Ryan Patrick winemaker Jeremy Santo pulls from one of Washington’s great vineyards, Elephant Mountain, which stood as the highest-elevation planting at 1,460 when the Hattrup brothers established it above the Yakima Valley in 1998. The site selection proves ideal for hangtime in warm vintages such as 2013 when it was harvested on Oct. 25. Despite its ripeness at 26.5 Brix, this … [Read more...] about Ryan Patrick Vineyards 2013 Elephant Mountain Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Rattlesnake Hills, $45
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Boomtown by Dusted Valley 2015 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $19
Of the five stand-alone varieties bottled under this second label for Walla Walla’s Dusted Valley, Pinot Gris is the largest component in this 20,000-case Boomtown brand. It’s a delicious, fruity and crisp version of this Burgundian grape. The stainless steel production brings aromas and flavors of pineapple, Uncola and jasmine with tangy tartness and a finish of lemon meringue … [Read more...] about Boomtown by Dusted Valley 2015 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $19
Drink Washington State 2014 Enjoy Walla Walla Carménère, Walla Walla Valley, $26
Empire State native Brad Binko turned his back on the life of a somm for that of a winemaker, and the recent grad from College Cellars in Walla Walla now earns high marks outside of the classroom with much of his juice. This Carm is an amped-up Cabernet Franc, offering a big nose rub of cigar leaf, green peppercorn and clove NECCO wafer backed by blueberry. On the attack, … [Read more...] about Drink Washington State 2014 Enjoy Walla Walla Carménère, Walla Walla Valley, $26
Abacela NV Estate Vintner’s Blend #16, Umpqua Valley, $18
The robust Spanish grape Tempranillo is the historic headliner at storied Abacela in Southern Oregon, and so it understandably makes up essentially half of this Mediterranean-style blend that calls upon 11 varieties. Syrah is the next grape up (21%) for winemaker Andrew Wenzl, who used it to create remarkable balance while toning down the tannins. There’s still ample grip, yet … [Read more...] about Abacela NV Estate Vintner’s Blend #16, Umpqua Valley, $18
Le Cadeau Vineyard 2015 Pinot Noir, Oregon, $38
Tom Mortimer’s vines on the southern edge of Parrett Mountain have entered their third decade of life, and this bottling represents a blend through the 16-acre vineyard which he found thanks to Harry Peterson-Nedry of Chehalem Wines fame. The nose shows the ripeness of the historically hot 2015 vintage, offering black cherry, cola and Graham cracker notes with forest floor and … [Read more...] about Le Cadeau Vineyard 2015 Pinot Noir, Oregon, $38