Washington Wine of the Week – Selections for Fall, 2016

For the week of December 18, 2016: Thurston Wolfe Winery 2012 Petite Sirah – There’s nothing petite about this red varietal and although it’s used primarily for blending purposes in Washington, a few wineries, including this release from Dr. Wade Wolfe, have ventured into the stand-alone category with excellent results. Slightly smoky aromas start you off, with ripe, black currant and plummy fruits, and a fairly soft finish with a touch of creme brulee. The 2013 vintage is also now available and both wines are priced at about $20 each.

For the week of December 11, 2016: Cooper Mountain Wine Company Wines – A blanket endorsement for every wine? Yes, and deservedly so, because winemaker Neil Cooper is doing such an amazing job at his Red Mountain winery. Top picks include his 2014 Estate Chardonnay, 2013 L’Inizio Red Wine Blend (featuring all six Bordeaux red varietals), and the 2014 Gatekeeper Bud’s Blend (a combination of Zinfandel, Syrah, and Tempranillo). These wines are nothing short of phenomenal and worth every penny.

For the week of December 4, 2016: DeLille Cellars 2014 Chaleur Estate Blanc – Complex, layered, and cellar-worthy, this current offering from winemaker Chris Upchurch gives Washington white wine drinkers reason to celebrate. A blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, it opens with a gentle fragrance of field flowers and clover followed by flavors of citrus, apple and pineapple, and a lengthy finish capped with toast, honey, vanilla, and herbs.

For the week of November 27, 2016: Cairdeas Winery 2014 ‘Tri’ Red Wine Blend – Best in Show winner at this year’s Tri-Cities Wine Festival, this perfectly balanced, perfectly crafted Rhone-style blend of Grenache (Blanc), Syrah, and Mourvedre hits all the right notes. Understated black cherry at the core, with nuances of chocolate, white pepper, and earthy undertones, this wine is a stunning effort from Chelan winemaker Charlie Lybecker. I used to say that Charlie was one Washington’s up-and-coming winemakers a few years ago, but I can’t say that anymore because he’s clearly at the top of his game today. An exceptional wine.

For the week of November 13, 2016: Four wines to consider for the upcoming Thanksgiving Day holiday – The Goose Ridge 2014 Estate Chardonnay should be a nice complement to your roast turkey, potatoes and gravy; Prefer reds? The Masquerade Wine Co. Bellingham 2016 Oregon Gamay Noir has nice cranberry and pie cherry flavors with great acidity and the Hightower Cellars 2013 Red Mountain Murray Syrah delivers fresh berry fruit with vanilla bean accents (and it’s a steal at $20 a bottle); and for a sweeter wine to pair with dessert try the Pasek Cellars 2012 Late Harvest Viognier.

For the week of November 6, 2016: Secret Squirrel 2012 GSM Rhone Style Blend – Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre. These three red varietals each bring their best characteristics to the table and make for flavorful, well-balanced wines that are really hitting their stride among Washington wineries. This second label from Walla Walla-based Corliss Winery shows that even serious wineries can let their guard down a bit and have some fun without compromising on quality. It’s an easy-to-drink red (that is, after the proper amount of aeration), displaying a mouthful of jammy berry fruit while touches of spice box, white pepper, and sweet tobacco linger in the background. At about $25, this wine really delivers.

For the Week of October 30, 2016: Dynasty Cellars 2014 DCQ Red Wine – Here’s a Wine of the Week first: a recommendation prior to the wine’s release. Bellingham winemaker Peter Osvaldik feels that the 2014 version of this red wine blend may be even better than the 2013…which earned a silver medal at this year’s Bellingham Northwest Wine Festival. A combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, it’s almost guaranteed to be to your liking, especially if you prefer big, bold reds packed with dark fruits and plenty of character. Available at the tasting room in mid-November.

For the week of October 23, 2016: Fielding Hills 2012 Cabernet Franc – Lake Chelan winemaker Mike Wade shows a deft touch in this wonderfully complex red that’s a delight to the senses. Vanilla, coffee bean and spicy aromatics lead off, with a base of red cherry fruit and a lingering finish capped with nuances of chocolate and savory herbs. This is a big, full-bodied Cab Franc that foregoes the varietal’s sometimes off-putting vegetal characteristics in favor of a flavorful, more fruit-centered wine that’s an absolute pleasure to taste.

For the Week of October 16, 2016: Kiona Vineyards 2014 Chenin Blanc Ice Wine – This perennial Red Mountain favorite from the Williams Family is certain to put a smile on your face at the end of the day. Consistently produced since the 1980’s, this phenomenal wine is packed with tropical, stone fruit, and strawberry flavors, while brisk acidity impeccably balances a sky-high 17.2% residual sugar content…resulting in a mile-long finish that’s sweet without being overbearing. Easily stands up to any dessert you can throw at it, or serve it cordial-style on it’s own as “dessert in a glass.”

For the week of October 9, 2016: Lobo Hills Wine Co. 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon – Looking for a Cab that will hold it’s own against a hearty beef stew? This Columbia Valley-sourced selection, blended with a bit of Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot will easily do the trick. Black currant, blackberry, and black licorice flavors converge in this big-finishing wine with good structure and nicely balanced acidity. Give it a bit of aeration time and it opens up beautifully and additional cellaring should also give this wine additional polish and depth.

For the week of October 2, 2016: Arbor Crest Cellars N/V Cliff House White – Spokane winemaker Kristina van Loben Sels (pictured at left) has completely outdone herself with this overachieving, incredibly well-priced wine. A blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Chardonnay, it opens with crisp Fuji apple and apricot flavors that melt into more full-bodied fruits of pineapple and guava that are nicely balanced with a splash of finishing acidity. This is truly a delicious, must-try wine and at only $12 a bottle you can afford to buy it by the case.

For the week of September 25, 2016: Cougar Crest Winery 2014 Viognier – Another winner from the Walla Walla winery, particularly for those who enjoy flavorful, full-bodied white wines. Big, beautiful aromas and flavors of peach, honeydew melon, and tropical fruits predominate, with a soft, round finish that make it a prime candidate to pair with rich foods. A couple of pairing suggestions: roast pumpkin soup with heavy cream or fresh lobster tail dipped in clarified butter.