Swiss-born Hermann Müller’s work at the famed Institute of Enology at Geisenheim University in Germany to develop this variety in 1882 was initially promoted as a cross of early-ripening Silvaner with noble Riesling. Thanks to DNA research, it's recently been revealed to be the quick-to-mature Madeleine Royale — not Silvaner. Only after World War II did M-T catch on, but by the … [Read more...] about Bainbridge Vineyards 2013 Müller-Thurgau, Puget Sound, $18
Outstanding
Kennedy Shah 2012 La Vie en Rouge Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $14
Best Buy! This bargain red by Woodinville winemaker Jean Claude Beck is just the latest in a seemingly never-ending string of approachable reds streaming out of The Woodhouse Wine Estates and its marketplace tier. As the name suggests, it’s a life through red varieties — Merlot (32%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Cabernet Franc (25%) — boosted by structure from Petit Verdot (7%) … [Read more...] about Kennedy Shah 2012 La Vie en Rouge Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $14
Township 7 Vineyards & Winery 2014 Rosé, Okanagan Valley, $18
British Columbia vintners Mike and Lori Raffan orchestrate another a number of outdoor events at the T7 tasting rooms on the Okanagan Valley's Naramata Bench and in Langley on the Lower Mainland, and this cheery pink made from Merlot by new winemaker Mary McDermott includes a bit of perfume from Muscat (5%). Its light salmon color would hint at Provence, yet it winks with sweet … [Read more...] about Township 7 Vineyards & Winery 2014 Rosé, Okanagan Valley, $18
Tenet Wines 2013 GSM, Columbia Valley, $70
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates adds to its international "string of pearls" experience with Tenet Wines, its palindrome-coined collaboration with renowned Rhône Valley vintners Michel Gassier and Philippe Cambie. Their inaugural vintage in Washington state with Chateau Ste. Michelle head winemaker Bob Bertheau results in this delicious and mildly hedonistic GSM-style blend of … [Read more...] about Tenet Wines 2013 GSM, Columbia Valley, $70
Côtes de Ciel 2012 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Nebbiolo, Red Mountain, $50
Red Mountain pioneering grower Jim Holmes took a chance on this noble red grape that hails from the Italian Alps, and his winemaking son Richard turned fruit from these 12-year-old vines into an impressive and promising example. While the juice spent 22 months in oak, none of it was new, helping to develop aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry jam, cocoa powder, vanilla and white … [Read more...] about Côtes de Ciel 2012 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Nebbiolo, Red Mountain, $50