Home to perhaps the Idaho wine industry's defining planting, founding grower Brad Pintler provided a glimpse at the range of possibilities for varieties with his Sawtooth Vineyard. Seattle-based Precept and partner project Winemakers LLC now control the winery he launched and that vineyard, and Meredith Smith continues to showcase the versatility of Sawtooth. This middle-tier … [Read more...] about Sawtooth Estate Winery 2014 Classic Fly Series Tempranillo, Snake River Valley, $30
Idaho
Laissez Faire 2016 Red Table Wine, Snake River Valley, $16
Krause & Schnerr Family Cellars near Boise spans both Melanie Krause's acclaimed Cinder brand and this consumer-minded label, which offers bright and approachable red and white blends at Tuesday night prices. She builds it with Sangiovese and blends in Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre from some of Idaho's top vineyards, including Skyline, Sawtooth and Williamson. Krause, a … [Read more...] about Laissez Faire 2016 Red Table Wine, Snake River Valley, $16
Cinder Wines 2015 Tempranillo, 53% Idaho, 47% Washington, $29
A killing freeze in November 2014 took its toll on vineyards throughout the Snake River Valley, which prompted Melanie Krause to look beyond Idaho to satisfying the growing demand among her fans for Tempranillo. That search led her into Washington's Rattlesnake Hills and Two Coyotes Vineyard. Combined with her trusted Sawtooth Vineyard - home to one of the fascinating cinder … [Read more...] about Cinder Wines 2015 Tempranillo, 53% Idaho, 47% Washington, $29
Bitner Vineyards 2014 Erletxe Tempranillo, Snake River Valley, $35
Internationally renowned biologist Ron Bitner began with Chardonnay in the early 1980s then became inspired by Syrah when his research on the alfalfa leafcutter bee took him to Australia. Now, his passion is on the Spanish variety Tempranillo. His longtime friend Greg Koenig and Skyline Vineyard joined forces on this tier called Erletxe, Spanish for beehouse. Piquant tones of … [Read more...] about Bitner Vineyards 2014 Erletxe Tempranillo, Snake River Valley, $35
Huston Vineyards 2014 Private Reserve Petite Sirah, Snake River Valley $55
The Alger family in Idaho's tiny rural community of Huston works with urban winemaker Melanie Krause on their red program, and they've showcased Petite Sirah - a brawny Rhône grape - in this bottling from nearby Williamson Vineyard. Dense purple notes bring along notes of dark chocolate with lavender and sea salt. Nicely managed cherry skin tannins make for a big, ripe and … [Read more...] about Huston Vineyards 2014 Private Reserve Petite Sirah, Snake River Valley $55