Best Buy! One of Idaho’s top winemakers has been working with Ron Bitner’s site on the Sunnyslope for 15 years, and he’s created a California-style Chardonnay. And he’s done it at consumer-friendly price point despite using new French oak barrels and surlie aging for nine months. The presentation is loaded with toast, vanilla, butterscotch and fig, backed by a bit of sweetness … [Read more...] about Koenig Vineyards 2012 Bitner Vineyard Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $15
Idaho
Koenig Vineyards 2011 Three Vineyard Cuvée Syrah, Snake River Valley, $20
Greg Koenig planted his own vineyard on the Sunnyslope in 1996, but he relies on three longtime friends/neighbors for this blend of Williamson (66%), Bitner (17%) and Hells Canyon. Beautiful floral notes of sage, lilac and lavender are joined by blackberry, blueberry, vanilla bean and black pepper. There’s a delicious approach of purple fruit flavors with blackberry, plum and … [Read more...] about Koenig Vineyards 2011 Three Vineyard Cuvée Syrah, Snake River Valley, $20
Cinder Wines 2012 Syrah, Snake River Valley, $27
Boise native Melanie Krause trained with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in Washington before returning home to make wine with Idaho fruit, and this blend of Sawtooth, Skyline and Williamson vineyards is a great example of Snake River Valley’s future with this Rhône variety. Her use of 30% new oak allows for aromas and flavors of dusty Marionberry, black cherry and pomegranate with … [Read more...] about Cinder Wines 2012 Syrah, Snake River Valley, $27
Koenig Vineyards 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah, Snake River Valley, $25
The 2010 version of this 50/50 blend by Greg Koenig earned a gold at the 2012 Idaho Wine Competition and later made history as one of three wines to reach the 90-point plateau by Wine Spectator — the first time any Idaho winemaker attained that figure. He’s hit a high note again for his work with Cabernet Sauvignon from Williamson Vineyard and Syrah off Hells Canyon Vineyard. … [Read more...] about Koenig Vineyards 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah, Snake River Valley, $25
Frenchman’s Gulch 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington, $32
More than four years, fruit from acclaimed Phinny Hill Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills made the trip to Steve McCarthy in Sun Valley, which is believed to be the Northwest's highest-elevation winery at 5,800 feet. This Cab from Washington's "game-over" vintage brings aromas of cherry taffy and chocolate with sarsaparilla, rose petal, thyme and saddle leather. As a drink, it … [Read more...] about Frenchman’s Gulch 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington, $32