Seven Hills Red, Walla Walla Valley
A Bordeaux-style blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and aged for two years in mostly older oak barriques. Cedar and wildflowers frame a classy move into old-world finesse. Flavors of Asian five-spice and sun-dried cherries flesh out this beautiful bottling. Wine Rating: 93 Points
Beast “Wildebeest” Red, Columbia Valley
A Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon blend made by Buty Winery (Buty and the Beast, see what they did there?). To push the in-joke further, they release the BEAST on Halloween. Despite the PR stunt, this is an excellent wine made by a small family-owned winery. Black and blue fruit flavors give way to garrigue and cracked black pepper. Fleshed out and fun, aided with well-heeled tannins and a smokey finish. Wine Rating: 90 Points
Brian Carter Cellars “Oriana” White, Yakima Valley
A Rhone blend of Viognier and Roussanne with a splash of Riesling (10%). The note of jasmine in this wine is unmistakable. There’s at least one scientific paper that claims Jasmine is better than valium for decreasing anxiety. Not sure we believe that, but it would explain why 80% of all perfumes are based in Jasmine.
That’s a long way to go about saying we really love the nose on this wine. Complemented with peach pit, lychee, and marmalade. There is a waxy richness here, lifted with electric acidity. Wine Rating: 90 Points
Owen Roe Red, Union Gap Vineyard, Yakima Valley
This is a Cabernet Franc dominated (45%) red wine with Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec filling in the gaps from their estate vineyard. This Owen Roe bottling luxury-level bottling shows the potential of Cabernet Franc in Washington. Supple and edged with burnt sage, hibiscus, and chocolate. Fresh strawberries and figs are here as offerings to Bacchus and various other booze gods. Cola and hawthorne on the finish. Wine Rating: 94 Points
Owen Roe Red, Red Willow Vineyard, Yakima Valley
One of the top vineyards In Washington, Red Willow, is located inside the Yakama Indian Reservation. This wine is nearly equal parts of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The flavors here are complex and deep. They will likely evolve over the next 5 years.
Aromas of honeysuckle, ripe bing cherries, gravel, and seaside pebbles. Flavors of dark fruit, licorice, and Belgian dark chocolate. This is a richly textured wine, full-bodied and sporting a gloss of new oak. Like the other Owen Roe featured here, this bottling is usually priced at over twice the current price in PA. This is a steal. Wine Rating: 95 Points