Owner/winemaker Leslie Preston learned her trade in Napa Valley's Stags Leap District, then came home to Idaho to launch her brand. Her 2012 Dry Riesling earned best-of-show honors last year at the Idaho Wine Competition, and this latest vintage of that wine nearly repeated the feat, winning best white wine. It's a gorgeous wine with aromas of Honeycrisp apple, lemon zest and … [Read more...] about Coiled Wines 2013 Dry Riesling, Snake River Valley, $17
Idaho
Sawtooth Estate Winery 2013 Classic Fly Series Cinsault Rosé, Snake River Valley, $15
Best Buy! Who knew Cinsault, a rare red Rhône variety, was grown in Idaho? Well, it's only a few rows, and winemaker Meredith Smith — with a little help from Muscat Blanc — has turned it into a superb pink wine with bright, inviting aromas of raspberry and strawberry, followed by slightly off-dry flavors of delicate cherry. This was rated best rosé at the 2014 Idaho Wine … [Read more...] about Sawtooth Estate Winery 2013 Classic Fly Series Cinsault Rosé, Snake River Valley, $15
Huston Vineyards 2012 Malbec, Snake River Valley, $29
Malbec is a minor grape in its native Bordeaux, but it's becoming a star in the New World, and this is a delicious example made by Melanie Krause for the Alger family. It opens with aromas of boysenberry, green tea and cola, followed by flavors of Marionberry, pomegranate, white pepper and blueberry. It's all backed by impressive acidity and sturdy tannins. This won best red … [Read more...] about Huston Vineyards 2012 Malbec, Snake River Valley, $29
Ste. Chapelle 2011 Treasure Valley Reserves Tempranillo, Snake River Valley, $20
The Snake River Valley continues to establish a reputation with Tempranillo, an early-ripening robust red variety from the Iberian Peninsula that seems to be an ideal match for the Basque cuisine that Boise is gathering acclaim for. Aromas of raspberry, dried plum and cherry are surrounded by toasted oak and a pinch of oregano. It’s a rich and fruitful drink of red currant, … [Read more...] about Ste. Chapelle 2011 Treasure Valley Reserves Tempranillo, Snake River Valley, $20
Bitner Vineyards 2012 Reserve Riesling, Snake River Valley, $17
World-renowned bee researcher Ron Bitner admits he didn’t know what Chardonnay or Riesling when he was talked into planting those varieties back in 1981. Now, both blocks, which overlook the Snake River in the Sunnyslope Wine District, rank among the oldest in Idaho. Attractive whiffs of apple blossom, gooseberry and muskmelon turn into a dry and dramatic flavor profile of … [Read more...] about Bitner Vineyards 2012 Reserve Riesling, Snake River Valley, $17