Wine of the Week

Winemaker Kyle Johnson came to our attention when he made superior wines for Olsen Estate in the Yakima Valley community of Prosser. Now he is just east of there along the Yakima River crafting delicious wines for his own label. This stunning Syrah opens with aromas of smoked meats, blackberry cobbler and black licorice, followed by flavors of black currant, crushed herb and … [Read more...] about Purple Star Wines 2013 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $19

This small producer in Woodinville's warehouse district has a well-earned reputation for distinctive red wines, and the quality of this Cab Franc further burnishes that renown. It opens with aromas of luscious chocolate syrup, a hint of toasted oak and ample dark fruit, particularly blackberry and black currant. On the palate, it reveals flavors of olive, black licorice, plum … [Read more...] about William Church Winery 2013 Tres Bien Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $36

Obelisco Estate is the brainchild of Doug Long, who made his fame in California's Napa Valley before retiring and moving north to retire in Washington. But the need to create never left, so he put together a group to create Obelisco, a Woodinville winery with an estate vineyard on famed Red Mountain. Today, Long is the sole owner of Obelisco. Long's winemaker is Sarah Goedhart, … [Read more...] about Obelisco Estate 2012 Malbec, Red Mountain, $45

Fans of Harry & David's goodies should flock to this crowd-pleasing 2014 Chardonnay made by Linda Donovan from Oregon grapes. A bit of racy spritz, honey and melon notes usher the sipper onto a lush palate of pineapple and melon that concludes with a hint of fruity sweetness and a nip of acidity. This earned a gold medal at the 2016 Cascadia Wine Competition. Rating: … [Read more...] about Harry & David 2014 Chardonnay, Oregon, $18

Victor Palencia, the young, forward-looking owner for Vino La Monarcha wines, put his 2012 Merlot into a spiffy bag that will keep it fresh for 30 days after opening (and two years before). Using grapes from the Columbia Valley, he created a wine that offers blackberry and blueberry aromas, plus a dash of oak spice. On the palate, it offers lush summer blackberry, blueberry and … [Read more...] about Vino La Monarcha 2012 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $20