Ste. Michelle-trained Melanie Krause is the winemaking talent behind Cinder Wines near Boise, but she and her husband Joe Schnerr developed this second label to become a Tuesday night wine in an Old World-style, not only for consumers but also themselves. So they make this in a fruit-forward, bright style each year. This release leads with Sangiovese (60%) and supported by … [Read more...] about Laissez Faire 2015 Red Table Wine, Idaho, $16
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Panther Creek Cellars 2014 Winemaker’s Cuvee Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $30
The flagship Pinot Noir bottling by Tony Rynders for Oregon’s rejuvenated Panther Creek brand encompasses four growing regions and six vineyards, including the large Wildewood and Loubejac plantings influenced by the Van Duzer Corridor near Monmouth. There’s a slightly hedonistic approach to this darker Pinot Noir, starting with aromas of black cherry and blackberry with … [Read more...] about Panther Creek Cellars 2014 Winemaker’s Cuvee Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $30
DaMa Wines 2013 Grenache, Columbia Valley, $38
This year, Mary Tuuri Derby celebrates the 10th anniversary of DaMa Wines, and she continues to show the promise of Rhône varieties grown in the Yakima Valley by Lonesome Spring Ranch. The Benton City, Wash., vineyard run by Colin Morrell has been the source for the popular DaMa Nation GSM blend, but here the focus is all on his Grenache. Harvest took place Oct. 11 at 26 Brix, … [Read more...] about DaMa Wines 2013 Grenache, Columbia Valley, $38
Dusted Valley Vintners 2015 Olsen Vineyard Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $34
One of the Walla Walla Valley’s most enterprising and successful wine companies continues to explore higher-elevation sites in the Yakima Valley for its Chardonnay, and the Olsen family's vineyard reaches up toward the Rattlesnake Hills at 1,350 feet. The multi-faceted fermentation by the Wisconsin boys includes 20% new French oak barrels, 15 percent in stainless steel and 5 … [Read more...] about Dusted Valley Vintners 2015 Olsen Vineyard Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $34
Sparkman Cellars 2013 Ruckus Syrah, Red Mountain, $52
Woodinville vintner Christian Sparkman deepens his reputation with Ruckus, a Côte Rôtie style of Syrah he began courting in 2006. The focus is on Ciel du Cheval on Red Mountain with Boushey Vineyard (8%) contributing the Viognier. Despite the 25 miles apart, both sites were harvested the same day — Sept. 13 — and his Sparkman's program of 33% new French oak makes for enticing … [Read more...] about Sparkman Cellars 2013 Ruckus Syrah, Red Mountain, $52