Thirty years ago, Mark Newton became one of the first to establish a winery in Woodinville, and in 1997 he also was among the first in Washington state to bottle Cabernet Franc on its own. Each vintage, it's among the region's best examples of the variety, and this opens with classic notes of cherry, red currants, dried herbs and black olive backed by whiffs of cedar, vanilla, … [Read more...] about DiStefano Winery 2008 Sogno (Cab Franc), Columbia Valley, $36
Latest wine reviews
Anelare 2010 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Merlot, Red Mountain, $49
One of Washington's most renowned vineyards made up the first bottling of Merlot for this boutique winery in the Tri-Cities. It's a robust and age-worthy wine, as one would expect from Red Mountain, and it opens with raspberry syrup aromas among barrel tones of cocoa, vanilla bean, peanut butter, molasses and nutmeg. The palate is dominated by rich cassis, more raspberry and … [Read more...] about Anelare 2010 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Merlot, Red Mountain, $49
Elk Cove Vineyards 2010 Clay Court Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $48
The Campbells purchased this Parrot Mountain parcel the year prior to this harvest, prizing the fruit from this east-facing slope in Jory soil. Second-generation winemaker Adam Campbell raves about the intense red tones of this Chehalem Mountains site, planted in 2000, and the attraction is understandable. Sweet oak, strawberry, Bing cherry and dried red currant aromas spin … [Read more...] about Elk Cove Vineyards 2010 Clay Court Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $48
Knight Hill Winery 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, $18
The Harrisons sourced these grapes from the denHoed-owned Desert Hills Vineyard in the upper elevations of the Yakima Valley north of Grandview, Wash. On the nose, it shows many of the classic Sauvignon Blanc qualities such as gooseberry, grassiness, slate and even a whiff of tomcat. The drink is clean and crisp with good lines of lime skin, lemon juice and more … [Read more...] about Knight Hill Winery 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, $18
Purple Star Wines 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $8
Best Buy! Kyle and Amy Johnson dedicate 15 percent of the proceeds from their new label to Seattle Children's Hospital for helping the cause of uncompensated care, which explains the support they've received for their wines, including this bright and crisp Sauv Blanc from Outlook Vineyard. Enticing aromas of dusty Red Delicious apple, orange yogurt, honeydew melon and lime turn … [Read more...] about Purple Star Wines 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $8