Lake Chelan vintner Charlie Lybecker deepens his delicious work with Rhône varieties with this GSM-style blend of Grenache (12%), Syrah (64%) and Mourvèdre from three of the Yakima Valley’s top sites — Dineen, Meek and Art den Hoed. Half of the Syrah and Grenache lots were whole-cluster fermented, which provides a great texture that develops a balanced grip of tannins, acidity … [Read more...] about Cairdeas Winery 2014 Tri Red Wine Blend, Yakima Valley, $39
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Sparkman Cellars 2014 Wonderland Grenache, Yakima Valley, $32
Christian Sparkman and his Woodinville team that includes Linn Scott and Erica Orr pull from venerable Yakima Valley sources Boushey and Olsen for this velvety and juicy Grenache that’s among the state’s top examples year after year. Dusty oak, red plums, cassis and sweet herbs lead to a lithe and juicy drink of creamy blackberries and dried strawberries. Its polished texture … [Read more...] about Sparkman Cellars 2014 Wonderland Grenache, Yakima Valley, $32
Stottle Winery 2013 Big Eddie Red Wine Blend, Columbia Valley $36
Puget Sound winemaker Josh Stottlemyer continues to shows a deft hand with blending, and he’s boosted the level of Merlot (60%) in this Right Bank-style assemblage of Bordeaux varities. He traditionally relies on Elephant Mountain Vineyard for his Merlot. Equal portions of Malbec from 6 Prong Vineyard from the Horse Heaven Hills and Cabernet Sauvignon make for the nose of hot … [Read more...] about Stottle Winery 2013 Big Eddie Red Wine Blend, Columbia Valley $36
Yamhill Valley Vineyards 2016 Rosé of Pinots, Willamette Valley, $16
Both the Pinot Noir (80%) and Pinot Blanc (20%) were grown on this estate, the second-oldest vineyard in Oregon’s McMinnville American Viticultural Area, which doesn’t encompass the college town itself. And the pick for this rosé program wrapped up on Sept. 18, a week earlier than in 2015, in part because Ariel Eberle chose to create this dry, a mere 0.4% residual sugar. That’s … [Read more...] about Yamhill Valley Vineyards 2016 Rosé of Pinots, Willamette Valley, $16
Three Rivers Winery 2016 Rosé, Columbia Valley, $14
Best Buy! Longtime Walla Walla winemaker Holly Turner blends three varieties that often excel when used to produce rosé — Syrah (55%), Sangionvese (28%) and Cabernet Franc. All three lots were in the door by Sept. 7, and she presents this pink with a light hue akin to a Provence. Its delicate nose of dusty peach, facial powder and fresh linen leads to fruity flavors of … [Read more...] about Three Rivers Winery 2016 Rosé, Columbia Valley, $14