The Walla Walla Valley’s iconic schoolhouse works off a historic shopping list for one of the Northwest’s best examples of Cabernet Sauvignon vintage after vintage. Nearly a dozen sites, most of them in their third decade of life, include Alder Ridge, Bacchus and Dionysus at Sagemoor, Candy Mountain and Klipsun, StoneTree, and Walla Walla Valley plantings Pepper Bridge, Seven … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $32
Washington
Beast Wines 2013 Wildebeest Red, Columbia Valley, $24
Judging by the vineyard sources, longtime Walla Walla vintners Nina Buty and Chris Dowsett continue to develop this as an emerging pet project rather than a second label. Acclaimed Horse Heaven Hills planting Phinny Hill, Buty’s organic Rockgarden Estate in The Rocks and stately Conner Lee come together for this energetic blend of Syrah (59%), Cabernet Sauvignon (11%), Cabernet … [Read more...] about Beast Wines 2013 Wildebeest Red, Columbia Valley, $24
Lauren Ashton Cellars 2012 Cuvée Arlette Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $50
DeLille Cellars product Kit Singh wowed critics with the 2011 edition of his Right Bank-style blend, and he capitalized on the classic 2012 vintage for what seems to a stunning follow-up. It stems from his relationships with some of the Washington wine industry’s top growers and sites in Ambassador, Boushey, Dineen and Upland vineyards, but his artistry shows with the melange … [Read more...] about Lauren Ashton Cellars 2012 Cuvée Arlette Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $50
Bunnell Family Cellar 2012 Discovery Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $48
Ron Bunnell knows the Horse Heaven Hills well from his years of making wines for Chateau Ste. Michelle. And with the 2013 vintage from that AVA, he crafted this from the May family's young Discovery Vineyard overlooking Crow Butte Park. It shows off its aging in French oak, then readily displays mouth-watering aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, plum and cassis. The … [Read more...] about Bunnell Family Cellar 2012 Discovery Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $48
Sagelands Vineyard 2015 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $10
Best Buy! Precept’s Canyon Vineyard Ranch near in the Yakima Valley near Prosser, Wash., a 300-acre site formerly known as Snipes Canyon Ranch, takes this Pinot Gris down a trail with a brisk approach. Fruity aromas of Bosc pear, starfruit, jicama and minerality lead to more tart flavors of Asian pear and honeydew melon. Key lime juice makes for a finish that easily wipes away … [Read more...] about Sagelands Vineyard 2015 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $10