike Pearson are helping to raise the profile of the historic Lewis-Clark Valley through their Colter's Creek project. Pearson pulled off the Cab Franc on the day before Halloween, and Sanborn took her time with the lot, aging it in French oak for 18 months prior … [Read more...] about Colter’s Creek Winery 2014 Cabernet Franc, Lewis-Clark Valley, $28
Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2015 Verhey Vineyard Malbec, Washington, $28
The Umikers continue to nurture their own vineyard in the Lewiston Orchards and support other growers in the bi-state Lewis-Clark Valley, but they won't give up their prized relationships with viticulturists in Washington state, a circle that includes the Verhey family. Their site in the Yakima Valley's Rattlesnake Hills allows Coco Umiker to offer a veritable tableau vivant of … [Read more...] about Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2015 Verhey Vineyard Malbec, Washington, $28