Engineer-turned-winemaker Jed Glavin is helping to grow the audience for Idaho wines with the work at his Split Rail Winery in the Boise suburb of Garden City. He pulled the fruit for this Barbera from Arena Valley Vineyard near Parma, and the results are impressive. The theme centers on expressive oak, plum and blueberry aromas and flavors in a plush, spicy and surprising … [Read more...] about Split Rail Winery 2014 Barbera, Snake River Valley, $35
Idaho
Crossings Winery 2012 Bleu Noir Estate Blaufränkisch, Snake River Valley, $19
Owner/general manager Doug Jones is a West Coast promoter of Blaufränkisch, a rare red grape with Austrian origins. It’s more commonly known in this country as Lemberger, but Jones has enjoyed success labeling and marketing it in Idaho as “Blue Noir,” a term he’s trademarked yet is willing to share with other wineries to help raise the grape's status with consumers. Neil … [Read more...] about Crossings Winery 2012 Bleu Noir Estate Blaufränkisch, Snake River Valley, $19
Telaya Wine Co. 2014 Turas Red Wine, Snake River Valley, $32
One of the Idaho wine industry’s rising stars relies on Syrah grown in the Snake River Valley for its flagship wine, a blend that includes Merlot (19%), Malbec (19%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (2%). The 20 months in French barrels creates aromas of roasted coffee beans and Weetabix with grilled strawberries and smoked charcuterie. There’s less oak influence on the pleasing palate … [Read more...] about Telaya Wine Co. 2014 Turas Red Wine, Snake River Valley, $32
Telaya Wine Co. 2014 Boushey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, $35
Boise winemaker Earl Sullivan focuses his work with Bordeaux varieties on Washington’s Columbia Valley, and he’s forged relationships with some of the region’s top growers, including Dick Boushey. The additional investment in a 20-month program of French oak allows for an alluring nose of cassis and Van cherries with sweet herbs and eucalyptus. On the palate, it offers nice … [Read more...] about Telaya Wine Co. 2014 Boushey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, $35
Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2014 Verhey Vineyard Malbec, Washington, $28
Coco Umiker earned her doctorate in food science at Washington State University, and portions of her research helped deepened her knowledge of vineyards throughout the state. This marvelous Malbec bottling involves three vineyards — Verhey (95%) in the Rattlesnake Hills, the Verheys' young Roosevelt site along the Columbia River (4%) and Phinny Hill in the Horse Heaven Hills, … [Read more...] about Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2014 Verhey Vineyard Malbec, Washington, $28