Brent Roberts has taken over the reins from Doug Nierman as Cecil Zerba’s winemaker, and his work with estate fruit continues in the tradition that helped Zerba Cellars earn Wine Press Northwest’s 2011 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year Award. Aromas of dark fruit and hints of toast lead the way to boysenberry jam, ground nutmeg, raspberries and a smoky oak underlay. It’s … [Read more...] about Zerba Cellars 2016 Malbec, Walla Walla Valley, $45
Outstanding
Weisinger Family Winery 2016 Gold Vineyard Malbec, Rogue Valley, $32
Second-generation winemaker Eric Weisinger works with Randy Gold’s namesake vineyard near Talent, Ore., for this deep, dark, delicious and elegant Malbec. Blackberry and black cherry fruit at the core meld in harmoniously with accents of dark chocolate and spice. It’s balanced and pure all the way through. Enjoy with chicken in an Asian barbecue sauce. Rating: … [Read more...] about Weisinger Family Winery 2016 Gold Vineyard Malbec, Rogue Valley, $32
Rocky Pond Winery 2016 Double D Vineyard Malbec, Columbia Valley, $42
Business manager Jonathan Kaczmarek earned a finance degree at the University of Wisconsin prior to making wine at Seattle’s Soos Creek. The Northwest Wine Academy product now gets the chance to oversee a few small lots at Rocky Pond for the Dufenhorst family, and he hasn’t lost his touch with this Malbec. Fruit is dominant from the fragrant berry aroma to the opulent … [Read more...] about Rocky Pond Winery 2016 Double D Vineyard Malbec, Columbia Valley, $42
Camas Prairie Winery 2018 Huckleberry Mead, Idaho, $15
Best Buy! A decade ago, Jeremy Ritter purchased this historic brand in the college town of Moscow, Idaho. Five years ago, he moved about 30 miles east into the St. Joe National Forest town of Bovill while continuing a tradition of award-winning honey wine. Made from huckleberries and honey and nothing else, this mead pours into the glass a pink-hued-amber. The nose is exactly … [Read more...] about Camas Prairie Winery 2018 Huckleberry Mead, Idaho, $15
Koenig Vineyards 2016 The Devil’s Bedstead Zinfandel, Snake River Valley, $30
Greg Koenig has won best of show at the Idaho Wine Competition twice in the past four years, both times by skillfully crafting Riesling into a beautiful ice wine, however his bold reds also earn him regional acclaim. This Zinfandel, a grape rarely found in Idaho, opens with lush red fruit and dried rosemary. The palate is unexpectedly fresh given its hedonism, full of … [Read more...] about Koenig Vineyards 2016 The Devil’s Bedstead Zinfandel, Snake River Valley, $30