The pioneering Mercer family has been farming in the Horse Heaven Hills for four generations. Don Mercer planted the first wine grapes in the appellation in 1972. Today, Mercer Estates are one of the top ten growers in terms of vineyard size. One hundred percent of the grapes for this Reserve Chardonnay were sourced from Zephyr Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills … [Read more...] about Mercer Estates 2013 Reserve Chardonnay, $32
Guide to Wine Scores
Our wine reviews are based on evaluative tastings by Tasting Room Magazine’s editors. Overall score ratings are based on aroma; flavor; typicity of character; structure and balance. Quality-to-price ratio (QPR) can play a factor, meaning that an $80 wine with a score of 90 pts. falls in a much higher league than that of a $15 wine given the same score.
95-100 pts. – Extraordinary: a truly great wine of its variety
91-94 pts. – Outstanding: exceptional quality, character and complexity
88-90 pts. – Excellent: very well made and highly recommended
85-87 pts. – Recommended: a solid wine, may offer superior value if the price is right
Madsen Family Cellars 2010 McKinley Springs Petit Verdot, $30
The Olympia-based winery's owner/winemaker Dana Madsen sourced hand-picked fruit for this wine from McKinley Springs Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Nose: Dusky aromas of dark fruit, red currant, rose petals, cedar box and dried savory herbs. Taste: Rich and dense with bold, textured tannins and a sheen of polished minerality that glides along extracted brooding … [Read more...] about Madsen Family Cellars 2010 McKinley Springs Petit Verdot, $30
McKinley Springs Vineyard 2010 Malbec, $24
Winemaker Doug Rowell of McKinley Springs family-owned and operated 2,000-acre estate vineyard aged this delicious Malbec for 18 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels. Nose: Aromas of black and red fruit, black olive, tobacco, spice and smoke accents. Taste: Brawny and bold with powerful dark flavors of blackberry, plum skin, caramel, mocha, tar and … [Read more...] about McKinley Springs Vineyard 2010 Malbec, $24
Martinez & Martinez 2011 César Red Wine, $22
This flagship proprietary blend from the boutique winery run by the Martinez family is crafted with Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Cabernet Franc (15%) and Carménerè (15%). All the fruit is sourced from Martinez Vineyard and Alder Ridge Vineyards, both in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Nose: Aromas of dark red fruit and blueberry accented with vanilla and graphite. Taste: … [Read more...] about Martinez & Martinez 2011 César Red Wine, $22
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2011 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, $20
Owned by Precept Wine, Canoe Ridge was originally a partnership between Chalone Wines in Napa, Calif. and a group of Washington farmers and investors that founded the vineyard in 1990, with the winery to soon follow. This iconic Walla Walla-based winery has been sourcing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay from their eponymous Horse Heaven Hills vineyard since … [Read more...] about Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2011 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, $20
Featured Wines: Horse Heaven Hills AVA
Written by John Vitale The Horse Heaven Hills American Viticultural Area (AVA) is one of Washington’s largest grape regions with a reputation earned for powerfully structured wines that are gracefully balanced. The growing region sprawls across a windswept plateau 50 miles long and 20 miles wide in southeast Washington. It is a wine grower’s paradise long dominated by … [Read more...] about Featured Wines: Horse Heaven Hills AVA