Barnard Griffin Pinot Gris 2021, Columbia Valley, Washington

Rob Griffin and his wife, Deborah Barnard, established Barnard Griffin Winery in 1983 with a small truckload of borrowed fruit and a rented cellar. It has now grown to become one of Washington’s most enduring and award-winning wineries. Rob and Deborah built the winery’s permanent home in Richland, Washington in 1996. The Barnard Griffin campus houses their production facility, tasting room, full service restaurant and fused glass art studio. Rob Griffin harvested his Caroway Vineyard near Finley, Wash., on Aug. 24 in order to preserve the crisp acidity that he seeks in this wine. Expressive aromas of guava, kiwi fruit, muskmelon, fresh mint and dusty minerality. Inside, it’s clean and brisk with flavors of starfruit, honeydew melon and lemon as it steers away from the tropical profile of many made in Washington state.