Best Buy! Walla Walla winemaker Bill Murray maps out a float trip with this Washington style of Pinot Gris, using Gewürztraminer (5%) and Muscat Canelli (5%) as pontoons to boost the aromatics of Pinot Gris from scenic The Benches. Floral notes of dusty white peach and apricot are joined by tangerine, fresh lemon, melon and white pine pitch. The entry of honeydew melon creates … [Read more...] about Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2014 The Expedition Pinot Gris, Horse Heaven Hills, $15
Washington
Northwest Cellars 2013 Boushey Vineyard Mourvèdre, Yakima Valley, $28
orthwOne of the Northwest’s top winemaking partnerships is that of Kirkland vintner Robert Delf and Prosser winemaker Robert Smasne, and this two-barrel production from Dick Boushey’s block of Mourvedre offers the Rhone grape’s signature of black pepper. Those dashes are met with aromas and flavors of dark purple fruitiness akin to blueberry and black currant. There’s a wealth … [Read more...] about Northwest Cellars 2013 Boushey Vineyard Mourvèdre, Yakima Valley, $28
VanArnam Vineyards 2013 Malbec, Yakima Valley, $34
Yakima Valley vintner Kent VanArnam continues to release impressive work with red Bordeaux grapes from the 2013 vintage, and the Rattlesnake Hills grower shows a suave touch with one of Washington's emerging varieties. It’s a fruit-forward version that carries a theme of dark purple fruit akin to blueberry and huckleberry, joined by pipe tobacco and cherry pie. The texture … [Read more...] about VanArnam Vineyards 2013 Malbec, Yakima Valley, $34
Tricycle Cellars 2013 Winesap Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $49
Chuck Hundley, Class of ’13 in Walla Walla Community College’s viticulture and enology program, pulled from Winesap Vineyards in The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater for this expressive Cabernet Sauvignon as the debut release for his young brand. The nose offers hints of brambly Marionberry and blueberry with red currant, Western red cedar, moist earth and savory black olive. … [Read more...] about Tricycle Cellars 2013 Winesap Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $49
Lauren Ashton Cellars 2013 Roussanne, Columbia Valley, $25
Woodinville vintner Kit Singh develops this white wine native to the Rhône Valley in France starting with respected Dineen Family Vineyards in the Yakima Valley’s Rattlesnake Hills. The dentist ferments the lot using a combination of new French oak, neutral oak and stainless steel, which sets the table for opening aromas of baked peach pie, fresh-cut apple, dried pineapple and … [Read more...] about Lauren Ashton Cellars 2013 Roussanne, Columbia Valley, $25