On Monday, March 4th, I joined about two dozen other wine experts: merchants, winemakers, sommeliers, wine writers for the annual Seattle Magazine's Washington Wine Awards. This year, the judging was coordinated by Yashar Shayan, a former sommelier (Palisade, Willows Inn) who now runs ImpulseWine.Com, an on line wine retailer that makes periodic offerings of distinctive wines, mostly from Washington State. This is the second year in a row that I have participated in this judging. About a hundred wines were tasted, grouped by category, Merlot under $20, Merlot over $20. Cabernet under $25, Cabernet $65 and over, and so on. They were tasted double blind, that is tasters did not know what wines were being tasted other than their categories. The wines were selected from a survey conducted a couple of months before. The wines were scored on a scale of 10 points, similar to the University of California, Davis 20 point system. It seemed to work well at this event. A few weeks later, I received by email my scores and tasting notes, together with a key to the wines tasted. The actual winners will be announced in the August issue of Seattle Magazine, at which time I will comment on the awards. Below are some wines I found to be particularly impressive.

2012 Efesté "Sauvage" Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, Boushey-Golden View Vineyard ($23) - I found this to be an expecially exceptional Sauvignon, exotically perfumed, classically chalky, yet with a rich mouthfeeel. I will retaste this wine and write a full review in a future issue of the Review of Washington Wines. 9.5/10 points.

2011 Long Shadows "Pedestal" Merlot, Columbia Valley ($55) - This was my top pick in the Merlot over $20 category. I found it to be rich, mouthfilling and seductive. To be reviewed in the May issue. 9.5/10 points.

2011 Array "Dijon Clone" Chardonnay, Yakima Valley ($32) - This was the most outstanding wine in the Chardonnay over $15 and under $40 category. It showed classis pear and peach aromas and flavors, with fine fruit acid balance. (Reviewed in the March 2013 issue 19/20 points). 9.5/10 points.

2012 Kevin White "La Fraternité" Red Blend ($20) - Ths Rhone-style blend offered intriguing aromas and lush flavors. The 2011 vintage scored 19/20 points in the September 2013 issue. I will review the 2012 soon. 9/10 points.

2011 Kevin White "En Hommage" Red Blend ($25) - This is an incredible buy in the Red Blend over $20 category. It showed a deep crimson color and lovely red fruits and scents of lavender and violets. It scored 19/20 points in the September issue. 9.5/10 points.

2012 For a Song Syrah, Columbia Valley ($15) - This is an incredible value in the Syrah under $20 category. It was redolent of raspberry, lavender and violets. I will check this out for a future review. 9/10 points.

2011 Avennia "Arnaut" Syrah, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($48) - This was a standout among the Syrahs over $20. It showed lovely aromas of lavender and violets, with rich, savory flavors. Reviewed in the October 2013 issue, 19+/20 points. 9.5/10 points.

2010 Gramercy Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($48) - This was the top wine in the Cabernet over $25 and under $65 category. It showed sultry, lavish flavors and an incredibly long finish. Reviewed in November, 2013 (19+/20 points). 9.5/10 points.

2009 Den Hoed "Andreas" Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, Wallula Vineyard ($80) - This was one of two wines scoring 10 points. It was rich and smoky, with mouth permeating flavors and a long, long finish. To be reviewed later. 10/10 points.

2009 Woodward Canyon "Old Vines Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State ($90) - This wine was redolent of blackberry, cassis, licorice, smoke and sweet oak. Reviewed January, 2014 (19.5/20 points). At the Washington Wine Awards tasting, 10/10 points.

 

The April Issue of the Review of Washington Wines to Go On Line Early

During the last week of this month, I will be in Seattle for Taste Washington and for some winery visits. I will have limited time and internet connectivity, so the April issue of the Review of Washington Wines will go on line early, Tuesday, March 25th, a week from today. Along with it will be a blog posting previewing Taste Washington, to be followed by a report on April 1st.