Never in the 23-year history of Dunham Cellars had Sauvignon Blanc been in the portfolio until last fall when viticulturist Kenny Hart talked his way into Gamache Vineyard near the historic Sagemoor planting. And then, Robert Campisi, in his first vintage as head winemaker at Dunham, delivered a knockout. He took a rather complex approach with his program - 30% stainless steel, … [Read more...] about Dunham Cellars 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley $22
Wine of the Week
Coyote Canyon Winery 2015 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Sangiovese, Horse Heaven Hills, $26
Justin Michaud, winemaker at Coyote Canyon Winery, used a historically hot vintage to create a beautiful Sangiovese. In the nose, this Super Tuscan-inspired bottling - with 12% Cabernet Sauvignon - offers hints of strawberry, then blackberry and a touch of plum. In the mouth, there are abundant flavors of dark cherry and blackberry, backed by juicy acidity and a dusty finish so … [Read more...] about Coyote Canyon Winery 2015 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Sangiovese, Horse Heaven Hills, $26
Mercer Family Vineyards 2017 Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills $13
Best Buy! Last year, Rob and Will Mercer chose to rebrand Mercer Canyons and reposition it as Mercer Family Vineyards as part of their distribution collaboration with Delicato Family Wines. And winemaker Jeremy Santo, homemade in Prosser, Wash., made a stylistic statement with Chardonnay during his first vintage with the Mercer family. Enticing aromas of pear, lemon and apple … [Read more...] about Mercer Family Vineyards 2017 Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills $13
DeLille Cellars 2016 25th Vintage D2 Red Wine, Columbia Valley $45
New Jersey native Chris Upchurch, mentored early on by the late David Lake, helped established the reputation of DeLille Cellars as a Bordeaux-inspired house with D2, starting with the inaugural vintage of 1992. And along the way, DeLille has stayed true to Merlot as the foundation for D2. Sustaining D2 is a constellation of storied Washington state vineyards that includes … [Read more...] about DeLille Cellars 2016 25th Vintage D2 Red Wine, Columbia Valley $45
La Crema 2016 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $30
This marks the third time in the past four vintage that La Crema has earned our top rating for its flagship Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Maryland native Jennifer Walsh came north from the Russian River to take over the Oregon program from Craig McAllister, who now heads up the La Crema team for Jackson Family Wines. This flashes a bit more new French oak (30%) than the prior … [Read more...] about La Crema 2016 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $30