Best Buy! Ryan Michael Harms of Oregon juggernaut Union Wine Co., also is a decade into the Christopher Michael Wines project that he launched with his brother, Eric Christopher. They've grown the consumer-priced brand into a handful of bottlings, three of them made with fruit from Washington state, while tinkering with the look of the label along the way. They've also been … [Read more...] about Christopher Michael Wines 2017 Red Wine, Washington, $15
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DeLille Cellars 2015 Grand Ciel Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $160
The vision behind this Cab begins with DeLille Cellars founding winemaker Chris Upchurch, the Lill family and Jay Soloff, who all partnered in 2001 with Jim Holmes of famed Ciel du Cheval Vineyard. Their stated dream was to create for Washington a vineyard reminiscent of a Bordeaux First Growth. Within a decade of the first commercial release of Grand Ciel Cabernet Sauvignon, … [Read more...] about DeLille Cellars 2015 Grand Ciel Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $160
Lauren Ashton Cellars 2014 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $45
A disciple of Chris Upchurch and DeLille Cellars, Kit Singh embarked a decade ago on his brand named after his two children, and this superb Cabernet Franc displays investment and patience. Two of Washington state's warmer and most established sites - Weinbau on the Wahluke Slope and Upland on Snipes Mountain - come together in the cellar and spent 28 months in French barrels. … [Read more...] about Lauren Ashton Cellars 2014 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $45
Iris Vineyards 2018 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $18
Aaron Lieberman's work with estate fruit continues to raise profile of this property near Eugene, Ore. He blended a trio of clones - Pommard and Dijon 113 and 115 - pulled Sept. 24 from Chalice Estate Vineyard and allowed for 15 hours of skin contact before dividing the juice between French oak barrels and stainless steel tank. That strategy produces a fetching watermelon … [Read more...] about Iris Vineyards 2018 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $18
Domaine Nicolas-Jay 2016 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $65
The flaghip wine for this Burgundy house in Oregon by Jean-Nicolas Méo from Domaine Méo-Camuzet with Seattle native Tracy Kendall, who counts Jacques Tardy of Torii Mor in the Willamette Valley among her early mentors. There's an early whiff of Burgundy that leads to a wealth of Marionberry, black cherry and herbs. Inside, it's a bright, pleasurable and fruit-filled blend of … [Read more...] about Domaine Nicolas-Jay 2016 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $65