Horse Heaven Hills
Washington
The color of sunshine, this wine is made by King Estate Winery, based in the southern portion of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. But the grapes are grown in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington state, also known for producing good quality fruit. In fact, it’s quite rare to find a wine from any designated growing region in this price point.
Based on the hot weather during the 2014 growing season, we expected this Riesling to be on the sweeter side, but were pleasantly surprised when it wasn’t. So don’t let the aromas of ripe honeysuckle and sweet mandarin orange fool you! As we swirled and sipped, we tasted those same flavors, along with citrus notes of orange blossom, lemon zest and Meyer lemons. This Riesling was chock full of wet stone mineral notes and good acid levels with a slightly sweet middle that finished dry.
The winemaker’s notes on the tech sheet described this wine as possessing “a flowing ripeness is the lovely entrance you are met with. Intricate layers of flavors dance through the mid-palate. Lively acid and a supple sweetness lend to a fresh and persistent finish.” We couldn’t agree more!
We would suggest pairing this Riesling with chicken tacos, a ham and cheese sandwich or a spicy tofu stir fry. It would also be an excellent porch sipper on a warm afternoon.
SRP $12.