The Hodgins family invested in Ash Hollow Vineyard before planting their own Skylite Vineyard in 2001, and they’ve recently brought in a new team - including winemaker Greg Matiko - to help with the transition from the talented Robert Smasne. Their work with this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Syrah (26%) and Merlot opens with a lovely interplay of sweet herbs, dusty black … [Read more...] about Skylite Cellars 2012 Soiree, Columbia Valley, $24
Wine of the Week
Sagelands Vineyard 2014 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $9
Best Buy! This brand, which Precept rescued several years ago, celebrated its 30th anniversary with this vintage. A trio of Yakima Valley sites near Prosser - Canyon Vineyard Ranch, Willard and Willow Crest - traditionally come together for this expressive, off-dry and affordable Riesling that gets a boost from Gewürztraminer (15%) and Chenin Blanc (7%). Orange blossom, pink … [Read more...] about Sagelands Vineyard 2014 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $9
Acrobat Winery 2015 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Oregon, $13
Best Buy! Under its Acrobat brand, industry icon King Estate offers one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest productions of rosé. That it’s done with the fickle Pinot Noir grape at this price makes it as remarkably approachable as the wine itself. Made using the saignée method of bleeding off juice and then pressing, its stunningly brilliant wardrobe exudes a pretty nose of … [Read more...] about Acrobat Winery 2015 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Oregon, $13
Upchurch Vineyard 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $68
DeLille Cellars virtuoso Chris Upchurch debuted his eponymous brand with the 2010 vintage, and his sustainably farmed Red Mountain estate continues to mature under the guidance of acclaimed grower Dick Boushey. The winemaking includes two UV traditions — 100 percent new French oak using Taransaud and Orion barrels as well as precise blending with 9 percent Merlot. That … [Read more...] about Upchurch Vineyard 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $68
Stottle Winery 2012 Doc Stewart Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $34
A classic vintage for Cab in Washington and one of the state’s lesser-known yet more historic sites produced stellar results in the hands of Lacey winemaker Josh Stottlemyre. Walter Clore prompted surgeon George Stewart to plant near Mattawa in 1972, and the Gilbert Cellars family purchased the vineyard 30 years later. Stottlemyre grabbed his six-barrel lot at nearly 25 Brix on … [Read more...] about Stottle Winery 2012 Doc Stewart Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $34