He’s quick to give credit to the Jones family fruit, however Victor Palencia continues to earn his spot in the discussion when it comes of producing some of the finest white wines in Washington state. Unit 7 remains the source of this Viognier, which opens with aromas of lime soda, Pink Lady apple, peach and pineapple, backed by inviting hints of orange blossom, fig and honey. … [Read more...] about Jones of Washington 2015 Estate Vineyards Viognier, Wahluke Slope, $17
Washington
Cloudlift Cellars 2013 Ascent Cabernet Franc, Horse Heaven Hills, $28
Alder Ridge Vineyard in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills remains the selection site of Cabernet Franc for Seattle vintner Tom Stangeland, who chose to support this bottling with Merlot (18%), Cabernet Sauvignon (4%) and Petit Verdot. The use of one-third new oak doesn’t get in the way of the pleasing herbal, black currant and plum tones as chocolate and French-press coffee … [Read more...] about Cloudlift Cellars 2013 Ascent Cabernet Franc, Horse Heaven Hills, $28
Daven Lore Winery 2012 Aridisol Red, Columbia Valley, $29
Along the northern flank of the Horse Heaven Hills is Gordon Taylor’s Daven Lore Winery, one of Washington’s most skilled boutique winemakers. He used an anagram of arid soil to create the proprietary name for his eclectic blend of Syrah (40%), Grenache (20%), Petit Verdot (20%) and Malbec (20%) from Alder Ridge Vineyard, Lonesome Spring Ranch and Painted Hills. Those three … [Read more...] about Daven Lore Winery 2012 Aridisol Red, Columbia Valley, $29
Columbia Crest 2012 Reserve Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $35
It seems natural for Columbia Crest to produce stellar Malbec with Argentine-grown Juan Muñoz Oca lording over the prized petit chai that's home to the reserve wines produced at this Paterson, Wash., giant. A trio of warm sites, McKinley Springs Winery estate Andrews and Rowell Vineyard, Beverly Vineyard in the Saddle Mountains and StoneTree Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope, make … [Read more...] about Columbia Crest 2012 Reserve Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $35
Smasne Cellars 2012 Scooteney Flats Clone #6 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $60
Robert Smasne focuses much of his program on his home turf of the Yakima Valley, which officially includes Red Mountain as a sub-American Viticultural Area. Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2012 vintage off Scooteney Flats - a part of the Vinagium project - earned accolades last year along the West Coast, and grower Damon LaLonde’s work with this vineyard shines here, too. Aromas of … [Read more...] about Smasne Cellars 2012 Scooteney Flats Clone #6 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $60