Best Buy! Rosé forms a significant part of John Patterson’s Forbidden program, and while he could legally label this latest pink as a Tempranillo rosé, he incorporates Sangiovese (22%) into the final cut for ample acidity. Minimal skin contact gives its inviting Provence color, and it hints at aromas of dried cranberry and rhubarb with pink peppercorn and mint. On the pour, … [Read more...] about Patterson Cellars 2016 Forbidden Rosé, Columbia Valley, $13
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Stina’s Cellars 2014 Millennium Vineyards Siegerrebe, Washington, $18
Millennium Vineyards south of Chehalis, Wash., has been a favored fruit source for Tacoma winemaker Perry Preston. In addition to Baco Noir, he pulls cool-climate Siegerrebe from there, and this aged angle with the white German grape achieves success with an off-dry approach. There’s a sun tea appearance, and the drink offers a theme of peach cobbler, lavender, vanilla and … [Read more...] about Stina’s Cellars 2014 Millennium Vineyards Siegerrebe, Washington, $18
Scatter Creek Winery 2014 Peach Breeze White Table Wine, Yakima Valley, $15
Best Buy! Terril Keary, who makes his wines near Thurston County town of Tenino, Wash., continues to find the sweet spot with his offerings that include fruit juices. Using Chardonnay as the base wine, his latest Peach Breeze is reminiscent of a Yakima Valley peach sundae, offering aromas and flavors of Cling peach, apricot preserves and wildflowers. With its residual sugar of … [Read more...] about Scatter Creek Winery 2014 Peach Breeze White Table Wine, Yakima Valley, $15
Maryhill Winery 2016 Rosé of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $18
One of the Pacific Northwest’s largest productions of rosé ranks among the best, and it starts with the Italian grape Sangiovese in the Yakima Valley at Tudor Hills Vineyard. The pick was Oct. 18, and winemaker Richard Batchelor’s subtle touch creates a gorgeous light strawberry color that leads to mouthwatering aromas and delicious flavors of cherry and strawberry-watermelon … [Read more...] about Maryhill Winery 2016 Rosé of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $18
Madsen Family Cellars 2012 Heart of Darkness, Horse Heaven Hills, $25
South Puget Sound vintner Dana Madsen sources Petit Verdot from McKinley Springs for this fortified dessert wine, and it continues to evolve beautifully. It opens with aromatic hints of chalkboard dust often associated with Horse Heaven Hills fruit, clove, black cherry and black licorice. The inky structure provides rich and lengthy flavors of plum, cherry and licorice. Notes … [Read more...] about Madsen Family Cellars 2012 Heart of Darkness, Horse Heaven Hills, $25