One of the Walla Walla Valley’s most historic figures, Casey McClellan, owns estate vineyards on the Oregon side of the stateline. And he used to make wine in Milton-Freewater. It makes sense that he relies on sites in Oregon — Abiqua Wind near Salem, Dunning near Corvallis and Melrose in the Umpqua Valley - for his stylish Pinot Gris. It’s primarly produced in stainless steel, … [Read more...] about Seven Hills Winery 2015 Pinot Gris, Oregon, $17
Washington
Lone Birch 2014 Red Blend, Yakima Valley, $13
Best Buy! The second label for family-owned and operated Airfield Estates in Prosser, Wash., delivers on this bottling of Merlot (61%), Malbec (19%), Sangiovese (18%), Petit Verdot (1%) and Cabernet Franc (1%). It offers aromas of black cherry, dried blueberry, mint and black pepper. And the palate, there’s a delivery of cherry cola and red currant with an outline of firm … [Read more...] about Lone Birch 2014 Red Blend, Yakima Valley, $13
Waterbrook Winery 2015 Melange Founder’s White Blend, Columbia Valley, $12
Best Buy! John Freeman and his team in Walla Walla compiled this highly aromatic blend of Riesling (40%), Sauvignon Blanc (18%), Chenin Blanc (12%), Viognier (11%), Pinot Gris (10%) and Gewurztraminer (9%). You might think the Goo was double that because of the classic grapefruit and orange notes in the nose, backed by dried apricot, rosewater and petrol. Upfront sweetness … [Read more...] about Waterbrook Winery 2015 Melange Founder’s White Blend, Columbia Valley, $12
Wit Cellars 2013 Elephant Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, $50
One of the Yakima Valley’s premier sites is Joe Hattrup’s Elephant Mountain Vineyard in the Rattlesnake Hills, and the winemaking duo of Flint Nelson and Cat Warwick show a bit of panache with this vineyard-designate Cabernet Sauvignon from their nascent project in Prosser. The nose is big, dark and intense with sweet blueberry and dark chocolate aromas leading to roasted … [Read more...] about Wit Cellars 2013 Elephant Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, $50
Mercer Canyons 2014 Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $14
Best Buy! The Mercer family and their vast vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills continue to impress in the hands of winemaker Jessica Munnell, and their refresh of the Mercer Canyons brand will only help attract the attention worthy of the latest release of these introductory wines. That they devoted fruit from their prized Spice Cabinet Vineyard near Destiny Ridge to this … [Read more...] about Mercer Canyons 2014 Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $14