March is Washington Wine Month at many retailers around the state. And there are quite a few fine values out there. Here are some that I picked up at Esquin.

2010 Charles Smith "Vino" Pinot Grigio, Washington State, Evergreen Vineyard ($9.99)

Called "Fresh and pale, Italian inspired," this wine lives up to its claim. It shows a brilliant gold color and attractive aromas of pear, melon, lilac and orange peel. The flavors echo the aromas with bright fruits and a slightly creamy texture that is accented by touches of hazelnut an mandarin orange. 17.5+/20 points.

2009 Columbia Crest H3 "Les Cheveaux" Red, Horse Heaven Hills ($13.99)

This blend displays a purplish ruby color and engaging aromas of blackberry, cherry, plum, rose petals and sage. The dark fruit flavors are pleasingly deep and plump, mixed with licorice, chocolate, cola and Horse Heaven earth and minerals. The thickness continues on the back with sensations of macerated berries, cherry liqueur, and a touch of creme brulée on a chewy moderate tannin and acid finish. Packs a lot of flavor for the price. 18/20 points.

2009 Milbrandt Vineyards "Brothers' Blend" Red, Columbia Valley ($13.99)

Here, Butch and Jerry Milbrandt have put together an attractive blend of 37% Malbec, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Tempranillo, 11% Petit Sirah and 3% each of Grenache and Mourvedre. The result is a deep ruby colored red with a smoky nose of blackberry, cherry, plum, rosebuds and spice. The flavors are deep and medium-woven, with notes of bittersweet chocolate, coffee bean and earth. The wine follows through well on the back with tones of roasted berries and nuts laid on a chewy moderate acid and tannin finish. 18/20 points.

The following three wines come from the Olsen Estates. The Olsen family has decided to stop making their own wines and stick to being wine grape growers. So these wines are being closed out at terrific savings.

2009 Olsen Estates Blanc de Coteaux, Yakima Valley ($9.99 - Regular $20)

A blebd of 62% Roussanne, 34% Viognier, and 4% Marsanne, this offers a brilliant gold color and a nose of pear, peach and apricot with scents of honeysuckle and buttercup. The stone fruit and melon flavors are ripe and creamy, with notes of mandarin orange peel, grape skin and melon rind, counterpointed by squeezes of grapefruit and kiwi fruit juices on the rich yet crisp finish. 18+/20 points.

2008 Olsen Estates Petit Verdot, Yakima Valley ($17.99 - Regular $38)

Semi opaque ruby colored, this wine emits smoldering aromas of blackberry, huckleberry, cherry and black currant, with scents of crushed roses, ground expresso, sandalwood and oriental incense. Thick and chewy on the palate, the dark fruit flavors are underlain with bittersweet chocolate, black licorice, coffee grounds and earthy minerals. The back picks up tones of roasted berries, dried bitter orange peel, toasted almonds and cinnamon bark of a rich, chewy moderate sweet-dry tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2008 Olsen Estates Malbec, Yakima Valley ($17.99 - Regular $38)

Deep purplish colored, this wine shows an intense nose of blackberry, blueberry and black cherry with scents of black roses, violets and crushed pepper. The dark fruit flavors are well saturated, imbued with bittersweet chocolate, licorice and French roast, followed by a gush of squeezed berry juice on a charcoally, spiced and peppered, lingering sweet-dry tannin finish. This wine resembles the "black wine" of Cahors more than the Argentinan version. 18.5/20 points.