History buff Brian Petersen uses his first bottling of Zinfandel to pay tribute to the Solomon Grout Simpson, a 115-foot sternwheeler that operated from Olympia to Shelton during the first quarter of the 20th century. The Kitsap Peninsula winemaker pulled the Zinfandel from historic Portteus Vineyard and blended Petite Sirah (6%) from Lonesome Spring Ranch ahead of a barrel … [Read more...] about Mosquito Fleet Winery 2020 S.G. Simpson Zinfandel, Rattlesnake Hills $50
Washington
Rocky Pond Estate Winery 2022 Glacial Treasure White Blend, Lake Chelan $32
Elizabeth Keyser’s time in the Finger Lakes region of New York and the Willamette Valley is on display with this aromatic, stylish and wide-ranging blend from Dufenhorst plantings at Clos CheValle above Lake Chelan and Double D in the Rocky Reach AVA — both part of the state’s young Sustainable WA program. A product of her first commercial vintage for Rocky Pond, this is … [Read more...] about Rocky Pond Estate Winery 2022 Glacial Treasure White Blend, Lake Chelan $32
Gordon Estate 2022 Rosé, Columbia Valley $20
Best Buy! The late-ripening vintage of 2022 set the stage for winemaker Joe Hudon’s Oct. 10 harvest of Phelps clone Syrah off Kamiak Vineyard that was destined for this rosé program. There’s a hint of Provence with the salmon color that brings aromas of pink strawberry, Rainier cherry, hibiscus and a cedar-lined chest of drawers. Dusty cherry and white strawberry flavors are … [Read more...] about Gordon Estate 2022 Rosé, Columbia Valley $20
Sigillo Cellars 2020 Carménère, Wahluke Slope $40
The Seal family has earned five Platinum Awards in the past four years, each for a red wine. Here, they work with historic Weinbau Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope for Carménère, and there’s some Cabernet Sauvignon for added texture. Aromas range from dried cherries and figs to mild baking spices, a hint of vanilla and a slice of bell pepper. On the palate, it’s plummy with a … [Read more...] about Sigillo Cellars 2020 Carménère, Wahluke Slope $40
Barnard Griffin Winery 2022 Albariño, Columbia Valley $25
The father/daughter winemaking team of Rob Griffin and Megan Hughes have staked their claim to a sizable portion of the Crawford family’s popular Albariño grapes. And the results from this Yakima Valley site are predictably stellar. This hints at white peach on the nose with trimmed carnation stems, leading to a refreshing and mineral-driven palate of lemon pith, banana peel, … [Read more...] about Barnard Griffin Winery 2022 Albariño, Columbia Valley $25