Best Buy! One of the state’s top sites for Malbec is the source for the Mercer family’s Grenache rosé. A key feature for Spice Cabinet Vineyard, a short jog from Crow Butte Park and the Columbia River, is the aspect that allows for some afternoon shading. That allows for the retention of the grape's natural acidity. A 24-hour soaking on the grape skins leads to delicate and … [Read more...] about Mercer Estates 2016 Spice Cabinet Vineyard Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills, $13
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Convergence Zone Cellars 2014 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Drizzle Pinot Gris, Red Mountain, $17
Pinot Gris is just one of three white wine varieties grown across the 36 blocks at the Holmes family’s renowned sites of Ciel du Cheval, and CZ vintner Scott Greenberg pulls from here for an off-dry style of Pinot Gris. Aromas of banana, pear and fresh-cut hay lead down a path of ripe Pink Lady apple, Mandarin orange and pineapple, backed by a sweet lime finish to help deal … [Read more...] about Convergence Zone Cellars 2014 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Drizzle Pinot Gris, Red Mountain, $17
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2013 Oldfield Series Estate Syrah, Okanagan Valley, $32
Devotees of cool-climate Syrah have a sweet spot for their research in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, and yet Sandra Oldfield’s estate sites, particularly Diamondback Vineyard on the Black Sage Bench, receive plenty of heat to ripen this red Rhône grape. Blended with the winery’s namesake vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench, the 18 months in French oak supplied bright and … [Read more...] about Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2013 Oldfield Series Estate Syrah, Okanagan Valley, $32
Nine Hats Wines 2015 Benches Vineyard Pinot Gris, Horse Heaven Hills, $14
Most of the wines produced in Walla Walla are delicious, but few brands in the entire Northwest offer the bargains that Gilles Nicault continues as part of his work with Long Shadows Vintners. Their erstwhile estate vineyard, The Benches near McNary Dam, provide the tropical style often associated with Washington-based Pinot Gris. Ripe aromas of pineapple and Uncola that … [Read more...] about Nine Hats Wines 2015 Benches Vineyard Pinot Gris, Horse Heaven Hills, $14
Noviello Vineyards 2015 French Creek Vineyard Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $28
Bellevue plastic surgeon Fredric Stern and his wife, Ana, have planted Chardonnay at their young Noviello Estate Vineyard above the Columbia River near Chelan, but in the meantime, they continue their relationship with Damon LaLonde’s French Creek Vineyard near the Yakima River. And yet their latest barrel-fermented Chardonnay, with 20% new French oak, is replete with fruit … [Read more...] about Noviello Vineyards 2015 French Creek Vineyard Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $28