With the holidays approaching, it’s not too early to think about what wines you will serve your holiday guests.
- Hamilton Cellars
hamiltoncellars.com
Champoux Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, 2012
Aged in 50% new French oak barrels, this wine has a distinct peppery spice nose with flavors of rich, dark fruit. The oak con-tributes subtle vanilla notes and a great mouth feel. - Chateau Ste. Michelle
ste-michelle.com
Cold Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, 2012
This wine offers black cherry flavors and chocolate notes with typical Cold Creek density and user-friendly power. 2012 marked a return to the “classic” Washington vintage for this Cabernet. - Figgins Estate
figginsfamily.com
Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, 2010
This Bordeaux-style blend hails from a single vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. This is one for the cellar. Give it at least two years or decant. - Cayuse Vineyards
cayusevineyards.com
God Only Knows, Grenache Armada Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley, 2009
An aromatically arresting wine with umami and prominent floral notes, alongside peat, olive brine and sea salt. It’s soft and seductive, offering abundant savory flavors and a long, lingering finish. - Soos Creek
sooscreekwine.com
Artist Series No. 10 Red Blend, Columbia Valley, 2010
A blend of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and merlot coming from some of Washington’s top vineyard sites, this wine shows cabernet franc’s intoxicating floral side and is packed to the brim with herbs and dark fruit. - Saviah Cellars
saviahcellars.com
The Stones Speak Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, 2012
Fleshy blackberry fruit flavors combine seamlessly with delicious briny, smoked meat, black pepper, herbs and liquid rock. - Force Majeure
forcemajeurevineyards.com
Collaboration Series VI, Red Wine, Ciel du Cheval Vine-yard, Red Mountain, 2010
Force Majeure—a French term for an act of God or a “superior force”—pairs some of the state’s top wine-makers with fruit from Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, a viti-cultural crown jewel. - Cayuse Vineyards
cayusevineyards.com
Syrah Cailloux, Walla Walla Valley, 2010
Another classic from Cayuse Vineyards, whose distinctive terroir always shows off syrah’s savory side with rich, earth-laden aromas and flavors now universally referred to as the “Cayuse funk.” It’s sublime with floral notes, olive, earth and umami. - Ancestry Cellars
ancestrycellars.com
Reminiscence Riesling, Columbia Gorge, 2013
This Woodinville winery uses Columbia Gorge grapes for this gorgeous Riesling. Aromas and flavors of Mandarin orange and sweet lime are backed by mineral notes and abundant acidity
LEAH GROUT