Chris Loeliger, a product of South Seattle Community College’s Northwest Wine Academy, makes a splash in Woodinville with this fruit-forward Syrah from Dineen Vineyard in the Rattlesnake Hills and Patina Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. The even contributions of those vineyards after 20 months of aging in four neutral French oak barrels allows for aromas of blackberry jam, … [Read more...] about TruthTeller Winery 2014 The Cynic Syrah, Columbia Valley, $40
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Milbrandt Vineyards 2015 Evergreen Vineyard Traditions Riesling, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $13
Best Buy! Evergreen Vineyard, one of Washington state’s premier sites for cool-climate whites, shines yet again with this bargain Riesling. This planting not far from Jerry Milbrandt’s home saw Riesling for this program begin to get pulled on Oct. 16, and winemaker Emily Haines presents it in a dry, but not a geeky style. Amazing aromas include cotton candy, jasmine, Jolly … [Read more...] about Milbrandt Vineyards 2015 Evergreen Vineyard Traditions Riesling, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $13
Crossings Winery 2012 Zabala Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Snake River Valley, $19
Idaho winemaker Neil Glancey continues to show his skill with this less-appreciated Bordeaux variety. He pulls from nearby Zabala Vineyard in the Hagerman Valley for this stunning Cab Franc that offers a theme of sweet oak with plenty of red fruit flavor akin to cassis, raspberry and cranberry. There are pinches of leafiness and white pepper joined by great acidity, prized … [Read more...] about Crossings Winery 2012 Zabala Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Snake River Valley, $19
King Estate 2015 Domaine Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $29
The largest biodynamic and certified organic vineyard in the U.S. is now also within the Willamette Valley American Viticultural Area, which explains why this bottling of estate fruit no longer lists “Oregon” as the AVA. There’s no oak involved in the production, and the tradition of five months on the lees builds aromas of baked orchard fruit, candy corn, jasmine and … [Read more...] about King Estate 2015 Domaine Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $29
Avennia 2015 Oliane Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, $28
Two of the Yakima Valley’s premier vineyards — Boushey (60%) and Red Willow (40%) — come together in the hands of Woodinville winemaker Chris Peterson for this brisk, crisp yet approachable Sauvignon Blanc. His winemaking incorporates seven months of surlie aging in mostly neutral French oak barrels with juice from concrete egg (15%), an approach that removes any meow. The nose … [Read more...] about Avennia 2015 Oliane Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, $28