About 40 years ago, I was chatting with a then-young winemaker about why he remained in Washington state rather than returning to his native California. “Washington is the Wild West of winemaking,” he told me. He stayed because he wanted to be part of a frontier spirit that was looking ahead to see what could be done here, find out what wine grapes would grow here … [Read more...] about Sniff, Sip, Swirl: Holmes family unveils Arneis on Red Mountain
Red Mountain
2022 Washington Winery to Watch: Liberty Lake Wine Cellars
LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. — Leave it to a winemaking MBA to prove that investing in some of the best grapes available on the market repeatedly yields amazing returns. In the case of Liberty Lake Wine Cellars east of Spokane, Wash., Mark Lathrop purchases from two storied families with roots on Red Mountain who are members of the Washington Wine Hall of Fame — Dick and Wendy Shaw … [Read more...] about 2022 Washington Winery to Watch: Liberty Lake Wine Cellars
Auclair Winery 2018 Right Blend Red Wine, Red Mountain $40.00
Charles Auclair’s continued fascination with Red Mountain for Bordeaux varieties — red and white — pays off again as usual, however the Woodinville winemaker’s blend barely qualified for this comparative tasting with Merlot accounting for 75% of the bottling. His three best barrels of Merlot from Heart of The Hill Vineyard were joined by a barrel of Cabernet Franc from Artz … [Read more...] about Auclair Winery 2018 Right Blend Red Wine, Red Mountain $40.00
The Wine Knows: Upchurch hits sweet spot with Cab on Red Mountain
If Cabernet Sauvignon were a celebrity, it would be Sylvester Stallone: strong yet supple, ages well, with a purity of fruit like the ringing of a bell and tannins that can knock you out if the match is uneven. Cab isn’t a sipping wine — no supporting actor role for this red. This is the main character, the centerpiece of a meal focused on a rich entrée like lasagna or … [Read more...] about The Wine Knows: Upchurch hits sweet spot with Cab on Red Mountain
Januik Winery 2018 Merlot, Red Mountain $35.00
Mike Januik’s standing in the Washington wine industry allows him to cherry-pick among the state’s premier plantings. Here, fruit from historic Ciel du Cheval, managed for the Holmes family by Kade Casciato, joins berries from two vineyards in the vast portfolio of Washington Wine Hall of Fame inductee Dick Shaw — Obelisco and Quintessence. And this bottling’s provenance helps … [Read more...] about Januik Winery 2018 Merlot, Red Mountain $35.00