The Hansen family has Viognier planted at two of its three vineyards — Cougar Hills and Noble Rock — and their program with this Rhône variety ranks among the best on the West Coast. That’s exemplified by the essentially annual return of a gold medal or better from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition in Sonoma. Scents of white peach, nectarine and orange Creamsicle … [Read more...] about Cougar Crest Estate Winery 2022 Estate Viognier, Walla Walla Valley $24
walla walla wine
College Cellars of Walla Walla 2020 Cockburn Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley $30
Walla Walla Community College’s winemaking school used one of Cecil Zerba’s estate vineyards to earn its seventh career Platinum Award, and it’s not surprising, considering Zerba Cellars has earned three Platinums for its GSM program. This Grenache is an enticing wine with notes of juicy red bramble fruit, violets, maplewood smoke and English Breakfast tea, capped by pinches of … [Read more...] about College Cellars of Walla Walla 2020 Cockburn Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley $30
Cougar Crest Estate Winery 2018 Estate Merlot, Walla Walla Valley $36
Pharmacist/winemaker Deborah Hansen proudly promotes the concept of “woman made, woman owned” at the four tasting rooms she operates throughout the Northwest — Walla Walla, Woodinville, Spokane and Lake Oswego, Ore. While she and her husband have Merlot planted at two of their three vineyards, this bottling has focused on their Cougar Hills Vineyard, their original planting. … [Read more...] about Cougar Crest Estate Winery 2018 Estate Merlot, Walla Walla Valley $36
Long Shadows Vintners 2019 Pirouette Red Wine, Columbia Valley $70
Among the first recruits by the late Allen Shoup to his Long Shadows project in Walla Walla was Quintessa founder Agustin Huneeus Sr. and that Napa brand’s winemaker — Philippe Melka. They established the Meritage style that Gilles Nicault continues to follow with impeccable craftsmanship, weaving Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Merlot (33%), Cabernet Franc (6%), Malbec (3%) and … [Read more...] about Long Shadows Vintners 2019 Pirouette Red Wine, Columbia Valley $70
Zerba Cellars 2019 Cockburn Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla $40
One of the Pacific Northwest’s most decorated wineries used this Cabernet Sauvignon from winemaker Brent Roberts to close in on its 50th career Platinum. This is the third time in four years for the Milton-Freewater, Ore., producer to earn a Platinum for one of its Cabs, and Roberts used contributions of Syrah (11%), Merlot (9%) and Cabernet Franc (5%) to showcase his knack for … [Read more...] about Zerba Cellars 2019 Cockburn Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla $40