Perhaps the most charming variety grown throughout the Puget Sound is Siegerrebe, a cross of Gewürztraminer and Madeleine Angevine developed in Germany. It translates to “victory wine,” and Cornell-trained winemaker Betsey Wittick continues her string of success with this bottling, which she harvested the same vintage she took over from the Bentryns. Fascinating aromas include … [Read more...] about Bainbridge Vineyards 2013 Siegerrebe, Puget Sound, $18
Outstanding
Plumb Cellars 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $36
Walla Walla Valley homebuilder Gary Kagels used a plumb bob when orchestrating the vineyard planting for his wife and winery partners Crandall Kyle and Edie & Dale Johnson. Their stylish Cabernet Sauvignon, however, comes from two of Washington state’s oldest sites — Gamache and Sagemoor. The nose nurtured by Kyle, their lead winemaker, features hints of black plum, dark … [Read more...] about Plumb Cellars 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $36
Three Rivers Winery 2012 Malbec-Merlot, Columbia Valley, $29
One of Washington’s top sites for Malbec — Gamache Vineyard along the White Bluffs near the Columbia River upstream from Pasco — plays a significant role in this 50/50 blend with Merlot from nearby Bacchus Vineyard and Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. Dusty oak creates a dense aromatic profile of chocolate, vanilla and Graham cracker with black currant, … [Read more...] about Three Rivers Winery 2012 Malbec-Merlot, Columbia Valley, $29
Waitsburg Cellars 2014 The Aromatics Cheninières Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, $18
Wine critic Paul Gregutt, in collaboration with Seattle-based Precept Wine, has helped inspire the renewed and worthy embrace of old vine Chenin Blanc not only in the Pacific Northwest but also across the country with the Waitsburg Cellars brand. While the first two vintages focused on Upland Vineyard on Snipes Mountain, this branches up from the Yakima Valley and into the … [Read more...] about Waitsburg Cellars 2014 The Aromatics Cheninières Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, $18
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 Cold Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $40
One of Washington’s largest vineyards, Walter Clore-inspired Cold Creek Vineyard also ranks among the state’s best, particularly for Cabernet Sauvignon and especially in a vintage such as 2012. The ebullient aromas bring hints of blackberry, cocoa powder, Wheat Thins cracker, toasted bread, sarsaparilla and even a whiff of gun metal. Inside, it comes with a huge structure and … [Read more...] about Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 Cold Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $40