Cabernet/Merlot
March, 2006 Update: Bad news! I received word from Michael Burnett that the ’03 vintage has sold out (although you might find a stray bottle here and there)! But look for the ’04 vintage to be released sometime during spring, 2006. Chuckanut Ridge 2003 Bad Bunny (about $18): Winemakers John Powers and Michael Burnett smash […]
Claret
Basel Cellars 2002 (about $24): This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc absolutely rocked my world. Gobs of big, lush, jammy berry fruit flavors and a touch of spice on the finish make it one of the best wines I tasted in calendar year 2005. This is the type of red wine from […]
Barbera
Cascade Cliffs 2003 (about $17): One thing I like about this winery is that they’re not afraid to use types of grapes that youwon’t usually find in the mainstream. For whites, they’ve previously produced a delicious wine using the Symphony grape and for this red wine recommendation, the Barbera. This is a great little red […]
Honey Moon Winery: Mead and More
Located under Pepper Sister restaurant, Honey Moon Winery opened in Bellingham earlier this ear with the primary focus on Mead, a honey-based wine. I was pleased to learn that they also produce some pretty good grape-based wines that you might be interested in checking out. All of their varietals are from Yakima Valley vineyards and […]
Goose Ridge + Charlie Hoppes = A Winning Combination
Established in 1999, Goose Ridge is one of a growing list of family owned Washington wineries that produces small quantities of handcrafted, high quality wines that deserve your attention. Undoubtedly, one of the reasons for this newer winery’s success is its winemaker, Charlie Hoppes. If you haven’t yet heard of Hoppes, it’s probably only a […]