With Independence Day coming around soon, what better way to celebrate than with American wines, especially ones from Washington State? Here are some recommendations for Holiday.

Barbecue Reds

Robust reds are especially suitable, especially Syrah, Malbec, GSM blends, and BDX blends. From recent issues of the Review of Washington Wines, I suggest.

2013 Alexandria Nicole "Jet Black" Syrah, Horse Heaven Hills, Destiny Ridge Vineyard ($28) - 18.5/20 points - March

2014 College Cellars Carmenere, Walla Walla Valley, Clarke Vineyard ($20) - 18+/20 points - April

2014 Sleight of Hand Cellats "The Spellbinder" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($20) - 18+/20 points - June

2013 Milbrandt Vineyards "The Estates" Malbec Wahluke Slope ($26) - 18.5/20 points - July

2013 Forgeron Cellars Facon Rouge, Columbia Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($35) - 18.5/20 points - July

Fun Whites

For casual outdoor entertaining bright, aromatic whites are more appropriate than Chardonnay. 

2014 Cadaretta "SBS" White Wine, Columbia Valley (Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon) ($23) - 18.5 points - March

2014 Forgeron Cellars "Façon Blanc" White Wine, Columbia Valley ($25) - 18.5/20 points - July

2015 Rôtie Cellars Southern White, Washington State (Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne) ($32) - To be reviewed August

Bright Rosés

See the June 15 Blog posting below for recommended rosés. In addition, here are four more.

2015 Domaine Pouillon Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills ($20) - Composed of 65% Grenache and 35% Mourvèdre, this offers a copper color and attractive aromas of peach, cherry and tangerine, with bright fruits and a lightly spiced Provençal-like dry finish. 18.5/20 points.

2015 Syncline Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills, McKinley Springs Vineyard ($20) - This combination of 39% Cinsault, 36% Carignan and 25% Grenache comes on like a Tavel Rosé from the South Rhone. Copper-pink colored and fragrant, with ripe, slatey fruits, this is a delightfully lively rosé. 18+/20 points.

2015 Tertulia Cellars Tempranillo Rosé, Walla Walla Valley ($22) - Brilliant copper-pink, this wine possesses ripe aromas of cherry, raspberry and tangerine and nicely extracted flavors with notes of grape skin and kirsch and framboise liqueurs, followed by a dry yet juicy finish. 18+/20 points.

2015 Walla Faces "Art" Rosé, Walla Walla Valley ($20) - This 90% Estate Syrah and 10% Viognier combination offers a light copper color and intriguing aromas of raspberry, orange peel and white incense. The flavors are fresh and mouth filling, with undertone of grape skin and orange peel, followed by a juicy, dry lightly spiced finish. 18+/20 points