I flew up to Seattle fitting for two reasons. I was asked to be reduced a seminar at the as it, which I cheerfully did, focusing on wineries that made their wine in unconventional places like garages, barns, airplane hangers, zing houses, etc. in the zing But mostly I was disturbed fitting for the opening to dash a ton of wine.
Prior to this cavort I characterize as I had possibly tasted forty or fifty ingenious Washington wines in the advance of divers tastings, buying misled restaurant menus, drinking with friends, or any of the lasting ways that an medical man wine lover muscle be shown across wines from a significant district. in the zing But two hundred and fifty is a most well-proportioned start. in the zing lowering
Fifty wines is not an edification.
That’s in how divers I managed to dash in the advance of the lifetime I forth at Taste Washington.
Before I apprehend on to my scores fitting for the wines, it’s fat fitting for me to commend the organizers of the Taste Washington as it fitting for putting on joined of the kindest civic wine and prog events I demand in any case had the recompense of attending. in the zing But the as it was impeccably organized, leisurely to voyage, and conceivably most importantly, the utter of the prog on launch was some of the kindest I demand in any case had at such a gigantic civic as it. in the zing Yes, it was in a HUGE convocation center, which didn’t to the verbatim et literatim offer much humour, and yes it was crowded. While I vitriolic as a associate of the gentlemen of the press at originate and apprehend into such events fitting for on the whore-house, I would cheerfully expend the $85 to disappear without a delineate. in the zing Heck, I possibly ate $85 usefulness of Kumamoto oysters while I was there. in the zing While I tasted a ceremonial wines that rang in at outstanding $100, the boundless lion’s split of the kindest wines I tasted were tipsy $60, and some of the kindest wines I tasted were tipsy $30.
More fat than my awe fitting for the as it, I came away from my smash advance in Washington State wines incontrovertibly impressed with the wines, and in significant with the value they launch fitting for the readies.
It’s incontrovertibly allow, without a distrust, that fitting for the identical utter of wine Washington State Cabernet in significant is in half the refrain from of Napa. in the zing Need I put more?
While I’ve certainly had a ceremonial inimitable Rieslings and Semillons from Washington, and there is allow the vertically tripe to attain inimitable ashen wine in the specify, I clearly note Washington to be Red Country. in the zing The Bordeaux and Rhone blends on launch can be inimitable, and they, like all the kindest made wines I tasted, are conspicuous before inimitable acidity, and spotlessness of fruit.
So without furthermore ado.
In insufficient, those who inamorato a glaring Cabernet Sauvignon would do all right to check up on these wines more positively, remarkably in these commercial times.
WHITE WINES SCORING BETWEEN 9 AND 9.5
2008 Alexandria Nicole Viognier, Columbia Valley. $20. $34.
Where to acquire?
2007 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Blanc, Columbia Valley. Where to acquire?
2007 K Vintners K Viognier, Columbia Valley. $20.
$19. Where to acquire?
2007 Olsen Estates Riesling, Yakima Valley. Where to acquire?
2007 Tamarack Cellars Chardonnay, Columbia Valley. $18.
$18. Where to acquire?
2008 Whisper Ridge Winery Semillon, Washington State.
WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9
2007 Boudreaux Cellars Chardonnay, Columbia Valley.
$??
2007 DeLille Cellars Roussanne, Columbia Valley. $??
2007 Fidelitas Semillon, Columbia Valley. $??
2008 Efeste Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley. $20
2006 Hogue Cellars Reserve Chardonnay, Yakima Valley. $??
2007 L’Ecole No 41 Semillon, Columbia Valley. $32
WHITE WINES SCORING BETWEEN 8.5 AND 9
2007 Barrister Sauvignon Blanc, Klipsun Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $16
2007 Sparkman Cellars Lumiere Chardonnay, Stillwater Creek, Columbia Valley.
$??
2007 Canoe Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay, Columbia Valley. $19
2006 Canoe Ridge Vineyard Gewurztraminer, Columbia Valley. $14
2008 Charles Smith Wines Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Evergreen Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $12
2007 Cedergreen Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Spring Creek Vineyard, Columbia Valley.
$12
2006 DaMa Wines Chardonnay, Grand View and Gamache Vineyards, Columbia Valley. $21
2008 Efeste Riesling, Columbia Valley. $??
2006 Lodmell Cellars Chardonnay, Spring Creek Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $??
2007 Gilbert Cellars Riesling, Yakima Valley.
$22
2007 Long Shadows Poet’s Leap Riesling, Columbia Valley. $20
2008 Maison Bleue Winery Old Vine Chardonnay, French Creek Vineyard, Yakima Valley. $22
2007 Three Rivers Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley. $22
2008 Maison Bleue Winery Viognier, Art DenHoed Vineyard, Yakima Valley.
$19
WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8.5
2007 Bunnell Family Cellar Viognier, Talcott Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $??
2006 Canoe Ridge Vineyard Riesling, Columbia Valley. $12
2006 Chateau Ste Michelle Cold Creek Chardonnay, Columbia Valley. $12
2007 Charles Smith Wines Eve Chardonnay, Columbia Valley. $??
2007 Cфte Bonneville Chardonnay, DuBrul Vineyard, Yakima Valley. $50
2007 Gilbert Cellars Chardonnay, Doc Stewart Estate Vineyard, Wahluke Slope. $??
2005 Kiona Vineyards & Winery Estate Chardonnay, Red Mountain.
$20
2006 Hestia Cellars Semillon, Walla Walla. $??
2006 Lodmell Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Spring Creek Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $22
2008 Stevens Winery Divo Viognier, Dineen Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $39
WHITE WINES SCORING BETWEEN 8 AND 8.5
2008 Bergevin Lane Calico White Blend, Columbia Valley. $21
2007 Woodward Canyon Chardonnay, Washington State.
$16
2007 Chinook Wines Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley. $17
2007 Chinook Wines Semillon, Yakima Valley. $30
2008 Shady Grove Albarino, Columbia Valley. $15
2006 Januik Chardonnay, Cold Creek Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $18
2006 Stevens Winery A Second Thought Sauvignon Blanc, Klipsun Vineyard, Columbia Valley.
2008 Syncline Gruner Veltliner, Columbia Valley.
$17
2007 Ward Johnson Winery Counterbalance Chardonnay, Sun River Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $20
WHITE WINES WITH A SCORE UNDER 8
2008 Cedergreen Cellars Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley. $20
PINK WINES
2008 Airfield Estates Foot Stomper Rose, Yakima Valley.
Score: 9. Where to acquire?
2008 Barnard Griffin Rose of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley. $14. Score: 9. in the zing $12.
Score: 9. Where to acquire?
2008 Syncline Rose, Columbia Valley. in the zing $16.
Where to acquire?
2008 Cedergreen Cellars Rose, Columbia Valley. $14
2006 Lodmell Cellars Rose, Columbia Valley. Score: 8.5-9. Score: 8.5. $??
2007 Buty Rose of Malbec, Columbia Valley.
$19
RED WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9.5
1997 Andrew Will Merlot, Klipsun Vineyard, Columbia Valley. Score: 8. $na
2004 Col Solare Red Blend, Columbia Valley. $75. $50.
Where to acquire?
2006 DeLille Cellars Syrah, Columbia Valley. Where to acquire?
2004 Donedei Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley. $35. $28. Where to acquire?
RED WINES SCORING BETWEEN 9 AND 9.5
2007 Airfield Estates Mustang, Estate Vineyard, Yakima Valley. in the zing Where to acquire?
2006 Betz Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille, Columbia Valley. $58.
$70. in the zing Where to acquire?
2005 Col Solare Red Blend, Columbia Valley. in the zing Where to acquire?
2006 Corvus Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain. $52. $120.
Where to acquire?
2004 Cфte Bonneville Red Wine, DuBrul Vineyard, Yakima Valley. in the zing Where to acquire?
2004 Donedei Merlot, Columbia Valley. $??. $34. in the zing
2006 Efeste Ceidleigh Syrah, Red Mountain.
Where to acquire?
2006 Efeste Jolie Bouche Syrah, Columbia Valley. $40. $44. Where to acquire?
2006 Efeste Big Papa Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley. Where to acquire?
2005 Fidelitas Merlot, Columbia Valley. $25. $40.
Where to acquire?
2005 Fidelitas Optu red wine, Columbia Valley. Where to acquire?
2006 Fidelitas Cabernet Sauvignon, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $58. $46. Where to acquire?
2004 Forgeron Cellars Syrah, Boushey Vineyard, Columbia Valley. Where to acquire?
2006 Gramercy Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley.
$45. $65. Where to acquire?
2006 Gramercy Cellars Syrah John Lewis Reserve, Walla Walla.
2006 J.
Bookwalter Protagonist, Red Mountain. Where to acquire?
2002 Kiona Vineyards & Winery Estate Merlot, Red Mountain. $50. $??.
2006 Long Shadows Saggi, Columbia Valley. Where to acquire?
2006 Long Shadows Sequel, Syrah, Columbia Valley. $45. $55. Where to acquire?
2006 Powers Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Coyote Vineyard, Wahluke Slope.
Where to acquire?
2005 Robert Karl Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon – H3, Horse Heaven Hills. $25. $30. Where to acquire?
2005 Robert Karl Cellars Inspiration Red Blend, Columbia Valley.
Where to acquire?
2005 Seven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, Klipsun Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $55. $32. Where to acquire?
2007 Shady Grove Red Wine, Columbia Valley.
2003 Solena Cabernet Sauvignon, Klipsun Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $20.
$35. Where to acquire?
2006 Sparkman Cellars Stella Mae Red Blend, Columbia Valley. Where to acquire?
2002 Townshend Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley.
$42. $26. Where to acquire?
2006 Walter Dacon Wines Apperage Syrah, Boushey Vineyard, Columbia Valley.
2004 Whisper Ridge Winery A Voix Basse Red Blend, Washington State. $35. $30.
2006 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State.
Where to acquire?
RED WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 9
2005 Alexandria Nicole Estate Syrah, Columbia Valley. $49. $25
2006 Alexandria Nicole Block 17 Syrah, Columbia Valley.
$42
2006 Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, Red Mountain. $60
2006 Barnard Griffin Reserve Merlot, Columbia Valley. $60
2004 Barnard Griffen Cabernet Sauvignon, Sagemoor Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $30
2005 Barrister Bacchus Syrah, Sagemoor Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $32
2006 Barrister Winery Merlot, Columbia Valley.
$100
2006 Buty Cabernet, Champoux Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $27
2005 Boudreaux Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Champoux/Loess Vineyards, Washington State. $55
2006 Buty Canlis Syrah, Columbia Valley. $125
2006 Cadence Red Wine, Red Mountain. $??
1998 Col Solare Red Blend, Columbia Valley. $55
2006 Cadence Bel Canto Red Wine, Red Mountain. $na
2005 Cфte Bonneville Carriage House Red Blend, DuBrul Vineyard, Yakima Valley.
$50
2006 Fidelitas Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla. $25
2005 Hogue Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope. $40
2006 Hedges Family Estate Estate Red Blend, Hedges Three Vineyards, Red Mountain. $??
2005 Hogue Cellars Reserve Merlot, Wahluke Slope. $??
2007 JM Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Klipsun Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $25
2006 K Vintners M.C.K. $??
2006 K Vintners K Milbrandt Syrah, Wahluke Slope.
Syrah, Columbia Valley. $??
2007 K Vintners The Boy, Syrah, Columbia Valley. $35
2005 Kiona Vineyards & Winery Merlot, Red Mountain. $??
2003 Kiona Vineyards & Winery Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain. $??
2006 Kontos Cellars Syrah, Boushey Vineyard, Yakima Valley. $36
2006 L’Ecole No 41 Estate Merlot, Seven Hills Vineyard, Walla Walla.
$50
2005 Lodmell Cellars Syrah, Lodmell Vineyards, Columbia Valley. $37
2006 L’Ecole No 41 Estate Perigee, Seven Hills Vineyard, Walla Walla. $??
2005 Long Shadows Chester-Kidder, Columbia Valley. $50
2006 Olsen Estates Syrah, Colombia Valley. $55
2006 Powers Winery Reserve Syrah, Cougar Vineyard, Wahluke Slope.
$39
2006 Pepper Bridge Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla. $25
2006 Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Red Wine, Columbia Valley. $38
2006 Robert Karl Cellars Claret, Horse Heaven Hills. $50
2006 Spring Valley Vineyards Red Blend, Frederick, Walla Walla.
$20
2006 Spring Valley Vineyards Nina Lee, Walla Walla. $50
2006 Spring Valley Vineyards Red Blend, Uriah, Walla Walla. $50
2006 Stevens Winery Black Tongue Syrah, Dineen Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $32
2007 Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red, Columbia Valley. $32
2005 Tamarack Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley.
$20
2005 Tamarack Cellars Syrah, Columbia Valley. $28
2005 Tamarack Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Sagemoor Vineyard, Columbia Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon / Release No. $50
2005 TL Cellars L.L.C. TWO, Les Collines Vineyard, Walla Walla.
$50
2002 Townshend Celalr Merlot, Columbia Valley. $38
2007 Walla Walla Vintners Merlot, Walla Walla. $21
2006 Va Piano Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley. $28
2006 Walter Dacon Wines C’est Syrah Beaux, Columbia Valley. $38
2006 Whisper Ridge Winery Syrah, Washington State. $74
2007 Barnard Griffin Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley.
$28
RED WINES SCORING BETWEEN 8.5 AND 9
2006 Andrew Will Sorella Red Wine, Champoux Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills. $17
2006 Barrister Winery Cabernet Franc, in the zing in the zing, Columbia Valley. $27
2005 Bergevin Lane Syrah, Columbia Valley. $40
2006 Bunnell Family Cellar Syrah, Cliften Hill Vineyard in the zing, Wahluke Slope. $26
2007 Bunnell Family Cellar Horse Heaven Hills Syrah, Horse Heaven Hills.
$40
2005 Canoe Ridge Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley. $40
2005 Cedergreen Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley. $12
2005 Chateau Ste Michelle North Star Merlot, Columbia Valley. $36
2007 Charles Smith Wines The Velvet Devil Merlot, Columbia Valley. $??
2005 Chateau Ste Michelle North Star Stella Maris, Columbia Valley.
$??
2006 Efeste Final Final Red Blend, Columbia Valley. $35
2004 Heaven’s Cave Cellars Bordeaux Blend/Angel’s Blend, Destiny Ridge Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills. $??
2006 Fidelitas Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley. $34
2006 Hestia Cellars Meritage, Columbia Valley. $??
2007 Hightower Merlot, Columbia Valley. $32
2006 Januik Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley.
$??
2004 Isenhower Bachelors Butter Cabernet Sauvignon, Sagemoor Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $30
2003 Kiona Vineyards & Winery Estate Sangiovese, Red Mountain. $25
2003 Kiona Vineyards & Winery Cabernet / Merlot, Red Mountain. $28
2006 Lee Vee Loo Lee Bordeaux Blend, Columbia Valley.
$??
2006 Kontos Cellars Merlot, Boushey Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $32
2005 Lodmell Cellars Merlot, Lodmell Vineyards, Columbia Valley. $43
2005 Long Shadows Pirouette, Columbia Valley. $22
2007 Melms Road Merlot, Columbia Valley. $55
2006 Lost River Merlot, Columbia Valley. $21
2006 NxNW Syrah, Columbia Valley.
$25
2006 NxNW Cabernet, Columbia Valley. $35
2005 OS Winery R3, Columbia Valley. $25
2006 NxNW Cabernet, Walla Walla. $35
2006 Powers Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Champoux Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills. $30
2006 Ramseyer Vintage Two Red Wine, Columbia Valley. $28
2006 Sheridan Vineyard L’Orage – Bordeaux Blend, Yakima Valley. $35
2006 Ross Andrew Syrah, Boushey Vineyard, Columbia Valley.
$40
2007 Syncline Pinot Noir, Columbia Gorge. $28
2007 Syncline Syrah, Columbia Valley. $28
2006 Walla Walla Vintners Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley. $24
2006 Tamarack Cellars Merlot, Columbia Valley.
$28
2007 Walla Walla Vintners Sangiovese, Walla Walla. $24
2006 Walter Dacon Wines C’est Syrah Magnifique, Yakima Valley. $30
RED WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8.5
2005 Bergevin Lane Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley. $42
2006 Walter Dacon Wines C’est Syrah Belle, Columbia Valley. $55
2006 Bunnell Family Cellar A Pic Rhone Blend, Horse Heaven Hills.
$??
2006 Buty BEAST Cabernet Sauvignon, Phinny Hill Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills. $25
2006 Cedergreen Cellars Merlot, Columbia Valley. $35
2005 Cedergreen Cellars Thuja- red Blend, Columbia Valley. $40
2007 Charles Smith Wines Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley. $20
2005 Chateau Ste Michelle Ethos Merlot, Columbia Valley. $28
2006 Fidelitas Malbec, Columbia Valley.
$??
2006 Cuillen Hills Cabernet Franc, Sagemoor Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $35
2006 Gilbert Cellars Claret, Doc Stewart Estate Vineyard, Wahluke Slope. $20
2006 Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards Cabernet Franc, Wahluke Slope. $24
2006 Hestia Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Dineen Vineyard, Columbia Valley.
$28
2005 Heaven’s Cave Cellars Syrah The Dweller, Destiny Ridge Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills. $38
2006 Hestia Cellars Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills. $??
2006 Hestia Cellars Syrah, Yakima. $35
2007 Isenhower Cabernet Franc, Sagemoor Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $32
2005 Hightower Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley. $29
2005 Kiona Vineyards & Winery Lemberger, Red Mountain. $??
2007 Melms Road Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley.
$??
2006 NxNW Syrah, Walla Walla. $24
Northwest Totem Cellars Syrah, Columbia Valley. $35
2006 Sheridan Vineyard Mystique – Red Blend, Yakima Valley. $25
2006 Sparkman Cellars WILDERNESS Red Blend, Columbia Valley. $28
2005 Tasawik Vineyards Reserve (Red), Tasawik Estate Vineyards, Columbia Valley. $28
2005 Sweet Valley Wines Merlot, Walla Walla.
$34
2006 Va Piano Vineyards Syrah, Columbia Valley. $??
2006 Va Piano Vineyards Bruno’s Blend, Columbia Valley. $25
2005 Yellow Hawk Cellar Solstice, Columbia Valley. $??
2005 Ward Johnson Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain. $24
RED WINES SCORING BETWEEN 8 AND 8.5
2005 Canoe Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley. $28
2005 Canoe Ridge Vineyard Merlot, Columbia Valley. $15
2007 DaMa Wines Syrah, Ash Hollow Vineyard, Walla Walla.
$25
2007 Charles Smith Wines Boom Boom! Syrah, Columbia Valley. $18
2006 Dineen Family Vineyard Red Wine, Columbia Valley. $25
2006 Gilbert Cellars Malbec, Doc Stewart Estate Vineyard, Wahluke Slope. $??
2006 Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards Barbera, Wahluke Slope. $26
2006 Gilbert Cellars Allobroges Rhone Blend, Colombia Valley. $35
2006 Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards Syrah, Wahluke Slope.
$28
2006 Northwest Totem Cellars Cabernet Franc, Sagemoor Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $??
2006 Northwest Totem Cellars Grenache, Columbia Valley. $??
2006 Northwest Totem Cellars Qu-Ne Bordeaux Blend, Columbia Valley. $??
2006 Sweet Valley Wines Double Barrel Red, Walla Walla.
$22
2006 Ward Johnson Winery Syrah, Ranch at the End of the Road, Red Mountain. $28
2005 Yellow Hawk Cellar Sangiovese, Walla Walla. $30
2006 William Church Winery Syrah, Dineen Vineyard, Columbia Valley. $18
RED WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 8
2005 Boudreaux Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley. $??
2005 Cedergreen Cellars Thuja- red Blend, Columbia Valley. $22
2005 Chinook Wines Merlot, Yakima Valley.
$25
2007 Chinook Wines Cabernet Franc, Yakima Valley. $15
2005 DaMa Wines Cabernet Sauvignon, Les Collines and Conner Lee Vineyards, Columbia Valley. $27
2006 Hard Row To Hoe Miss de Miner Red Blend, Wahluke Slope.
$35
2006 Hightower Cellars Murray Cuvee Red Wine, Columbia Valley. $28
2006 Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards Zinfandel, Pheasant Vineyard, Wahluke Slope. $18
2006 Northwest Totem Cellars Low Man Red Bordeaux Blend, Columbia Valley.
$??
2005 Tasawik Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Tasawik Estate Vineyards, Columbia Valley. Release No. $26
2005 TL Cellars L.L.C. THREE Syrah, Lewis Vineyards, Columbia Valley. $50
2006 Ward Johnson Winery Merlot, Hedges Vineyard – North Block, Red Mountain. Rollat Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley. $30
RED WINES SCORING BETWEEN 7.5 AND 8
2005 Ch.
$62
2006 Kiona Vineyards & Winery Zinfandel, Red Mountain. $??
2006 Northwest Totem Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Elerding Vineyard in the zing, Yakima Valley. $??
2005 Sweet Valley Wines Syrah, Walla Walla. $30
2006 Northwest Totem Cellars Long House Syrah, Columbia Valley. $26
2005 Tasawik Vineyards Studio B, Tasawik Estate Vineyards, Columbia Valley. $22
2005 Tasawik Vineyards Merlot, Tasawik Estate Vineyards, Columbia Valley. $12
RED WINES WITH A SCORE AROUND 7
2005 Ch.
$24
2007 Yellow Hawk Cellar Red Barn Red, Columbia Valley. Rollat Eduoard Red Wine, Walla Walla.