Few folks work as closely with prized Stillwater Creek Vineyard fruit as Woodinville winemaker Erica Orr does on behalf of the Baer family. It came off the vines Oct. 17, with the crop load at a remarkable 5.7 tons per acre and went into all French oak barrels for 22 months. That imparts aromas of toast and coffee along with blackberry, plum, blueberry, rain-soaked gravel and … [Read more...] about Baer Winery 2013 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $25
Washington
Westport Winery Garden Resort 2014 Swimmer Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $31
Coastal winemaker Dana Roberts, a product of Washington State University’s certificate program, adjusted his Swimmer program in 2014, shifting to Olsen Brothers Vineyard in the Yakima Valley and including enough Syrah (26%) to the blend that it prohibits them from labeling this Petite Sirah - as Westport had in the past. Regardless, this Swimmer still touches the wall in … [Read more...] about Westport Winery Garden Resort 2014 Swimmer Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $31
Forsyth Brio 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $50
Central Washington University grad David Forsyth made the No. 1 wine that in 2013 capped Great Northwest Wine’s top 100 list, and it will be interesting to see where this suave Cabernet that focused on venerable Sagemoor Vineyard finishes on this year’s ranking. Introductory aromas of blackberry and blueberry come with clove, milk chocolate, tar and charcuterie. The tannin … [Read more...] about Forsyth Brio 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $50
Martinez & Martinez 2015 May Mae Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $20
Three generations of the Martinez family are represented in this fun pink wine — owner/grower Sergio, son/winemaker Andrew and granddaughter Mayli Mae. It’s almost unthinkable that fruit from one of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon plantings in this famous neighborhood of the Horse Heaven Hills would be used for rosé, but its beautiful hot pink color and splash of sweetness make … [Read more...] about Martinez & Martinez 2015 May Mae Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $20
Claar Cellars 2015 White Bluffs Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $16
Joe Hudon’s stint in New Zealand with Kiwi icon Kim Crawford is on display with this latest Sauvignon Blanc from the Claar-Whitelatch family’s Salmon Safe vineyards above the Columbia River near Pasco, Wash. The nose carries slices of gooseberry pie and Key Lime pie with lychee, grassiness and just a wink of tomcat. Its strident acidity is a ripper, focusing on bone-dry flavors … [Read more...] about Claar Cellars 2015 White Bluffs Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $16