In our Winter 2020/21 print issue, we feature 28 marvelous wine club releases offered first (and sometimes exclusively) to members
WANT TO SIP WINE that only a few insiders will ever get a chance to taste? That is one of the elite privileges of joining a club at a winery that offers limited releases to its members. Many of our magazine readers report they belong to multiple wine clubs because they know that members (aka “insiders”) drink better than the masses. Bonus: they enjoy other perks all year long too, from bargains on prices to foodie events and other memorable experiences.
Here are 28 remarkable wines, mostly made in smaller lots and carefully chosen from the finest barrels, that club members get first dibs on—and in some instances, exclusive access.
Columbia Winery 2016 LX2 Cabernet Sauvignon
95 pts.
Flawless in structure, with a creamy, plush texture that opens to rich blackberry, deep dark cherry and licorice flavors exquisitely inlaid with cedar and graphite details offset by firm, polished tannins on the long and poetic finish. $110
Club Member Perks: Very limited at 106 cases, this is a wine club exclusive. 10-20% club discounts apply.
Castillo de Feliciana 2016 Bolsa Negra Reserve Red Wine
95 pts.
This elegant red flows with a fine silk texture and harmonious flavors of dense blackberry, cassis and dark cherry flanked by gorgeous crushed rock and deep purple notes that create a seamless impression. Velvet-clad tannins grip the finish. Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon $73
Club Member Perks: Wine club exclusive. 10-20% club discounts apply.
The Walls Vineyards 2018 Wonderful Nightmare
94 pts.
At-once beguiling, verging on opulent, but still fresh and youthful. Smoke, grilled meat and dark fruit aromas are followed by earthy flavors of leather, tobacco and red stone fruit. Ends with verve, forged by iron notes and lasting acidity. Tempranillo $48
Club Member Perks: Offered first to members, and then to visitors of the winery.
10-25% club discounts apply.
Maryhill Winery 2016 Elephant Mountain Vineyard Marvell GSM
93 pts.
Savory, deep and complex, this red shows muscle, with firm structure and refined flavors of blackberry, raspberry and currants mingled with white pepper, fig and espresso. Stony minerality rides alongside grippy tannins for the duration. Grenache/Mourvedre/Syrah $48
Club Member Perks: Premium Wine Club member exclusive. 25% club discounts apply.
Tsillan Cellars 2018 Estate Dolcetto
93 pts.
Sumptuous and rich, teeming with plump black and red currants, vibrant blackberry, leather and anise laced with copious black pepper and spice notes that contribute to the opulence on the firm finish. The fruit is 100% estate-grown from the Lake Chelan AVA. $34
Club Member Perks: Wine club exclusive, only 73 cases produced. 15-25% club discounts apply.
Tinte Cellars 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
93 pts.
Bursting with sophistication, exhibiting aromas of black fruit and pencil shavings. Opulent in structure with a pillowy mouthfeel and satiny tannins that contribute to the ethereal palate, heightened with cassis, blackberry, cocoa, graphite, loam and minerality that invade the finish. $48
Club Member Perks: 10% discount on bottles, 20% discount on cases.
Rocky Pond 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
93 pts.
This captivates with taut structure flowing with alluring blackberry reduction, cherry and violet flavors backlit by expressive graphite, anise and sage. Firm tannins extend the finish with emerging river rock and tobacco leaf accents. $60
Club Member Perks: Pre-release to club members only.
Brian Carter Cellars 2017 Big Daddy
93 pts.
This dry Douro-style red is sculpted with a mineral streak that flows through a rich center of red plum, dark currants, violet, dried orange peel and a mix of savory herbs. Shows precision to the intricate balance of fruit, spice, fresh acidity and tannin elements. Touriga Nacional/Souzao/Tinto Cao/Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) $50
Club Member Perks: Wine club exclusive release. 15-20% club discounts apply.
Chandler Reach Winery 2016 Carménère Yakima Valley
93 pts.
Sublime and alluring, with savory spice, dried herbs and Poblano pepper details that coalesce with condensed flavors of crushed raspberry and rich cherry that deepen exponentially on the drawn-out finish. $35
Club Member Perks: Wine club exclusive, only 80 cases produced. 15-20% club discounts apply.
Treveri Cellars 2016 Reserve Rosé
93 pts.
This special Brut rosé is richly satisfying, with a stellar beam of minerality cut with fine beads and framed by expressive flavors of strawberry, pink grapefruit and yellow currant. Ends with lingering notes of yeast roll and gingerbread. Chardonnay/Pinot Meunier $55
Club Member Perks: Available exclusively to Reserve Club members.
Cairdeas Winery Lawrence Vineyard 2019 Roussanne
93 pts.
A floral bouquet of honeysuckle and citrus tree blossoms greet the nose with peach and melon. Silky in texture with a creamy rich mouthfeel and flattering flavors of pear, hazelnut and limestone minerality that echo on the finish. $30
Club Member Perks: Released exclusively to wine club members every fall. Limited quantity produced.
Ambassador Wines of Washington 2017 Estate Petit Verdot
93 pts.
Earthy notes abound in this rendition, with impeccable structure that retains a lofty feel. Crafted with luscious black fruit, interwoven by dark cherry paste, black olive, and crushed rock accents, the flavors delve deep on the balanced finish boosted by sweet tannins. $75
Club Member Perks: Wine club exclusive, only 100 cases produced. 10-20% club discounts apply.
Gärd Lawrence Estate Wines Skål Sparkling Wine
93 pts.
Skål means “cheers!” and this version beckons with crisp minerality and striking harmony between the delicate flavors of red berry, pear, apple and Meyer lemon. Ultra-fine beads keep it focused on the long, dry finish. Pinot Noir/Chardonnay $45
Club Member Perks: Early release to members. 15-25% club discounts apply.
Eye of the Needle 2016 Private Eye
93 pts.
This luscious red made with Walla Walla Valley AVA fruit is artfully rendered, delivering a solid beam of pure blackberry, cassis, mocha and fine pencil shavings that contract and expand with well-embedded acidity and a firm core of tannins that bolster the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot $40
Club Member Perks: Pre-release to members only. 15-25% club discounts apply.
Mercer Estates Subsoil Bubbles
92 pts.
Festive and vibrant, this bubbly makes any day sparkle with expressive aromas and flavors of poached pear, apple blossom and apricot that combine with notes of yeast roll, jasmine, orange essence, candied ginger and blanched almond. Chardonnay/Viogner $32
Club Member Perks: This non-vintage white sparkling wine is a wine club exclusive. 20-30% club discounts apply.
Jacob Williams Winery 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
92 pts.
Engaging and richly spiced, with plush layers of brambly blackberry and raspberry mingled with crushed granite, peppercorn, and tea leaf character. A cache of dried savory herbs persists on the fine-grained finish. $40
Club Member Perks: Pre-release to members only. 20-30% club discounts apply.
Warr-King Wines 2018 Cabernet Franc
92 pts.
Expressive and elegant, displaying a vivid core of raspberry preserves layered with dark cherry and baker’s chocolate. Gravelly loam notes pick up on the mid-palate, building good weight with a boost of firm tannins and flowing acidity that keep it energetic. $40
Club Member Perks: Exclusive member-only access to this limited-release wine. 15-20% club discounts apply.
Tipsy Canyon Winery 2018 Merlot
92 pts.
Brawny and rich, this deep, jammy red from the Lake Chelan AVA flexes with towering flavors of black cherry, blackberry and blueberry. Savory elements emerge midway, revealing suave notes of leather, mocha and barrel spice that extends long onto the finish. $34
Club Member Perks: First access to club members. 10-15% club discounts apply.
Rolling Bay Winery 2017 Lewis Vineyards Syrah
92 pts.
Complex and rich, with a firm structure swirling with layers of blackberry and dark blue fruit and hints of cherry. The flavors merge with a spotlight of acidity that reflect pink peppercorn and earthy garrigue notes that persist on the finish. $48
Club Member Perks: Limited production of 64 cases offered at 15% discount to club members.
L’Ecole Nº 41 2019 Evergreen Vineyard Chardonnay
92 pts.
Sleek and lush, with great structural character framed by butterscotch, ripe pear, fresh apple and peach aromas and flavors tinted with floral notes. A pretty accent of lime oil overlaps the finish, carrying good underlying acidity. $35
Club Member Perks: First access to winery exclusive releases like this one. 10-20% club discounts apply.
Walter Dacon Wines 2013 Mourvèdre
92 pts.
Bold and jammy, loaded with flavors of warm spice and black cherry liqueur that show great intensity, interwoven with plum sauce, licorice, cedar and flower accents that stretch over the full-bodied long finish. Made with grapes sourced from the Wahluke Slope AVA. $42
Club Member Perks: Wine club exclusive library wine; members receive 10-20% discount.
Kiona Vineyards Red Mountain Nyx II (NV)
92 pts.
This smooth and polished red offers a blitz of vibrant red plum and dark berries encased in white pepper spice notes. Reveals an earthy and floral profile as it opens, with distinctive leather followed by tarragon and lavender that fill in on the finish. Mourvèdre/Syrah/Grenache $40
Club Member Perks: Members receive 30% discount on 12+ bottles; 15% discount on 1-11 bottles. 277 cases produced.
C.R. Sandidge
2018 Limited Release Whistle Punk
92 pts.
Sleek, rich and multi-layered, this single-vineyard Syrah charms with sweet tobacco and blue fruit aromas. Plum, blackberry and boysenberry flavors mingle with singed vanilla and caramel backed by a cedary grip on the long finish. $35
Club Member Perks: Wine club exclusive release. 20-30% club discounts apply
Elevation Cellars 2016 Black Peak Tempranillo
92 pts.
A robust red streaked with tar and mesquite notes, revealing a powerful and lively blend of black cherry, tobacco, leather and vanilla flavors. The well-structured finish is etched with firm tannins and gravelly accents. $38
Club Member Perks: Released to club members first; 15% bottle discount, 25% case discount.
Northwest Cellars 2013 Intrigue Red Wine Columbia Valley
91 pts.
Refined yet rich and vibrant, this Bordeaux style library wine delivers saturated flavors of black currant, red cherry and boysenberry fused with floral violet, aged barrel spice and caramel notes. Tightly wound tannins play out well on the minerally finish. $32
Club Member Perks: Exclusive access to library wines like this 2013 vintage, with 20% discount on bottles, 30%/cases.
Adrice Wines 2018 Dextérité French Malbec
91 pts.
Crafted with some of the original clones brought in from the French region where Malbec originated. Spicy, fruity and floral aromas of dark fruit and dill lead to rich flavors of blackberry cobbler, cherry and plum infused with lavender and mocha on the long finish. $38
Club Member Perks: First access, early release to club members. 15-20% club discounts apply.
Glacier View Cellars 2016 Sangiovese Yakima Valley
91 pts.
A fuller-bodied version that’s lithe, bright and flashy in style, packed with red cherry, tar, leather and balsamic notes of dried thyme and rosemary. Expressive, with light iron, berry and spice notes that glide on the finish. $34
Club Member Perks: Limited release of 100 cases. 15-20% club discounts apply.
Martinez & Martinez 2019 Albariño Yakima Valley AVA
90 pts.
Floral and fresh, enveloped with honeysuckle and lime aromas linked to orange citrus-like acidity. Super ripe pear, apple and cantaloupe flavors gush sublimely on the gracious finish. The fruit comes from Tudor Hills Vineyard. $20
Club Member Perks: Limited release and a first offering to club members. 15-25% club discounts apply.