Hot Sheets

2013 RENEGADE COLUMBIA VALLEY RED
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

Something Washington (and American wine in general for that matter) is sorely lacking are good quality, everyday drinking wines that are not ‘concocted’ by some idiot marketing department that is focus group-driven. Renegade wine company is that value oriented project done by Walla Walla-based stalwart Sleight of Hand and winemaker Trey Busch. Simply put, these wines, both this white label and the black label varietal wines below show absurdly insane quality for their humble price points.

Rengade Red was the first born for this venture and we’ve been touting it for many years. 2013 was a warm vintage and this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot & Petit Verdot is quite a flavorful 10 buck treat. Black cherry, underlying red plum, dusty cocoa tones and fine herbs shine on the nose. Flavorful and all about texture in the mouth, this classy & sassy red is layered with lots of movement and various flavor aspects. Drawn-out, lingering and possessing sneaky substance on the back end.

2013 RENEGADE COLUMBIA VALLEY
CHARDONNAY
$9.99 BTL./$19.88 CASE - LIMITED

The beauty of this Chardonnay is that it is unoaked. The sadness of the Chardonnay is that there are only 8 cases available and they will sell through quickly! Clean, lifting and very fresh with yellow apple, lemon and subtle pineapple tones. In the mouth, there are no plump butterball aspects. Only mouthwatering flavors that perform and entice one in for another sip.

2014 RENEGADE COLUMBIA VALLEY ROSE
$9.99 BTL./$119.88 CASE

Full disclosure, I loathe the majority of Rose wines that are coming from Washington pretty much because they are as boring as bat-merde and made solely to obtain market share, so it was safe to say I was skeptical when tasting this. To my surprise, the Renegade showed freshness, vibrancy and fine character. Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Counoise and Mourvedre. Nuances of strawberry and grapefruit with a little floral aspect that lead into a bursting, crisp, dry, gleaming texture that gives off plenty of thrust and happiness. While it will not compare to what we are tasting this coming Friday (see below), it is quite credible and importantly, very thirst-quenching for 10 bucks.

2013 RENEGADE COLUMBIA VALLEY
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

The black label versions of Renegade wines step up the quality even further. This Cabernet is simply astounding at 14 bucks and is one that quite honestly, will drink like many Washington versions that are in the low-twenty range! Aromas of red cherry and black cherry mesh well with well-placed oak scents of mocha and nutmeg. The texture here is mouth coating and forward with minimal presence of tannin. Classic Washington dusty aspects come through as well as hints of dried herbs. No shortage of fuel-injected intensity, the finish is overflowing with red fruits, spice and lingers on. Very fine indeed.

2013 RENEGADE COLUMBIA VALLEY
CABERNET FRANC
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

As yummy as the Cab Sauv is, the black label Cab Franc is even more desirable. Laden with telltale raspberry scents along with sandalwood, Cuban cigar, espresso and fresh herbs on the nose. In the mouth, earth tones play nicely with the lusciously smooth fruit and expand with complexity that shouldn’t be in a 14 buck wine then glide into a layered finish that runs the gamut of red earth, Moroccan spice and floral tones.

2013 RENEGADE WALLA WALLA
GRENACHE
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE

The black label Grenache actually comes from Walla Walla vineyard that was once an old riverbed. Varietally strong, this wine reveals admirable red cherry, briar, smoke and white pepper. No shortage of fun, this warm-textured red brings forth the natural plush fruit of the area but buffered nicely by bright and zesty aspects that never allow it to stray outside of its borders and become a caricature wine. Delicious wine for barbecue and like the entire lineup, will stagger yourself and any out of town guests you may have coming this summer.