2020 Rocky Pond Estate Winery, Stratastone Red Blend, $52

Winery info: After decades of work as a real estate developer, and time spent travelling the world with his family, David Dufenhorst and his wife Michelle bought land in Orondo, Washington, north of Wenatchee, and began planting what eventually grew to 125 acres of estate vineyards along the Columbia River.    

They established Rocky Pond Winery in 2013 and today grow 24 different grape varieties in three vineyard sites. John Ware is president of the winery, providing knowledge and guidance from his 20-plus years of experience at Quilceda Creek.

Winemaker: Elizabeth Keyser, former assistant winemaker at Hall Family Wines in Napa. She has also held winemaking positions in Oregon (A to Z Wineworks) and McLaren Vale, Australia (Hardy’s Tintara.)

Grapes: 46% Grenache, 28% Syrah, and 26% Mourvèdre, aged about 16 months in 30% new French oak.

Vineyards: Double D, in Columbia Valley’s Rocky Reach AVA, with windblown sand and silt soil over cobblestone; and Clos CheValle, in the Lake Chelan AVA, with higher elevation and coarse, sandy glacial soil.

Flavor profile: Inviting and aromatic, with notes of berries, dried herbs, and dusty cocoa, and a smooth, silky texture. The flavors are complex and layered, with soft tannins and a nice underlying stony minerality, It opens up with air (even over several days), becoming even more elegant and velvety.

Availability: We got most of what was left of this vintage.

Drinking Window: Drinking well now or over the next three to five years.

Food pairing: The winery suggests herb-crusted pork tenderloin, cherry smoked duck, or lavender chicken.

2017 Lauren Ashton, Cuvée Arlette, $49.75

Winery info: Although Kit Singh is a dentist by profession, he discovered a love for wine while in college and also pursued his interest in the process of winemaking, studying at both South Seattle College and the University of California at Davis. He interned at DeLille Cellars and even taught wine science at South Seattle College. Kit founded his own winery, Lauren Ashton (named his for his children, Lauren and Ashton) in Woodinville in 2009. Since then Lauren Ashton has gained a reputation as one of the state’s top wineries, thanks to Kit’s skill, meticulous attention to detail, and passion as a winemaker.

Winemaker: Kit Singh

Grapes: 67% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 8% Malbec, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vineyard: Sourced from several vineyards in the Columbia Valley, typically including Upland, Dineen, Les Collines and Weinbau.

Flavor profile: With a bit of bottle age already on it, this wine is dark, velvety, and beautifully balanced, with lovely depth and complexity. The flavors of dark fruit, spice, and cocoa are seamlessly integrated and the finish is long and elegant.

Availability: They will be moving on to the next vintage soon.

Drinking Window: Lovely now, or over the next few years.

Food Pairing: The winery suggests pairing it with robust meat dishes such as beef, pork, or lamb glazed with a wine reduction or with shallots, butter and thyme.