As we work through the October issue of the Review of Washington Wines, we have been tasting quite a few red wines from the 2020 vintage. It is during Fall Release that a new vintage gets under way. The October issue will have over 12 wines from that vintage. The September issue has eight. So far, in our tastings, we have found the 2020's to be tasty, solid wines that are balanced and accessible, ones that should have a sizable place in one's wine collection.

The 2020 grape growing season was pretty much a normal one. with warm spring weather that continued through summer with a rain and wind episode during flower bloom which reduced fruit yields. Verasion (when grapes start turing color) began in August, followed by a harvest that was extended by diffused sunlight and cooler temperatures. Freezing weather in the second week of October brought the harvest to a close. Qualitatively, the vintage is of excellent quality. As l'Ecole No 41 in the Walla Walla Valley put it, " The long growing season combined with low yields resulted in wonderful balance, length and aromatics in the whites, and concentrated flavor, color texture and structure in the reds."

The 2020 vintage was not an effortless one to work with. Especial care was needed to keep the components in balance. Ashley Trout (Brook & Bull) commented, "2020 wasn't mt favorite vintage to work, but the wines turned out great. Maybe it's just the ghost of my memories, but there's some depth and strife to these 2020 wines that make them complex and dark."

So far, most of the 2020 reds have been Rhone varieties and BDX Right Bank varieties - most of the Cabernet Sauvignons will come later. Here's a preview of some of the most noteworthy 2020 reds that will be in the October issue. Full reviews will go on line September 23.

2020 L'Ecole No 41 Estate Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Seven Hills Vineyard ($40) - This is a bold Syrah with intoxicating aromas and attention-getting black and blue fruits that intensify further on the back, all pushing on into a heady ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2020 L'Ecole No 41 Estate "GSM" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, Seven Hills Vineyard ($41) - One third each of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, this possesses seductive aromas and generous yet deep and focused black and blue fruits and a ripe, savory precise fruit acid finish. 19/20 points.

2020 Brook & Bull "The Deviant" Red Wine, Wahluke Slope ($60) - This is a powerful combination of 68% Cabernet Franc and 32% Petit Verdot. It shows a semi opaque color, intense aromas and layers of black and blue fruits that intensify on the back yet stays poised through the ultra long finish. 19.5/20 points.

2020 Brook & Bull Reserve Malbec, Walla Walla Valley ($60) - From the Summit View and Southward vineyards, this is a an intense beautifully structured Malbec, with layers of black and blue fruits that are precisely proportioned throughout all the way through a seemingly endless finish. 19.5/20 points.