For the third year in a row, I was invited to participate in the judging for Seattle Magazine's Washington Wine Awards. The judging was conducted by Yashar Shayan and the article about it was written by Paul Zitarelli. The panel met in early March and the article was published in the August issue of Seattle Magazine. There were no surprises about the top winners in each category, although I did not always agree with the consensus. Here are the top wines in the major categories, with my top picks.

Red Wine of the Year - 2012 Abeja Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley. This, I think is a worthy consensus choice even though it was not my top scorer. The 2012 Upchurch Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon was my top pick.

White Wine of the Year - 2013 Savage Grace Riesling, Columbia Gorge, Underwood Mountain Vineyard. Again, this is a estimable choice, although not my top pick (that would have been the 2012 Sixto Frenchman Hill Vineyard Chardonnay by Brennon Leighton). Michael Savage did a masterful job of showing what can be done with Columbia Gorge Riesling.

Chardonnay $16-$40 - 2013 L'Ecole No, 41 - Columbia Valley. Another good consensus pick. I found the Sixto "Uncovered" Chardonnay to have more complexity, though.

Chardonnay More than $40 - 2012 Tranche, Columbia Gorge, Celilo Vineyard - My top choice was the Sixto (see above) but Tranche was a highly respectable pick.

Merlot $21-$40 - 2012 L'Ecole No. 41, Walla Walla Valley - A good choice, although I gave the 2012 Forgeron Boushey Vineyard the edge.

Merlot More than $40 - 2012 Long Shadows Pedestal Merlot, Columbia Valley - This was a clear choice, by me as well as the panel consensus.

Red Blend More than $40 - 2012 Avennia "Sestina" Columbia Valley - My third choice (19/20 points) in a strong category. 2012 Betz "Clos de Betz" and 2010 Corliss both scored 20/20 points.

Syrah $21-40 - 2013 Savage Grace, Walla Walla Valley - Les Collines Vineyard. Again, an admirable choice although I gave the Amavi, Walla Walla Valley an edge.

Syrah More than $40 - 2012 Avennia "Arnaut," Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard. This was the standout, both in the panel's and my scoring (20/20) points.

Cabernet Sauvignon more than $65 - 2012 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley. In tasting, I found this a classic direct Cabernet. To my palate, I found the 2012 Upchurch a bit more complex. But no quarrel with this choice.