This Lake Chelan showpiece winery shines with aromatic white varieties grown on its estate, including Pinot Gris. There’s a tropical theme with the nose, which screams “take me home” and hints at Juicy Fruit gum and white peach. Those notes carry onto the palate, which includes tutti frutti, kiwi fruit and Pink Lady apples. It leans off-dry, but the residual sugar is held in … [Read more...] about Tsillan Cellars 2014 Estate Pinot Grigio, Lake Chelan, $19
Outstanding
Airfield Estates 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, $15
Best Buy! One of the Washington wine industry’s largest vineyards is surrounded by some unique history as the Miller family’s Airport Ranches served as a World War II airfield that is believed to have been part of the defense network for the Hanford Site. Marcus Miller’s latest release of Sauvignon Blanc from the 950-acre site soars with gooseberry, lime juice, lemongrass and … [Read more...] about Airfield Estates 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, $15
Palencia Winery 2013 Grenache, Yakima Valley, $36
Victor Palencia, who grew up in Prosser, Wash., was mentored by Willow Crest vintner David Minick, and their relationship continues to this day. Minick, who now oversees all of Precept Wine’s 4,000 acres of vines, allows his former pupil to access Precept’s Canyon Vineyard Ranch east of Prosser — the birthplace of this stunning Grenache. Aromas of ripe raspberry, dark cherry, … [Read more...] about Palencia Winery 2013 Grenache, Yakima Valley, $36
Sawtooth Winery 2012 Classic Fly Series Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $25
Boise native Meredith Smith and Napa product Bill Murray collaborated on this extremely expressive and rich Chardonnay from four blocks off the historic Sawtooth estate, a 70-acre vineyard at 2,700 feet of elevation between Lake Lowell and the Snake River. Aromas of lemon, Asian pear, Spanish almonds, banana and star anise transition to a pleasing blend of lemon, butterscotch … [Read more...] about Sawtooth Winery 2012 Classic Fly Series Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $25
Cavatappi Winery 2012 Maddalena Nebbiolo, Columbia Valley, $30
A ski trip to Italy in 1972 not only served to inspire Seattle’s Peter Dow to establish the groundbreaking Café Juanita, but he also sought to offer a house wine reminiscent of those served by Italian restaurateurs. So in 1984, seven years after he launched his Kirkland restaurant, he convinced grower Mike Sauer to sink Nebbiolo cuttings into Red Willow Vineyard. That was two … [Read more...] about Cavatappi Winery 2012 Maddalena Nebbiolo, Columbia Valley, $30