Best Buy! Why is it Washington wineries can make such delicious and affordable Pinot Gris? The secret is in the vineyard, where growers can raise a crop that is twice the size of other regions yet maintain high-quality flavors and all-important acidity. You can certainly take advantage of this fact with Waterbrook's yummy and inexpensive Pinot Gris. It opens with aromas of … [Read more...] about Waterbrook Winery 2012 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $11
Washington
Andrew Will Winery 2010 Champoux Vineyard Sorella, Horse Heaven Hills, $70
Owner/winemaker Chris Camarda uses 100% Champoux Vineyard grapes in this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (73%), Merlot (20%) and Cabernet Franc. The average age of the vines for this wine is 34 years, and Camarda has been a partner in Champoux since 1996. This opens with aromas of plum, huckleberry and dark chocolate, followed by flavors of blackberry, oak, clove and a hint of … [Read more...] about Andrew Will Winery 2010 Champoux Vineyard Sorella, Horse Heaven Hills, $70
Andrew Will Winery 2010 Ciel du Cheval, Red Mountain, $57
Ciel du Cheval is run by Jim Holmes, one of the pioneers of Red Mountain who began planting with Kiona's John Williams in 1975. Winemaker Chris Camarda has been using these grapes for decades, and this is his finest wine from the challenging 2010 vintage. It's a rare wine because it contains no Cabernet Sauvignon - Red Mountain's signature grape. Instead, it's a blend of nearly … [Read more...] about Andrew Will Winery 2010 Ciel du Cheval, Red Mountain, $57
Three Rivers Winery 2012 Steel Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $17
Located on the old highway to Walla Walla, Three Rivers is a top Northwest destination winery, and here's one more reason to visit. This delicious tree-free Chardonnay opens with aromas of caramel, green apple, lime, mango and lychee. On the palate, it provides flavors of lemon, orange, green apple and guava. The bright acidity lifts all the fruit beautifully for a lengthy … [Read more...] about Three Rivers Winery 2012 Steel Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $17
Sagelands Vineyard 2011 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $10
Best Buy! This longtime Yakima Valley winery is now a label for Precept Wine in Seattle. Sagelands' wines are uniformly delicious and affordable, as evidenced by this stunning and inexpensive Chardonnay. It opens with elegant aromas of artichoke in a butter sauce, diced celery, banana and pineapple, followed by bright, rather complex flavors of Granny Smith apple, Asian pear … [Read more...] about Sagelands Vineyard 2011 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $10