The previous vintage for this white Bordeaux blend leaned more toward Sèmillon, but winemaker Mike Sharon’s latest offering is 50/50 with Sauvignon Blanc. All of it comes off one of the Northwest’s premier plantings, the 230-acre Seven Hills Vineyard, planted in 1981 and partially owned by Marty Clubb. A four-month program of neutral French oak and 30 percent malolactic … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41 2014 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Luminesce, Walla Walla Valley, $22
Washington
Balboa Winery 2015 Bloxom Slope Vineyard Grüner Veltliner, Yakima Valley, $20
Founding winemaker Tom Glase worked with some of the region’s largest vineyards during his days at L’Ecole No. 41 and Corliss Estate. Here, the Walla Walla Valley vintner reaches into a little-known Yakima Valley vineyard for an obscure white grape. Floral aromas include apple, ginger and steely minerality. Its pleasantly bright entry brings along pear and more apple flavors, … [Read more...] about Balboa Winery 2015 Bloxom Slope Vineyard Grüner Veltliner, Yakima Valley, $20
Smasne Cellars 2011 Phinny Hill Vineyard Carménère, Horse Heaven Hills, $38
Prosser winemaker Robert Smasne continues to show his fascination and skill with Carménère, the little-known red Bordeaux variety that appeals to Cabernet Francophiles. There’s immediate engagement with the variety’s leafy notes with aromatics hinting at dried oregano and cigar leaf amid dried cherry, black pepper and underlying mocha and minerality. Its bright red fruit … [Read more...] about Smasne Cellars 2011 Phinny Hill Vineyard Carménère, Horse Heaven Hills, $38
Lauren Ashton Cellars 2012 Cuvée Estelle, Columbia Valley, $50
University of Washington grad Kit Singh, who practices dentistry in Redmond and makes wine in Woodinville, is among the Evergreen State wine industry’s rising stars. His dedication to Bordeaux varieties shows with this Right Bank-style blend of Merlot (55%), Cabernet Sauvignon (35%), Cabernet Franc (7%) and Petit Verdot from acclaimed sources such as Ambassador, Boushey, … [Read more...] about Lauren Ashton Cellars 2012 Cuvée Estelle, Columbia Valley, $50
Dunham Cellars 2013 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $35
Dunham Cellars longtime winemaker Daniel Wampfler created this classic Washington Syrah within the vintage that saw founder Mike Dunham pass away as a result of cancer. It's a product of Lewis Estate Vineyard in the Yakima Valley, Kenny Hill Estate Vineyard and XL Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley and Phinny Hill in the Horse Heaven Hills. This is loaded with aromas and … [Read more...] about Dunham Cellars 2013 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $35