The early pages of this storied collaboration of Norm McKibben and Jean-François Pellet include the first vintage of estate Merlot in 1999, and this release serves as an introduction to (at least) three consecutive warm vintages of Merlot from the Walla Walla Valley American Viticultural Area. Their blend of Salmon Safe estate plantings Seven Hills (48%), Pepper Bridge (45%) … [Read more...] about Pepper Bridge Winery 2013 Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $50
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Cavatappi Winery 2015 Pinot Grigio, Columbia Valley, $12
Best Buy! Café Juanita founder Peter Dow and his partnership with Precept Wine continues with this Pinot Gris from Yakima Valley vineyards Canyon Vineyard Ranch and Willow Crest. Its brisk nose opens with lime, Bosc pear, melon and spearmint, backed by fruity flavors of honeydew melon on the entry and cantaloupe on the midpalate. The finish of peach pie with crust and a pinch … [Read more...] about Cavatappi Winery 2015 Pinot Grigio, Columbia Valley, $12
Tertulia Cellars 2013 The Great SChisM Reserve, Walla Walla Valley, $55
The grower/winemaker team of Ryan Driver and Ryan Raber works with three estate vineyards at their Walla Walla Valley winery, and Rivière Galets in Milton-Freewater, Ore., is among those. This 12-acre site was established in 2009 with six Rhône reds among the eight varieties planted. Great SchisM is a GSM-style blend from Rivière Galets that deliciously leads with Grenache and … [Read more...] about Tertulia Cellars 2013 The Great SChisM Reserve, Walla Walla Valley, $55
Eleganté Cellars 2011 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $35
The Walla Walla airport complex is home to a variety of quality producers, including Doug Simmons’ quaint Eleganté Cellars. He remains committed to Les Collines Vineyard in the Blue Mountain foothills south of town for his Syrah, a low-alcohol, food-friendly drink with distinctive, savory and brambly tones of blueberry, red currants, earthiness and truffles. Bright acidity and … [Read more...] about Eleganté Cellars 2011 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $35
Evolution NV Sparkling Wine, American, $20
Sokol Blosser’s popular Evolution No. 9 White program continues to percolate with what the Dundee Hills winery has dubbed “the evolution of celebration” - a methode Champenoise sparkling wine program using that nine-grape base for these bubbles (Semillon, Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Muscat Canelli, Early Muscat and Chardonnay). Nose-tickling hints of … [Read more...] about Evolution NV Sparkling Wine, American, $20