Many of their barrels are filled with juice from the Royal Slope, but Rob and Donna Mellison didn’t need to leave the south shore of Lake Chelan for this Syrah off nearby Larc Hill Vineyard Ranch. This vintage marks the second commercial harvest for this young planting, and the first Platinum with Syrah for Mellisoni. It’s an ethereal experience with enticing black plum and … [Read more...] about Mellisoni Vineyards 2019 Syrah, Lake Chelan $65
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High Hawk Cellars 2015 Redtailed Reserve Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley $89
A year ago, Bill and Candace Swayne purchased Chelan Ridge Winery. In addition to that label created by previous winemaker Lynn Munneke, the Swaynes also have launched this tier and hired Chelan Valley winemaker Jeff Crowder. Petit Verdot was a very strong category at this year’s Platinum, and the Swaynes can boast theirs was the highest-ranking PV. Born on the Royal Slope, … [Read more...] about High Hawk Cellars 2015 Redtailed Reserve Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley $89
Mellisoni Vineyards 2019 PMS Red Wine Blend, Lake Chelan, $75
The Mellisons were inspired to create an estate winery as a result of business travel to Italy, and they pay homage to those trips and the Italian culture by added "i" to their surname and using it to brand their winery overlooking the south shore of Lake Chelan. Their PMS is a super Tuscan-ish blend of Pinot Noir (33%), Malbec (33%) and Sangiovese (34%) - hence P.M.S. - all … [Read more...] about Mellisoni Vineyards 2019 PMS Red Wine Blend, Lake Chelan, $75
Mellisoni Vineyards 2018 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Barrel Select Reserve Merlot, Royal Slope $150.00
The 2021 Washington Winery of the Year opened 2022 by producing one of the top Merlots in this tasting. Rob and Donna Mellison doted on these eight barrels of juice courtesy of Napa-trained viticulturist Ed Kelly. The hedonistic presentation of dark red fruit comes with elegant tannins and sensational acidity. “They really dialed in on the balance,” remarked one judge. And … [Read more...] about Mellisoni Vineyards 2018 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Barrel Select Reserve Merlot, Royal Slope $150.00
Tsillan Cellars 2017 Estate Viognier, Lake Chelan, $22
Winemaking veteran Ray Sandidge, in his first vintage at Tsillan Cellars, took a third of this lot and devoted it to neutral French oak with the rest in stainless stell fermentation, but it all went bi-weekly lees stirring. Barrel treatment provides a very subtle and pleasing mouthfeel while still preserving bright acidity one hopes for in cool-climate Viognier. Citrusy notes … [Read more...] about Tsillan Cellars 2017 Estate Viognier, Lake Chelan, $22