Best Buy! Yakima Valley winemaker Juergen Grieb continues shine with his bubbles, which have been served at the White House. This is one of the most widely produced bottlings from his scenic Wapato winery, and the nose-tickling aromas begin with honeydew melon, kiwi fruit, apple, apricot, green banana and lemon. There's beautiful mouth feel with its full mousse, which delivers … [Read more...] about Treveri Cellars NV Brut Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs, Columbia Valley, $14
Outstanding
Pondera Winery 2010 Entwined, Columbia Valley, $34
One of Washington's top boutique wineries specializing Bordeaux blends continues to be this 1,200-case operation in Woodinville with Shane Howard at the helm. This leads with Merlot, and the nose is alluring with hints of black cherry, plum, chocolate-covered pomegranate, black pepper and vanilla bean. That theme of dark fruits plies its way to the palate with pleasing density … [Read more...] about Pondera Winery 2010 Entwined, Columbia Valley, $34
Milbrandt Vineyards 2012 Traditions Riesling, Columbia Valley, $13
Best Buy! Several years ago, Joshua Maloney headed up the red winemaking for Chateau Ste. Michelle, but he continues to show his skill with white wines for the Milbrandt brothers. Part of his scuccess is the ability to work with Evergreen Vineyard, one of the top sites for white wines in the Northwest, and this bottling is 100% from that Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley … [Read more...] about Milbrandt Vineyards 2012 Traditions Riesling, Columbia Valley, $13
Milbrandt Vineyards 2011 Brothers’ Blend, Columbia Valley, $17
Columbia Basin brothers Butch and Jerry Milbrandt created this bottling as an any-night-wine to serve with a broad range of foods, and winemaker Joshua Maloney's skill takes it up a notch. The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), Syrah (24%), Merlot (17%), Malbec (15%), Grenache (10%) and Tempranillo begins with hints of chocolate chip cookie, raspberry syrup and brambleberry … [Read more...] about Milbrandt Vineyards 2011 Brothers’ Blend, Columbia Valley, $17
William Church Winery 2010 2 Spires, Columbia Valley, $34
This small winery in Woodinville, Wash., is crafting some of the state's most consistently superb red wines, and this blend of Syrah (65%) and Cabernet Sauvignon is no exception. Winemaker Marcus Rafanelli used large puncheon barrels to ensure the oak influences would be minimal and subtle. The result is a wine with aromas of cedar, strawberry, mint and cranberry, followed by … [Read more...] about William Church Winery 2010 2 Spires, Columbia Valley, $34