Walla Walla

2008 Pedestal Columbia Valley Merlot

Ryan Reichert
Wine Reviews
1 min read
Clear, bright, medium-deep intensity, ruby red. Clean, medium intensity aromas of dark fruit, plum, blackberry, sage, and cedar. Dry on the palate, medium-high tannin, medium body and acidity. Flavors of black cherry, blackberry, charred wood, bitter herbs, and moss. Pair with herb crusted lamb or a spicy black bean burger. Recommended. RR

In Pursuit of the Best: Meliora Wines

Erin McGrath
Features
4 min read
Sommeliers-turned-winemakers: a predictable career move for restaurant wine professionals. Despite the large number of stories such as these among sommeliers, many are not vanity projects; instead, unique endeavors of true passion for a particular region or style.

Palate Press Wine of the Week: 2008 Whitman Cellars Viognier

Palate Press
FeaturesWine Reviews
1 min read
Clear, bright, medium straw yellow; Clean nose with medium intensity white flowers, candied citrus rind, apricot, sweet hay, yellow apple, and hotdog water (not bad! this is a classic Viognier marker for me!); Dry on the palate with medium-full body, medium acid, medium alcohol, medium flavors of yellow apple, peach skin, honeysuckle, candied lemon; rich texture and a medium-long finish. Pair with pan seared tofu glazed with spicy peach preserves. Highly recommended.

2008 Whitman Cellars Viognier

Ryan Reichert
Wine Reviews
1 min read
Clear, bright, medium straw yellow; Clean nose with medium intensity white flowers, candied citrus rind, apricot, sweet hay, yellow apple, and hotdog water (not bad! this is a classic Viognier marker for me!); Dry on the palate with medium-full body, medium acid, medium alcohol, medium flavors of yellow apple, peach skin, honeysuckle, candied lemon; rich texture and a medium-long finish. Pair with pan seared tofu glazed with spicy peach preserves.

2009 Wines of Substance Counoise

Megan Blankenship
Wine Reviews
1 min read
Aged in 100% neutral French oak, this 2009 American Counoise exhibits a signature burgundy hue that looks slightly darker than your typical Pinot Noir. Spicy and sultry, this wine tickles the back of the palate just as you begin to detect hints of vanilla, raspberries, and loam. While it demonstrates its youth, Substance’s Counoise is ready to be paired with a French country dinner of roasted rosemary chicken and red potatoes. It is enjoyable by the glass but its beautiful, tight structure requires some decanting before serving.

2006 Otis Kenyon Cabernet Sauvignon

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
This is very rich wine, with loads of chocolate and bruised black fruit, a touch of cloves, and sweet dusty tannins. Wood effects are obvious, teetering on the edge but not quite tipping into the realm of an "oaksident." The wood is a big part of the flavor profile, turning some drinkers on and others off. Drink it with pan seared lamb chops and deglaze the pan with a little of the wine.