Tag Archives: Washington Wines

Washington Club: March 2026

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T2 Cellar 2023 Sangiovese · Red Willow Vineyard · Washington

Bright, Honest, and Built for the Table

Some wines are meant to impress.
Others are meant to live at the table.

This Sangiovese does both.

The 2023 T2 Cellar Sangiovese captures what Washington does so well: structure with brightness, fruit with restraint, and a sense of place that feels grounded rather than showy. It’s a bottle that feels alive — energetic, food-ready, and deeply satisfying without ever feeling heavy.

This is the one you open when dinner matters.

Why This One Matters

Red Willow Vineyard is one of Washington’s most iconic sites — and when Sangiovese comes from this elevation and soil, it takes on a lifted, structured, almost Old-World character.

T2’s style leans into that natural brightness and tension rather than over-ripeness. The result is a wine that feels precise, balanced, and endlessly food-friendly. It’s the kind of red that doesn’t dominate the table — it elevates it.

A true Washington take on a classic Italian grape.

What It Feels Like

Bright cherry and red currant lead.
Dried herbs, subtle earth, and a touch of spice follow.
Acidity keeps everything lifted and clean.

On the palate: medium-bodied with structured but approachable tannins. There’s a savory edge here that makes it feel serious, but the fruit remains fresh and vibrant. The finish is clean, lifted, and persistent — the kind that invites another sip immediately.

It’s confident.
It’s balanced.
It’s built for food.

When to Open It

Pizza night that turns into a long dinner
Pasta with tomato or herbs
Roast chicken or grilled vegetables
A weekday that deserves better wine
When you want something structured but not heavy

Serve just below room temperature for best expression.

Technical Notes

Producer: T2 Cellar
Region: Red Willow Vineyard · Yakima Valley, Washington
Varietal: 100% Sangiovese
Body: Medium
Structure: Bright acidity · Fine tannins · Savory lift

Flavor Profile:
Tart cherry · Red currant · Dried herbs · Earth · Subtle spice

Style: Food-Driven · Structured · Balanced

Drinking Window:
Beautiful now for freshness and structure. Will continue to evolve through 2028–2030.

Member Note

This is one of those wines that quietly becomes a favorite. Once you see how easily it works with food, you’ll understand why we’re excited to have it in the Washington Club lineup.

Drink well. Live long. Belong.

K Vintners “Cattle King” Syrah · Snipes Mountain · 2019

Washington Power, Refined

There are big wines.
And then there are powerful wines with control.

Cattle King is the latter.

The 2019 K Vintners “Cattle King” Syrah is Washington at full stride — dense, savory, structured, and layered with detail. It carries real presence in the glass, but never feels overdone. Everything is intentional, balanced, and built to last.

This is a bottle that commands the table.

Why This One Matters

Snipes Mountain is one of Washington’s most distinctive terroirs — rocky, wind-swept, and capable of producing Syrah with both power and tension.

K Vintners leans fully into that identity. Whole-cluster fermentation and careful oak integration give this wine its signature profile: savory depth, mineral edge, and layered dark fruit that feels grounded rather than sweet.

This isn’t just a big Syrah.
It’s a complete one.

What It Feels Like

Black cherry, cassis, and dark plum.
Cracked pepper, dried herbs, and olive.
A mineral, almost graphite-like core.

On the palate: full-bodied with silky but powerful tannins. There’s richness here, but also precision — acidity and structure keep everything lifted and focused. The finish is long, savory, and persistent, echoing with spice, mineral, and dark fruit.

It feels architectural.
Layered.
Built to evolve.

When to Open It

Steak night or slow-roasted meats
A long dinner with serious conversation
When the lights are low and the playlist is right
To remind yourself what Washington Syrah can be
When one glass turns into a shared bottle

Decant recommended if opening now.

Technical Notes

Producer: K Vintners
Vineyard: Upland Vineyard · Snipes Mountain AVA · Washington
Varietal: 100% Syrah
Fermentation: Whole-cluster
Oak: ~50% new French oak
Body: Full
Structure: Powerful tannins · Mineral core · Vibrant acidity

Flavor Profile:
Black cherry · Cassis · Olive · Pepper · Sage · Graphite · Smoke

Drinking Window:
Approachable now with decanting. Peak evolution expected 2026–2036+.

Member Note

This is one of the most compelling Washington Syrahs we see come through the shop — powerful but composed. If you love structured, cellar-worthy reds, this is one to hold onto (and one to open when the moment is right).

Drink well. Live long. Belong.

Washington Wine Club: February 2026

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Itä Wines · Merlot · Walla Walla Valley, Washington · 2022

Shopify Link, Instagram

The Moment

This is Merlot with a pulse.

Bright, energetic, and quietly expressive — the kind of bottle you open when you want freshness without sacrificing depth. It’s a red that works just as well slightly chilled as it does at the table, especially when food, conversation, and a second glass are all part of the plan.

What It Feels Like

The nose opens with sour cherry, cranberry, and blood orange peel, layered with pine needle, mint, and dried herbs. There’s a cool, herbal lift that keeps things lively and grounded.

On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and vibrant, driven by high natural acidity. Flavors of cranberry relish, pomegranate, hibiscus, and citrus-laced white tea move cleanly across the tongue. The tannins are silky and refined, giving the wine structure without weight.

The finish is fresh, crunchy, and persistent — savory, lightly herbal, and immediately inviting another sip.

Why We Love This Bottle

Because it rewrites expectations of Merlot.

This is not plush or heavy — it’s alive, precise, and built for the table. High-elevation fruit, thoughtful restraint, and a style that makes Merlot feel modern again. It’s the kind of wine that converts skeptics and rewards curiosity.

Pair It With

From the shop

  • Olive tapenade or marinated vegetables — acidity meets savory herbs
  • Mixed nuts or Marcona almonds — texture + balance
  • Soft cheese spreads — smooths the edges without muting freshness

At the table

  • Roast chicken or turkey
  • Mushroom dishes or lentils
  • Pork chops, herbed sausages, or weeknight comfort food

This is a food wine first — flexible, forgiving, and quietly versatile.

Category Style

Earthy & Silky
(Bright structure, lifted acidity, fine tannins, food-first energy)

2022 Kiona Vineyards Malbec Red Mountain, Washington

Shopify Link, Instagram

The Moment

This is the bottle you open when you want something deep, grounding, and generous — a Red Mountain red that brings dark fruit, structure, and warmth without feeling heavy or overworked.

It’s a sit-down wine. A food wine. A “pour one more glass” kind of bottle.

What It Feels Like

The nose opens with brambly berries, black cherry, and plum, followed by blueberry pie, cocoa, and warm baking spice. As it opens, you’ll notice a distinctly Red Mountain edge — graphite, crushed rock, and a touch of smoke.

On the palate, the wine is rich and full-bodied, with layers of blackberry, black plum, and dark cherry. The tannins are present but polished, giving the wine shape and grip without drying it out. Lively acidity keeps everything balanced through a long, savory finish.

Why We Love This Bottle

Because it shows power and restraint. This is Malbec with place — dark fruit, mineral backbone, and structure that makes food taste better instead of stealing the spotlight.

The Details

  • Producer: Kiona Vineyards & Winery
  • Vintage: 2022
  • Region: Red Mountain AVA, Washington
  • Blend:
    • 86% Malbec
    • 11% Carmenère
    • 3% Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Style: Dry, full-bodied
  • Structure: Fine tannins, lifted acidity

What It Pairs With

From the shop:

  • Marcona Almonds or Mixed Nuts — soften the tannins and highlight the fruit
  • Cabernet Sauvignon Cheese Spread — echoes the wine’s dark fruit and spice
  • Olive Tapenade — brings out the savory, mineral side

At the table:

  • Grilled steak or lamb
  • Braised beef or short ribs
  • Mushroom-forward dishes
  • Aged, firm cheeses

How to Enjoy

Serve just below room temperature. This wine opens up nicely with a little air — no rush, no rules.

Category– Bold & Powerful

Washington Wine Club: July 2023

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Force Majeure 2020 Parabellum Coulee: $54

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from Force Majeure)

About:
“Made utilizing meticulously farmed grapes from the estate vineyards on Red Mountain and in the Walla Walla Valley.

Our goal with Parabellum is to produce two beautiful and approachable wines that are reflective of their varieties and terroir, without constraints on blending. These wines will age gracefully for years, yet are crafted with an eye toward more immediate consumption. Parabel-lum provides an opportunity to savor an authentic wine of distinction at a great value.” –Force Majeure


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Specialty Wine Club: July 2024

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About Time & Direction: Straight from them to you!

Any journey in life. All you need is some Time and a Direction.

– STEVE WELLS

“Time & Direction is all about letting mother nature doing her thing.  Minimal intervention winemaking is what you could call it.  I make wines that showcase the vintage in which they were made & also try to give you a sense of the place where they were grown.”

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Washington Wine Club: June 2024

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2023 Armour Wines Viognier Chersieze Corfu Crossing:

The 2023 Armour Wines Viognier Chersieze Corfu Crossing is a Viognier produced in the Columbia Valley, specifically from the Royal Slope region in Washington, USA. Viognier wines are known for their aromatic and floral qualities, often exhibiting flavors of stone fruits, apricots, and honeysuckle. They tend to be full-bodied with a creamy texture. When it comes to food pairings, this Viognier would complement dishes such as grilled chicken, seafood, or soft cheeses. 

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Washington Wine Club–May 2024

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2020 Cadence Bel Canto

The 2020 Cadence Bel Canto, a symphony of flavors from Washington’s Red Mountain, is a wine that sings to the senses. With a blend of 73% Cabernet Franc and 27% Merlot, this full-bodied red strikes a harmonious chord of deeply floral notes, intertwined with herbs and huckleberries. On the palate, it dances with the vibrant tones of blueberries and dried herbs, while an underlying savory iron component adds depth and backbone. This wine pairs exquisitely with robust dishes; imagine it alongside a succulent roast lamb or a hearty beef bourguignon, where its bold flavors can truly resonate. The 2020 Cadence Bel Canto is not just a wine, it’s an experience, one that gracefully enhances any meal and any moment.

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