Ross Andrew Mickel hails his 15th vintage of working with Dick Boushey’s highly coveted fruit, and the Oct. 16 pick of the subsequent 10 barrels spent 16 months in French wood. It’s fruit-forward, creamy and bright as a result, opening with a nose of blueberry licorice, Orange Creamsicle, black cherry and chalkboard dust. Inside, there a marvelous blend of blueberry and … [Read more...] about Ross Andrew Winery 2013 Boushey Vineyard The 15th Vintage Syrah, Columbia Valley, $30
Washington
William Church Winery 2015 Sara’s Vintage Viognier, Columbia Valley, $25
William Church in Woodinville reaches across the Cascades and into the Columbia Basin to create this bright and lively Viognier by using fruit fro Gamache and Conner Lee vineyards. There was no wood involved during its four months of fermentation, which explains the clean and tropical aromas with hints of peach and pear, freshly laundered linen and spearmint. That tropical … [Read more...] about William Church Winery 2015 Sara’s Vintage Viognier, Columbia Valley, $25
The Elephant Seven Wine Co. 2014 First and Mercer Grenache, Walla Walla Valley, $30
The Walla Walla Valley focus by this young brand for this Grenache-based wine centers on The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, specifically on young and diminutive Monette’s Vineyard - farmed by Mark and Monette Hoffmeister. There’s also the influence River Rock Vineyard, which contributes Syrah (15%) to the end product. Ripeness wasn’t issue in 2014. That’s evident with the … [Read more...] about The Elephant Seven Wine Co. 2014 First and Mercer Grenache, Walla Walla Valley, $30
Coyote Canyon Winery 2015 Coyote Canyon Vineyard El Chispear Sparkling Albariño, Horse Heaven Hills, $32
Coyote Canyon Winery and owner/grower Mike Andrews blazed the trail in Washington state for Albariño, and Justin Michaud created a sparkling tribute to Spanish cava. Developed in a brut style, there’s bright lemony aromas with white peach, caramel corn, brioche and a dusting of Horse Heaven Hills minerality. The precise mousse brings Meyer lemon and orange flavors, peach skin … [Read more...] about Coyote Canyon Winery 2015 Coyote Canyon Vineyard El Chispear Sparkling Albariño, Horse Heaven Hills, $32
Milbrandt Vineyards 2012 Clifton Vineyards Grenache, Wahluke Slope, $28
As part of its “Vineyard Series,” the Milbrandt team gets to drill down on a specific site, and this is hot and sandy vineyard near iconic Sentinel Gap is their most coveted spot for Rhône varieties. Clifton typically gets picked earlier than most of their other plantings on the Wahluke Slope, and the dark nose here offers black cherry, plum and Mission fig with sweet herbs, … [Read more...] about Milbrandt Vineyards 2012 Clifton Vineyards Grenache, Wahluke Slope, $28