Pharmacist/winemaker Jeana Steiner and her husband, Chad, established their Chardonnay vines in 2017 on their orchard and farm that overlooks Roses Lake just west of Manson, Wash. They refer to this neutral-oaked Chardonnay as “The Medicine,” yet this effort is reminiscent of a candy shop rather than a drug store. Its crowd-pleaser nose hints at banana Laffy Taffy and orange … [Read more...] about Lagrioth Winery 2022 Estate Chardonnay, Lake Chelan $36
Washington
Waterbrook Winery 2021 Vintner’s Selection Red Blend Columbia Valley, $19.99
Best Buy! Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the winery that Eric Rindal founded in the Walla Walla Valley. One of his key hires, John Freeman, stayed on after Rindal sold the Lowden brand to Precept in 2006 and his crew continues to produce some of the state’s most delicious wines. This vintage of Vintner’s Selection is a remarkable value as blend of Cabernet … [Read more...] about Waterbrook Winery 2021 Vintner’s Selection Red Blend Columbia Valley, $19.99
Mosquito Fleet Winery 2019 SS Fortuna Petit Verdot, Horse Heaven Hills $45
A measured amount of Petit Verdot from Beightol family plantings at Double Canyon and Phinny Hill vineyards typically makes its way into a handful of reds each vintage by Kitsap Peninsula chiropractor Brian Petersen, even some Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings. In this case, his standalone effort labeled as Petit Verdot — a product of his 10th commercial vintage — is beveled with … [Read more...] about Mosquito Fleet Winery 2019 SS Fortuna Petit Verdot, Horse Heaven Hills $45
Fortuity Cellars 2018 Heart of the Hill Vineyard Destined Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley $65
From the start, the Fergestroms have been laser-focused on sourcing strictly from the Yakima Valley, which is where they’ve made their home and launched Fortuity Cellars on their estate west of Zillah. This bottling marks the first of three consecutive vintages during which they produced a trio of vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignon from three of the state’s top sites for … [Read more...] about Fortuity Cellars 2018 Heart of the Hill Vineyard Destined Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley $65
Spring Valley Vineyard 2019 Estate Uriah Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, $60
Uriah Corkrum’s great-great granddaughter, Kate Derby, recently took over as the head winemaker of this Ste. Michelle Wine Estates brand, but she’s been working in the cellar at her family’s estate on the edge of the Palouse and east of the Walla Walla Regional Airport since 2011. The team’s blend takes a Right Bank-Bordeaux approach by leading with Merlot (46%) and layering … [Read more...] about Spring Valley Vineyard 2019 Estate Uriah Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, $60