Joe Grant and Doris Wood may well be the tiniest producers in the Walla Walla Valley, and their winery just west of downtown Walla Walla has a consistent fruit source for all of its wines — McKibben-managed Les Collines Vineyard in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Their small lots are beyond bargains in this tony town, and their latest version of this traditional Bordeaux … [Read more...] about Grantwood Winery 2013 Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley, $22
Outstanding
Long Shadows Vintners 2012 Nine Hats Red, Columbia Valley, $25
Nine Hats refers to the nine principals at this star-studded lineup in Walla Walla, and director of winemaking Gilles Nicault turns portions of the declassified lots into one of the Pacific Northwest’s best examples of what values often can be found in second labels. His blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (21%), Syrah (6%), Petit Verdot (6%), Malbec (6%) and Carménère … [Read more...] about Long Shadows Vintners 2012 Nine Hats Red, Columbia Valley, $25
Bunnell Family Cellar 2010 Syrah, Red Mountain, $44
Red Heaven and La Coye vineyards on Red Mountain, near famed Ciel du Cheval, come together in the hands of one of the Pacific Northwest’s top winemakers — Prosser vintner Ron Bunnell. Alluring aromas of nutmeg, cardamom, vanilla extract and cherry pipe tobacco are joined by blackberry and black currant. There’s more of the same on the superbly balanced palate, which also brings … [Read more...] about Bunnell Family Cellar 2010 Syrah, Red Mountain, $44
Vashon Winery 2014 Krogman Vineyard Rosé of Pinot Noir, Puget Sound, $40
Historian/winemaker Ron Irvine made just a few case of this rose from Pinot Noir grown on Maury Island, and it’s a wine to be coveted. It’s black currant in color with aromas of wild strawberry, dark raspberry, purple lavender, mint and vanilla cream. The drink is mouthfilling yet layered with elegant flavors of Queen Anne cherry, black raspberry and black currant. It’s a … [Read more...] about Vashon Winery 2014 Krogman Vineyard Rosé of Pinot Noir, Puget Sound, $40
Bateaux Cellars 2012 Voyageur, Yakima Valley, $29
Airfield Estates winemaker Marcus Miller uses his family’s grapes in this continuing collaborative effort poured in a tasting room with views of Mount St. Helens and near Interstate 5. Voyageur is a Meritage-style of five Bordeaux varieties, and the nose offers sweet oak notes of chocolate, nutmeg and coffee, joined by cherry, currant, boysenberry and molasses. It comes with a … [Read more...] about Bateaux Cellars 2012 Voyageur, Yakima Valley, $29