Upland Vineyard on Snipes Mountain in the heart of the Yakima Valley is the reliable resource for Robert Delf’s Viognier. This example serves as a delicious alternative to Chardonnay as aromas of ripe apple, vanilla and light toast pick up hints of buttermilk, lemongrass and jasmine. There’s pleasing roundness on the approach to the palate with rich flavors of Golden Delicious … [Read more...] about Northwest Cellars 2015 Viognier, Snipes Mountain, $19
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Mazzacano Cellars 2013 Sotto Vocce Grenache, Yakima Valley, $45
Longtime Yakima Valley winemaker Flint Nelson offers his own brand - Mazzacano Cellars - in addition to the wines he’s made with Cat Warwick under their nascent Wit Cellars label. That he’s able to purchase Grenache, now one of the state’s most coveted varieties, from Precept’s Canyon Vineyard Ranch near Prosser would indicate that Nelson also is one of the region’s most … [Read more...] about Mazzacano Cellars 2013 Sotto Vocce Grenache, Yakima Valley, $45
Love That Red Winery 2014 Deadheat Syrah, Columbia Valley, $32
Woodinville vintner Terry Wells sources from Clifton Hill on the Wahluke Slope and Patina Vineyard, a tiny 20-year-old site in the Walla Walla Valley, for this juicy, 100% Syrah tribute to the sport of kings. Bright purple fruit tones of Bing cherry and blueberry include boysenberry, cured meat and some dusty minerality. Down the stretch, it’s big yet soft as black currant and … [Read more...] about Love That Red Winery 2014 Deadheat Syrah, Columbia Valley, $32
Robert Ramsay Cellars 2012 McKinley Springs Mourvèdre, Horse Heaven Hills, $35
The Andrews and Rowell family has been growing wine grapes in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills since 1980, and Robert Ramsay Harris began buying fruit from the McKinley Springs folks since 2005. Harris focused much of his efforts on Rhone varieties, and that is on full display with this Mourvèdre. Leaping out of the glass are aromas of Bing cherry, Red Vines licorice, sandy … [Read more...] about Robert Ramsay Cellars 2012 McKinley Springs Mourvèdre, Horse Heaven Hills, $35
Baer Winery 2013 Ursa Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $43
This storied project in Woodinville continues to produce wines that would have made the late Lance Baer proud, and here’s its flagship bottling - a Right Bank-style blend of Merlot (42%), Cabernet Franc (42%), Cabernet Sauvignon (14%) and Petit Verdot all off Stillwater Creek Vineyard in the Frenchman Hills. Erica Orr and the Baers invested 22 months in a barrel program of 53% … [Read more...] about Baer Winery 2013 Ursa Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $43