Brent Charnley’s historic work with aromatic white wines focuses on his Lopez Island estate, but much of his red program centers on Crawford Vineyard near Prosser, Wash. This delicious rosé is derived from Syrah and Merlot, bringing a brilliant cherry juice color with a nose of blood orange, raspberry and strawberry. Inside, it’s juicy and remarkably complex with flavors of … [Read more...] about Lopez Island Vineyards 2016 Rosé, Yakima Valley, $18
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Mill Lane Winery NV Rhubarb, Washington, $17
Dan Ferris retired from the Air Force and often draws upon his long history as a basketball referee to create proprietary names for his wines. When it comes to his nongrape wines, he plays it straight. Rhubarb is rarely produced commercially in Washington, but Ferris does it marvelous fashion. Beautiful and fascinating aromas of peppermint, cedar and Christmastime spices … [Read more...] about Mill Lane Winery NV Rhubarb, Washington, $17
Scatter Creek Winery 2015 Tango with da Mango! Gewürztraminer/Mango White Wine, American, $20
Terril Keary is well into his second decade of offering eclectic vinifera wines - red and white - blended with fruit juice to those who take in the Chehalis Valley Wine Tour in Western Washington. This creation of Gewürztraminer with mango juice provides a trip to the tropics, a drink reminiscent of passion-orange-guava, backed by apricot nectar. There’s decent balance to the … [Read more...] about Scatter Creek Winery 2015 Tango with da Mango! Gewürztraminer/Mango White Wine, American, $20
Ryan Patrick Wines 2015 Olsen Brothers Vineyard Riesling, Yakima Valley, $12
Best Buy! Acclaimed growers Dick and Larry Olsen produced suave wines as vintners in Prosser, Wash., before closing their Olsen Estates operation. A growing number of winemakers are spotlighting their fruit with Olsen Brothers Vineyard-designated wines, but rarely at bargain prices. Columbia Basin winemaker Jeremy Santo, who grew up in Prosser, had the grapes picked for this … [Read more...] about Ryan Patrick Wines 2015 Olsen Brothers Vineyard Riesling, Yakima Valley, $12
Indian Creek Winery 2014 Touriga Naçional, Snake River Valley, $29
While this traditional Port-style variety finds its way into Mike McClure’s fortified program, these three barrels off Arena Valley Vineyard from the 2014 vintage proved too stellar to blend away, prompting the University of Idaho grad to produce this standalone bottling. Viewed as Portugal’s top red and its answer to Cab, McClure presents it in delicious fashion. There are … [Read more...] about Indian Creek Winery 2014 Touriga Naçional, Snake River Valley, $29