Scores

An approachable blend of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet, perfect for a summer BBQ or picnic wine. Notes of juicy black cherry and red currant with a somewhat herbal component and just a touch of tannin in the background make this medium-bodied wine an attractive option for a large group or maybe just a Tuesday night.

A delicious, clean white from Friuli. This white blend of Friulano and Chardonnay is the perfect light Italian white for a hot summer day. Simple mineral notes from the gravely soil the grapes are grown on is present along with a bit of pear and melon on the palate. Fresh crisp and clean!

A zesty crisp dry Rosé made in the Southern French style. Expect a very dry refreshing summer sipper with a splash of rhubarb and grapefruit.

usted Valley's team affectionately refers to Boomtown as their little brother, and if you know their wines you'll taste the connection between the two sets of wines. As with all wines, we tasted the Boomtown Cabernet blind and had no idea of the pricing - and the judges were all impressed with the quality. Thus, the score went up when we eventually learned it was only $15! The wine has plenty of dark fruit with black currant taking the lead, with some very dusty tannins on the finish. Constructed with 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot from the McNary Vineyard, perched right along the mighty Columbia River in the Southeast corner of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Aged in 35% new French oak and the remainder neutral. Most inexpensive Cabernet's do not even taste like Cabernet. There's no mistake here, this is Cabernet. Decanting or aerating suggested.

One of the best table wines we have evaluated. Most inexpensive wines are usually mass-produced and taste like it, but not the 14th version of Notebook! The wine has a nice polish to it and depth that's rare for a $15 wine. Expect layers of flavors of dark cherry, black currant, strawberry and a little molasses. This blend is 55% Cabernet, 20% Syrah, 17% Merlot and 8% Malbec to round things out. While this wine is not as deep and complex as the main Bookwalter line-up, it's pretty solid for an everyday fun wine. Surprisingly the wine starts off being made in small lots, with 75% of the juice barrel aged in French oak and assembled with barrels chosen from 2016-2018 vintages.

Expect a medium-bodied Blend (Red) that is very balanced with a touch of dusty tannins. This wine exhibits subtle notes of black currant and blueberry and touch of savory herbs aromatically. A blend made from all of Kiona's Red Mountain vineyards of mostly Cabernet with a touch of Syrah, Merlot, and Sangiovese, this actually tastes like real wine compared to most wines at this price point which usually seem manipulated with artificial flavors. Decanting suggested. A great value for only $15!

A Burgundian style Chardonnay that is very light in texture, color and oak, this is nicely balanced Chardonnay that is clean and balanced, perfect for those who find Chardonnay to be too heavy handed with oak. Expect a wine that is fresh with notes of red and yellow apples and wisp of vanilla.

This new world style of Chenin is very crisp and clean and bone dry. While there are notes of white peach and honey, its mouth watering acidity leaves a Meyer lemon finish. Truly sunshine in a glass!

This wine has both a creamy richness and acidity with a 85% Semillon and the balance Sauv. Blanc. Expect a touch of oak with notes of baked apple, brown butter and savory sage. For the price this wine way over-delivers for those who want something light bodied that has a lot of character and is still refreshing and interesting.

This Brut Blanc de Blancs is made in Washington but in the Champagne style with small bubbles and is beautifully balanced. One judge remarked "it tastes like a vanilla creamsicle" with a delicious, creamy texture that is slightly fruity but still quite dry. The wine way over-delivers for $15 as it drinks more like a wine between $25-$35.

A great balanced white, with zestiness and crisp clean finish. Expect notes of white peach and citrus elements, and just a kiss of oak. It's dynamic with racy acidity and perfect for a hot summer day.

Spicy and rich, this wine way over delivers for a $16 bottle of wine. Unlike many wines under $20 which often taste manipulated, this is a real wine with ample structure and balance between acid, tannin, and fruit. Tastes more like an Old World version of this varietal, with a strong backbone of tannin most likely the result of the 5% Petit Verdot added. Nice notes of black currant and olive.

Bold Faced Lie is a second label to TruthTeller Winery under the name Miscreant Project. The 2017 is 60% Cabernet and 40% Merlot, and has very toasty and smokey notes and a lot of dark fruits. The Wine Panel liked the texture, concentration and balance - very deserving of 92 Points at $16 as it way over delivers for a wine the price range.

Very clean and fresh Pinot Gris, with flavors of yellow apple, white candied peach, and asian pear. This wine is very balanced and with a zesty white grapefruit and lemon finish.

One of the significant aspects of how The Wine Panel evaluates wine is considering how well a wine shows in respect to its price. Having said that, the Alki Cabernet was given a score of 92 as it completely over-delivers for a Cabernet in that price point. While most are indistinguishable as a Cabernet when under $20, this wine has the classic flavor profile and structure for what a Cab lover would expect. Expect a soft, approachable, and restrained wine that is ripe but not sweet, with dark plum and dark cherry notes with soft tannins in the background. The judges taste everything blind, and guessed this wine was in the $25-$35 category.

Before a movie ruined everything, this is what Merlot was appreciated for. smooth, pretty wine, with good depth and the promise that it could rival its' big brother Cabernet someday. For a mid-priced wine, this over delivers with a soft texture yet with a strong backbone of tannin, and good red and black fruit flavors. While this wine could stand up to grilled meats or wild game, it is approachable enough to enjoy on its own.

This mysterious blend is simply termed "Bubbly White" which is as fun as the wine itself. The wine finishes dry but has abundant fruity flavors of citrus, lemongrass, and seemingly even a hint of ginger. A perfect pairing for this cheap and cheerful Sparkling would be spicy Thai food served very cold.

This would be a great wedding wine, meaning a large group could all enjoy this wine! Green tea, peach, and aromas of white flowers. Balanced, dry but fruity, and just a touch of acid. $18 is a great price.

A bone dry rosé made from grapes grown on the Wahluke Slope, this wine is lean and clean and high acid. Expect notes of starfruit, rhubarb and grapefruit. Light in color, very refreshing when served cold!

A classic Provence style dry rosé with pear and apple notes, lively, crisp, and refreshing.

A very zesty, crisp Sauvignon Blanc, with racy acidity. The wine has a very subtle and subdued nose, but fun notes of peach, kiwi, and orange zest along with white grapefruit on the palate. The wine has a very clean finish.

Almost equal parts Zinfandel and Petit Syrah from Horse Heaven Hills with a bit of Lemberger thrown in for spice, this soft and fruit driven wine is full-bodied and ripe with a lot of bright cherry and blackberry, with some chocolate and coconut off in the distance. Aged 14 months in both French & American oak, this really drinks like a Sonoma Zin that's deepened with Petit Syrah with a bit of tannin for a long finish and enough acid to give it life and keep it from being heavy.

A very clean, bright, and fresh dry rosé similar to a Southern French style. This rosé is made from Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet and is zesty and crisp!

For a wine with plenty of black fruit flavors, the savory, slightly herbal notes in this wine create a journey your palate wants to repeat after the first sip or two! The unusual blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Syrah, and 5% Petit Verdot creates a wine that makes you wonder what just happened. The black currant flavors lead to a bit of a tangy, zesty impression, followed by earthy and deep dark notes that play together well, and ending with dusty dry tannins, most likely from the bit of Petit Verdot. There's a lot going on for the price!

There's no question this is Riesling with the incredibly aromatic petrol notes. What makes a good serious Riesling is the balance of fruit and acid, which this wine has plenty of both. Expect flavors of apricot and melon, along with honey and lemon/lime citrus. Sourced from a cool vineyard site on the Columbia Gorge, this small production wine has built quite a following from consistently well-made Rieslings from winemaker Jason Morin.

Sourced from the windy slopes of Horse Heaven Hills by Red Mountain, this Left Bank release from Yakima's Gilbert Cellars is very much a blend similar to France's Left Bank Bordeaux blends. A blend of 48% Cabernet, 43% Merlot, 5% Malbec and 4% of Petit Verdot, the wine abounds in dark fruit and structure. At $22 this wine over delivers and easily scored 90 Points by the Wine Panel in the $15-$25 category. The perfect candidate for using your aerator.

A delicious, fun dry rosé from Yakima Valley with a crisp clean finish. This lighter style rosé has a hint of watermelon and would be a crowd pleaser for a large group and affordable at $20.

The latest edition of the Long Cellars non-vintage Blend (Red) is a mystery as to its composition, but over delivers with good texture and balance. Nice ripe black and blue fruits bursts thru and an elegant use of oak. Made with Connor Lee Vineyard Cabernet and Dineen Vineyard Malbec. This wine over delivers for a wine in its' price range!

Nearly 50 years ago the Mercer family planted the first wine grapes in the Horse Heaven Hills. These grapes were picked from their Estate fruit and immediately sorted in the vineyard. The fruit was not crushed in order to preserve as many whole berries as possible. At the winery, individual lots were fermented in stainless steel tanks, then barrel aged for 16 months in 25% New French and 75% American Oak. That is a lot going on for a $20 wine, made up of mostly equal parts Syrah and Cabernet with a bit of Malbec, Cabernet, and Grenache. This creamy, approachable Blend (Red) has notes of bright cherry, dark chocolate, vanilla, and very soft tannins for a pleasant, elegant finish.

An unusual dry rosé with grapes sourced from River Rock Vineyard. A fun, quaffable porch wine with hints of mineral and sour cherry with a medium high acidity for a crisp clean finish.

Slightly Burgundian in style with a bit of bramble and cassis, with notes of fresh herbs, dried cherries and rose petals. This Grand Cuvee is sourced from a collection of family-owned vineyards across the Willamette Valley and carefully crafted by winemaker/owner Laurent Montaile from the cooler 2019 vintage.

The tarot card, Three of Cups, symbolizes conviviality, abundance, joy and friendship, and winemakers Lisa and Mike Metheny bring those terms to life! This Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre blend is a bit more savory with subtle herbal notes in the background amongst blackberry, black current, and plum flavors, with a bit of baking spice. The wine has firm tannins, so will cellar well or would be best if decanted if you can't wait. All their wines are produced in small batches, with only 171 cases were produced of the 2017 Le Jugement.

Good depth and power for this winery's Blend (Red). This wine has firm tannins that will soften with time, but if you can't wait, use your aerator or decant for an hour before serving. Dark in color with notes of olive, plum and tobacco.

Silky texture and smooth, with soft tannins for a long elegant finish. Expect notes of leather, white pepper and black fruits like plum and blackberry with a touch of cassis, keeping the wine rich but with lift. A savory wine that outperforms its price. Sourced from the Rosebud Vineyards in the Wahluke Slope AVA. Aged in 100% French Oak barrels for 14 months.

This Chardonnay had just the right balance between subtle oak and a creamy texture without being heavy handed. Grapes were sourced from the notable Stillwater Creek Vineyards in the Columbia Valley. The result is a very pretty and balanced Chardonnay with flavors of lemon, pear, and citrus. A great deal at only $22.

This wine had all the classic markers of Viognier, along with notes of lemon custard, banana and subtle floral hints. Low acid, good texture, fun to drink! Very well priced at only $22.

This is not your mothers Merlot! It has substantial structure with firm tannins that would help it age. A very youthful wine that will develop well with aging, but could be enjoyed now with decanting or pairing with food. Delicious flavors of black cherry and very dark chocolate with savory notes which can most likely be attributed to the splash of Cabernet Franc and Malbec added to round out the profile.

A delicious well-balanced wine from newcomer Virtue Cellars. This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre is light on its feet, with hints of tea and blackberry. A very pretty and fun Southern Rhone style GSM.

A good solid wine for the money, this Blend (Red) is comprised of 46% Malbec, 27% Syrah, 22% Pinot Noir, and 5% Merlot. Lots of toasty oak and smoked meats with notes of spicy black cherry. Very smooth with a nicely balanced finish.

Aromatically a classic French style Cabernet Franc, this delicious wine is well made and balanced with a long finish. Exhibits a burst of cherry and dark fruit undertones. The judges all thought it would be $35 or more, so the $24 price pushed the score higher!

There's very little of this varietal from Northern Spain grown in Washington, and what is grown tends to be a little expensive since it is so hard to get. But this Albariño is worth the money with it's complexity and intriguing character. We enjoyed the floral notes with flavors of apples and honey. Bone dry and medium bodied in texture.

While listed as Cabernet Sauvignon this wine does have 20% Malbec added which may contribute to the plum and black current notes that play well with the aromas of cigar box and mocha. For a Cabernet it is approachable now but could become even more expressive between 2022-2023. Different barrels of this wine were aged from 12 to 16 months in French Oak, then blended.

Made from 100% Viognier grapes from the 15 year old Clos Chevalle Vineyard in Lake Chelan, this wine has a great acid balance, is easy to drink and wasn't overly floral or fruity. Expect slight floral & mineral notes with subtle flavors of lychee and melon. No oak, all stainless fermentation leads to a clean fresh style of Viognier.

A surprising, fresh white wine made from 76% Pinot Gris & 24% Riesling. Intriguing layers of flavors with notes of kiwi, lemongrass, & apple. Zesty with a touch of wild honey and good balance.

A gorgeous Viognier, classic in style, with subtle mango and apricot flavors. Aromatically expect tropical & floral notes. This wine was picked early to preserve acid and pressed as whole clusters, fermented in stainless steel with no malolactic fermentation. Only 223 cases produced.

Delicious! Great balance. This is a smooth, soft and juicy wine by winemaker Todd Threlkeld, sourced from the hand-selected Block 9 of Sagemoor's Gamache Vineyard, planted in 2003. This tiny boutique winery only produced 3 barrels of this gem, with a ripeness and elegance not common in most Northwest Malbecs. Expect dark cherry, a bit of blueberry, and just enough acid to give the wine lift and be rich yet still light on its feet.

A delicious small production Malbec with good depth and rich black and blue fruit flavors. Very fresh with a little zing, this is a solid, well-made wine that over delivers for $24.

A juicy, vibrant Syrah with notes of cola and blueberry with subtle spice and anise. A great wine for the price, with a smooth rich texture.

Dried cherry notes complimented by the nice soft dusty tannins. This wine has a rich texture - polished and elegant, and way over delivers for $25.

A blend of 8 different varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc and Syrah, this spicy little blend from the master blender Brian Carter, is surprisingly deeper and richer than the price would suggest. Expect dried cherry, cedar, tobacco and spice. Balanced with soft integrated tannins for a nice, pleasant finish.

A very pretty wine with subtle notes of chamomile and white flower blossoms, this incredibly well-balanced blend is from 60% Semillon, 21% Sauvignon Blanc, 19% Muscadelle. Surely the floral aspect is from the rarely used Muscadelle, and the citrus elements from the Sauuvignon Blanc, and mineral from the Semillon. Other soft flavors of honey and pear and a nice medium-bodied texture for an elegant finish.

While it's hard to compare this dessert wine to other similar wines since there aren't many in existence, the judges still found the wine to be fun and interesting. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the Lawrence Vineyards in Washington's Royal Slope AVA. Think dried strawberries, rhubarb, and even a touch of white pepper, and restrained in its' sweetness. Solid first effort from the new Cavellero Hills winery.

Great balance and extremely extracted, it's bold and rich with hints of cocoa, black cherry, plum, and espresso. The judges were impressed with the polish and elegance and long finish in this well-made wine, and were shocked when the price point was revealed. Cellared for 24 months in 50% new American oak barrels.

Le Bec Fin by Chateau Beck is a new winery by Jean Claude Beck, the winemaker of The Woodhouse Wine Estates in Woodinville. This 2016 Vin Rouge is surprisingly light on the palate for Cabernet sourced from Red Mountain, with softer tannins and velvety style with good balance. Blue and black fruits with a hint of vanilla on the finish. A gorgeous bottle of wine for only $25.

Produced by super premium winery Avennia and rockstar winemaker Chris Peterson, Lydian is a 2nd label that over delivers for a fraction of the price. This wine is moderately priced Cabernet that tastes like the real deal, not some mass produced artificially sweet version. There are firm tannins as expected with young Cab, but also enough fruit - ample dark cherry, coffee, and cocoa flavors - to deliver good balance. This wine could soften just a bit more in your cellar or decant and drink with a good meal now.

Very classic style for Grenache, with savory notes of sage, touch of cigar box cedar and tobacco on nose. A great value from Wahluke Slopes fruit!

One sip and apricot jumps out of the glass, followed by peach, white flowers, cardamom and fresh herbs. Some of the intrigue may be in part due to the 12% Roussanne winemaker Tim Narby added to tone down the floral, fruity characteristics. Compared to most Viogniers, this release is much lighter on its feet and is more delicate than most. A delicious summer wine a slight minerality, great for many seafood dishes or alone.

Compared to the typically fruit forward style Malbecs from Argentina, this wine is a much more restrained savory version of the same grape from Washington's famed Horse Heaven Hills in Yakima Valley. Aromas of olive, herbs, and tea leaf, the wine also has a bit of bramble along with flavors of cola, currant, blueberry & dark cherry, with great balance and soft but present tannins. Aged 20 months in 25% new and previously used French & American oak barrels.

A big juicy dark Cabernet with aromas of violets and blueberry and notes of black currant and cassis on the finish. The wine is balanced with ample fruit and tannin, and yet decanting is suggested to soften a bit if not cellaring. Sourced from the famed Horse Heaven Hills near Red Mountain, this wine has depth and polish and way over delivers for the price.

Known for its distinctive black purple color, this Columbia Valley Malbec has delicious savory notes of cured meats, blackberries and baking spice, tobacco, and savory herbs, with a rounded mouthfeel and long finish due to some dusty tannins from a hint of Petit Verdot. Sourced primarily from Weinbau Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope, this wine has the structure to age gracefully as it has already been 5 years since harvest. Like all of their higher tier wines, it was also aged 18 months in oak, with 70% neutral and 30% new barrels to keep the oak influence in moderation. We suggest decanting or aerating it upon opening.

Deep purple and rich in dark fruits, this suave and sexy wine is approachable now, bursting with flavor, and has that polished, smooth palate feel. The judges assumed this wine was twice the price in our blind judging, and were excited to see it's moderate price. There's a lot going in this bold and slightly smokey wine, with flavors of dark plum, pomegranate, blueberry, and dark cherry. A blend of almost equal parts Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah, along with a bit of Cabernet, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot.

Sourced from McKinley Vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, this delicious Malbec way over delivers for the price! While the judges rarely give 94 points, this wine was by far the prettiest, silkiest Malbec we have had in a long time. Big, smooth, juicy, and toasty, this wine has flavors of chocolate and blueberry and just the right amount tannin and for a nice long finish. A classy medium-to-full body Malbec. Aged in both French and American oak barrels for 18 months. Only 98 cases produced.

Very pretty Grenache, with a light, soft texture, subtle aroma of violets and bright notes of cherry. This is a good example of what may very well be Washington's answer to Oregon's Pinot Noir.

This is a great example of what Merlot can be. Elegant, medium bodied and balanced, with a zesty finish. Expect subtle notes of cherry and vanilla. Classy wine for the price!

A nice roasty toasty new world version of Tempranillo, with earth & brambly notes and a hint of cigar box juxtaposed with fresh dark fruits like blackberry and plum and a little cola. Nice balance with some dusty dry tannins for a long finish.

A delicious take on Viognier, with a rich texture that leads to a long finish. Juicy with nice minerality with low or no oak, subtle notes of butterscotch, vanilla, Asian pear and honeysuckle. A rare find for such a well-made Viognier in Washington.

Definitely a New World version of this varietal, with less tannin and spiciness than those of Spain. But the wine is fun to drink, with notes of cola, cocoa, and bright cherry and a smooth, soft, silky finish.

A intriguing Blend (White) with layers of fruit, minerality and good balance. Notes of pear, peach, white flowers, honeysuckle and apricot, this wine has a rich but light texture and a long finish.

Roussanne usually is blended with Viognier in the Rhone Valley of France, making it hard to find on its own. As American's always like to break the mold and grow unusual varieties and release them on their own, we have the chance to then see how the grape does on its own. This Roussanne is the star of the show on its' own, with a delicious, layered complexity and almost an oily viscosity that is rich on the palate. While this Roussanne spent both primary and secondary fermentation in French oak, it is not oaky. Expect notes of rose and lilac floral aromas along with baked apple, honey, and apricot on the palate with a nice lingering finish. This Roussanne would be the perfect companion to spicy Thai food!

A solid wine with plenty of fruit and great balance. Provocant is a well-made blend of equal parts Cabernet and Merlot, with a bit of Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot to add layers of complexity. Sourced from well-respected vineyards such as Two Blondes, Candy Mountain, Stillwater Creek, and others, the final blend was barrel aged for over 2 years in 24% New French Oak and 76% Neutral French Oak. Expect flavors of dark chocolate, dark cherry, and clove in this polished Bordeaux style red.

While most US produced Sangiovese's are much softer and fruitier than their Italian counterparts, this is about as close as you can come to what a young Chianti from Tuscany would be like. Flavors of dried cherry, bramble, and tea leaves, a bit rustic with good acid and tannin. A few more years in the cellar or decanting before you enjoy it will smooth it out a bit!

This first release from the new Cavelero Hill Cellars is a fun, light blend of CarmCarmenereeacute;nCarmenereegrave;re, Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah. Expect notes of black cherry, allspice and espresso and finishes a little peppery.

This balanced Cabernet has low acid with moderate tannins and is a solid Cabernet that is a good value at the $28 price point. Expect a touch of blackcurrant on back palette and a creamy approachable texture.

A bold deep Malbec with dusty tannins and hint of herbal aromas. Expect dark cherry, violets, white flowers - very juicy. Only 25% new oak, sourced from Dineen Vineyards. Nice rich texture.

Very few Petite Sirahs are produced in Washington, and this delicious wine leaves one wondering why? Usually Petites aren't Petite when it comes to tannin, but this wine had a very good balance and just a little dry tannin. Expect a spicy, savory wine with bramble notes, dried fruit, and berry cobbler.

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This is not your momma's Viognier. Expect a racy acidity that makes this one of the most atypical and refreshing Viognier's we've tasted. The team loved this wine from Kurt and Vicki Schlicker, who've been hard at work in Walla Walla since 2000. Subtle notes of white peach and pear. Well constructed!

A well-crafted blend of Semillon from Dionysys Vineyard that integrates well with Sauvignon Blanc from Gamache and Bacchus Vineyards. Crisp and clean with a lemony finish. Expect flavors of starfruit, nectarine, and minerality with spicy apple notes. A great example of a Northwest white Bordeaux style blend!

With grapes sourced from Antoine Creek Vineyards, this Viognier has more acid than most Viognier, giving it a cleaner, more crisp finish. White peach and apricot flavors lead to classic Viognier flavors and aromas, but the acid makes it more refreshing than most Viognier.

Another gem from winemaker Jessica Munnell! Back when Wautoma started, they only made Cab and Malbec. So of course, she had to experiment with blending a portion of each, and El Prat has been an annual fan favorite ever since. This version of El Prat is 60% Cabernet and the 40% Malbec, creating a harmonious combination with both a full middle palate and long elegant finish. Loaded with rustic black currant and blackberry while balanced with a sort of chocolate covered cherry richness. The judges guessed this wine was $50 as it drinks like a wine twice its price.

Winemaker Peter Devison, formerly of Efeste, has been making solid wines for 15 years for others, but is finally producing his own set of small lot, hand-crafted wines! The "GPR" is a sightly rustic Rhône Blend (Red) of 57% Syrah and 40% Grenache with a splash of Mourvèdre for good measure. Sourced from Boushey, Alder Ridge, Lawrence, Stone Tree vineyards. Notes of dark plum, blueberry, bramble and tobacco with a bittersweet dark chocolate finish. Decanting will help tame the dusty tannins.

This wine is a cacophony of flavors, with black pepper, olive, blackberry, plum, and a savory spiciness reminiscent of jalapeno. Fine tannins give the wine structure and lead to a very long, elegant finish.

A classic styled Albariño, with bracing acidity yet with a creamy texture. The notes of rose petal, lemon grass and kafir lime are fun aromas that play well with the flavors of pear and apricot. The wine is complex and worth the money for an intriguing example of a little known Spanish varietal grown in Washington. Only 2 barrels produced.

This special project by assistant Winemaker Julian Shaver turned out to be brilliant. Short for Petillant Naturel, this low alcohol Cabernet Franc natural wine is frizzante in style and is unfined, unfiltered, and fermented in bottle using selected yeast from their own vineyard. It's lively, fresh, crisp, with flavors of fresh berries, almond, vanilla, and a bit of mineral.

A very young, zesty and fresh medium-bodied wine. Fermented in Amphora, the wine has a dry, dusty finish. It drinks very much like a classic French style Cabernet Franc with subtle savory and herbaceous notes along with bursting notes of bright cherry.

This wine leads with smoke and bark blue and black fruits, with a refined, elegant finish. Produced from Chandler Reach's estate vineyard, it's constructed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, 3% Carmenérè. Cellared for 24 months in 40% new American and French oak barrels, which gives it enough of an oak profile to be apparent but not overwhelming. The wine has softened and is already mature, and is even more approachable now after decanting if you're too excited to wait to pop the cork.

A balanced Walla Walla blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. Soft and sexy with a creamy light texture. Very polished and elegant.

Crafted by veteran Charles Reininger as part of their Helix project, this spicy little number is in a sense a compromise between the fruit forward New World versions of this grape, and the classic bramble and edginess compared to more traditional versions in Tuscany. Light violet aromas blend with a zesty raspberry, cherry, and dried tomato and herbal notes. Medium-bodied and drinks even better with aeration or decanting and enjoying with meats and cheeses as would the Italians.

A fun, spicy unfiltered wine made with grapes sourced from Heart of the Hill Vineyard on Red Mountain. Its lush with red fruits and spice and savory notes, with a zesty acid to keep it light on it's feet. Only 75 cases produced.

Fruit forward and enjoyable, lots of zing & tang, this fun light-bodied Rhone style blend needs a little time to open up - so use your aerator or decanter - it will be worth it! A zesty spicy wine.

Classic Washington style Syrah, not restrained and very toasty oak, yet polished and gorgeous.

This wine is unmistakably Viognier, with aromatic floral notes of honeysuckle, lilac and rose, which dance alongside the flavors of peach, honey, and pear. The grapes are sourced from Saviah's estate vineyard in Walla Walla, and fermented in a concrete egg, allowing the fruit to be very expressive and clean. Great effort for this light white with a rich mouthfeel.

A delicious GSM Rhone style blend made from 58% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 12% Mourvèdre, all sourced from Weinbau, Stillwater Creek, Stone Tree, Wahluke and Royal Slope! Aged in 25% new, 25% one year American and 50% new French oak barrels. Medium acid and firm tannins, this is a good candidate for aeration or decanting as it needed air to express itself. Dark blueberry and blackberry notes balanced the wine - good weight and texture. Only 150 cases made.

All it takes is one tiny sniff to know this is Syrah. Big time dark fruits with blueberry and bacon. Wines made using all French oak barrels with 40% New French, 40% Second Fill, and 20% Neutral French. A rich velvety syrah that way over delivers for the price.

Conglomerate, named after the ancient Columbia River conglomerate deposits that underlie Upland Vineyards, is the reliable source for winemaker/geologist Wade Wolfe's signature Cabernet. This elegant, big bold Cabernet is soft with restrained tannins and powerful dark fruit and cassis, along with hints of nutmeg, allspice, and tobacco. While most Cabernet's see 12-18 months of aging, this Cab was aged in French oak for two and a half years before bottling. Only 50 cases produced.

Very much a "chewy" big red, this Petit Verdot is anything but petite. Sourced from the Double Canyon Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills, this delicious wine was aged in both French and American oak barrels for 21 months. Expect flavors of blueberry, bacon, and dried cherries. Compared to most wines from this varietal, this wine has very refined tannins and great balance, yet could easily hold its' own with rich meat dishes or cheeses. Only 98 cases produced.

A solid Bordeaux style blend from Woodinville's TruthTeller. The grapes all are sourced from the famous Red Mountain, with 60% Cabernet, 24% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. This gives the wine great depth and layers but also structure, lending the wine to aeration before drinking or cellaring for a few more years.

A big, dark Cabernet with slightly smoky undertones. Expect hints of soy, fermented black bean, and olive, with plum and cassis. Solid Cabernet for the money, drink now with roasted meats or age for a few years - it can handle it!

For a medium-bodied wine, this has a rich texture and is bursting with fresh red fruits. This is a fun, pretty wine with a bit of caramel and toasty oak notes for an intriquing slightly smokey finish. Very subtle tannins and great balance. Approx 100 cases produced.

What an intriguing wine. Yes, it packs a lot of big bold fruit into one bottle, but its' so much more than that. Expect unusual flavors of nutmeg, allspice, toasted marshmallow, and somehow even spearmint, along with dark cherry and blueberry. With fantastic fruit primarily from the Newhouse Vineyard on Snipes Mountain, and attention to the details by winemaker Gordon Taylor, the resulting wine is extremely smooth, rich, and jammy with no perceptible tannins on the finish. Only 76 cases produced. Do it again!

A second label to Walla Walla's established Reininger family, this less expensive version of Cabernet exceeds expectations at $30. The wine has both red and dark fruit flavors with and good structure. Expect a bit of bramble and rustic edge to this wine that is reminiscent of an Old World version. 93% Cabernet sourced primarily from Phinny Hill Vineyards, with a splash of Merlot to round it out. We would suggest aerating or decanting before drinking to soften the tannins.

A well made, solid Right Bank Bordeaux style wine from 74% Merlot and 25% Cabernet. One of Woodinville's newcomers, winemaker Steven Carmody nailed this wine with enough structure without going too far to achieve good balance and complexity and a long dusty finish.

Hard to believe this Syrah was 7 years old and still will benefit from a few more years of aging! We suggest laying it down a few more years, or if you can't wait, aerating/decanting or serving with meats. This delicious beast of a Syrah has flavors reminiscent of dark cherry, nutmeg and clove and is spicy and structured.

This GSM is actually more of a Northern Rhone style blend with 67% Syrah and 33% Mourvèdre and no Grenache. The result is a rich, sexy wine that is very polished with smoked meat nuances and fantastic balance. A delicious wine from Chelan/ Wapato's Sin Banderas, which means without flags, as it was cultivated by a Mexican, vinified by a Texan, cellared by a Frenchman, and distributed by a Washingtonian

Starting off silky smooth and rich, the wine has a significant level of tannin in the background that might lead one to think they opened this big Cab a little too early. However, fire up the grill or bust out some charcuterie and you will find the tannins are no longer apparent. As with many Sparkman wines, this is not shy by any means, with an abundance of ripe, dark fruit, toasty oak, coffee, and a bit of vanilla, with a shroud of bramble lurking in the near distance. A blend sourced from heavyweight vineyards such as Dionysus, Kiona, Olsen, Stillwater Creek, Red Willow, Klipsun, Gamache, Boushey and Sagemoor! They could have charged twice the price for this wine, but we're glad they didn't!

This small production wine from Chelan's Fielding Hills Winery shows subtle mineral and earthy notes with a zesty clean finish. Expect a complex wine with notes of Meyer lemon, brown butter, and savory herbs. Would pair well with food or can be enjoyed on its own, as it's unusual array of flavors are intriguing and yet light enough to not be fatiguing to your palate. 1/3 aged in oak barrels for 1 year, 1/3 in a concrete egg, and 1/3 in a stainless steel tank.

Delicious notes of plum, dark cherry, and currant, with savory herbal notes lingering in the background. This is a well-crafted small production wine with significant depth and balance. Approachable now but cellar worthy!!

A very sexy, elegant wine that would benefit from decanting before serving to help tame the firm tannins. A classic Loire style Cabernet Franc with subtle bell pepper aromas, plums, raspberry, dark cherry, and pomegranate fruits and a hint of cocoa on the finish.

Very well-balanced wine with minimal oak influence which results in a fresh, light and clean version of Chardonnay. Produced from a high elevation vineyards in Washington's Ancient Lakes area, this wine is vibrant and zesty for a Chardonnay with notes of lime, honey, and a touch of vanilla.

A big mouthful of rich silky Syrah. Great balance with dark plum and bit of sarsaparilla and just the right amount of oak and not overly extracted. Grapes sourced from Stillwater Creek, Wallula, and Red Willow Vineyards and only 200 cases made.

A blend by winemaker Morgan Lee of 90% Cabernet with the balance Petit Syrah, this wine has incredible depth and power, both in big fruit and structure. A dance between the slightly savory and herbaceous notes that are subtle and in the background, with the lead being the bold dark blackberry and black currant flavors, along with a bit of cherry and vanilla, followed by a dusty dry finish. This wine tastes like a $50 Cabernet, and with only 400 cases produced it won't last long.

This Cabernet Franc, produced from Wilridge's Estate vineyards in the Naches Heights AVA, has subtle savory herbal notes along with dry cocoa and caramel on the palate. While the acid and tannin are balanced, we suggest cellaring this for a few years or decanting for a few hours and enjoying with cheeses or meats.

This is not your mama's Merlot - big structure and hearty tannins leave the impression of a Cabernet not a Merlot. aged 18 months in new French oak barrels, this massive Merlot would benefit from cellaring, decanting, or both. Notes of vanilla and bitter dark chocolate and a hint of white pepper.

A more Rhone-style Syrah compared to many Washington versions, this wine is a little lighter in color and texture than most. Good structure with finer, integrated tannins, this wine has savory and meaty notes with a zesty red currant finish. Nice polish and elegance for this Naches Heights AVA Syrah.

While Zweigelt may not be easily found outside of its native Austria, we suggest you find some from the 2018 vintage from Wilridge. This unusual red grape produced a truly fun wine that all the judges loved. It's big and juicy with toasty notes and a little sasparilla and licorice in the finish. Nice balance and structure.

A silky smooth, full bodied wine with a classic Syrah nose and toasty oak. Expect flavors of ripe blueberry and a touch of bacon.

This Syrah tasted like a well-made old world wine from the Northern Rhone Valley of France. A bit rustic with smoky notes and very ripe dark cherry.

A Blend (Red) wine with a few years of aging that is comprised of 50% Sangiovese, 37% Cabernet and 13% Merlot, this wine is medium-bodied and a solid representation of a classic Italian Super Tuscan blend. Bright notes of cherry on the palette with a bit of vanilla and cigar box in the nose.

Expect a spicy Merlot with a splash of Cabernet Franc to add a zestiness to this well made wine. Notes of black current, tar, and ripe dark plums. Good depth and nice elegant long finish.

While Petit Verdot is usually bracing in its' tannin and acid when bottled as a single varietal, this wine had a rwhat can be a challenging varietal when it stands alone. Meaty and earthy, with brown sugar and a subtle aroma of violets. Made from Boushey Vineyard fruit, the judges were impressed with the opulence from what's normally considered an abrubt wine. If you've never had Petit Verdot before, start with this one first.

Expect a very nicely balanced Syrah, with hints of vanilla, smoke, dark licorice and layers of bold black fruits. A classic expression of Washington Syrah, deep in color and flavor with a rich silky texture!

A gorgeous Malbec with great balance and rich texture, with deep dark fruits and a hint of smokey oak and touch of cocoa on the finish. The wine is much more structured than most Malbecs from Argentina, so this is a great wine to decant or cellar for a few more years. Only 200 cases were produced.

One of the best Sparklings from the Northwest we've ever tried! Rich, dark gold in color, with mineral, light floral and yeast aroma's and subtle white peach, baked pear, and hazelnut flavors. Made in the traditional Champagne method from Columbia Valley Pinot Noir with two years of aging on the lees. Small bubbles with a great finish - and the price is right!

No mistaking this for anything but Cabernet. A hearty Cabernet with very firm tannins, this wine would benefit from cellaring or decanting if drinking now. Grapes sourced from Destiny Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills, aged in French oak (50% new) for 20 months. Dark fruit and plum flavors with very dark chocolate and dried currant and amaro flavors, with a hint of vanilla and cola as well.

This Left Bank approach to a Bordeaux Blend leads with primarily Merlot, followed with a little Cabernet, Malbec, and Petit Verdot for layers of complexity. A somewhat medium-bodied blend with notes of sarsaparilla, raspberry, and black currant, it's a bit lighter on the palate and finishes with dry tannins like a true young Bordeaux. Decanting or aerating is suggested.

Deep dark fruit with currants, anise, and touch of smoke. This wine would benefit from decanting, aerating, or aging - or enjoy with food now.

This Bordeaux-style blend was aged in 100 percent New French oak, and was comprised of one hand-selected barrel each of Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon (DuBrul). Aromas of dried strawberry, with black cherry, cassis, vanilla, and hint of cocoa on the palate. Smooth, dark, and silky. Only 71 cases produced.

Big. Smooth. Sexy. This delicious Syrah is layered with dark and blue fruit flavors, with a nicely polished texture and finish. Also expect to experience spice box, dark chocolate, and a hint of Amaro as you sip this balanced Syrah with big but restrained fruit and subtle savory notes. Only 145 cases produced from the top tier Dubrul vineyards in Yakima Valley.

Big dark fruit, violets and spice in this gorgeous Reserve Malbec made from Boushey vineyard grapes. Aged in 75% Hungarian oak, the wine has good balance, nice silky texture.

Loved the creamy silky texture. Concentrated with layers of complexity and very balanced.

While the wine is technically a Bordeaux style wine with its' composition being 69% Cabernet, 20% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc, the wine is considerably more pretty than its French equivalents. Expect a wine that is soft, smooth, and silky, with no perceptible tannin. The wine reminds one of currant, black cherries, plum, dark chocolate, and vanilla. Sourced from leading vineyards such as Eritage and Pepper Bridge in Walla Walla, only 435 cases were produced. Initially fermented in stainless, the best lots of free run juice were eventually transferred to French oak barrels where it spent 17 months waiting patiently to be enjoyed.

This is the kind of wine that could bring people back to Merlot in a big way. A slightly more masculine style of Merlot, probably due in part to the Red Mountain fruit from the old vines planted at Kiona. This wine has rich, dark fruit that is more restrained and classier than some fruit forward versions that finish slightly sweet. Instead expect a darker, structured Merlot that is refined and when tasted blind its pedigree is obvious. Tobacco. Plum. Hint of Vanilla. Delicious. Cabernet and Bordeaux fans are likely to enjoy this wine as well.

A classic varietal from Portugal but rarely found anywhere else, this unusual varietal is powerful and anything but subtle. One judge mistakenly said it should be eaten with food, which given it's chewy and slightly abrupt tannins, isn't far from the truth. Yet the wine has gorgeous floral aromatics with a bit of fennel, and a dark fruit depth that is both enjoyable and intriguing.

Blends can be as interesting for their mix of grapes as well as the people behind them. While winemaker Toby Turlay is the maverick behind Ducleaux Cellars, her partner in crime is chief mischief-maker Chris Dukelo, and between them I can see why they named this Bordeaux style Blend "Love & Chaos." This wine is a complex and somewhat rustic blend of 40% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and equal parts Petit Verdot and Malbec sourced from Cave B and Les Collines Vineyards. Expect a spicey, savory style wine with dusty tannins and cassis on the finish.

This is the fourth vintage from Fielding Hills' Estate Riverbend Vineyard on the Wahluke slope. A robust, smooth, full-bodied Malbec with a kiss of both Syrah and Cabernet leads to notes of coconut, brown sugar, black cherry, cassis, and cigar box. Dark in color as well as flavors. Only 224 cases produced.

A very elegant version of Syrah, with a lighter style than most. Made from Siren Songs Estate vineyard in Chelan, and aged 18 months in French Oak barrels, the resulting wine is smooth, silky, and polished.

A gorgeous Syrah with a silky texture and soft, long finish. Hints of baked apple and savory notes of sage.

This wine leaves no doubt it's made from Syrah, it's rich, bold, and impactful. Expect flavors of blueberry, black cherry, smokehouse meats and toasted vanilla. A smooth wine with a creamy texture, made with primarily native yeasts and partially whole cluster fermentation. Sourced from Dineen, Lewis, and Red Willow Vineyards.

As this intriguing blend was tasted blind, the judges all noted that it tasted more mature than most of the wines in our day of tasting. Sure enough, it had already been 6 years since harvest, and the wine has moved into a whole new category. Expect flavors of dried fruits, sundried tomato, along with olive and abundant herbal notes including a bit of dill, along with a slightly earthy and spicy character. We would suggest enjoying this wine now and in the next year or two as the winery has already given it ample aging.

For a new winery in Walla Walla, this Chardonnay is right on the money. Sourced from Celilo Vineyard in the Gorge, the wine is surprisingly light in its feet. Clean, light, and zesty, it's more of a French Burgundian style than the classic American creamy and oaky versions. Flavors of pear, yellow apple, and kiwi are subtle, just like this elegant and classy Chardonnay. Only 4 barrels produced. Well done!

Very balanced and well made, this outstanding Cab was produced from the Summit View, Les Collines, and 7 Hills vineyards in Walla Walla AVA. Touch of vanilla, blackberry, pepper, and dark fruits with an elegant, long finish. Only 378 cases produced.

Sourced from Destiny Ridge Vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills, this delicious proprietary Blend (Red) is the solo red wine One Wines produces each year. While the wine has a gorgeous dark violet color, it is surprisingly light on the palate and very feminine in style. Expect dried cranberry, cherry, and Amaro notes with a savory, slightly herbal background.

The 2015 Cabernet is made from Fielding Hills Estate Riverbend Vineyard and aged 24 months in 80% new French and American oak.The result is a very balanced, creamy Cabernet with silky tannins and great balance. A very fresh, vibrant style of Cabernet with notes of black fruit and aromas of savory herbs with a touch of cinnamon.

Crafted by winemaker and owner Lisa Warr-King Packer, this is a beautiful rendition of a Right Bank Bordeaux style blend, with 60% Cabernet, 20% Malbec and 20% Merlot. Savory aromas of sage along with flavors of blackberries, black currants, cocoa and coffee. As all wines are tasted blind, it was immediately apparent this was an expensive wine as it was bolder, richer, and more elegant than most in the flight. Gorgeous!

This is a big beefy and bold cab yet soft on the palatte and elegant with layers of complexity. Expect more of an Old World style Cabernet with sage and savory elements yet fresh dark fruits give it a delicious ripe richness that all the judges loved. A balanced, polished and approachable Cabernet that could age well but also be enjoyed now. 9

A delicious Cabernet with both a silky texture and firm tannins, most likely the result of the Red Mountain fruit. This Reserve release is chosen from their best barrels of the 2016 vintage, with a seamless, balanced blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot from Redpath Vineyard on Red Mountain. The color is almost as dark as the abundant black plum and cherry flavors, and with a pretty nose of cocoa and vanilla. Most good reds are aged for 12-18 months, but this matured and developed slowly for 32 months in 29% New French Oak, 29% New American Oak and 42% Neutral French Oak. A well-made cellar worthy wine with polish and enough structure to age as well.

Expect this wine to grow on you, from a soft and smooth first impression that eventually builds to a more complex and intriguing wine with a lot going on below the surface. Primarily Grenache followed by Syrah and Mourvèdre, the wine has a silky texture and subtle but present tannins on the finish. Notes of black cherry, cocoa, blueberry, and dried orange. Sourced from the famous Boushey Vineyards by 100% Native fermentation, bottled unfined and unfiltered. A solid collaboration between great grapes and Peter and Kelsey Devison.

With their first wine from the famous 'Rocks District" in Walla Walla Valley, the "Beneath The Stones" Syrah is one velvety, sensuous wine that is rich but light on its' feet. Hand picked as is necessary for all wines the area, it's fermented with 50% whole clusters and wild yeasts in stainless, then tucked away for 18 months in a combination of concrete and neutral French oak puncheons on its lees. While there's ample blueberry and dark cherry flavors, there's also interesting savory notes such as olive tapenade, sage, as well as espresso, tobacco, and even bacon fat. Devison knocked it out of the park on their first release from The Rocks.

When one is raising 3 girls and suddenly 3 raucous boys are introduced, everything gets interesting - and fast! Named after their blended family, the winemakers also meant for the wine to be true to name, as the spirited interplay between Syrah and Mourvèdre is fun, memorable, and complex. Expect dark flavors of black currant, pepper along with flavors of tobacco and bramble, and firm tannins that can soften with decanting. It's rustic and polished at the same time somehow. Slightly raucous.

A rich, silky wine, this blend of mostly Cabernet with a touch of Syrah is elegant and apparent as an upper tier wine. The '17 Rediviva is flashy with good balance, low acid, and soft tannins. The judges liked the fresh cherry notes, dried strawberry, and black current, making for a complex layered gem. Sourced from the historic Washington vineyard Phinny Hill, sitting at the top of the sun-drenched Horse Heaven Hills, with rare cobble-filled soils, air drainage, generous heat and a view down on Champoux Vineyard and out towards the Columbia River. Both the source and the wine are beautiful and memorable.

With the trend towards lighter and non-oaked Chardonnay's, its fun occasionally to enjoy a classic old school American style Chardonnay. The Enlightenment is unmistakably Chardonnay from every angle. Aromatically there is plenty of butter, vanilla, toast, and Meyer lemon on the nose, combined with the creamy, soft, velvety texture and just enough integrated oak from extended barrel aging of 20 months. Sourced from 30-year-old Olsen Estate Vineyard vines. Unapologetic!

Nothing subtle about this full-throated Syrah. This wine has abundant aromatic oak, lots of lush dark fruits with pomegranate in the background, and bittersweet chocolate. Nice texture with fine dusty tannins leading to an elegant long finish. A collaboration with Fredric and Ana Stern and the traveling winemaker Charlie "Wine Boss" Hoppes, sourced from Red Heaven Vineyard, aged almost 2 years in both French and American oak. Only 96 cases produced.

A very new world version of Cabernet Franc with abundant toasty, smokey notes with juicy, ripe dark fruit and hint of cocoa and caramel in the finish. Balanced and elegant.

Classy wine with great balance. A creamy rich texture. Reminiscent of fresh blackberry pie!

Kontos Cellars wines are crafted between brothers Cameron and Chris Kontos, Walla Walla natives who tend to make big, ripe, powerhouse wines. Built a bit like a Left Bank Bordeaux with just a bit more Merlot than Cabernet and Malbec, this wine is lush and rich with big flavors of dark cherry, plum, cocoa, and a hint of vanilla. An elegant wine that has an impactful presence and long finish with refined tannins, this is wine worthy of its' price tag and cellar worthy for aging.

Some say Washington reds can be a little over the top in richness and fruit. So many scale it back a bit. But not Sparkman, and definitely not the Ruckus. This wine is certainly unapologetically big Syrah, deep, bold, in your face. Made in somewhat of the style of a geeky expensive Cote' Rotie from Northern Rhone, this wine is co-fermented Syrah and Viognier with a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from iconic Red Mountain Vineyards Ciel du Cheval and Kiona, and a little Boushey Vineyard thrown in too. This is full bodied Syrah, with a silky creaminess that has a nice toasty finish, primarily from being aged in 45% new French oak and the balance neutral. Black currant, blueberry, plum, a touch of violet - this Ruckus is 2 handfuls. Voluptuous.

A smokey, tangy Syrah with a bit of bacon and blueberry on the palette, with good depth and structure. Subtle notes of clove and cola with a long lasting finish. A bit on the expensive side for Washington Syrah, but with only 2 barrels produced this rich Walla Walla AVA Syrah will easily sell out and delivers for the money.

Brian is a master blender, with blends being his specialty. And as one of Washington's longest tenured winemakers, he has an interesting palette to choose from with a wide variety of varietals and vineyards from the best of the best. And then he sorts thru hundreds of barrels, selects some of his favorites and sets them aside, of which many become Solesce. Year in and year out, this wine is a balanced gem from an iconic, understated winemaker and great fruit sources. The 2015 is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec. Expect a pretty wine that drinks more like a traditional young Bordeaux at the moment with savory notes and bramble and a little subdued flavors of coffee, cherry, and tobacco.

A syrah to lay down to age for a few years as the wine has significant tannin. However if you can't wait, we suggest enjoying with food and/or decanting for a couple of hours first. A lovely rich texture with savory notes of sage, tobacco, spice and dark fruits. The Wine Panel expects a lot for wines in the $45+ category, and this wine delivers and earned 91 Points at $63.

Graciano is a black-skinned wine grape originating in northern Spain, grown primarily in Navarra and Rioja. Although rarely seen outside Spain, the variety is occasionally found in small quantities, and when winemakers can get their hands on some, they don't hesitate! This is beyond a fun experiment with hard-to-find grapes, it's a serious wine with finesse and depth. Expect subtle earthy flavors mingling with black currant, plum, and pomegranate with a soft, long finish. While the majority of this wine plays a key role in their Corrida blend, Brian, ever the blender, combined two barrels from each of the 2014, 2015 and 2016 vintages.

Unlike the more brambly, rustic versions of Sangiovese from Italy, this is an extremely polished, elegant wine with a pretty finish. The Italians would be looking for more tannin and acid, but American's will love this smooth and silky wine. Expect subtle notes of chocolate, vanilla, and a hint of currant. While Winemaker Brian Carter specializes in blends, each year he selects his favorite barrels from a single varietal special release called 1. It's no surprise the grapes for this delicious wine were sourced from the famed Boushey Vineyards

In literature, conflict is characterized by the tension between two opposing forces. Our guess in this case this would be the different characters of Merlot & Cabernet and how their unique differences once combined create balance. Sourced from Dionysus Vineyard, located next to Bacchus, both of which have a commanding view to the west overlooking the mighty Columbia River and the Rattlesnake Mountains, on southwestern gentle slopes. This journey starts with an epic location, delivering great fruit. Skip ahead to hand picking, hand sorting, fermentation in new French oak puncheons, then aged on lees reductively developing savory tones complimentary to the powerful fruit. After 20 months, this reserve bottling of approximately equal parts Merlot & Cabernet, with a kiss of Syrah, is savory, dusty, rich, and complex. Expect flavors of dark chocolate, dark berries, and black currant. Classy and sophisticated.

This single vineyard Cabernet Franc from Conner-Lee Vineyard in Washington is a big, bold wine that's not cheap but worth every penny! A full-bodied wine packed full of dark fruit like plum and black cherry with very subtle sarsaparilla and herbal notes. This wine has a soft, silky texture with polished tannins for an elegant finish.

When one of our toughest judges described this wine as a "toe curler" we knew we had a big winner, as very few wines score above 92 points. Subtle herbal and floral notes dance well with the abundant dark plum, black currant, and cocoa flavors. This powerful reserve old vine Cabernet is sourced from Conner-Lee Vineyard and among the very best wines produced by maverick John Bookwalter and his team, and is already a sensuous, polished wine with very refined tannins in the background. Nice work!

A delicious Cabernet blend with incredible finesse and polish. John Abbott, formerly of Abeja, did a masterful job combining the power of Cabernet from Bacchus, Sagemoor and Dionysus and finished with 8% Merlot from Weinbau Vineyards for a soft elegant finish. Dried rosemary and thyme, dark chocolate notes, caramel, dried cherries and cedar cigar box.

Tastes totally fake and simple.

A semi-dry version of Riesling, this wine has a nice balance between sweet and tart. Think honey and lime, with notes of pear and white peach. For a fruity wine it finishes clean with a racy acidity.

A light, mineral driven white comrpised of an unique blend of 65% Pinot Grigio, with 26% Chardonnay, 7% Traminer, and 2% Moscato. The wine has intriquing old world element to it, with juxtaposition of earth and mineral with floral notes, Bone dry and prefect for Oysters or Scallops!

This blend of primarily domestically grown Italian varietals along with some Syrah (53% Sangiovese, 15% Barbera, 10% Primitivo, 8% Nebbiolo & 14% Syrah) is a medium bodied red with good balance and a nice rich texture for not being a heavy wine. It's a pretty ruby in color, with bright raspberry and dried strawberry notes and a touch of vanilla. This is somewhat restrained wine for a fruit forward style, and would be a crowd pleaser for a large table sitting down to a family feast.

This Bordeaux style blend has a remarkably similar profile to a young French version of this classic blend. Almost equal parts of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and 10% Malbec delivers a slightly rustic, balanced wine with savory, slightly herbal notes amongst the expected dark cherry, black currant, and bramble notes. Just a hint of dry dusty tannins in the background makes the wine truly similar to many your Bordeaux wines. For a wine under $20, it is a well-made solid purchase that seems a little underpriced.

Aromas and flavors of brûléed lime, butter, apple soufflé, and marmalade with a satiny, vibrant, dryish light-to-medium body and a smooth finish. Honey, brown butter, vanilla, white peach and pears. This organic wine was sourced from Clements Hills AVA in California's Lodi region. The texture is surprisingly creamy for a wine that has not been thru malolactic fermentation or seen any time in oak barrels, with layers of flavors.

Zesty, clean, fresh and lively, this snappy little dry Rosé is refreshing and just the right balance of fruit and acidity. Expect notes of dried strawberry along with honey crisp apple and a touch of rhubarb with subtle with notes of rose petal. This Rosé is a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, & Riesling, all sourced from Willamette Valley.

Zesty and refreshing, this well-balanced rosé made from Oregon Pinot Noir was fermented from the free run juice of uncrushed whole grape clusters. This wine has subtle mineral notes with hints of rhubarb and dried strawberry. Very light in body and color and bone dry and slightly tart, this wine is clean and fresh!

Crisp and clean with delicious flavors of Meyer lemon and green apple, pear and lychee and a kiss of honey. This Pinot Gris was hand-harvested from their Estate hillside vineyards in the northern Willamete Valley, with some of the oldest Pinot Gris vines in Oregon dating back to 1985. The wine was whole-cluster pressed and fermented in stainless. Balanced and very zesty and refreshing.

A very polished, elegant Pinot Gris, with flavors of Meyer lemon, pear, banana, and yellow apple. The wine is reminiscent of an Alsatian version of this varietal, with a rich, smooth texture and resrained acid giving the wine incredible balance. A blend of 98% Pinot Gris and 2% Gewurztraminer, the grapes were gently pressed before being cold-fermented in stainless steel tanks. Aromas of white flowers and subtle hints of jasmine.

Albariño in the Willamette Valley is hard to find, as it usually calls home the Northwestern tip of Spain near the sea. This version from Oregon is the closest the judges have had in a long time to a wine from this varietal that tastes like it's from its true origin. The wine has a racy acidity that with notes of Meyer lemon, lime zest, and pear with a briny, mineral bone dry finish. Well done!

Made by a tiny boutique Oregon family run winery led by "Big" Ed Wagner with their own small Estate vineyards, this Chardonnay is crafted in a more traditional French Burgundy style. 50% of the juice was aged 3 months in neutral French Oak and then everything was blended and aged in stainless for another 6+ months. Expect flavors of Golden Delicious apples and baking spice with a bit of an earthy and nutty finish. The texture of this wine is a nice compromise between tangy, unoaked Chardonnay's and the heavy oak and bold Chards.

A delightful, approachable young Pinot Noir from Oregon's famed Willamette Valley. Expect notes of raspberry, cassis, and anise, with a touch of cola on the finish. This is a crowd pleasing Pinot that is surprisingly affordable and fun to drink with or without food. Zesty favors or raspberry and cherry with very minimal tannin. Enjoy now.

A nicely balanced blend of Pinot from a variety of Panther Creeks Willamette Valley vineyards. This wine is light on it's feet with soft tannins and a pleasant finish. Expect bright notes of cherry, raspberry, and vanilla, and very subtle oak due to only being aged 7 months in 23% new French oak barrels. Overall a rare value priced Pinot from Oregon that delivers for under $30!

While all true Champagnes are made from Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, or a combination of the two, it's very unusual to see a still wine bottled in the US as a combination of these two varietals. The wine is clear and clean, with a soft pear and yellow apple notes with a touch of honey on the dry finish. Not a wine for the traditional Chardonnay lover as it's been fermented and aged only in stainless steel tanks.

While the price tag for most Pinot Noir from Oregon is a little steep, this wine is a great compromise with moderate cost and exceptional quality. Expect a subtle floral violet aroma and savory herbal notes along with raspberry and cherry flavors and a dusty dry elegant finish.

Straight from the Emilia-Romagna in north-central Italy, this quintessential "aperitivo" wine is much drier than most Lambrusco's. The judges were shocked after scoring the wine 91 points that it was from a can! Expect flavors of red currant and pomegranate, with a bit of amaro in the dry finish. This sparking red is low in alcohol, perfect for a hot summer day, especially with a cheese and charcuterie platter.

An intriguing wine from Romania featuring the white grape variety Fetească Regală, a hybrid of Grasă and Fetească albă grapes. This aromatic wine has a slightly fuller texture than most light whites, with subtle floral aromas of orange blossoms and flavors of Asian pear, dried apricot, and a hint of honey. The wine is very zesty, crisp and dry, a perfect refreshing wine for a hot summer day.

A classic representation of well-made Italian Pinot Grigio, this fun wine is from Friuli in the Veneto and is unmistakeable as a Pinot Grigio - Expect aroma's of white flowers and notes of pear and mineral. Bone dry, simple, clean.

A clean and fresh Prosecco that is drier than most! Small bubbles and a refined finish make this a surprisingly elegant wine which over-delivers for the price. Produced from Glera and Chardonnay from Friuli in Northern Italy in stainless, it's lean and light with notes of pear and vanilla.

This delightful sparkling rosé is sourced from old vine Pinot Nero grapes from the foothills of Italy's Friulian Dolomites. While there are subtle notes of rhubarb and dried strawberry, the wine is bone dry and is an elegant wine for the money with small bubbles and a clean finish. Perfect with apps before dinner or for a toast for a fun occasion!

Tămâioasă, a popular white varietal in Romania, is incredibly fragrant, reminiscent of Muscat, with aromas of rose petals and white flowers, yet is surprisingly light and fresh and clean on the palate. The wine has a nice, slightly oily texture, leading to a long finish. One of Romania's most famous women winemakers, Aurelia Visinescu, produces this feminine styled memorable gem.

A classic light and zesty white that's not fruity or tart, but rather lean and clean. Expect a wine that's light on its' feet with subtle notes of mineral along with melon and pear. The grape is 100% Friulano imported from the Friuli region in the Northeast corner of Italy. A great refreshing wine for summer and perfect for delicate seafood dishes.

A tangy rosé made from Syrah and Cab. Expect a hint of rhubarb and dried strawberry notes from Domaine Sainte Croix roséphine, a small winery in the very South of France on the border between the Languedoc and the Roussillon, owned and run by the English husband and wife team of Jon and Elizabeth Bowe. Very light, crisp, and refreshing! Available from the Princess & The Bear.

This intriguing wine was produced for the boutique Tenuta Tascante project by central Sicily's Regaleali estate and Tasca d'Almerita family. A medium-bodied bone dry white, it's made from 100% Carricante grapes, indigenous to Sicily and grown in volcanic soils on the eastern slope of Mount Etna. The wine has an interesting salinity and minerality, almost like a cross between Chablis and Sancerre. Think wet river rocks, flint, straw, along with lemon zest and light stone fruits. If you like a good Semillon this would appeal. A perfect unusual white for wine geeks to dig into.

Comprised of 5 red varietals - Cabernet, Merlot, Fetească Neagră, Syrah and Pinot Noir, all vinified separately and oak aged for 9-12 months before blending. Grown in one of the most important wine regions in Romania, the sun drenched Dealu Mare not far from the Black Sea. Fetească Neagră is an old pre-phylloxeric variety of Romanian - Moldovan grape, deep red in color with a black currant flavor, and is blended with 4 classic French varietals to create a "Romanian Super Tuscan" of sorts, or a Super Romanian! Expect notes of both red and black fruits, and a violet, floral aroma and very soft but present tannins on the finish. The result is a medium+ bodied wine with an interesting, zesty, spicy character with firm tannins. Carefully crafted by English winemaker Stephen Donnelly, who started in Napa and has worked around the globe before starting as Budureasca's winemaker in 2007, his Noble Five is truly a fusion between New and Old World winemaking styles

It's hard to find 100% Viognier from France, but this delicious wine is a great example of what we'd like New World wineries to do with this grape. Not oaky, tart, or overly floral. 20% of the juice was aged in new oak for 9 months, then blended with 80% from stainless tanks. Notes of honey and white peach with juicy fresh acid. Well made! Available from the Princess & The Bear.