Spokane: Washington’s Hidden Gem

The coffee finally started kicking in somewhere around the outskirts of Spokane. I had just spent the previous five days on a non-stop tour of wineries in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, then moved on to the Yakima Valley in Washington, followed by the Wine Bloggers’ Conference in Walla Walla. The only thing keeping my sleep deprived body going was a large cup of my favorite stimulant.

2008 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Blanc – Columbia Valley, WA

My wife and I were both blown away by this wine—huge nose for a blanc, with all kinds of great elements: grapefruit, lemon, honey, fig, and minerals. It’s buttery, but not oaky, allowing the wine to completely cover the palate, quickly, and not set off any oak alarms. Picked up a few bottles of this at the winery and debating whether or not I should pick up more. This will be a mainstay white in our house, no question. Read more on RJ’s Wine Blog.

2007 Trio Vintners Riot Red Table Wine, Columbia Valley

This unusual blend of 52% Sangiovese, 36% Syrah and 12% Mourvèdre is appropriately named as it is a riot in a glass. A nose of fresh cherries and berries jumps out in your face. There is youthfulness in the palate and yet the complexity makes it a very age worthy wine that makes you want to revisit later. Can’t beat the price for the quality.

2006 Skylite Cellars Syrah, Columbia Valley

A smoky and meaty wine with a mouthful of blueberries and just as dark and dense as ink. Believe it or not, I was served this wine with a dessert of cheesecake with a sweet cherry sauce on top. It worked. Oh my how it worked, leaving a finish of sweet dark port and milk chocolate. From dessert to game, this Syrah can handle it all.

2006 L’Ecole No. 41 Merlot, Columbia Valley

L’Ecole has been producing Merlot since 1983 and after all of these years, they still have the “touch.” With the addition of 12% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon the nose is spicy showing a palate of dark cherries, plums and brambleberries. And last but not least, a long finish of chocolate and pepper.

2008 Buty Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle, Columbia Valley

A classic Bordeaux-style white blend of 69% Sémillon, 26% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle. I believe this was the first time I had ever tasted Washington State wine with Muscadelle. The nose on this white wine was of honeysuckle and the palate was clean, fresh and dry with taste of melons, lemon and a bit of honey.

2006 Milbrandt Vineyards Traditions Cabernet Sauvignon

This is another of those easy-to-drink and well-made Washington state Cabernets.It’s smooth with a hint of currant and paired nicely with a steak off the grill. It’s a fruit-forward wine that is well structured with an easy to enjoy finish. This is a real bang-for-the-buck wine! WHO Milbrandt Vineyards WHAT Cabernet Sauvignon (75.4%), Merlot (12.3%), [...]