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Top Picks: 20 Wines & Pairings for Summer Grilling & Al Fresco Dining

August 5, 2020

ROSÉ » It’s like sunshine in a bottle, with food-friendly zip in every sip.

The Walls 2019 Cruel Summer Rosé, $25
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding, 92 pts.
Crafted in the style of Provence, this dry rosé is sleek and elegant, with a complex profile of white cherry, peach and melon dovetailed with expressive lemon and lime citrus. An infusion of saline minerality and spice notes beckon on the crisp, lasting finish.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Goes with most foods; we are especially fond of grilled lamb, duck or even chicken

Eye of the Needle 2019 Moments Rosé, $18
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding, 91 pts.
This fuller bodied version announces itself with enticing warm spice and red berry aromatics. Unabashedly rich in style, offering a sleek mix of strawberry and raspberry preserves, layered with citrus and refreshing cranberry. White pepper accents emerge on the finish.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Grilled salmon or prawns and veggies; but definitely has the structure for heavier choices

Warr-King Wines 2019 Lily Frances Rosé, $26
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding, 91 pts.
Creamy, smooth and filled with youthful energetic personality, there’s a slightly sweet edge guiding rich floral and tropical flavors of passion fruit, strawberry and Bing cherry. Distant notes of orange citrus and sea breeze grace the finish.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Grilled corn and black bean salsa with chips, chicken or fish; lightly spiced crab cakes; grilled salmon

Castillo de Feliciana 2019 Rosé of Tempranillo, $28
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding, 91 pts
Sharply cut and well defined, with aromas of lime blossom, melon, dried cherry and saline notes. Stony minerality courses through the brisk, racy acidity accompanied by lingering accents of rose petal and polished wet stone.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Prosciutto-wrapped roasted asparagus; halibut tacos with lime sauce and avocado; grilled prawns

RED WINE » Can you spell R-E-S-P-E-C-T? Because sharing any one of these beauties will earn you plenty of it.

Russell’s Code-Breaker Red Blend, $52
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding, 92 pts.
This red has plenty of power, with firm tannins and a charcoal edge supporting velvety and concentrated red fruit, layered with appealing dried currant, graphite, cocoa and cigar wrapper. Lovely upbeat spice flavors and aromas linger on the long, distinctive finish.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Grilled filet mignon with chef Russell Dean Lowell’s demi glace; roasted rack of lamb

Rocky Pond Winery 2017 “11 Dams” Cabernet Sauvignon, $37
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding, 92 pts.
Supple and expressive, defined by firm tannins that chisel their way through layers of cherry and dried currants, intertwined with graphite, cocoa and hints of bay leaf. There’s elegant power to the structure that holds everlasting on the concentrated finish.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Portabella mushrooms grilled with butter and garlic; blue cheese inspired charcuterie plate; pepper steak

Three of Cups 2017 L’ermite Grenache, $24
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding, 91 pts.
Beguiling, with savory underpinnings of tri-colored peppercorns, spice box, leather and baker’s chocolate that ripple with jammy flavors of strawberry, blackberry and rose petal. High-pitched and acutely tuned, with a hint of mesquite coals on the supple finish.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Grilled salmon; backyard paella; versatile with many barbecued dishes too

Cairdeas Winery 2018 Concrete Syrah, $45
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding, 92 pts.
Understated elegance is the cornerstone of this wine aged in a concrete tank. There’s dazzling balance behind the minerally characters of blackberry, blueberry, violet, olives and garrigue. The finish rolls out gracefully and is worthy of extra attention.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Duck confit, elk or venison roast to match the earthy shadings of this wine

WHITE WINE » Set the picnic table with white linens for a French-style champagne and three lovely white varietals worthy of any outdoor celebration.

Patterson Cellars 2018 Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine, $40
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding, 91 pts.
Brioche and mineral accents flow through creamy, ultra fine beads firmly framed with balanced acidity. Core flavors of star fruit, green apple and lemon tart are backed by chalky caliche notes on the enchanting, vibrant finish.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Chef Aubry suggests cucumber tarragon chicken salad served on lettuce cups or a toasted baguette

Mercer Estates 2016 Yakima Valley Small Lot Riesling, $20
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding, 91 pts.
Gorgeously aromatic, with striking notes of honey, paraffin, orchard blossom and lychee. The palate is racy and stony in feel, with tightly harnessed flavors of white peach, citrus tree fruit and light tones of mineral spice on the dry finish.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Barbecued chicken; grilled shrimp and a range of seafoods

Tsillan Cellars 2019 Lake Chelan Estate Pinot Grigio, $28
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding, 91 pts.
Lemony citrus and hints of orange essence mingle effortlessly in this refreshing estate white wine from Lake Chelan, backed with lovely green apple, melon, peach and floral flavors. Finishes on a zesty note with a light spritz of effervescence.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: The wine’s acidity finds a friend with the sweet tang of blood orange glazed salmon; grilled scallops with lemon

Jacob Williams Winery 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $22
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding, 91 pts.
Lush and balanced, with captivating aromas of grapefruit, guava and meadow grass that mingle with flavors of Key lime and lemon cream around a framework of energetic acidity. Spice details chime in on the zesty finish.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Spicy Chilean sea bass with lightly charred asparagus and a kiss of lemon on top

RED WINE » Four barbecue-friendly reds that radiate casual elegance, with a bold New World touch.

Elevation Cellars 2014 Columbia Valley Monolith, $41
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding, 93 pts.
This plush, mouth-filling red boasts elegant flavors of graphite, sweet tobacco, coffee and earth draped over rich cassis and macerated black cherry layers. A dense matrix of fine-grained tannins sets the stage for a superlative finish.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Tender beef sirloin kebabs with fresh-grilled, seasoned summer vegetables and mushrooms

Finn Hill Winery 2015 “Vivant” Rosebud Vineyard Malbec, $30
Editor’s Choice – Excellent, 90 pts.
The ultra plush tannins stand out, lending structure and suave vibrancy to the flashes of black plum and pomegranate fruit etched with leather, violet, loamy earth, sage and cedar box flavors. Pure and seamless, with good tension and long length.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Steak; blue cheese burger; or any king of barbecue like lamb, beef or pork; suits smoked, chili-based rubs

Ambassador Wines of Washington 2016 Grenache, $45
Editor’s Choice – Extraordinary, 95 pts.
The estate fruit shines with sublime precision, delivering crushed black raspberry and cassis flavors etched with warm anise, garrigue, mineral and white pepper. There’s good density and ample grip to the structure that flows effortlessly on the impeccable finish.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Grilled baby back ribs with herbed potato salad

Tipsy Canyon Winery 2017 Columbia Valley Malbec, $36
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding, 91 pts.
Bold, with good heft and juicy flavors of concentrated pomegranate, blackberry and dark plum layered with violet, white pepper, vanilla and a touch of smoked meat. Firm, sweet tannins coat the full-flavored finish.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Dry rubbed brisket aged for two days, then slowly smoked and topped with barbecue sauce

WHITE WINE » These French varietal white wines will leave you exclaiming, “C’est si bon!” [Translation: It is so good!]

Northwest Cellars 2018 Yakima Valley Chardonnay, $16
Editor’s Choice – Excellent, 90 pts
Value buy! This version displays a yin-yang of zesty and creamy notes filled with lemon, yellow apple, grapefruit and poached pear flavors. Light floral hints edge on the finish, while the bright citrus fruit offers an abundance of food-friendliness.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Greek lemon chicken; dishes with tuna; grilled salmon; pasta with capers and pesto

Tinte Cellars 2018 Columbia Valley Viognier, $27
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding, 91 pts.
Gorgeous for its vibrant structure, this white is fragrant, energetic and crisp, delivering layers of honeysuckle, jasmine, green melon, pear, white peach and juicy lemon accented with finishing touches of minerality.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Fresh Dungeness crab cakes coated in bread crumbs

Hard Row to Hoe 2018 Bordello Blanc, $30
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding, 91 pts
Delightfully energetic and bone dry, with an inviting display of lemon, kiwi, pear and melon accents. The zippy acidity races through the lovely mouthwatering finish in this white Bordeaux style blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Seafood, like ceviche with mango and habanero; spicy coconut mussels; and raw or fried oysters

Lord Lion 2016 Royal Pride Chardonnay, $18
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding, 91 pts.
Supple and graceful, with floral and tropical fruit aromas. The creamy mouthfeel over delivers with fresh-cut pineapple, pear tart, Meyer lemon and hints of lime. Ends with slight effervescence and spice notes on the rich finish.
Vintner’s Suggested Pairing: Grilled salmon or chicken marinated in coconut, cilantro and lime

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About the Magazine

Tasting Room® magazine is the ultimate authority on the Washington wine scene and your personal tour guide to wineries, vineyards, destinations and travel tips, and artisan foods, chefs and artists. In short, Tasting Room is a metaphor for life’s simple pleasures that pair remarkably well with wine—touring, food, travel, culture, recreation and people.

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