Wenatchee Valley winemaker Gary Seidler and his partner — professional golfer Cindy Rarick — are among those helping to revive interest in Chenin Blanc. The profile is akin to ambrosia salad, backed by lemongrass, honeydew melon and Golden Delicious apple. It's no doubt a hit in the tasting room on a warm summer day with its fanciful off-dry approach (2.5% residual sugar) and … [Read more...] about Silvara Vineyards 2012 Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, $24
Washington
Saggi 2009 Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $45
The Folonari family of Tuscany increased the amount of Sangiovese (62%) from two Yakima Valley sites — Candy Mountain and Boushey — for its latest edition of the Super Tuscan-style blend as part of the Long Shadows Vintners program. The 18 months in new French oak (55%) helps account for aromas of cherry chocolate cake, cassis, pomegranate, black pepper and saddle leather. It's … [Read more...] about Saggi 2009 Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $45
House Wine 2011 Mountain Merlot, Columbia Valley, $11
Best Buy! Walla Walla wine rocker Charles Smith launched The Magnificent Wine Co. brand in 2004 as a value label, and two years later he partnered with Seattle-based Precept Wine. There's no pretense about these wines, which are widely distributed, easy to pick out on store shelves and open with a twist of a cap. This easy-to-enjoy Merlot sends out aromas of dark cherries, … [Read more...] about House Wine 2011 Mountain Merlot, Columbia Valley, $11
Mercer Estate, 2011 Reserve Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills, $42
Much of the Mercer family's white wine program comes from its holdings in the Yakima Valley near Sunnyside, Wash., but this reserve lot hails from their Horse Heaven Hills neighbors at Zephyr Ridge Vineyard. They didn't cut corners on this California-style Chardonnay, dropping it in 100% new French oak and hand-stirring on the lees for nine months. It creates aromas of lemon … [Read more...] about Mercer Estate, 2011 Reserve Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills, $42
L’Ecole No. 41 2010 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $34
Despite what many maintain, there is still a market for great Syrah, and here's one from a legend in Walla Walla that you don't need to be on a waiting list for. It opens with aromas of black cherry, poached plum, blueberry, vanilla and minerality. The drink brings a bold and rich structure of boysenberry, chocolate-covered cherries and fig with Marionberry and earthiness in … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41 2010 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $34