The Nicholas family produces a number of stunning wines from their small estate site near Sherwood, Ore., and this gorgeous rosé shows a great deal of elegance. The nose features hints of cherry, dried strawberry, pomegranate and Kiwi fruit. Fanciful flavors gather up Rainier cherry, fresh-picked plum along with strawberry and raspberry. Its stunning structure, bone-dry … [Read more...] about Anam Cara Cellars 2012 Nicholas Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $18
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Bitner Vineyards NV Menopause Merlot, Snake River Valley, $26
There's a fun story behind the wine and whimsical label, and longtime friend/neighbor Greg Koenig did a delicious job of creating the wine for Mary Bitner, co-owner of Bitner Vineyards and their wine-country B&B. The nose will appeal to women with its features of cherries and chocolate with toasted marshmallow and cedar, and the juice is filled with more cherries and … [Read more...] about Bitner Vineyards NV Menopause Merlot, Snake River Valley, $26
Daven Lore Winery 2012 Dry Riesling, Yakima Valley, $15
Best Buy! Gordon Taylor builds two distinctly different styles of Riesling from the vines of Patricia O'Brien in Prosser at nearby VineHeart Winery. This lot harvested the day before Halloween, and he finished it essentially bone dry at 0.1% residual sugar with the pH at a brisk 3.02. The nose suggests fresh-pressed apple juice, ripe Bartlett pear, jasmine, lime and celery. The … [Read more...] about Daven Lore Winery 2012 Dry Riesling, Yakima Valley, $15
Open Road Wine Company 2011 Barbera, Wahluke Slope, $28
When the Papanikolaous launched their tiny winery in Bothell, Wash., they quickly zeroed in on the Wahluke Slope for their fruit. One of that region's oldest vineyards is Rosebud, and the hand-picked clusters from this Italian variety shine. It opens with rich boysenberry and chocolate aromas that also show hints of rose hips, lime and nutmeg. The fruit-forward palate offers … [Read more...] about Open Road Wine Company 2011 Barbera, Wahluke Slope, $28
Koenig Vineyards 2010 Three Vineyard Cuvée Syrah, Snake River Valley, $20
Greg Koenig, the man behind many of Idaho's best wines, creates this Syrah from three neighboring sites — Bitner, Hells Canyon and Williamson vineyards. The blend allowed him to develop aromas of sweet toasted oak with blueberry, plum, dark cherry and boysenberry. On the palate, it's loaded with blackberry, plum and cassis, which are surrounded by dark chocolate. Behind comes … [Read more...] about Koenig Vineyards 2010 Three Vineyard Cuvée Syrah, Snake River Valley, $20