Oregon State University grad Bobby Richards has now spent a decade with Seven Hills Winery, the fifth-oldest brand in the Walla Walla Valley. His work here with “the lost grape of Bordeaux ‘’ on behalf of Crimson Wine Group features one of the region’s oldest vineyard sites — SHW Founding Vineyard — and Summit View. It’s worth noting that both are in the state of Oregon. Smoky … [Read more...] about Seven Hills Winery 2021 Carménère, Walla Walla Valley $50
Washington
The Bunnell Family Cellar 2017 Painted Hills Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley $58
Among the plantings Art den Hoed spearheads is Painted Hills, a site near Mabton that’s just outside the Yakima Valley boundary and directly responsible for eight career Platinums awarded to Ron Bunnell. Here’s the second for a Cab, which stays true to the varietal with aromas of Bing cherry, pencil shavings, green bell pepper and mint. The palate projects with a baritone of … [Read more...] about The Bunnell Family Cellar 2017 Painted Hills Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley $58
Black Heron Wines 2018 MonteScarlatto Vineyard Treasure Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Red Mountain $30
Columbia Valley distiller Mark Williams bought an established spirits business in 2013, and famous Red Mountain is about a five-minute drive from his West Richland, Wash., cellar. He earned several gold medals in 2023 for his Red Mountain reds, and he picked up his first career Platinum with this blend of Merlot (52%) and Cabernet Sauvignon. Attractive aromas of raspberry jam, … [Read more...] about Black Heron Wines 2018 MonteScarlatto Vineyard Treasure Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Red Mountain $30
Yakima Valley Vintners 2019 Super Senior Merlot, Columbia Valley $28
The viticulture and enology program of Yakima Valley College has used Merlot to win four of its 15 career Platinums. This project under the tutelage of educators Trent Ball and the since-retired Brad Smith takes a unique approach with an extended maceration on the grape skins of 10 months prior pressing and spending time in French oak. (Think of Ste. Michelle’s INTRINSIC … [Read more...] about Yakima Valley Vintners 2019 Super Senior Merlot, Columbia Valley $28
Winescape Winery 2021 Riesling, Yakima Valley $25
The reigning Washington Winery to Watch reaches into venerable Lewis Vineyard near Prosser and incorporates the German approach of süssreserve — reserving some unfermented juice post-fermentation — to precisely arrive at the level of sugar/acid balance desired by Spokane microbiologist/winemaker Phil Butterfield. Fanciful aromas of a cotton candy shop, Juicy Fruit gum and … [Read more...] about Winescape Winery 2021 Riesling, Yakima Valley $25