On Tuesday, March 12th, the Sons of Bacchus (SOB's for short) convened for its monthly blind tasting. The theme was Zinfandel. The line up comprised of younger and older wines: the oldest was a 1993 Ridge Paso Robles and the youngest a 2009 Robert Biale from the Napa Valley. The consensus favorite was the 2006 Rosenblum Dry Creek Valley, Rockpile Vineyard.

My personal preferences were for the younger Zins. My favorites were the 2009 Robert Bialer, R.W. Moore Vineyard and the 2008 Grand Vineyard, both from Napa. The 2008 Garrison Creek from the Walla Walla Valley (Les Collines) also showed well. The 2006 Rosenblum Rockpile was at its peak, confirming my belief that Zinfandels are at their best when about seven or eight years old. A surprising exception was the 1993 Ridge York Creek, Paso Robles, which still showed fruit even though slightly caramelized. The 1997 Turley and was tired, and the 1999 Marinelli on the edge of overmaturity.

At the conclusion of the tasting, I commented that I used to love Zinfandels, especially the Ridge Lytton Springs and Geyserville bottlings, but liked that variety less well now. Kevin Pogue (Whitman geology prof. and Vinterra consultant) asked if this was because my tastes had changed or that the wines had changed. I replied that it was a good question. I concluded that it was my personal preferences. "I'll take a Washington Syrah over a Zin any day," I answered. The tasting was an interesting and revealing exercise, but that's what I came away thinking.

It seems like musical chairs when the wine tasting room scene changes in downtown Walla Walla. Here are some changes coming up for the coming season.

Glencorrie has just opened its tasting room on 6 East Rose Street (next to Nonie's Alterations), half a block east of Second Avenue. Tasting room manager Melanie Leathers is running this new location. The tasting room on Old Highway 12 is off the beaten track, so this new location will be a plus.

Maison Bleue (owner-winemaker Jon Meuret) will be open in time for Spring Release weekend (May 3-5). According to tasting room manager, Dawn Brumfield, there simply was not enough time to open for Cayuse weekend, so they are shooting for the beginning of May. The location at 12 North Second is boarded up for extensive renovations (Salumerie Cesario was the previous occupant, now located on Main Street).

Mackey has moved out of the 14 North Second location and down to the winery on Powerline Road (shared with Rasa Vineyards). This leaves the location vacant and available for rent.

The corner of Second and Rose is also vacant and available for rent. It was formerly occupied by Willow a boutique shop and gallery which closed down last fall.

The conventional wisdom here in Walla Walla is that a downtown location is highly desirable and that the prime are is along Main Street and on Second Avenue between Main and Rose. This area is where many tourists congregate. Karen LaBonte (Trio Vintners) told me her volume increased dramatically after moving from Second between Alder and Poplar to the Marcus Whitman Hotel (next to Tero/Flying Trout and Locati Cellars). It's all about Location! Location! Location!

Some weeks ago, I was invited to participate in the judging of Seattle Magazine's Washington Wine Awards. This is an annual judging by Washington wine industry professionals, including sommeliers, winemakers and wine writers. The 2013 Wine Awards will be published in the August issue of Seattle Magazine.

First of all, I would like to congratulate Seattle Magazine and the Wine Awards coordinater, Anne Nisbet,for organizing the well run wine tasting which was held on Monday, March 4th at the magazine's offices. Also, thanks to the staff and volunteers who poured 101 wines for 20 judges.

Here are my comments on the judging:

The wines were scored on a ten point system with 1 point assigned for Appearance, 3 for aroma, 4 for palate and 2 for "Judges choice," which is a subjective score component. It is similar to the University of California Davis 20 point system, except that I found ten points to be somewhat less precise. But it seemed to work well for a three hour session of working through 101 wines.

Wine judging with double blind tasting (wines poured from brown bags and all unknown to any of the tasters) always produces some expected and some surprising results. After the tasting, a list of the wines tasted was handed out. I found a few wines that I had previously reviewed that received high scores in both the Review of Washington Wines and in the tasting. They were the 2010 Avennia "Arnaut" Syrah which received 19+ points in the October issue of the Review and I scored 9.5 points in the Wine Awards judging for the Yakima Valley Syrah category and 20 points in the Red Wine of the Year. I believe the wine has gained complexity since tasting it in September. I scored the 2009 FIGGINS Red Blend 10 points in both the Walla Walla Valley Red Blend and the Red Wine of the Year categories. That wine scored 19.5 points in the August issue of the Review of Washington Wines. On the other hand, there were some wines I rated highly in the Review that did not score quite so highly in the Washington Wine Awards tasting. But my experience has been that there are always vagaries in the blind tasting process.

The tasting produced some surprises as well. My one criticism of the tasting would be the paucity of white wines. Since one of the tasting themes was Washington AVA's, there were Puget Sound Madeline Angevine and Siegreebe, and Columbia Gorge Aromatic Whites categories, but no Chardonnays or Marsannes. My top white in the White Wine of the Year category were the 2011 Efeste Evergreen Vineyard Sauvignon, a vivacious, floral white (not reviewed) with Virginie Bourge's 2010 Lullaby Viognier (reviewed December) a close runner-up. The 2009 Tildio Estate Syrah from Lake Chelan was a new discovery for me, scoring an impressive 9.5 points. It showed sultry, smoky lavender and violet aromas and thick, chewy flavors, hallmarks of a top-notch Syrah. The 2010 Fall Line Yakima Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was another winner, classically-styled and scoring 9/10 points. At $32, It scored 18.5 points in the January issue of the Review. Now, I'd give it 19 points and rate it great buy at $32.

That's it for now. Watch for the August issue of Seattle Magazine to find out what the judges picked out as the Washington Wine Awards winners.

On February 15th, we moved to Walla Walla full time. The past week has been a frenzy of unpacking and putting things in place at our new home. But we've found time to eat and drink wine. Here are some of the wines we've been drinking lately.

2011 Waters Prelude White Blend, Columbia Valley ($30)

We had this 63% Roussanne/37% Viognier blend with Jim Robison's recipe for stir-fried chicken breast with shallots and sundried tomatoes in cream sauce. The intriguing oriental-like aromas and flavors made for an interestring combination. 18.5+/20 points. (Reviewed July 2012)

2009 Glencorrie Merlot, Columbia Valley, Stillwater Creek Vineyard ($29)

We had this with sandwiches from the Walla Walla Baking Co. The Merlot was true to variety and deliciously ripe and supple. 18.5/20 points (Reviewed February)

2009 Laurelhurst Cellars "El Humidor" Petite Sirah, Horse Heaven Hills ($38)

This robust, peppery, spicy red went nicely with grilled hamburgers. Petite Sirah, I think is an up and coming varietal. 19/20 points. (Reviewed January)

2011 Waterbrook Chardonnay, Columbia Valley (purchased for $10 at Harvest Foods)

This nice, lively Chardonnay with bright flavors and good varietal character is a great bargain. We had it for lunch with chicken salad. 17.5+/20 points.

2009 Three Rivers Malbec, Columbia Valley ($29)

One night, we had pizza delivered by Hempler's Big Cheese (Walla Walla's best). With it, we had this ripe, peppery, full flavored Malbec. 18.5/20 points. (Reviewed January)

2009 Milbrandt Mourvedre, Wahluke Slope, Clifton Vineyard ($29)

We had this with bread, cheese and salami from Salumerie Cesario on Main Street. An ideal combination for lunch. 18.5/20 points. (Reviewed September, 2012)

2009 Saviah Cellars Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley ($35)

This made a nice accompaniment to sautéd chicken thighs with rosemary. The somewhat smoky, perfumed aromatics made this an enjoyable wine. 18.5+/20 points. (To be reviewed in the March issue)

2009 Three Rivers Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley ($29 - winery only)

This is another attractive rendition of an up and coming variety. We had it with grilled lamb chops and white and wild rice. 18.5+/20 points. (Reviewed February)

2008 Reininger Winery "Mr. Owl's Red," Walla Walla Valley ($28)

This blend is Chuck Reininger's tribute to cellar master Raul Morfin ("Mr.Owl" to the Reininger children). The slightly herbacious character made it a good accompaniment with grilled chicken sausage. 18.5/20 points. (Winery only, not reviewed)

2010 Hard Row to Hoe, Primitivo, Columbia Valley ($32)

This brawny, high alcohol (15.5%) clonal Zinfandel went nicly with meat loaf sandwiches from the La Reina Rosado delicatessen on Main Street (when in Walla Walla check it out). 18.5/20 points. (Reviewed October 2012)