Now that the August issue is on line, I have already started working on the September issue. In Walla Walla, we have visited Guardian Cellars, a Woodinville Winery that has opened a tasting room on Main Street, and Kerloo Cellars which used to be in Walla Walla and has recently opened a tasting room, also on Main Street. On Saturday, we will drive to the Columbia Gorge to visit COR Cellars, Syncline and Domaine Pouillon on the hill above Lyle, Washington. We have also picked up samples from other wineries that will also be included in the September issue.

New Wines Recently Tasted

2021 Freewater Winery Rosé, Walla Walla Valley ($26) - Located in Milton-Freewater, this winery has turned out a nice Rosé of Grenache, Counoise and Cinsault. Copper-pink colored it possesses intriguing aromas and deftly extracted fruits and a bit of spritz on the crisp finish. 18.5/20 points. Full review to be in the September issue of the Review ion Washington Wines.

2021 Guardian Cellars Rosé, Columbia Valley ($25) - This 40% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 30% Syrah combination offers a light pink-copper color and attractive aromas and fresh, sprightly flavors, with a nicely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points. Full review in September.

2021 Willamette Valley Vineyards "Whole Cluster" Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley ($25) - Brilliant copper-tinged pink, this emits lovely aromas of bright fruits - strawberry, cherry, watermelon - and flowers and deftly extracted flavors that show exquisite balance. Lynn: 3 of 3 Stars .Purchased for $21.99. 18.5+/20 points. Full review in September.

2021 Woffler Estate Vineyards "Summer in a Glass" Côtes de Provence Rosé ($25 - The Thief, Walla Walla) - This is an attractive Rosé. It shows a brilliant light copper-pink color and enticing aromas of strawberry, red currant, Mandarin orange, summer flowers (like those on the label) and pink lavender and incense. The flavors are fresh and lively, marked by light grape skins and Provençal hillside minerals. The back picks up fraise and cassis liqueurs and a twist of orange peel on the nicely juiced finish. 18.5/20 points. 

2019 Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Bourgogne, "Les Grandes Terres" ($37 - The Thief) - This offers a deep brick red color and enticing aromas of fraises de bois, cherries, black currants, crushed roses, pipe tobacco, violets and sweet incense. The flavors show true Burgundian Pinot Noir character, with ample yet deep and focused dark red fruits that are underlain with licorice, cocoa, French roast and minerals. On the back, the wine fills out with fraise and crème de cassis liqueurs, followed by a ripe, sweetish tannin finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2019 Dobbes Family Estate "Grand Assemblage" Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley ($47) - This is an impressive Oregon Pinot. It shows a brick red color and enticing aromas of strawberry, cherry, black currant, crushed roses, mulberry and stick incense. The flavors are generous and mouth filling, yet deep and focused, with red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, roasted coffee beans and earth. On the back, the wine fills out with fraise and cerise liqueurs and crème de cassis, followed by a vigorous ripe tannin and acid finish. Purchased for $ 37.99 at Safeway. 18.5+/20 points.

2020 La Crema Chardonnay, Russian River Valley ($35) - From a prime AVA for Burgundian varieties, this shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of pear-apple, white peach, citrus, apple blossoms, acacia flowers, wisteria, vanillin and white incense. The flavors are vibrant, with notes of grape and pear skins, peach stones and alluvial minerals. On the back, the wine strikes a balance between crispness and richness, with pear and peach liqueurs, roasted hazelnuts and a touch of butterscotch, counterpointed by lemon zest and fruit acids on the lingering finish. Purchased for $26.99 at Safeway. 18.5+/20 points.

2019 La Crema Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast ($35) -  Brick red colored, this possesses a rich, smoky nose of strawberry, cherry, red currant, red roses, mulberry, tobacco, sage and stick incense. The flavors are generous yet focused, with red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, black tea and coastal minerals. On the back, the wine turns chewy textured with macerated berries, roasted nuts, kirsch and fraise liqueurs and crème de cassis, followed by a savory ripe tannin finish. Purchased for $24.99. 18.5/20 points.