Washington State University grad Jessica Munnell grew up near the Columbia River in Richland. Less than an hour upriver is young JMST Vineyard — a Sustainable WA site near storied Cold Creek that’s owned and managed by Wautoma Springs co-owner Tom Merkle. Those who appreciate tantalizing expressions of Sauvignon Blanc or Picpoul (another Rhône white) will have a fondness for … [Read more...] about Wautoma Springs 2022 Grenache Blanc, Columbia Valley, $25
Wine of the Week
King Estate Winery 2023 Rosé of Pinot Noir Willamette Valley $20
Best Buy! Three times in recent years Brent Stone has used the King Estate rosé program to earn a Platinum. He’s on the path to a fourth as his 2023 reached the sweepstakes of the Cascadia International as the Best Rosé of the judge. It’s glimmering soft coral color is an invitation to explore further. Strawberry, guava, rose petal and minerality start the discussion of the … [Read more...] about King Estate Winery 2023 Rosé of Pinot Noir Willamette Valley $20
Sokol Blosser Winery 2022 Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Columbia Valley, $38
Here's a delicious wine that comes with a backstory of some savvy logistics. Second-generation winegrowers Alex, Allison and Nik Sokol Blosser use the phrase “We know Pinot,” but they also know how to respond in a moment of crisis. Those who grew Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley freaked out early on in the 2022 vintage when the Northwest — on the eve of Tax Day — experienced … [Read more...] about Sokol Blosser Winery 2022 Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Columbia Valley, $38
Convergence Zone Cellars 2021 Mistral Grenache, Red Mountain $33
Scott Greenberg’s touch with Rhône varieties from the 2021 vintage continues to be proven in regional competitions, and it starts with his investment in top-shelf grapes. Here it is the Holmes family’s historic Ciel du Cheval Vineyard near Red Mountain’s Sunset Road, a harvest of Grenache on Oct. 7. Its light, brickish color carries aromas of potpourri, pomegranate and orange … [Read more...] about Convergence Zone Cellars 2021 Mistral Grenache, Red Mountain $33
Pike Road Wines 2022 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley $17
Best Buy! Despite the scale of this production, the Campbell family and Heather Perkin — their winemaker for Pike Road — rely on hand-harvesting across the dozen or so vineyards they source this Pinot Gris from. Those include Dr. Robert Matteri’s plantings in Yamhill-Carlton near Campbell-owned Mount Richmond. There’s no oak involved, allowing for Intense aromas of sweet … [Read more...] about Pike Road Wines 2022 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley $17