One of the main purposes of the Review of Washington Wines Blog is to write about other wines that are outside the scope of the Review of Washington Wines monthly issues which covers wines from Washington State and contiguous American Viticultural Areas which straddle state boundaries. We love Washington wines but we love other wines as well: French wines, Italian wines, California wines and so on. When picking up such wines, there usually is a reason for doing so. Here are some wines we've tried recently and why I picked them out.

2022 Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages ($17.99 - Safeway) - It's been some time before we last had a Beaujolais this young, the Spring after harvest, which recalls our visits to France during Printemps. So I grabbed this at Safeway. Purplish colored (typical of a young Gamay), it exudes aromas of raspberry, cherry, currant, crushed roses, purple lilac and lightly spiced sweet incense. The flavors are deliciously fresh and juicy, with red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, sassafras tea and earth. On the back, the wine enlivens with pressed fruits, kirsch and framboise liqueurs, followed by an, again, juicy finish. Serve slightly chilled as the French do with young Beaujolais. 18+/20 points.

2022 Domaine Collotte Marsannay Rosé ($25 - The Thief, Walla Walla) - Marsannay is situated st the northern end of the Côte d'Or and the Rosés are produced from Pinot Noir. Not much is exported, so when I see one, I pick it up. This one displays a deep copper-pink color and intriguing aromas of fraises de bois, pomegranate, pink cherry and blood orange with scents of cherry and orange blossoms, daylilies and orange incense.The flavors are bright and vivid, with copious pink and orange fruits that are intermixed with grape skins, cherry stones and slaty minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with fraise and cerise liqueurs, pomegranate seeds and orange peel, followed by a juicy, well textured finish. 19/20 points. 

2021 Lafage "Côté de L'Est" Côtes Catalans Blanc ($17.90 - Foodscape, Walla Walla) - I picked this up because it comes from the French side of Catalonia and is an interesting combination of 50% Grenache Blanc, 30% Chardonnay and 20% Rolle. It offers a brilliant lemon-gold color and aromas of apple, peach, Casaba melon, lemon custard, apple blossoms, lemongrass and whiffs of wintergreen and white incense. The flavors are bright and sprightly, with yellow fruits that are accented by grape skins, peach stones and minerals. The back picks up apple and peach liqueurs, melon rind and lemon zest on the way to a nicely fruited finish. 18+/20 points.

2020 Domaine Les Pins Bourgeuil "Les Rochettes" ($21.90 - Foodscape) - We are fans of Loire Cabernet Franc (Chinon and Bourgeuil) and pick up new ones whenever we have a chance. This one presents a deep ruby color and enticing aromas of raspberry, cherry, red currant, red roses, tobacco, olive, herb potpourri and incense. The flavors are deliciously ripe and mouth filling, with copious red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, baker's chocolate, black tea and riverside minerals. The appeal continues on the back with pressed fruits, roasted nuts and framboise and kirsch liqueurs, followed by a satisfying ripe moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points. 

2019 Famille Perrin Vinsobres, "Les Cornuds" ($25.99 - Safeway) - Vinsobres is one the former Côtes du Rhône "Villages" appellations. This one displays a deep ruby color and enticing aromas of raspberry, blueberry, brambly currant, black roses, tobacco, garrigue, olive tapenade and spiced incense. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with copious red and blue fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, roasted coffee beans and earth. On the back, the wine fills out with macerated fruits, roasted nuts, framboise and cassis liqueurs on the way to a moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Cataldo Madonna Montepulciano d'Abruzzo "Malandrino" ($25.99 - wine.com) - A few weeks ago, I read about Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (an indigenous Adriatic variety, not to be confused with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano) by Lettie Teague in the Wall Street Journal. It aroused my curiosity, so I ordered this wine which was the best one in the article. It shows a deep ruby color and engaging aromas of wild fruits - raspberries, mountain blueberries, brambly currants - with scents of wild roses, lavender, dark tobacco, olive tapenade and stick incense. The flavors are deliciously ripe and generous, with red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, medium roast coffee and Adriatic minerals. The back picks up pressed fruits, roasted almonds, raspberry liqueur and blueberry preserves on the way to a ripe moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2022 King Estate Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley ($17.99 - Safeway) - We're always on the lookout for good Oregon Pinot Gris. This one offers a brilliant light lemon-gold color and intriguing aromas of pear-apple. Crenshaw melon, Key lime, apple blossoms, honeysuckle, jasmine and a whiff of wintergreen. The flavors arebdeliciously brisk and lively, with white and green fruits that are accented by grape and pear skins, melon rind and minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with Calvados, melon rind and lime peel, followed by a crisp, well fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.

2021 Hahn "GSM" Red Wine, California ($15.99 - Safeway) - Back in the 1980's, when I owned Esquin, Nicky Hahn, came in and showed some wines from the Soledad winery he founded in 1980 and we carried them. So when I ran across this, I bought it. Composed of 75% Grenache, 23% Syrah and 2% Mourvèdre, it shows a deep ruby color and engaging aromas of raspberry, cranberry and currant, with scents of red roses, lavender, olive and lightly spiced incense. The flavors are ample and mouth filling, with red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, black tea and earth. On the back, the wine takes a supple turn with framboise and cassis liqueurs, followed by a soft tannin finish. 18/20 points.