The Fries family of Duck Pond Cellars fame in Oregon, also owns Desert Wind Winery in the Yakima Valley town of Prosser. While the listed American Viticultural Area is defined as "Washington," the fine print reveals the grapes came from the Wahluke Slope, where the family also grows grapes. The result is an elegant drink that shows off aromas and flavors of blackberry, black … [Read more...] about Desert Wind Winery 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $18
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Ledger David Cellars 2013 Cabernet Franc, Rogue Valley, $29
Based deep in Southern Oregon, this winery is gaining a reputation as a top Rogue Valley producer. It used estate grapes planted nearly a decade ago to craft a superb example of Cabernet Franc. Aromas of mild oak, vanilla and Bing cherry lead to flavors of dried herbs, blueberry and a hint of cocoa powder. Everything is backed by remarkable acidity and mild tannins - making … [Read more...] about Ledger David Cellars 2013 Cabernet Franc, Rogue Valley, $29
Armstrong Family Winery 2013 The Scotsman Syrah, Wahluke Slope, $32
Perhaps the best region in the Pacific Northwest for a winemaker to develop an Aussie-style Shiraz would be Washington’s Wahluke Slope. Woodinville boutique producer Tim Armstrong goes into Riverbend Vineyard and pays homage to James Busby, the Scot credited with first establishing vineyards Down Under in the 1830s. Armstrong’s approach includes the favoring of American oak … [Read more...] about Armstrong Family Winery 2013 The Scotsman Syrah, Wahluke Slope, $32
Buty Winery 2014 Conner Lee Vineyard Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $42
The steadfast relationship between Conner Lee Vineyard and Nina Buty goes all the way back to the Walla Walla vintner’s inaugural 2000 vintage, and this 2,000-foot elevation site on Radar Hill near Othello stands out in Washington, particularly for its cooler climate that's ideal for Chardonnay. Complexity began with the two-phase harvest on Sept. 4 and Sept. 19 and continued … [Read more...] about Buty Winery 2014 Conner Lee Vineyard Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $42
Northwest Cellars 2013 Kestrel Vineyard Merlot, Yakima Valley, $16
Kirkland vintner Robert Delf contracted with one of Washington’s oldest sites for Merlot — Kestrel View Estate Vineyard - and continues his association with standout winemaker Robert Smasne for this rather hedonistic bottling emblazoned simply as “M.” Those old vines, established in 1972 near Prosser, set the table for aromas of sweet plum, macerated black cherry and maple … [Read more...] about Northwest Cellars 2013 Kestrel Vineyard Merlot, Yakima Valley, $16