This latest release of Salmon Safe-farmed Sauvignon Blanc by Jean-François Pellet from the entirely estate program of Seven Hills (63%) and Les Collines vineyards is 100 percent deliciously intense. He’s eliminated his use of stainless steel fermentation in recent years, so here the program was neutral French oak (60%) with juice from concrete egg (40%). That builds brisk … [Read more...] about Pepper Bridge Winery 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Walla Walla Valley, $36
Washington
Reininger Winery 2014 Seven Hills Vineyard Carménère, Walla Walla Valley, $51
Beyond the initially chewy tannins is a Carménère of unusually bright fruit – think watermelon – remarkable spice and unfamiliar perseverance. This won a gold medal and best Carménère of the 2016 Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition. The 2013 vintage won the same award in the 2015 Cascadia Wine Competition. Its annual popularity since the inaugural five-barrel 2002 … [Read more...] about Reininger Winery 2014 Seven Hills Vineyard Carménère, Walla Walla Valley, $51
Owen Roe 2015 DuBrul Vineyard Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $48
Dr. Hugh and Kathy Shiels of Côte Bonneville fame direct the hand-harvesting of their low-producing vines in the Rattlesnake Hills for David O’Reilly, and the Union Gap vintner has turned the lot into one of the most charming Chardonnay bottlings released this year. His investment of 35% new French oak and 40% malolactic fermentation combines for engaging aromas of crushed … [Read more...] about Owen Roe 2015 DuBrul Vineyard Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $48
Kestrel Vintners 2015 Falcon Series Rosé, Yakima Valley, $17
This vintage marked Justin Michaud’s first for the longtime Prosser winery, and he applied his first stylistic touches with this bone-dry rosé from Sangiovese in Kestrel View Estate Vineyard. It carries a Provence-like pale salmon color, which leads to aromas of strawberry-rhubarb compote, dried cranberry and dried herbs. The drink provides a pleasing push of bright currant, … [Read more...] about Kestrel Vintners 2015 Falcon Series Rosé, Yakima Valley, $17
Daven Lore Winery 2014 Barbera, Yakima Valley, $29
Despite his declarations that he would never work with Italian grapes, Gordon Taylor couldn’t resist the offer from Lonesome Spring Ranch when this lot came available. Those with an appreciation for traditional representations of Barbera from Piedmont may well need to approach this with an open mind because this is a full of milk chocolate, cherries and some hedonism rather … [Read more...] about Daven Lore Winery 2014 Barbera, Yakima Valley, $29