Hailing from several generations of French winemakers (it’s said his family estate in Alsace, France has been producing wine since 1579), Jean Claude Beck of Woodhouse Wine Estates in Woodinville has a knack for coaxing beautiful aromas, textures and flavors from Washington-grown Riesling grapes. We recently tasted through a vertical series of Yakima Valley single-vineyard Rieslings, each a beauty unto its own.
Kennedy Shah 2012 Dubrul Vineyard Reserve Riesling, $15
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding!
Nose: Pleasing opening aromas of petrol (the good kind) with fresh scents of Bosc pear, apple and honey blossom.
Taste: Slightly effervescent and off-dry, with racy flavors of lemon citrus, crisp pear, apricot and minerality that soar through the bright finish.
Alcohol: 13.3%
Production: 298 cases
Kennedy Shah 2013 Dubrul Vineyard Reserve Riesling, $15
Editor’s Choice – Excellent
Aromas and flavors of grapefruit, white nectarine, ginger and chalky minerality. This medium dry Riesling is moderately creamy in texture and displays balanced acidity.
Alcohol: 13.3%
Production: 384 cases
Kennedy Shah 2014 Angiolina Vineyard Reserve Riesling, $15
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding!
Big, bold, yet refined, this is a white wine that red wine drinkers will equally love. The 2014 vintage is medium sweet and fuller in style, with exotic aromas and flavors of floral white jasmine, candied ginger, pineapple, plantain and citrusy lemon-lime.
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 277 cases
Website: www.thewoodhousewineestates.com