Best Buy! Aside from the blend of red Rhône grapes, this is not really a renegade in the rosé class. It’s light and bright, with centered fruit complicated with earthy notes, which, come to think of it, does make this pink something of a renegade. This is produced by Sleight of Hands Cellars south of downtown Walla Walla, orchestrated by winemaker/Pearl Jam devotee Trey Busch … [Read more...] about Renegade Wine Co. 2015 Rosé, Columbia Valley, $12
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Martin-Scott Winery 2013 Needlerock Vineyard Tempranillo, Columbia Valley, $24
Wenatchee Valley grower/winemaker Mike Scott allow his estate-grown Tempranillo to be what the variety is known for — a profile featuring robust tannins and bright acidity that presents food applications in the short term while being cellar-worthy, too. His latest release, which saw him trade Balkan oak for more traditional French and American barrels, comes with a dense nose … [Read more...] about Martin-Scott Winery 2013 Needlerock Vineyard Tempranillo, Columbia Valley, $24
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2015 Twin Vineyards Gewürztraminer, Yakima Valley, $16
This Gewürztraminer by bi-state vintner Nicolas Quillé is shrinking violet here, a product of two vineyards on opposite of the Yakima River. It’s more like a bouquet of rose petals in the aroma and a bowl of unadulterated lychee nuts on the palate, finishing with the varietal's perky spice and stimulating acidity to easily balance the residual sugar of 1.5%. Quillé - a Master … [Read more...] about Pacific Rim Winemakers 2015 Twin Vineyards Gewürztraminer, Yakima Valley, $16
Bitner Vineyards 2012 Menopause Merlot, Snake River Valley, $30
One of the fastest-selling red wines in Idaho each year is Caldwell vintner Mary Bitner’s Menopause Merlot, and this is the fifth release of this rather delicious red with the zany label. The design is created each year by Central Oregon artist Jill Haney-Neal, whose work hangs in Anthony's Restaurants and gets applied to bottles of Kiona Vineyards' Vivacious Vicky. Inside this … [Read more...] about Bitner Vineyards 2012 Menopause Merlot, Snake River Valley, $30
Gordon Estate 2015 Estate Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $22
This vintage marked the 30th anniversary of the Gordon brothers’ first wine produced from their estate overlooking the Snake River, and it features a blend of fruit and barrel notes, starting with aromas of Spanish almond, butter and toast that also include caramel apple, grapefruit pith and lemon pepper. There’s less influence of oak on the acid-driven palate, which brings a … [Read more...] about Gordon Estate 2015 Estate Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $22