A product of Joshua Maloney’s second vintage at Milbrandt Vineyards, the primary source for this Tempranillo is Wahluke Slope Vineyard, a 150-acre site once owned by the Mielke family at Arbor Crest Wine Cellars in Spokane. The addition of Syrah (8%) and Grenache (1%) makes it an Iberian Peninsula-style blend, and the small amount of new French oak leads to aromas of plum, red … [Read more...] about Milbrandt Vineyards 2012 Vineyard Series Tempranillo, Wahluke Slope, $28
Washington
The Elephant Seven Wine Co. 2014 River Rock Vineyard Telegram Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $35
River Rock Vineyard in The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, the fascinating sub-AVA of the Walla Walla Valley, played a supporting role in the E7 First and Mercer Grenache. Here, it’s a 1-acre, 3-ton soliloquy for Dana Dibble’s vineyard, established in 2001 using Tablas Creek clone. Winemaker/owner Joshua West harvested this lot on Oct. 4, and he pulled from his experience … [Read more...] about The Elephant Seven Wine Co. 2014 River Rock Vineyard Telegram Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $35
L’Ecole No. 41 2015 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $21
There’s a common baseline to a growing number of remarkable aromatic white wines from Washington state, and that’s the Milbrandts’ Evergreen Vineyard in the dramatic Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area near the Gorge Amphitheater. Evergreen makes up most of this blend with Yakima Valley sites Schmitt and Oasis. There’s a touch of oak involved and the six … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41 2015 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $21
Milbrandt Vineyards 2015 Traditions Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $13
Best Buy! The Milbrandt team sticks with its traditional slightly oaked program for this value-priced Chardonnay. It started with a mid-September harvest and stayed true to its six months in 25% new American oak, accounting for aromas of Honeycrisp apple, oak and vanilla with hints of candy corn and starfruit. There’s a pleasing balance of fruit and wood on the palate as pear … [Read more...] about Milbrandt Vineyards 2015 Traditions Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $13
Daven Lore Winery 2015 Sweet Riesling, Yakima Valley, $18
Prosser vintner Gordon Taylor and his winemaker, Sonya Symons, work with Prosser grower Patricia O'Brien for this peachy and tasty Riesling from 25-year-old vines that’s definitely on the sweeter side at 6% residual sugar. Aromas of nectarine, apricot and cherry blossom lead to delicious flavors of stone fruit and guava with a nice burst of lemon/lime acidity to balance the … [Read more...] about Daven Lore Winery 2015 Sweet Riesling, Yakima Valley, $18