Jessica Munnell has access to hundreds of acres of plantings by the Mercers, and while Dead Canyon Vineyard and its 11 blocks and 113 acres are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, there are about 5 acres of Syrah. After 26 months in a program of French and domestic oak, this bottling shows seductive aromas of plum sauce, smoky blueberry, strawberry licorice and lavender, backed by … [Read more...] about Mercer Estates 2012 Dead Canyon Vineyard Reserve Syrah, Horse Heaven Hills, $42
Outstanding
Maloney Wine 2012 Elephant Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Rattlesnake Hills, $65
Cornell grad Joshua Maloney headed up the red wine program at Chateau Ste. Michelle before choosing to spearhead the Milbrandts’ growing empire along the Wahluke Slope and Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley. However, the brothers have allowed Maloney also to pursue his own small-lot brand that focuses on a different single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon each vintage. He made the … [Read more...] about Maloney Wine 2012 Elephant Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Rattlesnake Hills, $65
Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2013 Umiker Vineyard Syrah, Idaho, $28
A year from now, the Umikers likely will be able to use “Lewis-Clark Valley” — which they have championed — on the label as the American Viticultural Area for the Syrah that Carl grows and his wife, Coco, vinifies at their winery in Lewiston, Idaho. This wonder team has collaborated on one of the Pacific Northwest’s top 2013 examples of this Rhône variety, and it opens with … [Read more...] about Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2013 Umiker Vineyard Syrah, Idaho, $28
Hamilton Cellars 2011 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $30
The Hamiltons hired renowned vineyard manager Dick Boushey to oversee their young plantings of Malbec on Red Mountain. However, winemaker Charlie Hoppes already makes some of the West Coast’s top expressions of Malbec using berries throughout the Columbia Valley. From this cooler vintage, he created a blend of Olsen Brothers Vineyard in Prosser, Conner Lee Vineyard along Radar … [Read more...] about Hamilton Cellars 2011 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $30
Hat Ranch Winery 2014 Estate Dry Moscato, Snake River Valley, $18
Air Force veterans Tim and Dr. Helen Harless moved from Texas to Idaho’s Sunnyslope Wine District in 2011 and a couple years later began putting down vineyard roots. This fascinating work with Muscat Ottonel is their first estate wine and shows dexterous winemaking skill by preserving the beautiful tropical notes while presenting it bone dry. Gorgeous rosewater, lychee and … [Read more...] about Hat Ranch Winery 2014 Estate Dry Moscato, Snake River Valley, $18