As the latest "Rhône Ranger" to ride into the Pacific Northwest, Doug Frost is the latest Master of Wine to set up shop in the Walla Walla Valley and create a serious cool-climate example of Syrah that offers a bit of crunch, sans the funk. An attractive nose of blueberry, lavender, mint and marshmallow includes a dash of white pepper. More purple fruit comes through on the … [Read more...] about Echolands Winery 2018 Les Collines Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $38
Outstanding
Stoller Family Estate 2018 Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, $35
Here's an ideal prism through which to view Bill Stoller's dream come true - an estate Pinot Noir that reflects the transition of the turkey farm where he grew up into the largest contiguous vineyard in Oregon's Dundee Hills. More than a dozen clones of Pinot Noir are represented in the flagship bottling by the winemaking team of Melissa Burr, Ben Howe and Kate Payne-Brown with … [Read more...] about Stoller Family Estate 2018 Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, $35
Long Shadows Vintners 2016 Pirouette Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $65
Bordeaux native Philippe Melka has long made headlines for his work in Napa and beyond, and while he's recently branched out to Red Mountain to consult for the Aquilini family, it was Allan Shoup who first brought him to Washington for this Left Bank approach with Agustin Huneeus, Sr. They arrived at a blend led by Cabernet Sauvigon (68%) with Merlot (15%), Petit Verdot (8%), … [Read more...] about Long Shadows Vintners 2016 Pirouette Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $65
Chemistry Wine 2019 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $14
Best Buy! Soon after Bill Stoller took over ownership of Chehalem Wines, his tasked the winemaking teams at both Chehalem and Stoller Family Estate to create another project that could range beyond the Dundee Hills. Chemistry is one of those. This marks the third vintage under the name brand, and they quickly hit on the interest in Oregon Pinot Gris, more than doubling their … [Read more...] about Chemistry Wine 2019 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $14
Sin Banderas Wines 2019 Riesling, Yakima Valley, $24
This band of friends/co-workers at acclaimed Owen Roe — led by Texas-grown winemaker Jacki Evans — continue to thoughtfully build a fan base, particularly through taprooms, wine shops and small grocers in Washington and along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge. Their source for Riesling is famed DuBrul Vineyard, the Shiels family's planting for Côte Bonneville that's about … [Read more...] about Sin Banderas Wines 2019 Riesling, Yakima Valley, $24