As the year draws to a close, here is my wrapup for what's ahead. First, for those of you who have been unable to see the past few blogs, I have learned that I need to compose my postings right here in the blog software, so that's what I'm doing now and will do henceforth. If you want to see the past three postings, go back to your Review subscription page and click on the email links under Newsletter Archive.

 

Best Buys for 2012

For the biggest bang for the buck, here is a list of currently available wines reviewed in 2011 that scored 18.5/20 or more points and sell for $25 or less.

2008 Long Shadows Nine Hats Red, Columbia Valley ($25) 18.5/20 points- March, 2011

2008 Thurston Wolfe Petite Sirah, Horse Heaven Hills, Zephyr Ridge Vineyard 18.5/20 points ($20) - April

2008 McCrea Cellars Syrah, Yakima Valley ($25) 18.5/20 points - May

2009 Hedges "Cuvee Marcel Dupont" Syrah, Red Mountain, Les Gosses Vineyard ($25) 19/20 points - July

2010 Dowsett Family Gewurztraminer, Columbia Gorge, Celilo Vineyard ($22) 19/20 points - July

2009 McCrea Cellars Sirocco Blanc, Yakima Valley ($25) 19/20 points - August

2009 Upland Estates Chardonnay, Snipes Mountain, Upland Vineyards ($22) 18.5/20 points - September

2010 Maison Bleue "Notre Vie" Viognier, Yakima Valley, Arthur's Vineyard ($25) 19/20 points - September

2009 Robison Ranch Cellars Sangiovese, Walla Walla Valley ($24) 18.5/20 points - September

2010 Bergevin Lane Viognier, Columbia Valley ($25) 18.5/20 points - September

2010 Buty Semillon-Sauvignon-Muscadelle, Columbia Valley ($25) 18.5/20 points - October

2010 Davenport Cellars Semillon, Columbia Valley ($19) 18.5/20 points - October

2010 Hard Row to Hoe Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley ($22) 18.5/20 points - November

2009 Trio Vintners Zinfandel, Yakima Valley, Far Away Vineyard ($20) 18.5/20 points - November

2010 Nefarious Cellars Estate Riesling, Columbia Valley, Stone's Throw Vineyard ($18) 18.5/20 points - November

2009 Robison Ranch Cellars "Combine" Red, Walla Walla Valley ($25) 18.5/20 points - December

2009 Guardian Cellars "Chalk Line" Red, Columbia Valley ($25) 18.5/20 points - December

2008 Nota Bene Cellars Syrah, Columbia Valley ($25) 18.5/20 points - December

 

Wineries to Watch in 2012

 

Corvus Cellars - Now that they are established in Walla Walla, Randall Hopkins and Steve Lessard are turning out impressive wines. Look for some exceptional 2009's.

Convergence Zone Cellars - See the January issue for new releases from Scott Greenberg's Woodinville winery.

Reynvaan Family Vineyards - Watch for blockbuster 2010's being released in the fall. Prelimary notes are in the Dec. 16 blog, and there will be a fuller report in the February issue.

Fjellene Cellars - Owner-winemaker Matthew Erlandson is making great strides. Watch for his 2009's.

El Corazon - Spencer Sievers' wines sell out quickly and he is on the 2010 vintage for reds. I tasted them in December and will retaste next month for a report in February.

Rasa Vineyards - Pinto and Billo Naravane's wines keep getting better. There will be a report on their 2009's in the February issue.

Tero Estates - In 2012, Doug Roskelley will be following up his exceptional 2007's with suprb 2008's.

Flying Trout - Partnering with Tero Estates, Ashley Trout will also be releasing her own new vintages. Watch for a head-turnning 2009 Mary's Vineyard Malbec.

Maison Bleue - Jon Martinez continues to wow with his finely crafted Rhone-style whites and red. He has more trick up his sleeve for 2012.

Buried Cane - With Brian Rudin as winemaker, this winery shows that high quality wines can be put into screwcap bottles. The 2008 "Heartwood" Red will be reviewed in February.

Caprio Cellars - This newcomer to the Walla Walla wine scene is making an impression. Owner-winemaker Dennis Murphy's 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon will be in the February issue.

Hollywood Hills - Steve and Becky Snyder continue to do a great job with their Rhone-style wines. See the January issue of the Review for a Focus profile.

 

Predictions for 2012

 

Here's my look in the crystal ball for what's ahead for the coming year.

 

What Will Happen when Initiative 1183 Becomes Law?

Many Washington Winemakers have expressed concern about the repercussions of the privatization of liquor sales, beginning June 1. They worry that reduced shelf space for wine (as space gets taken up by spirits), volume wholesale discounting, and direct producer to retailer sales may adversely affect wineries. Sure, the passage of the initiative is a game changer, but it need not be one that impacts boutique wineries negatively to any great extent. Most of the changes have to do with the mass market wines which are stocked in supermarkets and big box stores.

Yes, wineries will have to get more creative with their marketing. But that is what free market competition is all about. It's never a level playing field, to be sure, but this does not mean any winery or wholesaler should take any distribution structures for granted. Wine is a market-driven product and the industry has to be responsive to that. Those wineries that produce products that are in demand should not have much to fear.

So, I predict that wineries which are dedicated to making quality wines will continue to do well under privatization.

 

Vintages to Watch: 2010 and 2011

Despite an erroneous report in Decanter Magazine which quoted a Washington winemaker out of context and dismissed the 2011 vintage in a few sentences, the consensus among winemakers around the state is that 2011 should shape up to be an exceptional one. Like 2010, the protracted harvest in 2011 presented challenges. But the result was more even grape ripening, lower sugars, and bright phenols. Early barrel sampes showed much promise. In early February, Trey Busch (Sleight of Hand) and I will get together a tasting of 2010's and 2011's, and I will be reporting on it in a future blog posting. For a recent report on some 2010's, see my blog posting of December 16.

 

Washington Wines get More Press

Washington wines hae been in the news more than ever. Articles have been published in newspapers and magazines around the country - Broward-Palm Beach Times, MSNBC, Anapolis Times, Palm Beach Post, St. Louis Today, the New York Times, and more (see Sean Sullivan's Washington Wine Report for periodic Washington Wine Round-ups of news articles mentioning Washington Wines). Washington Wines are becoming increasingly trendy, and even California publications such as the San Francisco Chronicle and the Los Angeles Times have given Washington wines favorable reviews. I expect this trend to continue in 2012.

 

Happy New Year!

 

Next Week: January Wine and Food Pairings