The folks at Indian Creek Winery in Idaho's Snake River Valley label their fascinating Mourvèdre with its Spanish name, Monastrell. Designated as "reserve," its nose is full of snappy red fruit, rose petal, cracked pepper and eucalyptus. In the mouth, there's more Bing cherry and enjoyable acidity of pomegranate, then smooth black olive tannins and smoked bacon. Pair this … [Read more...] about Indian Creek Winery 2016 Reserve Monastrell, Snake River Valley, $28
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Colter’s Creek Winery 2015 Tempranillo, Lewis-Clark Valley $20
Idaho winemaker Melissa Sanborn had her grower/husband Mike Pearson harvest all of the Tempranillo by Oct. 10 for this first commercial release of their estate work with this Spanish red grape, and it serves as yet another example of the quality of wine coming out of the historic Lewis-Clark Valley. Touches of Graciano and Grenache, along with 20 months in 30% new oak all … [Read more...] about Colter’s Creek Winery 2015 Tempranillo, Lewis-Clark Valley $20
Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery 2017 Classic Riesling, Okangan Valley, $13.29
Best Buy! Walter Gehringer and his brother Gordon have earned Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery the crown as "King of the Platinum" for their myriad awards during the past two decades. Their 2017 Classic Riesling is exactly that, classic. Varietally correct aromas and flavors include lime, orange, peach, honey and apple as well as spot-on acidity to easily balance the residual … [Read more...] about Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery 2017 Classic Riesling, Okangan Valley, $13.29
Gård Vintners 2014 Lawrence Vineyards Merlot, Columbia Valley, $35
The Lawrence family sustainably farms its four sites along the Royal Slope in the Columbia Valley, and they entrust their grapes to one of Walla Walla's top winemakers in Aryn Morell. Clone 9 Merlot harvested on Sept. 19 made its way into four barrels, two of them new French oak, for 18 months. and the results are superb. Fascinating aromas of orange zest, Graham cracker and … [Read more...] about Gård Vintners 2014 Lawrence Vineyards Merlot, Columbia Valley, $35
Zena Crown Vineyard 2015 Σ The Sum Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills $75
When Jackson Family Wines acquired one of the North Willamette Valley's gems in 2013, it signaled the California giant's first land purchased beyond the Golden State. It's no coincidence that trailblazing winemaker Lynn Penner-Ash pulled from Zena Crown for some of her top Pinot Noirs. (Jackson Family Wines bought Penner-Ash Wine Cellars in 2016). The Sum is one of four … [Read more...] about Zena Crown Vineyard 2015 Σ The Sum Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills $75