For two decades, Marty Clubb’s reds from Seven Hills Vineyard rank among the Walla Walla Valley’s most cellar-worthy wines, and the 2013 edition of Perigee from this 230-acre site is no different. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (20%) Cabernet Franc (15%), Malbec (9%) and Petit Verdot, its stately profile opens with aromas of black cherry, vanilla and coffee with … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41 2013 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Perigee Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, $54
Washington
Westport Winery 2015 Red Willow Vineyard Captain Gray Gewürztraminer, Yakima Valley, $26
A key development in the rise of Westport Winery has been building relationship with sites such as Red Willow Vineyard and Mike Sauer, who owns recreation property in the Grays Harbor area. This cooler site in the foothills of Mount Adams allows this Alsatian grape to show remarkably perfumy aromas of lychee, grapefruit, clove and jasmine with flavors to match. The structure is … [Read more...] about Westport Winery 2015 Red Willow Vineyard Captain Gray Gewürztraminer, Yakima Valley, $26
Baer Winery 2013 Callisto Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $39
The Baers and winemaker Erica Orr continue to showcase Stillwater Creek Vineyard and remain committed to the formula of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Syrah (40%) and Petit Verdot, which saw 22 months in all French oak - half of which were new Demptos barrels. Those wood nuances make for a beautiful nose of dusty purple fruit, cocoa powder and bittersweet chocolate, which leads to … [Read more...] about Baer Winery 2013 Callisto Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $39
Martin-Scott Winery 2014 Raven Ridge Red, Columbia Valley, $28
The husband/wife team of Mike and Judi Scott work with two of Washington state’s best sites for this wine - Cabernet Sauvignon (61%) from Shaw Vineyard on Red Mountain and Syrah (39%) off Jones Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope. There’s a big whiff of vanilla bean in the nose that’s joined by blackberry pie, sweet pipe tobacco and moist clay. The fluid carries pleasing viscosity … [Read more...] about Martin-Scott Winery 2014 Raven Ridge Red, Columbia Valley, $28
Columbia Winery NV Composition Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $17
Gallo’s Washington state program continues to grow, and yet its Composition remains a great value. Sean Hails now makes more 250,000 cases from his Sunnyside production facility, and his latest edition of Composition is based on Syrah (70%), with Malbec (13%), Petit Verdot (5%), Merlot and Mourvèdre making small contributions. Aromas of sweet black fruit come with the gaminess … [Read more...] about Columbia Winery NV Composition Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $17