A key development in the rise of Westport Winery has been building relationship with sites such as Red Willow Vineyard and Mike Sauer, who owns recreation property in the Grays Harbor area. This cooler site in the foothills of Mount Adams allows this Alsatian grape to show remarkably perfumy aromas of lychee, grapefruit, clove and jasmine with flavors to match. The structure is … [Read more...] about Westport Winery 2015 Red Willow Vineyard Captain Gray Gewürztraminer, Yakima Valley, $26
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Vine 46 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington, $32
Lewiston, Idaho, natives Jeff Ebel and Mike Yates rely on grapes from Rosebud Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope, one of Washington’s oldest vineyards, for most of their production — and especially this delicious Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of sweet, dusty herbs, plum and late-summer blackberry give way to flavors of ripe dark fruit backed by a hit of oak and firm tannins. This … [Read more...] about Vine 46 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington, $32
Open Air 2015 Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $18
This Chardonnay is part of a new label for Ste. Chapelle. Longtime winemaker Maurine Johnson, who resigned this past summer and moved to Hogue Cellars in Washington, crafted this in a fresh style that could be likened to white Burgundy. Aromas of limestone, almond and Golden Delicious apple give way to flavors of fresh orchard fruit and just a whisper of oak. It was voted not … [Read more...] about Open Air 2015 Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $18
Seven of Hearts 2014 Armstrong Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge, $35
Few winemakers in Oregon’s Willamette Valley explore as many growing regions, vineyards and varieties at Byron Dooley from his McMinnville facility. He’s focused on the Yamhill-Carlton American Viticultural Area for his own Luminous Hills Vineyard and label, but here he pulls from Armstrong Vineyard in the Northwest’s smallest AVA — Ribbon Ridge — for this bright Pinot Noir. … [Read more...] about Seven of Hearts 2014 Armstrong Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge, $35
Baer Winery 2013 Callisto Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $39
The Baers and winemaker Erica Orr continue to showcase Stillwater Creek Vineyard and remain committed to the formula of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Syrah (40%) and Petit Verdot, which saw 22 months in all French oak - half of which were new Demptos barrels. Those wood nuances make for a beautiful nose of dusty purple fruit, cocoa powder and bittersweet chocolate, which leads to … [Read more...] about Baer Winery 2013 Callisto Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $39