One of the West Coast’s leading Rhône Rangers, Doug McCrea, found Ciel du Cheval to be a playground for his innovative work. Now, it is second-generation grower Richard Holmes using varieties such as Counoise to add to his family’s fame. This grape benefits from the heat and extended growing season on Red Mountain, and this wine offers a rush of dark red fruit and a lot of … [Read more...] about Côtes de Ciel 2016 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Counoise, Red Mountain $35
Red Mountain
Ambassador Wines of Washington 2019 Estate Envoy Red Wine, Red Mountain $48
The trio of vineyard manager Dick Boushey, winemaker Mike Macmorran of Mark Ryan acclaim and Napa-based consultant Tom Rinaldi team up to produce a handful of red blends from Red Mountain estate vines that have entered their third decade. Per tradition, this blend leads with Cabernet Sauvignon (43%), followed by Merlot (32%) and Cabernet Franc, and there’s a seemingly endless … [Read more...] about Ambassador Wines of Washington 2019 Estate Envoy Red Wine, Red Mountain $48
Maryhill Winery 2019 Klipsun Vineyards Syrah, Red Mountain $50
While this historic vineyard on Red Mountain might be best known for Cab, Maryhill has won more Platinums for Syrah — 13 — than with any other grape. Here’s a bottle loaded with dark black fruit, an enticing blend of allspice and nutmeg, a suave midpalate of creme brûlée and brown rice, and age-worthy English Breakfast tea tannins. Qualifying award: Cascadia International … [Read more...] about Maryhill Winery 2019 Klipsun Vineyards Syrah, Red Mountain $50
Kiona Vineyards 2021 Estate Sage Advice White Wine, Red Mountain, $35
Heir apparent Tyler Williams assumed the lead winemaking duties at this three-generation estate winery on Red Mountain in 2019, and the Washington State University product has devoted some precious energy to creating thoughtful, rather than cookie-cutter, white blends. His two releases of Artemisia lean toward Bordeaux, while this newly created Sage Advice is Rhône-inspired … [Read more...] about Kiona Vineyards 2021 Estate Sage Advice White Wine, Red Mountain, $35
Sniff, Sip, Swirl: Holmes family unveils Arneis on Red Mountain
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