The steadfast relationship between Conner Lee Vineyard and Nina Buty goes all the way back to the Walla Walla vintner’s inaugural 2000 vintage, and this 2,000-foot elevation site on Radar Hill near Othello stands out in Washington, particularly for its cooler climate that's ideal for Chardonnay. Complexity began with the two-phase harvest on Sept. 4 and Sept. 19 and continued … [Read more...] about Buty Winery 2014 Conner Lee Vineyard Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $42
Washington
Northwest Cellars 2013 Kestrel Vineyard Merlot, Yakima Valley, $16
Kirkland vintner Robert Delf contracted with one of Washington’s oldest sites for Merlot — Kestrel View Estate Vineyard - and continues his association with standout winemaker Robert Smasne for this rather hedonistic bottling emblazoned simply as “M.” Those old vines, established in 1972 near Prosser, set the table for aromas of sweet plum, macerated black cherry and maple … [Read more...] about Northwest Cellars 2013 Kestrel Vineyard Merlot, Yakima Valley, $16
Muret-Gaston 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $42
Kyle Johnson of Purple Star, Native Sun and For A Song brands recently launched Muret-Gaston in Benton City, Wash. He used grapes from the Williams family's Heart of the Hill Vineyard on nearby Red Mountain for this 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, which includes Petit Verdot (20%). It offers aromas of ripe blackberries, black currants and spice, then shows off the same flavors, … [Read more...] about Muret-Gaston 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $42
Aluvé Winery 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $48
Air Force pilots JJ and Kelly Menozzi flew around the world for their country, which also afford them a global view of the international wine industry. After decades of reconnaissance, they chose to retire in the Walla Walla Valley along Mill Creek. As their young estate plantings mature, they’ve chosen to produce their first commercial vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon from nearby … [Read more...] about Aluvé Winery 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $48
Buried Cane 2013 Heartwood Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $25
The Middleton family owns two brands in their native Washington state, and it would seem to be a bit improper to refer to Buried Cane as a second label for Cadaretta. This GSM-style blend serves as the latest example of work that Brian Rudin passed along to Kendall Mix, who stitched this together so deliciously. The growth of Grenache (24%) plantings in the Columbia Valley … [Read more...] about Buried Cane 2013 Heartwood Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $25