Phil Warren’s winery on the western flank of Red Mountain in Benton City, Wash., offers this Merlot from the classic 2012 vintage. Aromas of black cherry, dried blueberry, vanilla bean and maple syrup pick up a pinch of barbecue rub spices. The flavors focus on acidity rather than tannin as blueberry, black raspberry and Montmorency cherry are allowed to shine over the mild oak … [Read more...] about Tucannon Cellars 2012 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $29
Washington
Daven Lore Winery 2013 Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $29
Gordon Taylor’s winery on the northern slope of Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills continues to produce marvelous Malbec, and this marks the second straight vintage he’s received our top rating for this Bordeaux variety. He took the Malbec from Double Canyon Vineyard on Oct. 9 and blended in Syrah (10%) and Merlot (5%) from Todd Newhouse-farmed vineyards on Snipes Mountain. … [Read more...] about Daven Lore Winery 2013 Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $29
Diversion Wine 2014 Chardonnay, Washington, $15
Best Buy! The sister brand of California’s Mad Housewife label continues to roll out delicious, everyday Chardonnay thanks in large part to the relationship between Seattle negoçiant Damian Davis and the Milbrandt-owned Wahluke Wine Co. Nuances of baked apple, butterscotch, ginger, lemon rind and minerality expand into a drink of Asian pear and honeydew melon on the rounded … [Read more...] about Diversion Wine 2014 Chardonnay, Washington, $15
Smasne Cellars 2012 Three Vineyard Reserve Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley, $38
Robert Smasne, a new inhabitant of the Vintners Village in Prosser, Wash., produces this 100 percent Petit Verdot as a melange of three growing regions within an hour’s drive of his new winery. Phinny Hill in the Horse Heaven Hills, Roskamp on Snipes Mountain and Scooteney Flats on Red Mountain combine to produce mild aromas of black cherry, dried blueberry and vanilla. The … [Read more...] about Smasne Cellars 2012 Three Vineyard Reserve Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley, $38
Browne Family Vineyards 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $18
Walla Walla winemaker John Freeman continues to build his reputation with Sauvignon Blanc, and he focuses his attention on Yakima Valley for this white Bordeaux variety under the brand owned by Precept CEO Andrew Browne. In this case, he grabbed from Willard Farms on Sept. 11 for a distinctive drink. It brings classic aromas of gooseberry, lime and grapefruit zest with tropical … [Read more...] about Browne Family Vineyards 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $18