Below are Northwest Wine Report’s Top 60 Northwest Wines of 2025! These wines were chosen from over 1,000 wines reviewed last year.

I selected wines based on score, overall excitement, and, to a lesser extent, price. I tried to list at least one wine in each group that provided exceptional value. Wines are grouped by variety/style. Within each category, wines are ordered first by score, then alphabetically.

I limited selections to one wine per winery/estate. That is to say, if a winery has multiple projects, I only selected a wine from one of them. I did, however, make an exception if I felt the category demanded it.

Why 60 wines? As with previous years, I tried very hard to keep the list to 50. My desire was to be more selective with the list rather than less. Alas, I could not whittle the list past 60 without it becoming less reflective of what I was excited about tasting this year.

Note that most of the producers below could easily have had several wines on this list. Additionally, there many others I considered that are not represented that could be. There are over 2,600 wineries in the Pacific Northwest. This list is nothing if not choosy.

Some of the wines listed below are already sold out. Others are still available. I have listed the original publication date after the review text. This might, or might not, speak to the wine’s availability.

Wine reviews at Northwest Wine Report are typically restricted to subscribers. This list, however, is freely available to all in celebration of the bounty of exceptional wines coming out the Pacific Northwest. (That said, please subscribe.) The Top 60 list is consistently one of Northwest Wine Report’s most-read articles; in 2025, it was the fourth most-read article.

Without further ado, the Top 60 Northwest Wines of 2025!

BORDEAUX-STLYLE RED BLENDS

Cadence 2022 Cara Mia Vineyard Camerata Red Mountain $70
95 points, Cellar Stocker
Cabernet Sauvignon (67%) makes up just over two-thirds of this wine, with the rest Merlot (25%) and a healthy dollop of Petit Verdot. The aromas are subdued, with notes of black currant, cherry, fresh herb, violet, and chocolate nib. The palate is dry, flavorful, and tightly coiled. As with all Cadence wines, the immaculate structure is the star of the show, though there’s no shortage of fruit. It also brings the vintage’s pleasing freshness. Stunning stuff. Best from 2030 to 2040. 14.4% alcohol. Natural cork. 300 cases produced. Reviewed October 6, 2025.

Betz Family 2022 Clos de Betz Red Wine Columbia Valley $68
94 points, Cellar Stocker
Betz hit some home runs with its 2022 releases. This one circles the bases easily. A Merlot-focused blend, the aromas bring notes of lavender, bittersweet chocolate, and dried and fresh green herb. Over time, notes of red fruit emerge. The palate, meanwhile, is an explosion of medium-plus bodied, soft, intense fruit flavors supported by a frame of supple tannins and tart, vibrant acidity. It’s a compelling mixture of New World and Old, distinctly Washington and exquisitely Betz. Best from 2028 to 2034. 13.8% alcohol. Natural cork. Case production not provided. Reviewed January 24, 2025.

Spring Valley 2022 Frederick Red Wine Walla Walla Valley $75
94 points, Critic’s Choice
This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (28%), and Malbec, aged 21 months in French oak. The aromas are brooding but captivating, with notes of blackberry, plum, black tea, and fresh flower that make you lean into the glass. There’s also a light wheat note that is a fingerprint of this vineyard. The palate is fresh, bright, and flavorful, with the vintage’s acidity enlivening the fruit. Firm tannins back it up. The balance is exceptional. An extended finish is the capstone. It’s a knee buckler. Give it time in the cellar or a long decant. 14.5% alcohol. Natural cork. 1,890 cases produced. Reviewed October 6, 2025.

Baer 2021 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Ursa Red Wine Royal Slope $40
93 points, Cellar Stocker
Coming from a warm vintage, this is a blend of Merlot (43%), Cabernet Franc (36%), Cabernet Sauvignon (13%), and Petit Verdot. Aromas of fresh roasted coffee bean, char, herb, bittersweet chocolate, and cherry lead to rich, full-bodied, creamy-feeling dark fruit flavors that show balance and depth. The finish sticks around for a 20-second count. The focus is on hedonism, and it brings it, but there’s much more than that. There’s sophistication too. 14.6% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 621 cases produced. Reviewed July 7, 2025.

Sagemoor 2022 Estate Red Blend Columbia Valley $30
92 points, Critic’s Choice
This wine is flat out delicious and a big-time value to boot. Merlot (77%) makes up most it, with the rest Cabernet Franc (13%) and Cabernet Sauvignon. The aromas jump up out of the glass, with notes of plum, cherry, herb, and black currant showing crystalline clarity. The palate is medium-plus bodied and plush, showing depth and layering. The freshness of the vintage keeps it all vivid. The fruit is front-and-center, as it should be. 14.4% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 642 cases produced. Reviewed October 29, 2025.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Jett 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills $100
96 points, Cellar Stocker
This 100% varietal wine is a blend of fruit from Phinny Hill and Andrews vineyards. Aged 20 months in French oak (56% new), the aromas pull you into the glass, with notes of dried and fresh herb, spice, black cherry, espresso, and dark chocolate. On the palate, the flavors are enveloping, going up and down and side to side, showing texture, intensity, and, above all, balance. The fine grained tannins this appellation is known for back it up. There’s pleasing freshness throughout. The finish sails. It’s shockingly good – an accomplishment of a wine – and one of the top offerings from this vintage. Best from 2030 to 2040. 14.8% alcohol. Natural cork. 315 cases produced. Reviewed April 18, 2025.

Passing Time 2022 Wallula Vineyard Block 1311 Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills $120
96 points, Cellar Stocker
In just a handful of years, Passing Time’s Block 1311 wine has established itself as one of the best Cabernet Sauvignons in Washington. This vintage is shockingly good. As always, the aromas lead with Cabernet Sauvignon’s varietal medley of fresh and dried herb. Beyond that are notes of black cherry and blackberry. Rich, intense, up-and-down, backward-and-forward pitch black fruit flavors follow, showing persistent intensity. The balance is outrageous. A `lengthy, you’ll-stop-counting-the-seconds finish is the capstone. It’s full-on hedonism, while bringing the balance and dexterity of the vintage. This is one of the benchmark wines from 2022 and (another) accomplishment for this producer and appellation. Enjoy from 2028 to 2038. 14.5% alcohol. Natural cork. 100 cases produced. Reviewed March 10, 2025.

Pepper Bridge 2022 Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley $75
94 points, Cellar Stocker
The aromas enchant, with notes of dark roasted coffee beans, high percentage cacao dark chocolate, flower, and cherry. The medium-plus bodied palate is plump, poised, and precise. The acid balance is exquisite. There’s a light grip of tannins on the back-half that smooths out over time. It’s an exceptionally classy offering from this esteemed producer, full of nuance and detail. Best from 2030 to 2040. 14.5% alcohol. Natural cork. 2,032 cases produced. Reviewed December 22, 2025.

Woodward Canyon 2022 Estate Vineyard Clone 4 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley $70
94 points, Cellar Stocker
Woodward’s clone-specific wines offer fascinating insights into this vineyard. The aromas here are brooding, with notes of moist earth, dark cherry, licorice, and herb. Plush, high thread count flavors follow, showing seamless intensity along with restraint. The finish sails. It’s breathtaking, with the freshness of the vintage moving it along at a brisk pace. Best from 2028 to 2035. 14.8% alcohol. Natural cork. 289 cases produced. Reviewed March 31, 2025.

Soos Creek 2023 Phinny Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills $35
94 points, Cellar Stocker
100% Cabernet Sauvignon coming from one of the Columbia Valley’s top Cabernet Sauvignon sites, the aromas lead initially with notes of coffee, char, and barrel spice followed by black cherry. Classy, focused, medium-plus bodied flavors follow. The tannins are velvety soft. Bright acidity frames it all. The balance is exceptional. It’s a tribute to the site and to the vintage at an absurdly affordable tariff. Best after 2029. 14.1% alcohol. Micro-agglomerated cork. 50 cases produced. Reviewed October 6, 2025.

CABERNET FRANC

Gramercy 2021 Estate Cabernet Franc Walla Walla Valley $60
94 points, Cellar Stocker
This wine, one of the winery’s MTA club offerings, is the best example of Cabernet Franc I’ve had from Walla Walla Valley. It’s required reading for fans of the variety. Fruit for comes from a 5-acre site planted in 2001. 100% varietal, it was aged 22 months in French oak (17% new). The aromas pop, with notes of red fruit, cigar box, fresh herb, cocoa, and whole green pepper, showing sublime focus. The palate is flavorful, fresh, and vibrant, backed by lively acidity. The texture is breathtaking. Impressive length caps it off. It’s outrageously delicious, a winning combination of flavor intensity, propelling acidity, and pitch-perfect balance. Best from 2027 to 2035. Pair it with skirt steak fajitas. 14% alcohol. Natural cork. 144 cases produced. Reviewed January 24, 2025.

Prospice 2022 Phinny Hill Vineyard Cabernet Franc Horse Heaven Hills $55
94 points, Critic’s Choice
This wine shows everything that there is to love about Prospice wines and what has made the winery one of the most exciting entrants onto the Washington wine stage over the last decade. Alas, this will be among the winery’s swan songs. Coming from one of the appellation’s top vineyards, this wine was aged 22 months in French oak (30% new). The aromas intrigue, with notes of fresh and dried herb, flower, and cherry – unmistakably Cabernet Franc. The palate shows intensity, precision, grace, balance, and texture. The finish carries off into the distance. Like many wines from this producer, it doesn’t win on a single point; it wins on an abundance of them. 14.4% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 144 cases produced. Reviewed June 20, 2025.

Itä 2024 Weinbau Vineyard Cabernet Franc Wahluke Slope $36
93 points, Critic’s Choice
This is a turn-things-on-its-head expression of Weinbau Cabernet Franc, showing that the vineyard can successfully make a completely different style of wine. (We already knew this producer could.) The aromas are unmistakably Franc, with notes of flower, herb, green pepper, and red fruit, showing impressive clarity. The lighter side of medium-bodied palate fully delivers on all of that promise, with purity for days and mouthwatering acidity. The tart – legitimately tart – finish sticks around. It’s one of the most beautiful examples of Cabernet Franc I’ve had from the Columbia Valley. As always with the itä wines, there’s nothing else in the state like it. Those who enjoy wines on the light and bright side, find this wine like a heat-seeking missile. 13.1% alcohol. Micro-agglomerated cork. 130 cases produced. Reviewed December 22, 2025.

Virtue 2022 Weinbau Vineyard Temperance Cabernet Franc Wahluke Slope $38
93 points, Critic’s Choice
In the right vintages, like this one, Weinbau Cabernet Franc absolutely sings. This is all Block 13 fruit, whole berry fermented, and aged 18 months in French oak (50% new). The aromas are fruit-forward, with notes of black currant, black raspberry, and an herbal top note. A plump, pleasing, fruit-filled, open-knit palate follows. Dark chocolate notes accent the lengthy finish. It’s unabashed enjoyment. 14.2% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 100 cases produced. Reviewed March 10, 2025.

GRENACHE & MOURVÈDRE

Cimento 2023 Orselli Estate Vineyard Grenache The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater $225
96 points
Fruit was destemmed and fermented in concrete with a 25-day skin maceration. The wine, which includes smidgeons of Carignan (6%), Syrah (4%), Mourvèdre (3%), and Cinsault (2%), was subsequently aged 16 months in French oak (5% new). The aromas are arresting, with notes of black olive brine, nori, dark strawberry, peat, and smoked meat. The palate is a mixture of grace, intensity of flavor, and silky-smooth texture. The finish extends for a full 45-seconds. It’s glorious – a bow-down-and-worship bottle of Grenache. 14.2% alcohol. Natural cork. 133 cases produced. Reviewed November 21, 2025.

Devison 2023 Boushey Grenache Yakima Valley $85
95 points, Cellar Stocker
Coming from one of Washington’s top sites, this wine was aged half in concrete with the rest in third-fill demi-muids (600L barrels). The aromas jump out of the glass, with notes of strawberry, pressed herb, flower, wet rock, kirsch, and orange rind. The palate is sumptuous, textured, and layered. It shows laser-like purity and focus along with a mixture of intensity and elegance. An absurdly long – downright insane – fruit-filled finish follows. It just. Will. Not. Quit. Best from 2027 to 2035. 15.0% alcohol. Natural cork. 65 cases. Reviewed June 20, 2025.

No Girls 2022 La Paciencia Vineyard Grenache Walla Walla Valley $89
95 points, Critic’s Choice
This is all Grenache, aged 21 months in neutral French oak. It’s aromatically effusive, with notes of strawberry patch, olive, funk, black pepper, potpourri, and a whiff if tangerine, showing a pleasingly fruit forward profile. Full-feeling, salty, palate-coating, intense but still graceful, juicy fruit and savory flavors follow. There’s loads and loads of hang-time on the finish. The mixture of delicacy and intensity is outrageous. 13.5% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 333 cases produced. Reviewed August 4, 2025.

WeatherEye 2022 Estate Mourvèdre Columbia Valley $85
95 points, Critic’s Choice
In a short time, WeatherEye Vineyard has established itself to be one the best Rhône variety sites in North America. Here, the aromas are riveting, with crystalline clear notes of black pepper, smoked meat, lemon zest, black raspberry, lavender, and sagebrush, showing a mix of fruit and non-fruit characteristics. The cranberry and red fruit flavors explode on the full-bodied palate, showing richness, intensity, depth, and balance. A long, long finish caps it off. It’s spectacular – one of the wines of the vintage. 14.8% alcohol. Natural cork. 176 cases produced. Reviewed November 21, 2025.

Samā 2023 Rāga Mourvèdre Columbia Valley $38
93 points, Critic’s Choice
Whole berry fermented in stainless steel, this wine was subsequently aged 16 months in second fill and neutral French oak. The aromas jump up from the glass, with notes of black raspberry, dried herb, and licorice. Ripe, full-bodied, rich red, black, and blue fruit flavors follow. There’s plenty of acid and tannin to provide support. It’s full-on hedonism. 14.6% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 74 cases produced. Reviewed November 21, 2025.

PINOT NOIR

X Novo 2021 X Omni Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills $100
97 points, Cellar Stocker
This wine has it all: aromatic complexity, flavor richness, breathtaking texture, exquisite balance, and absurd length. Aged in French oak (60% new), the aromas draw you into the glass, with notes of strawberry, dark cherry, mushroom, plum, dark spice, and black tea, showing appealing detail and sophistication. The palate is an explosion of medium-bodied fruit flavors, cascading in a series of shock waves. The acidity is lively and exceptionally well-integrated with the fruit. The balance is perfect. The alcohol is moderate. The finish appears endless. Keep a defibrillator close by. This wine is a heart stopper, at the extreme upper reaches of quality – one of the best examples of this variety I’ve had from the broader Willamette Valley or really from anywhere. Best after 2026. 13.5% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 127 cases produced. Reviewed August 11, 2025.

LucidWild 2023 Renegade Single Vineyard Wine Pinot Noir Dundee Hills $95
95 points, Cellar Stocker
This wine was fermented with native yeast, 32% whole cluster. It was subsequently aged 16 months in French oak (38% new). The aromas are brooding out of the gate. With coaxing, they reveal notes of tea leaf, black cherry, dried herb, crushed flower, and coffee grounds. The medium-bodied palate is enveloping, richly textured, flavorful, and exceptionally well-balanced, with exquisite freshness. The finish is endless. It’s a bright shining star for this producer, region, and variety. Best after 2029. 13.0% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 500 cases produced. Reviewed December 8, 2025.

Lange 2023 Freedom Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir Mount Pisgah $80
95 points, Cellar Stocker
Fruit for this wine comes from the Liberty and Heritage blocks at this esteemed vineyard. Aged in French oak (40% new), the aromas draw you into the glass, with notes of tea leaf, mint, fresh herb, dark fruit, crushed flower, and a whiff of orange peel. The full-bodied flavors are seamless and generous, showing depth, intensity, balance, and grace. An extremely long finish – 30+ seconds – caps it off. It’s a knee-buckler. Enjoy after 2028 with a long life beyond that. 13.9% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 440 cases produced. Reviewed December 8, 2025.

Anacréon 2022 Mine Yours and Ours Estate Grown Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains $80
94 points, Cellar Stocker
Anacréon is making attention-commanding Pinot Noirs. This is yet another example. Coming from an elevation just over 300 feet above sea level, fruit was picked mid-October and is Coury and 667 clones. It was fermented 13% whole cluster and aged 11 months in French and Hungarian oak (33% new). The aromas are arresting, with notes of strawberry, forest floor, satsuma, and cherry. The palate is full in feel and enveloping. The flavors are intense, poised, and graceful. It’s backed by sandy-feeling tannins and juicy acidity. The balance is impeccable. It’s riveting. Best after 2027. 13.9% alcohol. Natural cork. 75 cases produced. Reviewed July 7, 2025.

Stoller 2022 Estate Grown Reserve Pinot Noir Dundee Hills $60
93 points, Cellar Stocker
Aged 10 months in French oak (35% new) and then 4 months in stainless steel, this is an aromatically fragrant wine, leading with notes of coffee followed by cherry, herb, and spice. Plump-feeling, juicy, palate-coating, medium-bodied flavors follow, with a lightly creamy feel. There’s a lot of hang time on the finish. It’s Willamette Valley Pinot Noir goodness, mixing fruit and barrel. Best after 2028. 13.5% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 3,200 cases produced. Reviewed October 29, 2025.

Soter 2023 Estates Estate Grown Pinot Noir Willamette Valley $60
93 points, Critic’s Choice
This wine is a blend of fruit from Soter Ribbon Ridge (50%), Mineral Springs (30%), and Tarren vineyards. It was fermented one-quarter whole cluster and aged 10 months in French oak (35% new). Enchanting aromas of black tea leaf, orange peel, flower, and strawberry lead to medium-bodied, light-on-their-feet, piercingly pure flavors that stretch out on the finish. It’s gorgeous, with the clarity straight-up dazzling. 13.6% alcohol. Natural cork. 3,282 cases produced. Reviewed June 4, 2025.

King Estate 2023 Artisan Series Pinot Noir Willamette Valley $29
92 points, Critic’s Choice
What’s this? An all-estate, biodynamically grown Willamette Valley Pinot Noir for less than $30? Yes! Aged 10 months in French oak (25% new), the aromas offer notes of tea leaf, forest floor, strawberry, mint, and cherry, completely captivating. Medium-bodied, bright, focused flavors follow. It extends on the finish. It’s just plain delicious and is offered at an eye-popping price. Decant. 13.5% alcohol. Screwcap. 3,000 cases produced. Reviewed October 17, 2025.

RHÔNE-STYLE BLENDS

Top Source 2022 Syrah-Grenache Columbia Valley $30
95 points
Top Source is offering some of the best quality to price ratio wines in the Columbia Valley. This blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah is aromatically expressive, with notes of black olive brine, firepit, peat, potpourri, and charcuterie. The palate delivers all that and more, with flavors that bring a compelling combination of intensity, delicacy, and grace. The finish appears endless, going on well over a minute. It’s one of the best Northwest values on the shelf now or frankly ever. 13.8% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 945 cases produced. Reviewed August 11, 2025.

Quiddity 2023 Zhuzh Grenache-Syrah Rattlesnake Hills $39
93 points, Critic’s Choice
Two-thirds Grenache and one third Syrah, the aromas are expressive, exuding notes of dark strawberry, fresh plum, and sappy red fruit. The palate fully delivers on all of that promise and more, with an explosion of piercingly pure red and black fruit flavors. There’s depth and generosity for days and, above all, pinpoint precision. Polish and texture come along with it. It’s outrageously delicious and a big-time value to boot. 14.7% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 63 cases produced. Reviewed December 22, 2025.

Rocky Pond 2023 Stratastone Red Blend Columbia Valley $48
92 points, Critic’s Choice
This is a blend of Syrah (68%), Grenache (26%), Viognier (3%), and Roussanne. Fruit comes from Double D and Clos CheValle vineyards. It was fermented in concrete and stainless steel and subsequently aged 18 months in French oak puncheons (25% new). The aromas are arresting, with notes of smoked meat, coffee, herb, and dark fruit. Rounded-feeling blue fruit flavors follow with plentiful savory accents, all the while possessing a graceful frame. It’s an attention-getter with a big-time yum factor. 14.5% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 770 cases produced. Reviewed October 29, 2025.

SYRAH

Horsepower 2022 The Tribe Vineyard Syrah Walla Walla Valley $134
95 points, Cellar Stocker
The aromas show some initial funk that helped make this producer famous. Beyond that are notes of cherry, fireplace, stargazer lily, and olive. An intense, flavorful, fruit and savory-filled palate follows. The finish – always a separator for the Horsepower wines – glides for an impressive 45, flower-filled seconds. Best from 2029 to 2036. 14.1% alcohol. Natural cork. 533 cases produced. Reviewed August 4, 2025.

Avennia 2023 Boushey Vineyard Arnaut Syrah Yakima Valley $60
94 points, Cellar Stocker
Fruit for this wine comes from perhaps Washington’s premier Syrah site. It was fermented with native yeast, 25% whole cluster, and then aged 18 months in French oak (20% new). The aromas are perfumed, with notes of plum, fresh flower, smoked meat, whole tangerine, and iron. The palate is flavorful yet deft, showing a pretty juxtaposition between richness and elegance. It puts on additional weight with time open. There’s appealing texture and absurd length that kicks it up a notch. It’s both classic Avennia and classic Boushey Vineyard. Enjoy after 2027. 14.8% alcohol. Natural cork. 368 cases produced. Reviewed October 6, 2025.

Saviah 2022 The Funk Estate Syrah Walla Walla Valley $70
94 points, Critic’s Choice
Saviah consistently produces some of the most compelling wines coming out of the Rocks District. This is another example. Blended with 4% Viognier and aged 18 months in 500L French oak puncheons (40% new), the aromas pop, with piercingly pure notes of blueberry, tangerine essence, white flower, and smoked meat, showing pleasing delineation. The fruit and savory flavors are lush and intense, coating the palate from end to end. The finish sticks around for a full 30 seconds. It’s obscenely good. 14.3% alcohol. Natural cork. 314 cases produced.

Syncline 2023 Boushey Vineyard Syrah Yakima Valley $65
94 points, Critic’s Choice
Boushey Vineyard has a well-earned reputation as one of the best Syrah sites in North America. This a beautiful, completely unadulterated look at the site. The aromas offer notes of smoked meat, iron, herb, and red fruit, showing exquisite clarity. The palate delivers on all of that promise. It’s medium-plus bodied, silky soft, plump, supple, and achingly pure. The finish hangs and hangs. The balance is pinpoint. It’s a benchmark wine for this site – one of the best examples I’ve had from Boushey Vineyard, not because it pushes ripeness to the max – it very much doesn’t – but because it lets the site shine. Seek it out. 14.2% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 252 cases produced. Reviewed December 22, 2025.

Two Vintners 2022 Syrah Columbia Valley $28
92 points, Critic’s Choice
The Two Vintners Columbia Valley Syrah is consistently one of the best values on the shelf. This wine lives up to the billing. As always, fruit comes from top sites that the winery works with. It was aged 18 months in puncheon (30% new). The aromas are redolent with notes of black raspberry, cherry, plum, dried herb, and spice. The palate is achingly pure, flavorful, and deft. The finish lingers. Delicious stuff. Decant. 14.5% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 1,165 cases produced. Reviewed April 28, 2025.

OTHER RED VARIETALS

Gård 2022 Lawrence Estate Wines Merlot Columbia Valley $60
94 points, Critic’s Choice
This wine is near equal parts Connor Lee (55%) and Scarline vineyard fruit. It spent 20 months in French oak (60% new). The aromas bring notes of chocolate, anise, spice, and dark fruit. The palate is action-packed, chock full of high thread-count, luxurious, ripe, exquisitely balanced fruit flavors. Bright acidity keeps it all in focus. The finish sails, keeping full attention until it disappears into the distance. It’s a bow-down-and-worship example of Columbia Valley Merlot, winning on balance and beauty. 14.5% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 194 cases produced. Reviewed October 17, 2025.

Flâneur 2023 La Bella Promenade Pinot Meunier Chehalem Mountains $40
93 points, Critic’s Choice
Plantings of this variety remain scarce in the Northwest. However, the wines being produced are attention grabbing, as this wine attests. Fermented 100% whole cluster using carbonic maceration and aged in neutral oak, the aromas pull you into the glass, with notes of crunchy red fruit, flower, whole cranberry, herb, and crushed rock. The palate is light, juicy, and flavorful. It’s a complete delight. 13% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. Case production not provided. Reviewed June 20, 2025.

Eight Bells 2022 Red Willow Vineyard Sangiovese Yakima Valley $34
92 points, Critic’s Choice
The aromas show some initial reduction. Beyond that are piercingly fresh notes of cranberry, raspberry, and dried herb. The palate is medium-plus bodied, tart, puckering, and achingly fresh. The variety’s acidity and firm tannins are in support. It’s sensational – one of the most varietally correct Sangioveses I’ve had from Washington. 13.9% alcohol. Glass stopper. 280 cases produced. Reviewed June 20, 2025.

L’Ecole No. 41 2022 Merlot Columbia Valley $27
92 points, Critic’s Choice
This is a home run Washington Merlot that rounds the bases at an affordable price. Blended with 15% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec, fruit comes from 10 vineyards spanning 5 appellations. Aged 18 months in oak (25% new), the aromas bring notes of plum, black raspberry, and spice. The flavors coat the palate from end to end, with the appeal equal parts feel and flavors. It’s outrageously delicious. 14.5% alcohol. Synthetic cork. 5,500 cases produced. Reviewed March 31, 2025.

Lightning Rock 2024 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Cross Border Collection Counoise Washington $29
92 points, Critic’s Choice
This is Washington fruit, coming from a B.C. winery due to the freeze of 2024. It’s outrageously delicious. The aromas show crystalline clarity, with notes of crunchy red fruit, herb, and flower. The palate delivers on all of that promise with light-bodied, vivid, exquisitely pure fruit flavors. The finish keeps on going. Breathtaking stuff. Fans of lower alcohol, higher acid wines, this one is for you. NB: The state designation is not listed on the label. I am including it here for clarity of the fruit source. 12.4% alcohol. Screwcap. Imported by VIN-STAR Imports. Reviewed December 22, 2025.

Pomum 2022 Malbec Yakima Valley $38
92 points, Critic’s Choice
Fruit for this wine comes from Konnowac, the winery’s estate vineyard. The aromas are effusive and immediately identifiable as Malbec, with notes of plum, herb, flower, and orange rind. The full-feeling palate is fresh and pure, with lip-smacking blue and purple fruit flavors. It speaks to the variety, place, and vintage. What more could one ask for? Give it additional time in bottle or decant. 14.5% alcohol. Natural cork. 70 cases produced. Reviewed December 8, 2025.

CHARDONNAY

X Novo 2021 X Omni Vineyard Chardonnay Eola-Amity Hills $100
97 points, Cellar Stocker
It is exceedingly rare to see Chardonnay with this combination of intensity, texture, liveliness, and balance. The wine was raised 18 months in French oak (50% new). The aromas are intoxicating, with notes of struck flint, wet stone, citrus, orchard fruit, and a whiff of butterscotch. The palate has profound depth, intensity, textural richness, and, above all, balance. Truly vibrant, mouthwatering acidity gives the wine energy and propels it forward. An incredibly lengthy, persistent, just-will-not-quit, mouthwatering finish caps it off, flecked with toasty accents. It’s nothing short of an accomplishment for this producer, appellation, and region. Best from 2026 to 2033. 13.1% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 230 cases produced. Reviewed August 11, 2025.

LucidWild 2022 Hidden Single Vineyard Wine Chardonnay Dundee Hills $95
94 points, Critic’s Choice
This is all Dijon clone fruit (95 and 548). It was aged 12 months in neutral French oak. The aromas bring notes of whole lemon, toast, citrus pith, and spice. The palate is on the lighter side of medium-bodied, ethereal, with a snap of citrusy acidity. It’s compelling. Decant and pair it with seared scallops topped with a lemon cream sauce. 12.8% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 45 cases produced. Reviewed January 24, 2025.

Single Barrel 2022 Conner Lee Chardonnay Columbia Valley $50
94 points
Fruit for this wine comes from vines planted in 1989 and 1991. It was fermented and aged in French oak (100% new). Slightly cloudy in appearance, the aromas bring notes of spice, black licorice, flower, and pumpkin flesh. The palate is full-bodied, showing poise and presence. Toast and coffee notes accent the lengthy finish. It’s a rich style while holding its balance well. 14.8% alcohol. Natural cork. 133 cases produced. Reviewed September 23, 2025.

Long Shadows 2023 Dance Chardonnay Columbia Valley $42
93 points, Critic’s Choice
This wine is a blend of fruit from the White Bluffs (58%) and Yakima Valley. Aged on lees for 17 months with partial malolactic fermentation (25%), the aromas bring notes of apple, pear, and white peach. Full-bodied, plump feeling flavors follow, showing precision, intensity, depth, and grace. The balance is exquisite. The flavors linger on the long finish, featuring light barrel accents. It impresses – one of the best offerings of the Dance to date. 14.2% alcohol. Natural cork. 978 cases produced. Reviewed November 21, 2025.

Mongata 2023 Resurgent Vineyard Block H Estate Chardonnay Walla Walla Valley $35
93 points, Critic’s Choice
What’s this? A top quality Walla Walla Valley Chardonnay? Yes! Fruit for this wine was pressed into second fill and neutral puncheons and barriques. One sniff reveals the transparency and varietal expression that exceptional Chardonnay brings. The aromas boast notes of oyster shell, lemon curd, and mineral. The palate is rounded and textured, with pleasing viscosity while still moving along at a brisk pace, with cleansing acidity. The finish sticks around for 20+ seconds. It’s an attention-getting Chardonnay for this producer, appellation, and region. 13.5% alcohol. Natural cork. 140 cases produced. Reviewed February 14, 2025.

Januik 2024 Cold Creek Vineyard Chardonnay Columbia Valley $36
92 points, Critic’s Choice
No one in Washington – and perhaps even beyond – consistently does Chardonnay better at a more compelling price than Januik. Aged 10 months in French oak (50% new), the aromas are appealing and subtle, with notes of corn silk, pear, caramel, spice, and a whiff of flower. A medium-plus bodied, textured palate follows. The balance is exquisite throughout. It’s classic Januik, showing precision, grace, beauty, and balance. 13.5% alcohol. Natural cork. 686 cases produced. Reviewed November 21, 2025.

RIESLING

Canvasback 2023 Riesling Royal Slope $34
94 points, Critic’s Choice
Fruit for this wine comes from Lawrence and Frenchman Hills vineyards at an average elevation of 1,650 feet above sea level, quite high by Washington’s standards. Aged 8 months in stainless steel and large oak casks (20% new), it’s vibrantly aromatic, with notes of lime leaf, dried mandarin orange peel, flower, and white peach. The palate offers an explosion of bone-dry stone fruit flavors backed by vibrant acidity. It’s hard to ask for much more from a wine. If you’re looking for the new frontier of Washington Riesling, look no further. 12.5% alcohol. Screwcap. Case production not provided. Reviewed January 24, 2025.

Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen 2021 Evergreen Vineyard Eroica XLC Dry Riesling Columbia Valley $45
94 points, Critic’s Choice
This is one of the more fascinating wines coming out of the Columbia Valley, aged 22 months in upright oak casks with full lees contact. The aromas are perfumed, with notes of honeysuckle, jasmine, dried orange rind, lime leaf, and Lemon Nestea Iced Tea. The palate is medium-bodied and full of white peach and apricot flavors. Electric, lemony acidity keeps the interest way up. The balance is exceptional. It’s a rollicking good time. Riesling lovers, seek it out. 12.3% alcohol. Natural cork. 1,014 cases produced. Reviewed October 17, 2025.

Long Shadows 2024 Poet’s Leap Riesling Columbia Valley $20
93 points, Critic’s Choice
This is an aromatically expressive wine, with notes of white peach, lime leaf, wet stone, and flower. The palate is almost bone dry, with vivid stone fruit flavors, framed by a core of vibrant acidity. It’s completely thrilling – one of the best offerings of this wine that the winery has made to date, and that’s saying something! Enjoy now and also stash some away in the cellar. Either way, you won’t be disappointed. 12.1% alcohol. Natural cork. 6,025 cases produced. Reviewed December 8, 2025.

OTHER VARIETAL WHITES

Chehalem 2023 Chehalem Estate Vineyard Limited Production Grüner Veltliner Laurelwood District $35
94 points, Critic’s Choice
Fruit for this wine comes from blocks planted in 2019. It was fermented in stainless steel with no malolactic fermentation. The aromas boast notes of green apple, flower, wet rock, and white pepper. Crisp, medium-bodied flavors follow, with pleasing savory notes along with plentiful lemony accents. A verve of acidity keeps it lively and focused. It’s outrageously good. 12.3% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 400 cases produced. Reviewed March 31, 2025.

Gård 2024 Conner Lee Vineyard Lawrence Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley $50
94 points, Critic’s Choice
Coming from one of the Columbia Valley’s premier vineyards, this wine was fermented in foudre and aged sur lie for 10 months without racking. The aromas boast vibrant notes of pink grapefruit, kiwi, and passion fruit, squarely planted in the tropical. The medium-bodied, fresh palate is an explosion of intense fruit flavors, backed by tart, well-balanced acidity. The flavors sail on the finish. It brings a rare combination of aromatic intensity, flavor richness, acidity, and balance. Who could ask for more? 13% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 318 cases produced. Reviewed October 6, 2025.

Orr 2024 Old Vine Chenin Blanc Columbia Valley $28
94 points, Critic’s Choice
This thrilling wine was fermented with native yeast. The aromas are redolent with notes of Meyer lemon, pear, cut red apple, and a whiff of black licorice. The palate is on the lighter side of medium-bodied, textured, and shows tip-toe balance and precision. The variety’s bright acidity runs throughout. A lingering finish caps it off, with touches of peach. It’s exceptionally delicious. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best. Either way, get some, particularly fans of high acid white wines. 12.6% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 430 cases produced. Reviewed December 22, 2025.

Abbey Road Farm 2023 Estate Chenin Blanc Yamhill-Carlton $33
93 points, Critic’s Choice
This wine was fermented and aged sur lie in French oak (50%), Acacia puncheon (31%), and stainless steel. The aromas bring a fascinating medley of struck flint, white flower, apple skin, whole white grapefruit, and wet stone. The palate displays outrageous texture and depth, supported by vibrant, juicy acidity. It’s a shining star for this variety, a true knockout. It drinks best on the warmer end of the 55-60 scale. 13.6% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 189 cases produced. Reviewed February 14, 2025.

Ridgecrest 2023 Estate Grüner Veltliner Ribbon Ridge $30
93 points, Critic’s Choice
Coming from vines planted in 2006, this wine was aged five months in equal parts stainless steel and neutral French oak. The aromas offer notes of wet stone, green apple, lemon balm, and pea pod. Rounded-feeling, medium-bodied stone fruit flavors follow, supported by bright acidity. There’s pleasing textural richness, intensity, and length. It’s gorgeous. 13.2% alcohol. Screwcap. 375 cases produced. Reviewed March 31, 2025.

Grosgrain 2024 Philips Vineyard Albariño Walla Walla Valley $28
92 points, Critic’s Choice
This wine was aged on lees for eight months, primarily in concrete (85%), with the rest in neutral barrel. It aromatic, with notes of flower, nectarine, citrus, and the underside of a pineapple. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, textured, nectarous, and bright. It’s completely delicious. 12.6% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 315 cases produced. Reviewed September 12, 2025.

Revelation by Goose Ridge 2024 Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley $16
92 points, Value Pick
This is an aromatically vibrant wine, with notes of nectarine, yellow and pink grapefruit, melon, lime leaf, star fruit, and kiwi. The texture on the medium-bodied palate is dazzling, backed by tart, puckering acidity. A long, lemon-filled finish caps it off. It’s a big time winner. 13.2% alcohol. Screwcap. 2,500 cases produced. Reviewed September 12, 2025.

SPARKLING WINES

Argyle 2014 Extended Tirage Estate Grown Brut Willamette Valley $85
94 points, Critic’s Choice
This wine spent an astonishing 10 years on lees. It is 65% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, and 5% Pinot Meunier. The aromas dazzle, with notes of pear, baked bread, and spice. The palate is medium-bodied, backed by tart, lemon wedge-puckering acidity. It’s spectacular. 12.5% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 1,550 cases produced. Reviewed July 7, 2025.

Balsall Creek 2021 Sparkling Brut Chehalem Mountains $85
94 points, Critic’s Choice
This wine is a blend of Chardonnay (41%), Pinot Meunier (34%), and Pinot Noir, and it brings the best of each of them. It was aged on lees for 30 months and disgorged in November of 2024. The aromas offer notes of pear, spice, strawberry, and brioche. Tart, puckering, lemony flavors follow. The textural richness is impressive while never getting bogged down. The acid drives it. It’s riveting. 12.7% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 95 cases produced. Reviewed August 11, 2025.

Pashey 2021 Méthode Champenoise Estate Grown Cuvée Extra Brut Sparkling Wine Willamette Valley $65
93 points, Critic’s Choice
Chardonnay (72%) makes up most of this wine, with the rest equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. It spent 30 months en tirage and was disgorged in the summer of 2024. The aromas bring notes of herb, yeast, and lemon zest. Light, bright flavors follow, with puckering, citric acidity. The Pinot Meunier adds to the texture. Acid hounds, this one is for you. 12.3% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. Case production not provided. Reviewed October 29, 2025.

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