Averæn 2023 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir opens with dusty red cherry, whole-leaf tea, and hints of sandalwood and clove, grounded by a subtle mineral edge. On the palate, bright strawberry lifts into layers of vanilla, cracked pepper, and cherry, finishing with earthy spice and fine, balanced tannins that give structure without weight. Sourced from vineyards across the Willamette Valley and crafted with 25% whole-cluster fermentation and mostly neutral oak, it highlights nuance and restraint. Critics note its spice, texture, and vibrant acidity, making it a poised, quietly expressive Pinot that pairs beautifully with mushroom ragout or roast duck.
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Willamette Valley, OR | 2023
Sparkman | Kindred | Grenache
Produced with elegant Grenache from Boushey and Sagemoor Vineyards, 2023 Kindred Grenache leads with hints of roses, raspberry coulis, and herbs on the nose, opening to earthy red fruited flavors, finishing with flowers, flowers, flowers. Dynamic tension and superb balance make this a remarkably versatile food pairing bestie.
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Columbia Valley, WA | 2023
Pondera | Cab Franc
This Cabernet Franc is such a delightful and captivating wine, delicate but in no way dull. The nose is filled with candied black cherry, ripe blueberry and pretty scents of soft violet and subdued woody spicy notes. The color is a clear sparkling ruby red with a soft hued magenta rim and legs that hypnotically flow down the glass.
The front palette is ripe black cherry, black currant and vanillin followed by wild blackberry, Marion berry and red raspberry, finishing with plum, dark chocolate and soft spices. All the flavors are so expertly integrated and balanced, in every aspect a textbook perfect wine, which is probably the reason it was awarded a Double Gold from SIP Magazine’s Best of the Northwest Competition.
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Woodinville, WA | 2021
Love That Red | Daily Double | Cabernet Franc/Merlot
Sports a deep purple color as well ample smoky red and black fruits, toasted spice, cedary oak and dried herbs. It’s medium to full-bodied and has a fresh, juicy style. Drink this ripe, pleasure-bent, enjoyable effort over the coming 4-5 years
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Columbia Valley, WA | 2017
StoneCap | Merlot
This wine offers aromas of tire rubber and blue fruit. It drinks off dry, with tangy coffee and plum flavors, trailing toward the finish.
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Columbia Valley, WA | 2023
J. Bookwalter | Readers | Merlot
Juicy red fruit, ripe dark plums and blackberries, hints of culinary herbs, sweet oak tones, nice bright acid uplift mid palate. Beautifully soft and well-balanced. Blend: 85% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 5% Syrah
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Columbia Valley, WA | 2022
Alleromb | Cuvée B | Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon makes up 54% of this wine, with the rest Merlot (38%) and Malbec. The aromas bring subdued notes of plum, mesquite smoke and herb. Quite smoky flavors follow, bringing grittiness on the palate and lingering on the finish
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Columbia Valley, WA | 2018
Mark Ryan Winery | Board Track Racer | Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
An enticing bouquet of red cherry, milk chocolate, and oak spice permeate the glass. The wine’s bright acidity, structured tannins and full body are complimented by rich flavors of cherry cola, plum, and baking spices. Easy drinking and delicious.
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Columbia Valley, WA | 2023
Guardian Cellars | Chalk Line | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Syrah and 5 % Merlot, the Chalk Line spent 18 months in French oak, 30% new. It is a burly wine that flexes first with aromas of black cherry compote, vanilla and wet rocks. Grippy tannins that rough up the sides of the mouth back the wine’s pancake-like blueberry fruit leather and maple flavors.
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Columbia Valley, WA | 2022
Madrona Bay | Syrah
On the nose, Intense blackberry, sandalwood, plum, and violets. On the palate, salted black plum, olives, fresh basil, smoked meat and dried oregano. Bright acidity carries this beauty into a long finish.
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Walla Walla Valley, WA | 2021
Bonair Estate | Malbec
Produced from just one acre of Malbec that only yields three tons of fruit which translates into fewer than 100 cases, this is without a doubt one of the very best Malbec’s in the state. It is barrel aged 22 months in 225 liter French oak casks. No corner cutting here. This is a big, rich wine that’s also silky and elegant.
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Chateau Puryear Vineyard | Yakima Valley, WA | 2022