Best Buy! This Willamette Valley winery brought in grapes from Crawford near the Yakima Valley town of Prosser, a vineyard that consistently provides great fruit to wineries across the Pacific Northwest. And this wine is a stunner. It opens with aromas of spicy plums, cordial cherries and bacon, followed by rich flavors of blackberry, boysenberry syrup and sizzling ham. It's … [Read more...] about Cottonwood Winery of Oregon 2007 Raya Jade Syrah, Yakima Valley, $15
Outstanding
Hightower Cellars 2009 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $25
The Hightowers crafted this wine using 80% Red Mountain grapes. Technically, they could have claimed it as being from the Red Mountain AVA, even though they blended 20% grapes from the Horse Heaven Hills. Regardless, they have put together a red wine that is the epitome of Washington Merlot. It combines depth, complexity and maturity while maintaining a certain level of boyish … [Read more...] about Hightower Cellars 2009 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $25
W.B. Bridgman Cellars 2011 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $11
Best Buy! William Bridgman first planted wine grapes in Washington's Yakima Valley back in 1917, and Precept's team created a wine from Airfield, Canyon Ranch, Oasis and Snipes vineyards that could be confused for some of the top Rieslings from British Columbia. An amazing array of aromatics say 'Drink me' and include passion fruit, lychee, dragon fruit, peaches, apricots and … [Read more...] about W.B. Bridgman Cellars 2011 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $11
L’Ecole No. 41 2011 Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, $15
Best Buy! Marty Clubb has been crafting serious Chenin Blanc since 1987, and a cool vintage helped maintain his traditional profile with fruit from three historic Yakima Valley vineyards - Upland, Rothrock and Phil Church. There are aromas of gooseberry, cantaloupe, lemon Quench Gum and honeysuckle. It's beautiful and dry with honeydew melon, mint, lemon and lime flavors, a bit … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41 2011 Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, $15
H/H Estates 2009 Michael Andrews Reserve Red, Horse Heaven Hills, $35
Owner Mike Andrews loves the Spanish grapes he's growing at his estate Coyote Canyon Vineyard in Washington's Horse Heaven Hills and the resulting wine at his winery in the Vintners Village in the Yakima Valley town of Prosser. This superb Rioja-style blend includes Tempranillo, Graciano and Garnacha (Grenache), and winemaker John Gabriel crafted them into a beautiful wine. It … [Read more...] about H/H Estates 2009 Michael Andrews Reserve Red, Horse Heaven Hills, $35