Below are my Wine Enthusiast reviews for February 2018. Wines are listed alphabetically by winery. Read additional information on how I review wines here. All of these reviews are freely available on-line at the Wine Enthusiast Buying Guide. There is also a freely available Wine Enthusiast Tasting Guide app. See previous Wine Enthusiast reviews re-published in this space here. Search Wine Enthusiast‘s on-line database here. Read instructions on how to find Washington wine reviews at Wine Enthusiast here.

90 reviews in the February issue. Enjoy!

14 Hands 2016 The Reserve Late Harvest Viognier Horse Heaven Hills $22 88 points
This wine’s aroma brings light notes of honey, brown sugar and herb. The flavors are sweet and elegant. It’s a light, pleasing affair

14 Hands 2016 The Reserve Rosé of Malbec Horse Heaven Hills $24 85 points
Light orange in color, this wine brings sweet cherry and herb aromas. It drinks dry, with broad, fat-feeling but lightly concentrated fruit flavors

14 Hands 2016 The Reserve Pinot Gris Horse Heaven Hills $22 87 points
This wine’s cantaloupe, apple, grapenut and pear aromas pop. The palate is upfront, dropping off considerably on the back end. Yet, it still provides enjoyment

14 Hands 2016 The Reserve Dry Gewürztraminer Horse Heaven Hills $22 89 points
There’s no mistaking the variety in this wine, with its lychee and white flower aromas. The palate is dry and broad in feel, with bitter notes on the finish

14 Hands 2016 Reserve Chenin Blanc Horse Heaven Hills $22 88 points
This wine’s aromas are bright and focused, with honeycrisp apple, passion fruit and pear notes. The apple and stone fruit flavors are off dry, showing no obvious oak influence

14 Hands 2016 The Reserve Unoaked Chardonnay Horse Heaven Hills $22 88 points
Apple, cream and straw aromas are followed by straightforward stone fruit flavors in this wine. It’s a quite enjoyable example of this variety and style

14 Hands 2015 Merlot Columbia Valley $12 86 points
Wood, sweet spice and plum aromas are out front in this wine. The palate is broad, with abundant plum flavors and astringent tannins. Baking spice notes linger on the finish. It’s not obviously Merlot, but there’s enjoyment to be had

14 Hands 2015 The Reserve Chardonnay Horse Heaven Hills $22 87 points
Out of the gate, this wine’s oak is far out front, with vanilla and baking spice notes that obscure the fruit. The palate shows more of the same, though it settles down a bit with significant time open. It’s a style, albeit over the top

Airfield Estates 2014 Mustang Yakima Valley $25 88 points
This wine is a blend of Syrah (65%), Grenache (20%) and Mourvèdre. While the aromas are locked up on first pour, it shows light raspberry, herb and spice notes as it opens. The flavors are soft and supple, with a pleasing mouthfeel.

Airfield Estates 2015 Dauntless Yakima Valley $18 87 points
Merlot makes up over two-thirds of this blend, with the balance in Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Baking spice, vanilla and plum aromas are at the fore. The tannins seem bunched up, however, and it lacks the generous fruit associated with the warm vintage

Amavi 2016 Sémillon Walla Walla Valley $24 88 points
This wine includes 15% Sauvignon Blanc and hails from Les Collines, Goff and Seven Hills vineyards. Aged in neutral French oak, it shows gooseberry, anise, straw, fig and lees aromas, which lead to broad, creamy-feeling fruit flavors. Give it some time to open up

Andrew Rich 2014 Red Willow Vineyard Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley $40 89 points
From one of the state’s premier vineyards, this shows high-toned dried herb, plum and spice aromas followed by palate-coating fruit flavors. It has a lovely feel and balance that carries through the finish

Animale 2014 Cabernet Franc Yakima Valley $25 88 points
This wine’s aromas are light but intriguing, with peat, cigar box, herb, flower and game notes. Its cherry and raspberry flavors are fresh and transparent, showing little apparent new oak influence. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best

Animale 2014 Reserve Petite Sirah Yakima Valley $28 88 points
This wine’s black pepper, Band Aid, flower and herb aromas are followed by full-bodied but soft and pure fruit flavors. There are good things going on here, but they don’t quite come together

Armstrong Family 2014 The Scotsman Syrah Horse Heaven Hills $36 84 points
This wine’s wood spice, Mounds bar and coconut aromas also include notes of acetone. Woody flavors dominate the palate and persist on the finish. The oak obscures the fruit

Armstrong Family 2014 Four Birds Red Blend Columbia Valley $32 85 points
Merlot makes up half of this wine, and Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot make up the balance. The aromas are unique, with high-toned black tea, green herb and vanilla notes that aren’t entirely settled. The palate brings blackberry and plum flavors that are a bit disjointed. It drops off on the finish

Bells Up 2015 Summit View Vineyard Syrah Walla Walla Valley (OR) $36 87 points
From an up-and-coming part of the Walla Walla Valley, this has barrel spice, raspberry and dried cherry aromas followed by somewhat elegant red fruit flavors that taper toward the finish. It doesn’t all quite come together

Bergevin Lane 2013 She-Devil Syrah Columbia Valley $24 87 points
This wine’s aromas lack clarity, with wood spice and butterscotch notes at the fore. The palate is full of lip-smacking, medium-bodied dark fruit flavors. Baking spice and coffee notes linger on the finish

Bergevin Lane 2013 Wild Child Merlot Wahluke Slope $26 88 points
Barrel aromas are at the fore in this wine, with vanilla and baking spice notes in front of plum. The palate mixes fruit and barrel flavors, and drying tannins provide the frame

Bergevin Lane 2013 Moonspell Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley $28 87 points
This wine’s birthday cake, baking spice, herb and licorice aromas lead to plentiful dark fruit flavors backed by slightly green tannins. It doesn’t quite seem to have fully ripened

Bergevin Lane 2014 Calico Red Blend Columbia Valley $15 87 points
This wine is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 17% Syrah and 5% Petit Verdot. The aromas are fruit-forward, with blackberry jam and other black fruit notes. The palate is more reserved than the aromas suggest, with drying tannins. It has a bit of a hole in the middle, but there’s still enjoyment to be had

Castle Rock 2016 Pinot Noir Columbia Valley $12 84 points
The aromas don’t seem entirely harmonious in this young wine, bringing herb, glue and light volatile notes. The red fruit and floral flavors are light, simple and not fully integrated

Castle Rock 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley $11 85 points
This wine pops with notes of ripe strawberry, cherry, herb and melon aromas. These notes carry to the palate, yet are restrained, and the tannins bring grittiness

Castle Rock 2016 Chardonnay Columbia Valley $10 82 points
This wine has a distinct metallic note, which distracts from its already light spice and apple aromas. The palate has an untoward gardenia note

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2014 Impetus Red Blend Columbia Valley $125 91 points
The inaugural release of this wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (57%), Syrah (34%) and Malbec. The aromas pop with plum, cherry, herb and barrel spice notes. The palate is broad and incredibly pleasing

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2016 Indian Wells Chardonnay Columbia Valley $17 88 points
This wine’s baking spice, vanilla, white flower and peach aromas are followed by sweet, full-feeling stone fruit and spice flavors that pull up short on the finish. It’s a straightforward crowd-pleaser

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2016 Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling Columbia Valley $16 88 points
This wine’s aromas are a bit reticent, which is unusual for this variety, with slate, lime and white peach notes. The palate is more generous, with off-dry, lightly spritzy stone fruit flavors. There are some good things going on, but they don’t quite come together. Some additional time in bottle may help

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2016 Mimi Chardonnay Horse Heaven Hills $20 90 points
This wine is named after former Canoe Ridge Estate vineyard manager Mimi Nye. Its high toned, pretty pear, yellow apple and barrel spice aromas lead to crisp, focused, well-balanced fruit flavors that linger on the finish. It’s a spot on example of this variety and style

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2016 Riesling Columbia Valley $9 89 points
This wine bursts with ripe peach, honeysuckle and jasmine aromas. It drinks off-dry, the palate redolent of juicy stone fruit and mouthwatering acidity. The balance is exquisite. More, please!

Claar 2013 Winemaker’s Bloc White Bluffs Bordeaux-style Red Blend Columbia Valley $40 86 points
This wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The barrel influence is way up front, recalling vanilla, wood spice, baking spice and green herbs. The palate comes off as quite woody as well, with blocky tannins and a vanilla-filled finish

Columbia Crest 2016 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Yakima Valley $NA 89 points
This wine was fermented in concrete and neutral barrels and aged on lees for 20 months. Its light herb and citrus aromas lead to a medium-bodied palate that’s tart, bracing and white grapefruit-like. With acidity like this, it absolutely needs food. Oysters would make an excellent pairing

Columbia Crest 2014 H3 Les Chevaux Red Blend Horse Heaven Hills $15 87 points
Brooding aromas of dark plum, vanilla and spice lead to easy-drinking blue and black fruit flavors in this blend of 63% Syrah, 33% Merlot and 4% Viognier. It’s a bit generic but delivers enjoyment all the same

Gamache 2012 Nicolas Vineyard Select Red Blend Columbia Valley $40 87 points
This wine is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), with equal parts Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot. Despite the even growing season, it doesn’t seem to have fully ripened, with jalapeño pepper, baking spice and plum aromas. The flavors are light to medium bodied and drop off on the finish

Gamache 2014 188° SW Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Blend Red Mountain $50 88 points
This wine is made from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Cabernet Franc, and all of the fruit comes from the famed Ciel du Cheval Vineyard. Vanilla, coconut, ripe plum, clove, cinnamon, barrel spice and herb aromas lead to even-keeled red and black fruit flavors that are surprisingly elegant for the appellation and vintage

Goose Ridge 2015 g3 Estate Bottled Merlot Columbia Valley $15 86 points
Plum, baking spice and licorice aromas lead to lightly styled fruit flavors in this wine. The wood influence seems quite intense, distracting from the fruit

Goose Ridge 2014 Cellar Select Artist Series Estate Bottled Red Blend Columbia Valley $NA 88 points
This wine is 73% Mourvèdre, 11% Grenache, 7% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Barrel notes are upfront, with vanilla, dill and baking spice aromas accenting cherry and white pepper scents. The palate mixes fruit and barrel characteristics but comes up a bit short on the finish

Goose Ridge 2015 g3 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley $15 84 points
This wine shows prominent volatile acidity, which overpowers its red apple, cherry and baking spice aromas. The palate has lightly styled, smooth-feeling plum flavors backed by astringent tannins

Goose Ridge 2013 Estate Bottled Merlot Columbia Valley $34 88 points
Despite being a full four years old, this wine’s aromas aren’t yet fully revealing their charms, with high-toned vanilla, spice, cedar and cherry notes. The flavors are tightly wound as well, with a light gamy streak throughout. It’s not clear if it will open with additional time or if what you see is what you get

Goose Ridge 2014 Reserve Estate Bottled Malbec Columbia Valley $55 87 points
This wine was aged in half French and half American oak, 60% new. Wood spice, vanilla, plum and herb aromas lead to a broad palate that mixes fruit and barrel in equal parts, the two persisting on the finish

Goose Ridge 2015 Cellar Select Artist Series Estate Bottled Reserve Chardonnay Columbia Valley $38 88 points
This wine’s aroma brings notes of vanilla, woodspice and baking spice in addition to its bright tangerine scents. The palate is elegant yet creamy in feel, with stone fruit and barrel flavors throughout. It pulls up a bit short on the finish but is otherwise a lovely wine.

Goose Ridge 2015 GRV White Blend Columbia Valley $25 88 points
This wine is a blend of 55% Viognier, 23% Grenache Blanc and 22% Roussanne. Its light apple, vanilla, citrus and spice aromas are followed by creamy, thick-feeling fruit flavors that persist on the spice-filled finish. It comes off quite heavy

Goose Ridge 2016 Estate Bottled Ice Wine Riesling Columbia Valley $50 89 points
This ice wine—a rarity in the state—has dried pineapple, mango and honey aromas that haven’t entirely melded. The palate, however, brings plenty of sugar-rich, honeyed papaya flavors backed by pleasant acidity. It may integrate with more time in bottle

Hard Row To Hoe 2016 Chardonnay Lake Chelan $25 84 points
The color of this wine—an almost golden yellow—seems to suggest some oxygen exposure given its youth. The aromas bring corn on the cob and spice notes, leading to a lightly creamy palate that falls flat on the finish.

Hard Row To Hoe 2014 Pinot Noir Lake Chelan $40 88 points
This wine was sourced from Clos CheValle Vineyard. It shows primary fruit aromas that bring a lightly candied quality and herbal accents. The palate is a bit clunky, losing some of the variety’s delicacy but still delivering enjoyment

Hard Row To Hoe 2014 Tempranillo Lake Chelan $45 88 points
Blended with 20% Syrah, this brooding wine shows butterscotch, red fruit and spice aromas and tart, high-acid fruit flavors. It’s a mix of fruit and barrel characteristics, even though the oak used was neutral. The tannins bring a lightly chalky feel

Hard Row To Hoe 2014 S&M Red Blend Lake Chelan $38 88 points
This wine is a blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Malbec. The aromas seem a bit unsettled, with herb, dill and wood spice notes that don’t come together. The palate packs a mouthful of smooth cherry and plum flavors—they’re downright delicious but seem a bit disconnected to the aromas

Helioterra 2014 Syrah Columbia Valley $28 87 points
This wine all comes from Oasis Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. Its red fruit, baking spice and medicine cabinet aromas are a bit difficult to tease out. The flavors, meanwhile, are at once lightly styled and jammy, finishing short with cranberry notes

Helioterra 2014 Mourvèdre Columbia Valley $30 87 points
From Heart of the Hill Vineyard on Red Mountain, this leads with vanilla, clove and baking spice aromas and follows with tart, tangy fruit and barrel flavors. Cranberry notes linger on the finish, along with interesting acidity

J. Scott Cellars 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley $40 87 points
Cocoa, woodspice, licorice and cherry aromas are out in front in this wine, accenting light-bodied dark fruit flavors. The tannins seem a bit gritty, but it otherwise provides appeal

J. Scott Cellars 2015 Cabernet Franc Walla Walla Valley (OR) $35 88 points
This wine’s aromas are upfront, with green pepper, jalapeño and herb notes. The palate is full of dark cherry and herb flavors that show pleasing balance. It’s not for all tastes but is sure to please those who enjoy this variety’s greener side

Kiona 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain $25 88 points
Kiona Estate, Emory, Vista and Heart of the Hill vineyard grapes make up this wine. Its dried herb, cigar, burnt coffee, jammy black fruit, tar, vanilla and spice aromas lead to fresh black fruit flavors. It’s supported by grainy, slightly dry tannins

Kiona 2013 Estate Old Block Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain $75 90 points
Fruit for this wine comes from the oldest vines in this appellation, planted in 1975. The aromas are reserved, recalling baking and barrel spices, along with herbal and medicinal notes. The black fruit flavors are deep and rich, seeming ever so slightly dried out. Tightly wound tannins provide support. Give it a couple years in bottle

L’Ecole No. 41 2015 Frenchtown Red Blend Columbia Valley $23 88 points
Principally Merlot (45%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) and Syrah (19%), along with other red varieties, this brings apple, cherry and barrel spice aromas. The flavors are full bodied and liquorous, providing some appeal

Liberty Lake 2012 Legacy Reserve Red Blend Red Mountain $35 86 points
This wine is an unusual blend of 30% Petit Verdot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Tempranillo, 17% Syrah and 12% Merlot. Aged in 50% new American oak for 40 months, it offers baking spice, garden herb and red cherry aromas, followed by a somewhat green and gritty palate. A tart, bitter note distracts on the finish

Long 2014 Cabernet Franc Yakima Valley $28 87 points
This wine’s aromas aren’t entirely settled, with dried cherry, spice, herb and game notes. Its cherry flavors are ripe, full and dry but dip in the middle. It has pleasing components, but they don’t all come together

Long 2015 Scooteney Flats Vineyard Petit Verdot Red Mountain $28 87 points
From an up-and-coming vineyard, this exudes light green herb, macerated cherry, violet, citrus and barrel spice aromas. On the palate, full, slightly green dark fruit flavors are backed by tart acidity. The tannins are a touch dry, but there’s promise here

Long 2014 Walla Faces Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley $28 88 points
This wine’s aromas are quite reticent, making one strain to perceive what’s in the glass. The palate provides a stark contrast, with bold, lush dark fruit flavors backed by firm tannins. It’s a full-bore interpretation of the variety that could move up a notch if the aromas open up

Longship 2015 Invader Tempranillo Horse Heaven Hills $30 88 points
This wine’s vanilla and herb aromas are high toned. The palate brings abundant fruit and barrel flavors, with lively acidity providing the frame. The tannins seem a little coarse at present. Give them some time to settle

Love That Red 2015 Fillies & Mares Riviere Galets Vineyard Grenache The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater $50 87 points
The aromas in this wine aren’t entirely harmonious, with high-toned herb, spice and mineral notes. The palate, however, brings plenty of intrigue, with velvety-soft, mouth-coating red fruit flavors and savory herbal hints that linger on the finish. Unfortunately, the two don’t sync up

Marshall Davis 2015 Syrah Columbia Valley $29 88 points
This shows exuberant boysenberry, violet, herb, smoked meat and peppery spice aromas, along with a slightly distracting tire rubber note. The palate is packed tightly with rich flavors that carry through the fruit-filled finish. If the tire rubber aromas resolve, it will greatly improve

Maryhill 2014 Art de Hoed Vineyard Petite Sirah Yakima Valley $32 90 points
Dark purple in color, this has brooding vanilla, barrel spice, flower and purple fruit aromas. The flavors are light, tart and focused, with tightly coiled tannins providing support. The acid shines through, calling for food to show at its best

Maryhill 2016 Viognier Columbia Valley $16 84 points
This wine’s peach Jolly Rancher and white flower aromas lead to lightly sprizty, off-dry stone fruit flavors. It shows a good bit of heat on the finish, throwing the balance out of whack

Maryhill 2014 Elephant Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Franc Rattlesnake Hills $36 86 points
This wine’s lightly volatile black fruit and baking spice aromas lead to dark fruit flavors backed by firm, grippy tannins. It doesn’t all come together, and the variety seems lost

Maryhill 2014 Proprietor’s Reserve Syrah Columbia Valley $38 87 points
With fruit from Les Collines, McKinley Springs and Elephant Mountain vineyards, this offers coconut, vanilla and baking spice aromas and full-bodied fruit and barrel flavors. The oak influence is pretty intense

Maryhill 2014 Proprietor’s Reserve Grenache Columbia Valley $36 87 points
Sourced from Art Den Hoed and Gunkel vineyards, this wine has high-toned red apple and barrel spice aromas and ripe, sweet red raspberry flavors. It’s interesting, albeit cloying

Maryhill 2014 Elephant Mountain Vineyards Mourvèdre Rattlesnake Hills $38 88 points
This 100% varietal wine shows high-toned baking spice and red fruit aromas that lead to ripe but well-proportioned cherry and meat flavors. Fruit and barrel notes interweave on the finish

Mercer 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills $20 88 points
This wine’s plum, red apple, vanilla and spice aromas lead to a plump, fruit-forward palate. The tannins bring a lightly gritty feel, but there’s still much to enjoy

Owen Roe 2015 The Parting Glass Outlook Vineyard Cordon Cut Viognier Yakima Valley $24 88 points
Brown sugar, flower, pineapple and sugared peach aromas lead to sweet, elegant fruit flavors in this wine. There’s some intrigue, but it doesn’t all come together

Owen Roe 2014 Red Blend Yakima Valley $28 90 points
Merlot makes up just over half this wine, with the balance in Cabernet Franc (34%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%). The aromas are high toned out of the gate, leading with cigar box, cedar and herb notes. They’re followed by plum and piercingly pure cherry scents that becomes more prominent over time. The palate has elegantly styled fruit flavors surrounded by tightly coiled tannins. It needs a couple years in bottle to come into its own but is a very pretty wine

Owen Roe 2015 Rosa Mystica Cabernet Franc Yakima Valley $28 90 points
This wine’s soil, black cherry, herb and spice aromas are followed by elegantly styled fruit flavors that show pretty balance. Despite the warmth of the vintage, this one is all about elegance

Owen Roe 2014 Union Gap Syrah Yakima Valley $55 88 points
This wine’s red fruit and herb aromas are light and overly subtle. Fresh raspberry and dark berry flavors show on the palate but come up a bit short on the finish. It doesn’t all come together

Owen Roe 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Yakima Valley $42 88 points
This wine’s brooding aromas are not entirely settled, with fresh herb, dark cherry and anise notes. The cranberry-like fruit flavors are at once broad and tart, with lightly grainy tannins providing support. Herb notes linger on the finish

Owen Roe 2015 DuBrul Vineyard Chardonnay Yakima Valley $48 88 points
From one of the state’s top sites, this shows lees, biscuit and apple aromas at the fore. The palate brings light, lemony flavors, with a red apple-filled finish. There are some interesting things going on here, but they don’t quite all come together, though the acidity is notable considering the warm vintage.

Owen Roe 2015 DuBrul Vineyard Merlot Yakima Valley $55 90 points
Red fruit aromas are at the fore in this wine, with pleasing raspberry and Red Vines notes, along with spice accents. The palate shows remarkable restraint, refinement and balance considering the warmth of the vintage, and its firm tannic core should allow it to evolve nicely for a few years in the cellar

Owen Roe 2015 The Parting Glass Late Harvest Riesling Yakima Valley $24 88 points
Petrol, brown sugar, dried orange peel and light oxidative aromas lead to elegant but sweet stone and tropical fruit flavors in this wine. It’s enjoyable on the palate, but the aromas don’t come together

Owen Roe 2015 The Parting Glass Outlook Vineyard Cordon Cut Gewürztraminer Yakima Valley $24 87 points
This wine’s aromas are a bit disjointed, its rose petal and spice notes seeming dried out. The palate is quite sweet, without the acidity to back it up

Pepper Bridge 2014 Trine Walla Walla Valley $65 90 points
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Franc (37%), Cabernet Sauvignon (34%), Merlot (15%), Malbec (9%) and Petit Verdot. Its aromas are still locked up, including its cinnamon, cedar and nutmeg notes and its brooding dark fruit. The palate packs a mouthful of black fruit flavors that show the ripeness of the vintage yet retain a sense of balance

Plumb Cellars 2013 Estate JK Vineyard IV Syrah Walla Walla Valley $28 89 points
Co-fermented with Viognier, this shows high-toned raspberry, cherry and spice aromas and full-bodied red fruit flavors, with meaty notes on the finish. It has a pleasant balance

Plumb Cellars 2013 Damn Straight Red Blend Columbia Valley $39 89 points
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Cabernet Franc (20%), Merlot (12%) and Syrah. Black cherry, raspberry, cedar, vanilla and barrel spice aromas lead to full-bodied dark fruit flavors that coat the palate from end to end, with barrel notes that linger on the finish. Firm tannins provide support

Seven Falls 2016 GPS Jones Vineyard Roussanne-Marsanne-Viognier White Blend Wahluke Slope $30 88 points
Roussanne makes up half of this wine, the balance in Marsanne and just 10% Viognier. Its light peach, straw, almond butter and lees aromas are followed by bone-dry flavors. It has pleasing acidity and balance and is a unique interpretation of these three varieties

Seven Falls 2016 GPS Shaw Vineyard Chardonnay Wahluke Slope $30 88 points
It’s rare to see a vineyard-designated Chardonnay come out of this appellation. This one brings light baking spice and apple aromas that lead to creamy-feeling stone fruit flavors. It’s equal parts intrigue and delivery

Seven Falls 2015 Chardonnay Wahluke Slope $18 88 points
This blend of grapes from Shaw and Jones vineyards has vanilla, papaya, banana and baking spice aromas that lead to broad fruit flavors with a lightly creamy feel. With caramel notes on the finish, it’s a delightful interpretation of the variety

Seven Falls 2015 Rapids Red Blend Wahluke Slope $18 87 points
This wine is principally Merlot and Syrah, along with a dash of Cinsault. The aromas are high toned out of the gate, with red fruit, vanilla, plum and spice notes. The palate is soft and elegant in style, with a spice-filled finish. It’s a straightforward, easy drinker

Snoqualmie 2015 Syrah Yakima Valley $10 86 points
This wine’s bright blueberry syrup, boysenberry and vanilla aromas lead to soft, plump, easy-drinking blue fruit flavors that persist on the finish.

Ste Michelle Vineyards 2016 Chardonnay Columbia Valley $11 88 points
This wine has a throwback label celebrating Chateau Ste Michelle’s 50th anniversary. Upfront aromas of clarified butter, peach and spice are followed by medium-bodied stone fruit flavors. It’s a varietal crowd-pleaser.

Tall Sage 2015 Chardonnay Columbia Valley $13 85 points
This wine’s aromas are light, with herb and spice notes. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, with lemony fruit flavors and no apparent new oak influence

Vital 2015 The Given Red Blend Walla Walla Valley $25 88 points
Vibrant candied cherry, herb and baking spice aromas are followed by medium-bodied fruit flavors in this wine. The tannins bring a bit of grit to an otherwise enjoyable palate.