One of the Walla Walla Valley’s most enterprising and successful wine companies continues to explore higher-elevation sites in the Yakima Valley for its Chardonnay, and the Olsen family's vineyard reaches up toward the Rattlesnake Hills at 1,350 feet. The multi-faceted fermentation by the Wisconsin boys includes 20% new French oak barrels, 15 percent in stainless steel and 5 … [Read more...] about Dusted Valley Vintners 2015 Olsen Vineyard Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $34
Washington
Sparkman Cellars 2013 Ruckus Syrah, Red Mountain, $52
Woodinville vintner Christian Sparkman deepens his reputation with Ruckus, a Côte Rôtie style of Syrah he began courting in 2006. The focus is on Ciel du Cheval on Red Mountain with Boushey Vineyard (8%) contributing the Viognier. Despite the 25 miles apart, both sites were harvested the same day — Sept. 13 — and his Sparkman's program of 33% new French oak makes for enticing … [Read more...] about Sparkman Cellars 2013 Ruckus Syrah, Red Mountain, $52
Milbrandt Vineyards 2013 Northridge Vineyard The Estates Malbec, Wahluke Slope, $45
Northridge Vineyard is one of nine Milbrandt sites in Washington state’s Columbia Basin and perhaps the most prized among the company’s six plantings on the Wahluke Slope. Joshua Maloney allowed this lot of Malbec to hang until Oct. 22, and the barrel program of 18 months in neutral oak explains why the dark blue fruit tones of plum, pomegranate and black cherry remain at the … [Read more...] about Milbrandt Vineyards 2013 Northridge Vineyard The Estates Malbec, Wahluke Slope, $45
Ross Andrew Winery 2014 The Huntsman Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $17
Ross Andrew Mickel worked at iconic Seattle restaurant Canlis and two of Woodinville’s top wineries, DeLille Cellars and Betz Family Winery, before launching his own label in 1999. Those relationships and his talents have helped him gain access to some of the state’s top vineyards. He created a remarkable balancing act with this Huntsman Cab, pulling from vines in the Yakima … [Read more...] about Ross Andrew Winery 2014 The Huntsman Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $17
Chateau Ste Michelle 2014 Indian Wells Merlot, Columbia Valley, $18
Chateau Ste. Michelle enjoyed so much success with the fruit-forward style of wines — red and white — from its Indian Wells Vineyard and surrounding vineyards on the Wahluke Slope, that the company created a separate tier and priced them in the teens. That vineyard near the Columbia River between the towns of Desert Aire and Mattawa plays a sizable role in this Merlot, and so … [Read more...] about Chateau Ste Michelle 2014 Indian Wells Merlot, Columbia Valley, $18