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BUYINGGUIDE
88
Ott & Murphy 2014 Boushey Vineyard Counoise
(Washington). Aromas of blue fruit,
smoke and herb are followed by plump rounded
plum flavors. It delivers a lot of enjoyment. —S.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $29
88
Tildio 2013 Estate Grown Tempranillo (Lake
Chelan). Examples of this variety from this
young growing region are quite rare. This one provides
aromas of pencil lead, herb, vanilla and prune
that are followed by a flavorful palate with the blackfruit
flavors seeming slightly dried out. —S.S.
abv: 14.4% Price: $38
87
Liberty Lake 2012 Tempranillo (Red Mountain).
This variety is an extreme rarity in this
appellation. This one offers aromas of wet penny,
spice and red fruit. The palate is medium bodied,
with the tannins bringing some grit. —S.S.
abv: 13.9% Price: $28
88
IDAHO
RIESLING
Ste. Chapelle 2015 Special Harvest Riesling
(Snake River Valley). For full review see
page 22. Best Buy.
abv: 12.5% Price: $10
86
Cinder 2015 Off-dry Riesling (Snake River
Valley). Vibrant but slightly reduced aromas
of canned pear, jasmine, flowers and peach are
followed by off-dry-leaning sweeter fruit flavors. It
brings appeal but needs more acid to stand it up.
—S.S.
abv: 12.2% Price: $18
86
Sawtooth 2015 Estate Grown Riesling
(Snake River Valley). Bright aromas of honeysuckle,
honey and ripe peach lead to mediumsweet
fruit flavors. The concentration isn’t all there
but there’s still much to enjoy. —S.S.
abv: 12.3% Price: $13
86
Snake River 2013 Arena Valley Vineyard Riesling
(Snake River Valley). Aromas of honeyed
peach and lime leaf are followed by off-dry flavors. It
needs more acid to stand it up. Best Buy. —S.S.
abv: 12.1% Price: $10
85
Bitner 2013 Reserve Riesling (Snake River
Valley). Aromas of lees and ripe red apple
lead to medium-sweet apple flavors. It goes down
easy. —S.S.
abv: 12.6%
Price: $NA
88
CHARDONNAY
3 Horse Ranch Vineyards 2014 Single Vineyard
Chardonnay (Snake River Valley). Toast,
lime and nut butter aromas lead to full-bodied but
well-balanced kiwi and pineapple flavors that carry
on the finish. The concentration wavers at times but
there’s plenty to hold interest. —S.S.
abv: 13.4% Price: $18
87
Sawtooth 2014 Estate Grown Chardonnay
(Snake River Valley). The aromas are generous,
with notes of red apple, melon, pear and spice.
The palate is lightly creamy in feel, very varietal,
with a kiss of oak providing accents. Best Buy. —S.S.
abv: 13.9% Price: $12
87
Sawtooth 2013 Estate Grown Chardonnay
(Snake River Valley). Aromas of butter, pear
and pineapple are followed by a somewhat lightweight
but still flavorful palate. Tropical flavors linger
on the finish. The concentration doesn’t all seem
there but what is provides plenty of interest. —S.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $13
87
WHITE BLENDS
Laissez Faire 2015 Sauvignon Blanc-Chenin
Blanc (Snake River Valley). Light aromas of
herb, toasted grapenuts, peach and orange peel lead
to off-dry stone-fruit flavors. It shows a touch of
reduction but otherwise goes down easy. —S.S.
abv: 13.2% Price: $16
87
Huston 2014 Chicken Dinner White Wine
(Snake River Valley). A blend of Riesling,
Muscat and Viognier, this wine offers aromas of white
flowers, orange peel and citrus. It drinks off dry, with
abundant mandarin flavors that linger. —S.S.
abv: 13.1% Price: $16
85
3 Horse Ranch Vineyards 2014 Vivacious
Viognier 76%/Roussanne 24% (Snake River
Valley). The floral aromas seem somewhat wilted,
with peach notes lurking in the background. It’s full
in feel, drinking dry. —S.S.
abv: 13.4% Price: $18
87
OTHER WHITE WINES
Sawtooth 2015 Pinot Gris (Snake River Valley).
The pear, apple and apple skin aromas are
light. The palate brings just off-dry pear flavors with
a full feel. —S.S.
abv: 13% Price: $13
84
Hat Ranch 2014 Estate Grown Dry Moscato
(Snake River Valley). The aromas of lychee,
lime, herb and white flowers are pungent. The palate
brings a light spritz, with the concentration
seeming wanting. —S.S.
abv: 12.8% Price: $27
89
SYRAH
Cinder 2014 Syrah (Snake River Valley). The
aromas are generous, with notes of blueberries
and cream along with an herbal grace note. The
flavors show a fine sense of purity along with an
appealing texture. The oak shows a bit prominently
at times. —S.S.
abv: 14.1% Price: $29
89
Telaya 2014 Syrah (Snake River Valley). This
wine provides plenty of aromatic intrigue,
with notes of wet stone, black pepper and umami.
The savory and citrus flavors are quite restrained,
showing a lot of elegance. —S.S.
abv: 14% Price: $30
88
3 Horse Ranch Vineyards 2014 Single Vineyard
Syrah (Eagle Foothills). One of the first
bottles to bear the name of this new growing region,
the aromas are light with notes of baking spice,
cherry, vanilla and Red Vines. The fruit flavors are
sweet and supple, backed by lightly grainy tannins.
—S.S.
abv: 14.6% Price: $30
89
RED BLENDS
Cinder NV Cabernet Sauvignon 67% Merlot
19% Malbec 14% (Snake River Valley). The
aromas are fruit forward and pleasing, with notes
of plum, spice, tangerine peel, dark fruit and green
herbs. The palate brings a sense of elegance and
subtlety, showing a deft touch. —S.S.
abv: 13.9% Price: $29
89
Telaya 2014 Turas (Snake River Valley). This
wine opens with notes of cedar, toast, black
olive and smoke, with the Syrah showing prominently.
The palate is quite restrained in style, with
tart acids framing the fruit and savory flavors nicely.
Floral and orange peel flavors round out the finish.
—S.S.
abv: 13.9% Price: $32
88
3 Horse Ranch Vineyards 2013 Syrah 80%
Mourvèdre 20% (Snake River Valley).
Unusual aromas of freshly rubbed herb, peppery
spice, plum and pencil eraser lead to a supple fullfeeling
palate with a coffee-filled finish that lingers.
It has nuances that hold the attention. —S.S.
abv: 14.2% Price: $23
88
Sawtooth 2013 Estate Grown Skyline (Snake
River Valley). Dried black and red-currant,
green herb and vanilla aromas are followed by
plummy fruit flavors that provide appeal. Best Buy.
—S.S.
abv: 13.8% Price: $12
88
Williamson Vineyard 2012 Harvest Moon Red
(Snake River Valley). This wine is a blend of
40% each Mourvèdre and Syrah along with 15%
Petite Sirah and 5% Viognier. Aromas of orange
zest, flowers, raw meat and peppery spices lead to
a soft palate, full of citrus flavors that seem a bit
out of balance but that still provide intrigue. —S.S.
abv: 14.1% Price: $20
52 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | MARCH 2017