Jessica Munnell's ability to produce bright whites helped Mercer Estates earn Washington Winery of the Year from Wine Press Northwest in 2016. Now, she's working with vineyards overseen by acclaimed grower Tom Merkle, who is Munnell's partner in Wautoma Springs. This superb Sauvignon Blanc reflects the growth of their brand timed with their stylish young tasting room within the … [Read more...] about Wautoma Springs 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $17
Wine of the Week
Telaya Wine Co. 2018 Syrah, Snake River Valley $34
Boise-area winemaker Earl Sullivan sources Syrah from premier vineyards in Washington state and Idaho's Snake River Valley, which includes this work off Sawtooth's Block 46. Wine Press Northwest's 2016 Idaho Winery of the Year earned two gold medals in the Syrah category at the 2021 Cascadia International Wine Competition, and this went onto to win best of class, Best Red and … [Read more...] about Telaya Wine Co. 2018 Syrah, Snake River Valley $34
Gård Vintners 2017 Lawrence Vineyards Estate Malbec, Columbia Valley, $40
A decade ago, Aryn Morell began working with Royal Slope growers/owners Josh and Lisa Lawrence, and the Walla Walla winemaker approached the warm 2017 vintage as one to be particularly careful with during the fermentation so as to not extract too much in the way of tannins. His dual-pronged approach with concrete (68%) and stainless steel (32%) tanks, then a program of 50% new … [Read more...] about Gård Vintners 2017 Lawrence Vineyards Estate Malbec, Columbia Valley, $40
Coeur de Terre Vineyard 2017 Oregon Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $22
Scott Neal's flagship wine routinely yields gold medals in regional competitions, and his latest work pulls heavily from his vineyard outside of McMinnville, Ore., incorporating his Renelle’s Block, Sarah Jane’s Block, Abby’s Block and Tallulah’s Run while gathering up Pinot Noir from eight clones, including Pommard, Coury and five Dijon clones. The nose delights with aromas of … [Read more...] about Coeur de Terre Vineyard 2017 Oregon Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $22
Battle Creek Cellars 2019 Unconditional Pinot Noir Blanc, Oregon, $28
Many of us are quite fond with "Pinot Noir Blanc" as a sparkling wine, aka "blanc de noir." Fortunately, a small but growing number of talented winemakers in the Willamette Valley are producing white Pinot Noir as a still wine. Sarah Cabot's example under the Battle Creek Cellars banner ranks among the Northwest's most delicious. The nose of strawberry/banana, Pink Lady apple … [Read more...] about Battle Creek Cellars 2019 Unconditional Pinot Noir Blanc, Oregon, $28