Peter and Carol Adams began planting their vineyard in 1976 near their friend — David Adelsheim — and produced wine under their first label five years later. In time, these grapes went to Lynn Penner-Ash at Rex Hill before being sold to a handful winemakers and now the Adams' new Trout Lily Ranch brand. — Tom Feller at Artisanal Wine Cellars delivers fruit-driven aromas of plum … [Read more...] about Artisanal Wine Cellars 2010 Adams Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $30
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Northwest Cellars 2008 Spofford Station Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $28
Next year, Bob Delf will celebrate the 10th anniversary of his Kirkland, Wash., business that began by allowing customers to special order bottles that carried personalized labels. Thanks in part to his partnership with Yakima Valley winemaker Robert Smasne, he's taken his brand to the next level, which includes remarkable artwork produced by Olsen Creative and wine country … [Read more...] about Northwest Cellars 2008 Spofford Station Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $28
L’Ecole No. 41 2010 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $24
"Robust" helps describe the core of what's one of the largest production Merlots in Washington, and it's a star-studded lineup of vineyards behind it, including Bacchus & Dionysus, Klipsun, Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills and StoneTree. Smoky black cherries, red plum, huckleberry and vanilla aromas lead to flavors of dark cherry and black plum. Sturdy tannins, joined by … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41 2010 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $24
Daven Lore Winery 2012 Sweet Riesling, Yakima Valley, $15
Best Buy! Production of this off-dry Riesling was increased to meet demand, and Gord Taylor waited until Oct. 30 to make his pick from the 21-year-old vines at Sebastian Vineyard north of Prosser. While he also excels at Riesling done dry, Taylor notes, "Not sweet enough is like making rhubarb pie without sugar and strawberries," so he stopped fermentation here at 5%. Its … [Read more...] about Daven Lore Winery 2012 Sweet Riesling, Yakima Valley, $15
Gamache Vintners 2009 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $25
These 30-year-old vines are in good company, not far and not much younger than the venerable plantings from Sagemoor Vineyard that also overlook the Columbia River north of Pasco, Wash. The nose takes in hints of poached plums, cordial cherry, Tootsie Roll and Costa Rican cardamon, while the palate shows good richness and acidity with more plums, pie cherries and balanced … [Read more...] about Gamache Vintners 2009 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $25