Walla Walla’s Casey McClellan began working with Merlot in 1982, and his expertise with the variety made him an clear choice to serve on the “home team” portion of the winemakers’ Merlot panel during this year’s Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine festival. His expression from vineyards on Red Mountain, the Wahluke Slope and his home valley produces a youthful Merlot and serves … [Read more...] about Seven Hills Winery 2013 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $28
Outstanding
Sawtooth Winery 2014 Classic Fly Series Sauvignon Blanc, Snake River Valley, $20
A decade ago, Idaho native Meredith Smith turned her back on a career in real estate sales to chase her passion, and this vintage marked her fifth anniversary at Sawtooth. The estate vineyard surrounds the winery, affording Smith an exacting look at the grapes, and she made a timely call to pick this Sauvignon Blanc. Its alluring perfume of lavender, honeysuckle and jasmine … [Read more...] about Sawtooth Winery 2014 Classic Fly Series Sauvignon Blanc, Snake River Valley, $20
Fujishin Family Cellars 2013 Tempranillo, Snake River Valley, $23
Sunnyslope Wine District vintner Martin Fujishin continues to display a flair with brawny varieties, including this Tempranillo that taps into Skyline Vineyard and Martin Brothers Vineyard. Fujishin’s elevage program incorporates aging in older barrels, which allow for a refined nose of black cherry, strawberry taffy, coffee, chai spice and tobacco leaf. Blackberry, Bing … [Read more...] about Fujishin Family Cellars 2013 Tempranillo, Snake River Valley, $23
Auclair Winery 2012 Artz Vineyard Right Blend, Red Mountain, $39
Woodinville boutique producer Charlie Auclair takes the right course with this Right Bank Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot (65%), Cabernet Franc (33%), Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from the vineyard founded by the late Fred Artz, one of the trailblazers on Red Mountain. The substantial influence of new French oak (50%) creates bold aromas of hickory-smoked bacon and … [Read more...] about Auclair Winery 2012 Artz Vineyard Right Blend, Red Mountain, $39
Bergevin Lane Vineyards 2012 Calico Red, Columbia Valley, $15
Best Buy! Walla Walla isn’t a bastion for red wines priced in the teens, but here’s a stunning wine worthy of stalking and stocking up on for a variety of reason. It starts with some of the Northwest’s top vineyards — Pepper Bridge, StoneTree, Les Collines, Candy Mountain and Spring Creek — and the melange is led by Syrah (35%) in front of Cabernet Sauvignon (27%), Merlot … [Read more...] about Bergevin Lane Vineyards 2012 Calico Red, Columbia Valley, $15