The best wine is one you love to drink and share! Although Washington wine country has been producing premium wines for only a scant 50 years, each year these winemakers deliver an ever more impressive portfolio of world-class wines. With the holidays just around the corner, which wine will you be serving?
Abeja, pronounced “ah-BAY-ha”
abeja.net/winery
Chardonnay, Walla Walla Valley, 2014
Elegance and richness balance with a pleasing acidity. Aromas of ripe stone fruits and crème brûlée tantalize the taste buds with nicely flowing flavors, lending a long and crisp finish.
DeLille Cellars
delillecellars.com
Cabernet Sauvignon, Shaw Red Mountain Vineyard, 2014
Spicy notes of blackberry, plum, incense and black cherry tease the palate. After an hour in the decanter, rich flavors and firm tannins broaden and deepen magnificently.
Otis Kenyon Wine
otiskenyonwine.com
Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, 2013
Earthy white pepper battles with rhubarb and ancho chili to come out on top, only to hit your taste buds with candied ginger and cranberry sauce.
Cadence Winery
cadencewinery.com
Camerata Red Mountain Cara Mia Vineyard, 2011
A cabernet-dominant blend yields dark, deep black licorice aromas. Rich, vibrant cherries and blackberry flavors are framed by perfectly integrated tannins and a long, savory finish. This wine will unfold gracefully for years to come.
Betz Family Winery
betzfamilywinery.com
La Côte Rousse, Red Mountain Syrah, 2015
Combining grapes from four unique vineyards, this wine features delicate notes of lavender and iron with fruits leaning toward blackberry and raspberry, boysenberry and pomegranate. Tannin and acid are abundant, balanced with a smoky meatiness.
Matthews Winery
matthewswinery.com
Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, 2016
Pleasantly exuberant, this sauv-blanc delivers big, ripe flavors heavy on tropical fruits—pineapple, guava, mango, grapefruit—layered with spicy, green aromatics and an abundance of food-loving acidity.
Two Vintners
twovintners.com
Syrah, Some Days Are Stones, 2013
Elegant and expressive, its layers of plum, rose petal, orange peel and bacon flavors meld harmoniously and extend into a long, polished finish.
Lauren Ashton Cellars
laurenashtoncellars.com
Cuvée Arlette, Columbia Valley, 2011
A luxurious Bordeaux-style blend, its depth and complexity echo aromatics of raspberry, black currants, cocoa and caramel with hints of spiciness and minerality. The tannin structure is focused and elegant.
Gamache Vineyard
gamachevintners.com
Malbec, Columbia Valley, 2012
Up front, aromas of ripe plum, barrel spice and herb are followed by sweet black fruit flavors. Medium acidity balances the density of the wine. A long finish persists with plum and clove.
Chateau Ste. Michelle
ste-michelle.com
Riesling, Columbia Valley, 2014
Dry, crisp apple aromas and beautiful fruit flavors with subtle mineral notes lead to a crisp acidity and an elegant finish.
KELLY LENIHAN