Veteran Columbia Valley winemaker Joe Hudon presents this estate Cabernet Sauvignon in a bright food-friendly, Old World fashion from the Claar-Whitelatch family’s sustainably farmed vineyard overlooking the Columbia River. The use of mature oak allows for aromas of plum and blackberry tea, which are backed by chalkboard dust, crushed leaf and red pepper flakes. Cherries and … [Read more...] about Claar Cellars 2013 White Bluffs Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $22
Washington
Westport Winery Garden Resort 2014 Red Willow Vineyard Maritime Sparkling Riesling, Yakima Valley, $28
One of Washington’s youngest sparkling wine producers has targeted one of the state’s most venerable vineyards for this deliciously effervescent expression with Riesling. Its pretty nose of cardamom, apple and pear includes hints of lemon meringue pie, cotton candy and starfruit. Sweet pears, Honeycrisp apple and cotton candy flavors run throughout as the residual sugar checks … [Read more...] about Westport Winery Garden Resort 2014 Red Willow Vineyard Maritime Sparkling Riesling, Yakima Valley, $28
Robert Karl Cellars 2012 Gunselman Bench Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $36
The Gunselmans, key to the rise of the Spokane Cork District, sell their prized Horse Heaven Hills fruit to a number of high-profile wineries. But they keep some of themselves. This lot, cropped at 3 tons per acre, spend nearly two years in 100% new French oak barrels, giving it aromatics of black cherry and juniper berry with notes of white chocolate, molasses, mint and pencil … [Read more...] about Robert Karl Cellars 2012 Gunselman Bench Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $36
Northwest Cellars 2015 Viognier, Snipes Mountain, $19
Upland Vineyard on Snipes Mountain in the heart of the Yakima Valley is the reliable resource for Robert Delf’s Viognier. This example serves as a delicious alternative to Chardonnay as aromas of ripe apple, vanilla and light toast pick up hints of buttermilk, lemongrass and jasmine. There’s pleasing roundness on the approach to the palate with rich flavors of Golden Delicious … [Read more...] about Northwest Cellars 2015 Viognier, Snipes Mountain, $19
Mazzacano Cellars 2013 Sotto Vocce Grenache, Yakima Valley, $45
Longtime Yakima Valley winemaker Flint Nelson offers his own brand - Mazzacano Cellars - in addition to the wines he’s made with Cat Warwick under their nascent Wit Cellars label. That he’s able to purchase Grenache, now one of the state’s most coveted varieties, from Precept’s Canyon Vineyard Ranch near Prosser would indicate that Nelson also is one of the region’s most … [Read more...] about Mazzacano Cellars 2013 Sotto Vocce Grenache, Yakima Valley, $45