Top Wines of 2016

Details

Written by Rand Sealey

Published: 14 December 2016

Below is a listing of the top scoring wines of 2016 in the Review of Washington Wines, ones scoring 20/20 and 19.5/20 points. They are listed in the order of reviewing.

Wines Scoring 20/20 Points

2012 Rasa Vineyards "in Order to form a more perfect Union" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($95) - January

2014 Reynvaan Family Vineyards "Stonessece" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($100) - January

2013 Upchurch Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain ($68) - March

2013 Avennia "Arnaut" Syrah, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($50) - May

2012 Andrew Will "Sorella" Red Wine, Horse Heaven Hills, Champoux Vineyard ($83) - May

2013 Adams Bench Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($65) - May

2012 DeLille Cellars Grand Ciel Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Grand Ciel Vineyard ($160) - July

2012 Tero Estates Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard ($95) - December

Wines Scoring 19.5/20 Points

2012 Rasa Vineyards "Principia" Reserve Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($85) - January

2012 Rasa Vineyards "Plus One" Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Kiona Vineyard ($75) - January

2012 Rasa Vineyards "Creative Impulse" Red Wine, Yakima Valley, DuBrul Vineyard ($95) - January

2014 Reynvaan Family Vineyards "In the Rocks" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($70) - January

2014 Reynvaan Family Vineyards "The Contender" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($85) - January

2014 Reynvaan Family Vineyards "Foothills Reserve" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($70) - January 

2012 Northstar "Premier" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($85) - January 

2010 Tero Estates "Hill Block" Cabernet Sauvignon ($53) - January

2013 Owen Roe Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, DuBrul Vineyard ($72) - February

2013 Owen Roe "1973 Block" Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($72) - February

2013 Charles Smith "Broncho" Malbec, Washington State ($70) - February

2012 Waters Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Loess Vineyard ($50) - March

2013 L'Ecole No. 41 "Perigee" Estate Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, Seven Hills Vineyard ($54) - April

2013 Woodward Canyon "Old Vines" Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State ($99) - April

2013 Avennia "Sestina" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($65) - May

2013 Betz Family Winery "La Serene" Syrah, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($55) - May

2013 Betz Family Winery "Clos de Betz" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($55) - May

2011 Tero Estates "Plateau Block" Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard ($55) - May

2011 Tero Estates Nebbiolo, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard ($64) - May

2013 Seven Hills Reserve Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley, McClellan Vineyard ($45) - May

2013 Sleight of Hand Cellars "Illusionist" Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($52) - May

2014 Adams Bench "Ursula" Sangiovese, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($52) -May

2014 Leonetti Cellar Merlot, Walla Walla Valley ($75) - June

2013 Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley ($85) - June

2012 FIGGINS Estate Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($85) - June

2012 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley ($89) - June

2013 Co Dinn Chardonnay, Snipes Mountain, Rosekamp Vineyard ($45) - June

2013 Co Dinn Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Painted Hills Vineyard ($60) - July

2013 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Red Wine, Red Mountain ($80) - July

2013 DeLille Cellars Harrison Hill Red Wine, Snipes Mountain ($90) - July

2012 JM Cellars Founder's Reserve Red Wine, Red Mountain ($90) - July

2014 Rotie Cellars Northern Red, Walla Walla Valley ($48) - August

2013 Nefarious Cellars Estate Syrah, Rocky Mother Vineyard, Columbia Valley ($45) - September

2012 Col Solare Red Wine, Red Mountain ($75) - September

2010 Boudreaux Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State ($110) - September

2011 Tero Estates "Old Block" Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard ($57) - October

2014 Ardor Cellars "Quaternarium" Syrah, Columbia Valley ($70) - October

2014 Rotie Cellars "Swordfight" Syrah, Washington State ($65) - October

2014 Rotie Cellars "dre" Mouredre, Washington State ($65) - October

2014 Rotie Cellars "little g" Grenache, Washington State ($65) - October

2013 Pepper Bridge "Trine" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($90) - October

2014 Avennia "Arnaut" Syrah, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($50) - November

2013 Owen Roe Union Gap Red Wine, Yakima Valley ($85) - November

2012 àMaurice Cellars "Artist's Series" McCool Red Blend, Columbia Valley ($40) - November 

2014 The Walls "Gaspard" Syrah, Red Mountain ($46) - December

2014 The Walls "Ramparts" Red Wine, Red Mountain ($46) December

2014 Long Shadows "Saggi" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($50) - December

2014 Long Shadows "Pedestal" Merlot, Columbia Valley ($65) - December

2014 Long Shadows "Pirouette" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($60) - December

2014 Long Shadows "Feather" Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($60) - December

2014 Long Shadows "Sequel" Syrah, Columbia Valley ($60) - December

2013 Tranche Cellars Chardonnay, Columbia Gorge, Celilo Vineyard ($45) - December

2014 Seven Hills "Pentad" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($75) - December

2014 Gramercy Cellars "The Deuce" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($54) - December

2014 Sleight of Hand Cellars "Psychedelic" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Stoney Vine Vineyard ($60) - December

2011 Corliss Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($75) - December

2011 Corliss Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($85) - December

Coming Up:

Thursday December 22 - The January 2017 issue of the Review of Washington Wines

Review Blog: Best Wine Buys of 2016 - Wines scoring 19/20 points for $40 or less and wines scoring 18.5/20 points for $25 or less.

Thursday, December 29 - Looking Ahead to 2017

Thursday, January 5 - New Developments in the Wine Industry

Holiday Barrel Tasting in Walla Walla

Details

Written by Rand Sealey

Published: 07 December 2016

The weekend of December 2-4 was Holiday Barrel Tasting Weekend in the Walla Walla Valley. Most wineries and tasting rooms were decorated with festive holiday decor. Also, many poured barrel samples of their future releases from the 2015 and 2014 vintages. Here's a run down of what I tasted.

2015 Saviah Cellars Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Funk Estate Vineyard - Co-fermented with a bit of Viognier, this wine from the Rocks showed a deep ruby color and an intense nose of blackberry, blueberry and cassis, with scents  of crushed roses, lavender and incense. The flavors were thick and meaty with distinct Rocks minerality. The back picked up roasted berries and nuts and charcoal, followed by a rich, spicy finish. 19.5/20 points.

2015 Saviah Cellars Walla Walla Valley, Watermill Vineyard - One third foot stomped, this Syrah showed a deep crimson color and a rich nose of wild fruits - blackberry, pomegranate, cassis - with scents of orange peel, garrigue and incense. The flavors were thick and chewy, with notes of licorice, cocoa and earthy minerals. The back picked up roasted berries and nuts, leather, mocha and burnt charcoal, followed by a long chewy tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2015 Sleight of Had Cellars "Levitation" Syrah, Columbia Valley - Composed of 70% Lewis and 30% Les Collines and 30% whole cluster fermented, this displayed a deep crimson color and an intense perfumed nose of wild fruits, roses, mulberry, tobacco, violets and white incense. The flavors were mouth encompassing and lavish, replete with minerals, licorice and coffee, and pressed berries and creme de cassis on the back, followed by a long smooth tannin finish. 19+/20 points, possibly 19.5.

2015 Seven Hills Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Summit View Vineyard Block K1 - Deep crimson colored, this possessed a wonderfully perfumed nose of blackberries, cherries, plums, cassis, crushed roses, sweet pea flowers, sweet tobacco, sandalwood and violets. The flavors, as well, were seductive, with layers of lavish yet focused dark fruits, underlain with licorice, dark chocolate, French roast and Rocks minerals. The back picked up roasted berries and nuts, graphite and integrated oak (50% new French) on the way to a complex savory ripe tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

2015 Aluvé Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley - Here, JJ and Kelly Menozzi have turned out a highly promising Cabernet. Deep ruby-crimson colored, it exited seductive aromas of raspberry, cherry, plum, cassis, crushed roses, cedar, tobacco and violets. The flavors were lavish, yet focused, underlain with licorice, dark chocolate, French roast and loamy minerals. The back picked up macerated berries, roasted walnuts, mocha, toast oak, followed by a ripe yet firm tannins. 19+/20 points.

2015 Aluvé Winery Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley - This promises to be a real gem. It showed a crimson color and a perfumed nose of raspberry, cherry, cassis, crushed roses, sweet pea flowers, sweet tobacco and violets. The flavors, as well, were alluring, with notes of red licorice, cocoa powder, French roast and loess minerals, followed by pressed berries, framboise and kirsch liqueurs, graphite and toasty oak, all gliding into a velvety, yet well delineated finish. 19+, possibly 19.5/20 points.

2015 Tero Estate Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard - This looks to be a very nice Merlot. It showed a deep ruby color and a smoky nose of raspberries, cherries, black plums, black roses, mulberry, tobacco and incense. The flavors were supple, yet deep and focused, with notes of licorice, dark cocoa, French roast and distinct minerality. The back revealed sensations of macerated berries, roasted nuts, toffee, mocha and graphite, followed by a ripe grainy tannin finish that smooths out at the end. 19+/20 points.

2014 Tero Estates Windrow Red Blend, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard - A vineyard field blend, this showed a deep purplish color and a rich, smoky nose of blackberries, cherries, plums, crushed roses, mulberry, tobacco, cedar and incense. The flavors mirrored the aromatics with rich flavors that were underlain with licorice, cocoa, French roast and distinct minerality. The chewy textured back showed notes of pressed berries, nougat, mocha and oak, followed by a long, smooth tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

2014 Waters Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley - Mostly from the Cold Creek Vineyard, this promises to be a real beauty. Semi opaque ruby colored, it possessed an intense, earthy nose of blackberries, cherries, black plums, crashed black roses, mulberry, tobacco, cedar and incense. The flavors were thick and bold, yet refined, underlain with black licorice, dark chocolate, espresso and alluvial minerals, followed by roasted berries and walnuts, toffee, mocha and charcoal pencil, all leading into a savory, spiced finish. 19+, possibly 19.5/20 points.

2015 Kontos Cellars "The Boss" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley - This blend was made with Chris and Cameron Kontos' Dad, Cliff, the Boss. It showed a deep ruby-crimson color and a rich, berried nose of raspberries, cherries, plums, black roses, tobacco, cedar and violets. The flavors were generous and supple, yet focused, with notes of licorice, cocoa, French roast and minerals. The back picked pressed berries, kirsch and framboise liqueurs, followed by a long, slightly nutted finish. 19+/20 points.

2014 Kontos Cellars "Progeny" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley - This tribute to the Kontos kids, showed a deep crimson-ruby color and enticing aromas of wild blackberries, cherries and plums, with scents of roses, mulberry, tobacco,, cedar and incense. The flavors mirrored the aromatics with thick, fleshy, focused dark fruits, intermixed with licorice, dark chocolate, espresso and loam and gravel earth. The back picked up roasted berries and nuts, mocha and graphite, followed by a spice and herb dusted long finish. 19+/20 points.

Tasting French and Spanish Wines

Details

Written by Rand Sealey

Published: 30 November 2016

From time to time, Lynn and I will drink European wines with meals or at group tastings. This gives us a respite from tasting and rating Washington Wines for the Review of Washington Wines. Here's what we've been drinking lately.

Bordeaux 

When it comes to French wines, our favorites are from Burgundy and the Rhone Valley, but we do make room for Bordeaux.

2012 Chateau Talbot, St. Julien ($67) - This Fourth Growth is a really classy Bordeaux. Deep colored, it showed rich aromas of dark fruits - cherries, plums and black currants - crushed roses, earth and tobacco. The flavors were deep and penetrating with a long finish. 19/20 points.

2012 Chateau Haut Bailly, Pessac Leognan ($82) -This  is another classically styled Bordeaux. It exhibited a deep ruby-garnet color and intense aromas of raspberry, cherry, cassis and plum with scents of dried roses, tobacco, cedar and truffles. The flavors showed classic Graves (gravel) character with a firm, focused, yet velvety character and a long, well defined finish, along with fine grained tannins. 19.5/20 points.

2010 Chateau La Vielle Cure, Fronsac ($38) - This Merlot dominated wine comes from the right bank of Bordeaux, adjacent to Pomerol. It showed a deep ruby color and ripe aromas of raspberries, cherries and plums. The flavors were deliciously supple, yet deep and focused with distinct ferruginous minerality. The back picked up semi dried berries and ripe tannins.

2010 Chateau Les Carmes Haut Brion, Pessac-Leognan ($67) - This comes from a neighbor of the famous Haut Brion. It displayed a deep ruby color and a nose of dark cherries, plums and smoldering incense. The flavors were dense, yet supple, with distinct Graves minerality. The long finish showed fine "grip" (as the Brits say) of grainy tannins on the long, complex finish. 19+/20 points.

Burgundy

2012 Clos des Rocs Pouilly-Loché ($32) - I ran across this yesterday while reorganizing my wine collection and we had it with lunch. It showed a deep, brilliant gold color and distinct Chardonnay aromas of pear, peach and minerals. The sun drenched flavors were rich and distinct, with calcareous undertones. 18.5/20 points.

2012 Domaine Michel Gros Nuits-St.Georges ($74) - Medium brick red colored, this possessed earthy, intriguing aromas of blackberries, cherries and baked apples, and scents of crushed roses and tobacco. The flavors were medium bodied, but with distinct Pinot Noir assertiveness and a long, supple finish. 19/20 points.

2012 Domaine Chandon de Brialles Pernand Vergelesses 1er Cru, Ile de Vergelesses ($69) - This came on like a classic Côte de Beaune Premier Cru, with heady aromas of smoke and earth and full, fleshy yet well delineated flavors and notes of chocolate, coffee and fine grained tannins. 19/20 points.

2013 Louis Jabot Santenay, Clos de Malte ($36) - Jadot has been one of our favorite grower-negotiants. This Burgundy from the southern end of the Côte de Beaune offered a medium brick red color and definite Pinot Noir character. The medium bodied flavors were supple, yet well defined, with coffee and earth notes and a moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2013 Louis Jabot Pommard Les Rugiens, 1er Cru ($80) - This is as deliciously rich and plush as a Burgundy can get. Deep brick red colored, it emited aromas of wild cherries, plums, black currants, mulberry, tobacco, crushed roses and violets. The flavors were thick and meaty, with a long, complex finish. 19.5/20 points. 

Rhone Valley

2015 Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage Blanc ($34) - Composed of Roussanne, this showed a brilliant gold color and an intriguing nose of pear, peach and anise, with distinct saline minerality and notes of herbal tea, peach stone and pear skin. 18.5/20 points.

2013 Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage Rouge ($36) - Composed of Syrah, this displayed a ruby-garnet color and a smoky berried nose. The flavors were thick and chewy, with notes of forest carpet, roasted berries and nuts and mineraly earth, followed by a ripe, chewy moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2013 Domaine de la Charbonnière Vaqueryas ($32) - This South Rhone red is 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. It showed a deep ruby color and a rich, smoky nose of wild fruits. The medium full-bodied flavors were dark fruited, with notes of French roast, earth and minerals. The wine kept on going on the back and finish, with firm, yet supple tannins. "Very French," said Lynn. 18.5+/20 points.

2012 Domaine Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape ($59) - From a top-notch producer, this showed a deep ruby color and intoxication aromas of blackberry, blueberry and cassis, with scents of crushed roses, earth and smoldering incense. The flavors were deep, mouth encompassing and marked by cocoa and French roast, followed by a long complex finish. 19/20 points.

2010 E. Guigal Côte Rotie, Brune et Blonde ($69) - This came on as a classic Côte Rotie with rich aromas and roasted slope earth and minerals, marked by notes of roasted coffee, toffee, creme de cassis and a long satiny tannin finish. 19/20 points. 

Spain

These wines came from Christopher Cannan's Europvin in Bordeaux, which I knew in the 1980's. He specializes in Spanish wines as well as French ones (including Michel Gros and Allain Graillot above).

2010 Cune Rioja Gran Reserva ($33) - Cune stands for Compania Vinicola del Norte d'Espagne. This showed a brilliant ruby-garnet color and a sensuous nose of barrel aged fruits,  straw and incense. The flavors were bold and taut, yet velvety, a fine rendition of classic Rioja with Tempranillo grape purity. 19/20 points.

2012 Serras del Priorat Viña Tinto ($32) - from the foothills of the Pyrenees, this Garnacha, Cariñena combination offered a deep ruby color and aromas of berries, crushed roses, tobacco and smoldering incense. The medium full-bodied flavors were marked by notes of roast coffee and pulverized minerals. 18.5/20 points.

2010 Font de la Figura Priorat ($40) - From the producer of the above wine, this is a Reserva from very old vines and all Garnacha. It showed a deep ruby color and intoxicating aromas of wild fruits - cherries, currants, black plums - with scents of dried orange peel, tobacco and smoke. The flavors were deep and penetrating, yet accessible, underlain with pulverized minerals. The pepper dusted finish was long and complex, with dry yet ripe tannins. 19+/20 points.

How the 2014 Reds are Shaping Up

Details

Written by Rand Sealey

Published: 23 November 2016

In the December issue of the Review of Washington Wines there are thirty two 2014 red wines, of which sixteen scored 19/20 points and seven, 19.5/20 points. This is a clear indication that the 2014 vintage is turning out to be a great one for red wines. 

In Gramercy Cellars' Fall newsletter, Greg Harrington and Brandon Moss wrote: "We are ecstatic with the 2014 vintage. The wines are fresh, structured, and more complex than ever. The wines have a balance of fruit and earth that displays true elegance....We hope you enjoy the 2014 vintage as much as we enjoyed making them." (See the December issue for reviews of the Gramercy 2014 "The Deuce" Syrah and "Third Man" Red.)

I agree with Greg and Brandon that the 2014 vintage is one to be ecstatic about. In my Review Blog posting of 26 August, I wrote: "For the 2014 reds, the harvest was another early, warm one, with much of the picking completed by the end of September. The 2014's seem to be a bit more structured than the 2013's (also from a warm year), with more phenolics which result in more complex aromatics (perfumes, tobacco, incense, etc.). My recent tastings and notes on the 2014's bear this out. There will be more to come. The January 2017 issue will have at least 15 more 2014's, all outstanding. More later!

Happy Thanksgiving

I wish all of you a happy and enjoyable Thanksgiving Holiday tomorrow. Be sure to have plenty of Washington wines (or other American ones) to celebrate our country's bounty.