This red Spanish variety has gained a small but solid foothold in recent years in the Pacific Northwest, and Washington is proving to be a great place to grow the robust grape. This wine from a longtime Port Angeles winery uses grapes from Two Coyote Vineyard in the Rattlesnake Hills and Crawford Vineyard near the Yakima Valley town of Prosser. It opens with aromas of juicy … [Read more...] about Camaraderie Cellars 2009 Tempranillo, Yakima Valley, $28
Washington
Harbinger Winery NV Blackberry Bliss, Washington, $22
Blackberries are a late summer gift in western Washington, and a longtime tradition is picking berries and turning them into pies, cobblers and jams. Winemaker Sara Gagnon turns hers into a delicious wine. It opens with aromas of blueberry, maple syrup, vanilla and, of course, blackberry. On the palate, it is nicely textured with off-dry flavors of blackberry and vanilla ice … [Read more...] about Harbinger Winery NV Blackberry Bliss, Washington, $22
Three Rivers Winery 2012 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $15
Best Buy! Three Rivers is the only winery we've visited that has its own little three-hole golf course. For fun, you can just grab a golf club and ball in the tasting room and play golf for 15 minutes, then get back to trying delicious wines such as this Riesling. It opens with aromas of spearmint, jasmine and sarsaparilla, followed by flavors of pear, papaya and Golden … [Read more...] about Three Rivers Winery 2012 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $15
Wild Haven 2012 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $9
Best Buy! Pinot Gris has become a big deal in Washington. Because vineyards in the arid Columbia Valley are able to produce larger crops per acre while maintaining high quality. This allows Washington wineries to spend less and pass those savings along to us, and he's a great example of a delicious Pinot Gris under $10. Wild Haven is a value brand from Precept Wine in Seattle. … [Read more...] about Wild Haven 2012 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $9
Harbinger Winery 2009 Sagemoor Vineyard Barbera, Columbia Valley, $28
Owner/winemaker Sara Gagnon got her winemaking start with Olympic Cellars in Sequim, Wash. She then moved a bit farther west down Highway 101 to Port Angeles to launch Harbinger Winery. She excels with Italian reds, and she brought in these grapes from Sagemoor, one of Washington's oldest and most respected vineyards. It opens with aromas of spicy oak, woodruff, black cherry, … [Read more...] about Harbinger Winery 2009 Sagemoor Vineyard Barbera, Columbia Valley, $28