Challenger Ridge Offers a Wide Range of Red and White Wines

Today I’d like to offer a few recommendations from Challenger Ridge Vineyard & Cellars. The winery and tasting room are located near Concrete and you’ll also find their wines at several Bellingham grocers and wine shops.

One of the best things about Challenger Ridge wines is variety, with current releases that include a wide range of white, reds, blends, and even something sweet for dessert.

White wine favorites include a barrel fermented 2007 Pinot Gris (about $13), that features plenty of citrus flavors along with a slightly creamy finish and big mouth feel. The 2007 Viognier (about $13) is also a rich, full-bodied wine, with generous peach flavors and a lengthy finish.

Winemaker Randy Bonaventura’s dogs, Faye and Gordon lend their names to two outstanding red wine blends. With a base of syrah – along with malbec, tempranillo and just a dash of viognier for aroma – the delicious 2007 Faye (about $20) suggests subtle flavors of dark cherry and chocolate.

The 2006 Gordon (about $20) is a blend of five red varietals consisting of cabernet, cabernet franc, malbec, petit verdot, and merlot. It’s a sturdy, herbaceous and savory wine that will pair well with a beef entrée or can easily be cellared for future enjoyment.

Filled with strawberry aromas, the 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir (about $36) is a remarkable release that transforms into a sultry, smoky red wine with a touch of pepper on the finish. Despite the fairly hefty price, this is a mandatory purchase for any true pinot noir fanatic.

To finish up, try the 2007 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc (about $20 for 375 ml). It displays an intoxicating nose of sweet alfalfa along with an 8 percent residual sugar content that yields a honey-like finish that’s not overwhelmingly sweet.