Portland winemaker Ed Fus credits Wade Wolfe of Thurston Wolfe fame in Washington for introducing him to Tedd Wildman of StoneTree Vineyard, and the relationship with the Wahluke Slope site has been critical to the rise of Angel Vine. His new proprietary The Cluster Fus (rhymes with cuss) blend could be labeled as Mourvèdre (80%), which was picked Sept. 2 within this … [Read more...] about Angel Vine 2015 The Cluster Fus, Columbia Valley, $28
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Ponzi Vineyards 2016 Pinot Noir Rosé, Willamette Valley, $22
Some of Oregon’s oldest vines — the Ponzi Estate Vineyard planted along the Chehalem Mountains northern foothills in 1970 - and high-elevation sites Dion and Merten come together for Luisa Ponzi’s graceful and bright rosé from Pinot Noir. A 24-hour maceration yielded the light cranberry color, which leads to enticing aromas of fresh-picked strawberry, cherry juice and peaches … [Read more...] about Ponzi Vineyards 2016 Pinot Noir Rosé, Willamette Valley, $22
Burnt Bridge Cellars 2014 Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $30
Hudson’s Bay Company set up Fort Vancouver in 1824, and grape seeds from England established the first vineyard for wine in what is now Washington state. About a mile to the west of that historic settlement is Burnt Bridge Cellars in downtown Vancouver. Merlot from a pair of McKibben-farmed vineyards - Seven Hills and Les Collines - made its way downstream from the Walla Walla … [Read more...] about Burnt Bridge Cellars 2014 Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $30
H/H Estates 2013 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Reserve Petit Verdot, Horse Heaven Hills, $50
Watercolor artist Marti Andrews co-owns H/H Estates, the reserve tier of Coyote Canyon Winery in Prosser, Wash., and her work adorns the label of this two-barrel lot of Petit Verdot off the Andrews family vineyard. It’s part of their inaugural Horse Heaven Hills artist series, and there’s density to this Petit Verdot. Aromas of dried blueberry, Tootsie Roll and Smith Brothers … [Read more...] about H/H Estates 2013 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Reserve Petit Verdot, Horse Heaven Hills, $50
Patterson Cellars NV Due Anni Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $20
Multiple vintages and eight varieties, paced by Cabernet Sauvignon (36%) and Syrah (17%), paved the way for Woodinville winemaker John Patterson’s annual proprietary red blend. Aromas of cordial cherry, plum and Heine’s Blend pipe tobacco lead to flavors of Hostess cherry pie, blackberry jam and bittersweet chocolate, backed by nice grip of tannin. The success of this bottling … [Read more...] about Patterson Cellars NV Due Anni Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $20