When the late Jimi Brooks launched Brooks Wines in 1998, he branded his flagship Pinot Noir as Janus - named for the Roman god associated with the beginning of time. From the acclaimed 2016 vintage, winemaker Chris Williams works primarily with Brooks Estate fruit in the Eola-Amity Hills, but seven additional sites — including nearby Crannell and Muska — are stitched into the … [Read more...] about Brooks Wine 2016 Janus Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $45
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SMAK Wines 2019 Spring Rosé, Walla Walla Valley, $18
Winemaker/sommelier Fiona Mak grew up in Hong Kong, graduated from Syracuse in hospitality management and moved into the restaurant industry on the East Coast until her passion for wine led her to Walla Walla Community College’s famed winemaking school. She spent several vintages working at vaunted Artifex Wine Co., and while she left to focus on her rosé-only SMAK program, Mak … [Read more...] about SMAK Wines 2019 Spring Rosé, Walla Walla Valley, $18
Northwest Cellars 2015 Corvus Vineyard Petite Sirah, Red Mountain, $36
Randall Hopkins co-founded Corvus Cellars and established its namesake 5-acre vineyard on the southern flank of Red Mountain in 2006. Neighbors include Upchurch Vineyard and EFESTE's Taylor Mag Vineyard, and the heat units there have earned it a reputation for easily ripening red Rhône varieties. Northwest Cellars vintner Robert Delf adds another example with this remarkable … [Read more...] about Northwest Cellars 2015 Corvus Vineyard Petite Sirah, Red Mountain, $36
Long Shadows Vintners 2018 Poet’s Leap Riesling, Columbia Valley, $20
While the thirst among Americans for Riesling has slipped for the time being, many of the talented producers who helped inspire the renaissance continue to produce remarkable examples. Gilles Nicault worked with The Benches in the Horse Heaven Hills, Phil Church Vineyard in the Yakima Valley and historic 1972 plantings at Dionysus near the Columbia River for the latest example, … [Read more...] about Long Shadows Vintners 2018 Poet’s Leap Riesling, Columbia Valley, $20
Elephant Seven Wine 2017 Yellow Bird Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $37
Walla Walla's Joshua West has been a steady customer of Seattle physicians Greg and Darlene Chan, owners of this vineyard uphill from Walla Walla Vintners. This ranks among the top releases from this rising winemaker who focuses on Rhône varieties, and he co-ferments this Syrah with Viognier (7%). The 20 months in French oak brings a light sense of toast to the dusty and spicy … [Read more...] about Elephant Seven Wine 2017 Yellow Bird Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $37