Washington Wine

Winemaker Description 

The 2021 Columbia Valley Chardonnay is crafted in a fresh, soft style with bright apple and sweet citrus fruit character with subtle spice and oak nuances. We blend Chardonnay grapes from vineyards throughout Washington’s Columbia Valley to create this complex yet approachable, food-friendly style. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

This bold style Cabernet Sauvignon displays great complexity and structure. Slight pepper, round body, dried cherry, silky vanilla, concentrated with a long velvet finish.

Pair with - Blue Cheese, Dark Chocolate and Grilled or Roasted Duck, Beef or Veal. 

Expert Ratings

90 Points Vinous | The 2020 Merlot Grand Estates is darkly floral and earthy with hints of animal musk and crushed blackberries. This washes across the palate with juicy acids that enliven its tart wild berry fruits. It leaves a mark of minerality along with a chewy blueberry skin concentration and hints of mocha. This is an excellent entry to the "value category" of Washington State Merlot.

90 Points James Suckling | Blackberries, tobacco, mint chocolate and dark cherries here, with a kiss of vanilla. Medium- to full-bodied with soft, ripe tannins and a creamy finish. Drink now.

Winemaker Description

This Merlot has round juicy flavors of dark plum and herb, finishes bold and structured with notes of vanilla and raspberry.

Pair this wine with blue cheese, duck, beef, veal and dark chocolate

Winemaker Description

The Indian Wells Cabernet is our warm climate ripe, jammy ‘New World’ style of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine offers dark fruit aromas and flavors. Syrah contributes richness and concentration to the wine.

Winemaker Notes

Aromas of black fruit. Opens with notes of black cherry and boysenberry. The mid palate is layered with notes of black tea, herb and spice. Balanced and concentrated wine with a smooth and lasting finish. 

Critic Notes

91 Points James Suckling | A fruit-forward, berry-soaked character with dried flowers, cedar and spices. Medium- to full-bodied, bright and succulent with supple tannins. Firm and velvety finish. (2020). 

93 Points James Suckling | Aromas of apricots and lemon pith, together with floral fragrance of lily-of-the-valley, elderflower and crushed stones. Some raw almond, too. So steady and focused on the palate with crisp, pointy acidity and fresh citrusy character. Bright and mineral with some flinty hints at the end.

92 Points Wine Enthusiast | This is a true Washington wine classic that is also a spectacular value. Gravenstein apple and lemon verbena aromas swirl about your head as notes of river stones and white pepper try to sneak up on you. There’s some body here, with a rich texture and flavors like grilled lemons, Bosc pears and a lemon granita.

Decanter 91 Points | Elderflower, wet slate, and lemon zest announce this old vine Chenin Blanc crafted from vineyards planted in the 1970s, the oldest in Washington state for Chenin. The palate is refreshing and crisp. Lean citrus flavours of lime, lemon and grapefruit are backed by stony mineral components and a kiss of white pepper to finish. 

Winemaker Description 

With distinctive aromatics of white floral, Meyer lemon, green apple, and wet stone, this dry Chenin is vivid and lively. In the mouth, flavors burst forward with Anjou pear, magnolia, lime, and citrus custard, offset by a remarkable note of salinity. The wine is snappy and interesting, carrying through to a flavorful and vibrant mouth-watering finish. 

Winemaker Description

Savory notes of fennel and sage are backed by deep aromas of mountain blackberry, black raspberry, and cassis. Woven into this complex profile are notes of wet limestone and gravel. On the palate: black raspberry and black currant, balanced by sage and anise notes. The dark fruit finish is complemented by balanced tannins, minerals and a touch of cedar. 

Winemaker Description

Specially selected and carefully aged, this premier Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Vineyard Merlot captures the intense energy of arid vineyards resulting in velvety blackberry and vanilla flavors.

Winemaker Description

A Columbia Valley Cabernet crafted to highlight concentrated Washington red fruit in an accessible style. This is an inviting Cab with plenty of complexity and structure with silky tannins.

It’s also very versatile with food. Enjoy it with beef tenderloin or pasta.

Expert Rating

90 Points Wine & Spirits - Best Buy | Straight-ahead red, this wine is dark and lean, offering scents of caramel, cedar, plum and mint. It’s a steal for the price, with firm, slightly bitter tannins to put up against a smash burger. (2020). 

Critic Notes

Michael Alberty writes:  Every year I marvel at how such a marvelous Riesling can be $20. The Poet's Leap opens with an aromatic ode to lychee fruit, honeysuckle, almond butter and a wisp of petrol. Lemony acidity curls itself around flavors like green honeydew melon, rose water and the sweetness of a slice of peach pie. The 2023 is as good as any in recent memory. Mercy.  - Wine Enthusiast 93

Winery Notes

The 2022 Poet’s Leap Riesling is a fresh and vibrant wine with fragrant jasmine and citrus peel aromatics combined with flavors of white peach, kumquat and ripe stone fruits. The wine’s racy natural acidity, and a pleasant streak of minerality, provide a balanced mouthfeel and long, clean finish. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Exhibiting complex layers of raspberry, plum, and black cherry, accented by crushed roses, pencil shavings, and smoky cedar nuances, this full-bodied, vigorous Merlot bursts with flavors of macerated berries, coffee, and kirsch. Charming and ripe, it firms up to finish with a satisfying longevity.

Winemaker Description

This single-vineyard Bordeaux blend presents intense aromas of both black and red currants, classic peonies, and earth with subtle hints of graphite and mint. Flavors of mocha, nutmeg, and thyme are featured prominently on the elegantly structured frame. The palate is adorned with baking spices, wild berries, and fine-grained tannins that carry through to a robust and perfectly balanced finish. 

Expert Reviews

94 Points James Suckling | Blackberry, black pepper, mulberry and leather on the nose. Full-bodied with fine tannins. On the palate, it’s fresher and more red-fruited than the nose let on. Balanced acidity and good depth. A little toasted and well spiced. This will age nicely. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 10% malbec and 5% cabernet franc. Sustainable. Best after 2024. (2019).

93 Points Vinous | Dusty and floral in the glass, the 2019 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard shows masses of black berry fruits, earth, sawdust and tobacco. This is cool-toned and silky in feel, yet quickly gains in tension, as tactile wild berry and minerals saturate the palate. The 2019 finishes structured yet with a mentholated freshness to balance, as hints of mocha and exotic spice slowly fade. This is a vintage for the cellar. The Apogee is a compelling blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Franc that’s refined for 22 months in 40% French oak. Rating: 93+

92 Points Wine Spectator | Broad-shouldered yet refined, with currant, stony mineral and licorice flavors that take on structure and tension toward medium-grained tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2030. 1,030 cases made. (2019). 

Winemaker Description

This full-bodied Syrah shows robust and pronounced aromas of blackberry, black currant, violets, black peppercorn, Herbes de Provence, and licorice. Spiced dark fruit flavors reveal themselves on the palate finishing with a mouth-filling, savory richness.

Expert Reviews 

92 Points James Suckling | Attractive nose of grilled herbs, blackberries, olives, chicory root and peppercorns. Savory and gently chewy with medium to full body, grainy tannins and an inky finish. (2020).

91 Points Jeb Dunnuck | Coming from a mix of sites, the 2020 Syrah Columbia Valley is an up-front, fruit-loaded, charming Syrah revealing tons of darker berry fruits, some peppery, meaty notes, medium to full body, plenty of creamy background oak, and a great finish. It's a good value and will put a smile on your face any time over the coming 5-7 years.

90 Points Robert Parker | Displaying herbal notes of sage and a soft, meaty essence, the 2020 Columbia Valley Syrah presents a nose filled with notes of spiced plum and dusty cherries. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers a fresh, spicy sensation with a kiss of oak over the peppery finish. 

90 Points Decanter | A blend of Syrah from four different Washington vineyards throughout the larger Columbia Valley AVA. Aromatics of rich dark fruits mingle with notes of pepper and clove. The palate is intensely ripe, with kirsch, black cherry and black plums. There are notes of white and black pepper spice and savoury anise notes to finish. (2020) 

90 Points Vinous | The 2020 Syrah opens with a delicate blend of fresh sage and plum sauce forming its bouquet. This is softly textured and lifted in feel, with crisp red and black fruits complemented by sweet spice. It finishes youthfully grippy yet lively, leaving hints of citrus and a bitter balsamic twang. The 2020 is beautifully balanced and eager to please.

Winemaker Description

Chateau Ste. Michelle crafts this wine to be their complex yet approachable Merlot. The wine offers aromas of black cherry, leather and spice with layers of rich dark red fruit flavors and a long, smooth, sweet finish. A touch of Syrah adds a jammy fruit character. 

Winemaker Description

A Bordeaux-style blend, this wine offers aromas of black cherry, plum, and cedar. The palate is full-bodied, with layers of dark fruit, tobacco, and dark chocolate. Supple tannins and well-integrated oak contribute to a long, smooth finish. Pair it with grilled steak, lamb chops, or hearty stews for a memorable dining experience. 

Winemaker Description

The Lenore Syrah is aromatic with rich, sweet berry notes of blueberry, boysenberry, red currant and plum. The mouthwatering acidity is nicely balanced with firm tannins and layers of bright bramble fruit. As this wine coats the palate, underlying hints of vanilla bean, peppercorn and sweet tobacco shine through. A robust finish includes chocolate and raspberry.

Enjoy the Lenore Syrah with barbecued ribs, a hearty lamb stew or your favorite burger. 

Winemaker Description

This Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon offers notes of blackberry, cassis, anise, fig, cardamom, fresh leather, graphite, dried herbs, and dusty cocoa. It is lush, rich, and round on the palate. A tense, dry wine with long finish.

Expert Review

93 Points James Suckling | Dense and dark, with aromas of cedar, cinnamon and black plums, then tight on the palate as bitter chocolate and black cherries are coated in firm, sandy tannins. Char and graphite accents build and linger on the finish. (2021). 

Winemaker Description

From an outstanding vintage marked by a long, slow ripening season, the 2018 Baby Bear Syrah is a handsome, intensely colored wine loaded with wild blackberry, fresh blueberry, and dark, spicy aromas and flavors. A streak of olive tapenade, smoked charcuterie, and freshly cracked black pepper add interest across a textured palate laced with silky tannins and vibrant acidity. The finish is long and refined. 

Expert Reviews

Wine Spectator 94 Points | Impeccably balanced and refined yet plump with personality, this red offers multilayered blueberry and huckleberry flavors accented by black olive and smoky cracked pepper. Finishes with rich, polished tannins.

James Suckling 93 points | A tad reductive on the nose, so be sure to let this breathe. Hot stones, wild herbs, ripe plums, blackberries and vanilla on the nose. Full-bodied with fine tannins. Vibrant and complex. Atop the core of ripe dark fruit there is ground baking spice, oregano and white pepper. Very steady. Drink or hold.