Best Buy! Founding winemaker Bill Stowe helped train Mike McClure to take over for him in the cellar of their winery near Boise, and the tradition of award-winning, value-priced wines continues. Star garnet is the official stone of the Gem State, and this red blend built upon the shoulders of Merlot sparkles. Sourced from Skyline and Daniels vineyards, it's filled with aromas … [Read more...] about Indian Creek Winery 2014 Star Garnet Red Blend, Snake River Valley, $15
Wine of the Week
Novelty Hill Winery 2014 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Grenache, Columbia Valley, $28
Mike Januik's work with this juicy red Rhône grape variety shows the promise of growing it in Washington state, and along the Royal Slope in particular. However, he's been making it at Novelty Hill for Stillwater Creek Vineyard owner Tom Alberg for more than a decade. For the 2014 vintage, aged it 21 months in 42% new barrels, much of them French oak, helping to give it sweet … [Read more...] about Novelty Hill Winery 2014 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Grenache, Columbia Valley, $28
Raylee Wines 2015 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $15
Best Buy! Some of the most exciting new work in the Pacific Northwest wine industry is being produced by Ryan Huett, who was inspired to move to Oregon after witnessing the introduction of viticulture near his eco-resort in Costa Rica. A product of Chemeketa Community College’s Northwest Wine Studies Center, Huett proclaims Raylee as his “unicorn” and a "Pinot to the people." … [Read more...] about Raylee Wines 2015 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $15
Drumheller Wines 2014 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $12
Best Buy! A new brand for the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates portfolio, these bargain-priced Drumheller wines don’t spend a lot of time in contact with oak, just 10 months, and none of it new wood. That allows the fruit from Beverly Vineyard near the Wahluke Slope and Four Feathers in the Cold Creek District to take center stage. Tones of chocolate-covered cherries mesh with … [Read more...] about Drumheller Wines 2014 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $12
Spindrift Cellars 2015 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $22
Matthew Compton grows and makes wine for his own Spindrift Cellars brand in Philomoth, Ore., but he manages several vineyards under his West Vine Farms operation and tapped into 10 small sites in the Willamette Valley for this flagship Pinot Noir. The former vineyard manager of Benton-Lane Winery continues to enjoy success with this approachable fruit-forward style for several … [Read more...] about Spindrift Cellars 2015 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $22