Martin Fujishin works behind the scenes on a number of Idaho brands, but he focuses on Rhône varieties for his own red program on the Sunnyslope Wine District. This marks the third vintage for the Rhône-inspired blend of Syrah (60%), Petite Sirah (35%) and Viognier as the influence of PS continues to climb. The work with Polo Cove Vineyard, a high-elevation site near acclaimed … [Read more...] about Fujishin Family Cellars 2014 Amatino Red Blend, Snake River Valley, $25
Idaho
Cinder Wines 2015 Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $18
This vintage marked the 10th harvest in Idaho for proud Washington State University grads Melanie Krause and Joe Schnerr, and they’ve kept the focus on the fruit they pulled in from sweeping Sawtooth Vineyard. Only 10% of their barrel program was new, and they aged the juice on the lees for eight months. As a result, it’s showy yet smooth in the nose with gooseberry, Key lime … [Read more...] about Cinder Wines 2015 Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $18
Colter’s Creek Winery 2014 Koos•Koos•Kia Red, Lewis-Clark Valley, $24
Work in their maturing Lewis-Clark Valley vineyard by Mike Pearson and in the cellar by his wife, Melissa Sanborn, allowed them to increase production by 50 percent of their flagship wine that serves as a tribute to Lewis & Clark's reference of the Clearwater River. This classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot carries aromas of … [Read more...] about Colter’s Creek Winery 2014 Koos•Koos•Kia Red, Lewis-Clark Valley, $24
Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2015 Umiker Vineyard Lochsa White Wine, Lewis-Clark Valley, $15
Karl and Coco Umiker’s vineyard in the Lewiston Orchards is in its second decade of life, and its growth has allowed them to present this proprietary blend as an entire estate presentation. Legally, they could label this is Chardonnay (86%), and there is a slight influence of 30 percent new barrel involved, but they round this out with Viognier (9%) and Riesling. The Chardonnay … [Read more...] about Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2015 Umiker Vineyard Lochsa White Wine, Lewis-Clark Valley, $15
Koenig Vineyards 2014 Botrytis Single Berry Select Late Harvest Riesling, Snake River Valley, $30
Made in the classic trockenbeerenauslese style of Germany comes this gorgeous dessert wine from the Sunnyslope area of Idaho’s Snake River Valley. Aromas of apricot, honey and rich peach are backed by thick, textured flavors of creme brulee and apricot. This wine is a stunning achievement by winemaker Greg Koenig, and the scale of his production with it is delightful … [Read more...] about Koenig Vineyards 2014 Botrytis Single Berry Select Late Harvest Riesling, Snake River Valley, $30