Best Buys of 2022
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- Written by Rand Sealey
Here, we have Best Buy wines scoring 18.5/20 points for $25 or less and wines scoring 19/20 points for $40 or less. This is not a complete listing. Only wines currently available are listed.
Wines Scoring 18.5/20 Points for $25 or Less
2021 Côtes de Ciel Arneis, Red Mountain, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard ($25) - May
2021 L'Ecole No 41 Old Vines Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley ($18) - May
2019 Gard Vintners "Boneyard Red," Columbia Valley ($25) - June
2020 Thurston-Wolfe "GSM" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($22.50) - July
2020 Tenet Wines "The Pundit" Syrah, Columbia Valley ($25) - July
2021 L'Ecole No 42 Semillon, Columbia Valley ($17) - August
2021 L'Ecole No 41 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($22) - August
2020 Guardian Cellars "Chalk Line" Red Blend, Columbia Valley ($25) - September
2020 Newsprint Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley ($23) - September
2020 Newsprint Malbec, Wahluke Slope ($23) - September
2019 Newsprint Syrah, Red Mountain ($25) - September
2021 Seven Hills Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley ($20) - November
2020 Bergevin Lane "Lovestruck" Viognier, Walla Walla Valley, Bergevin Springs Vineyard ($20) - November
2021 Bergevin Lane "Linen" Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley ($20) - November
2021 Chateau Ste Michelle Sauvignon Blanc, Horse Heaven Hits, Horse Heaven Vineyard ($20) - December
N.V. Barrister "Rough Justice" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($25) - December
N.V. Treveris Sparkling Wines, Columbia Valley ($20) - December
Wines Scoring 19/20 Points for $40 or Less
2017 Golden Ridge Estate Merlot, Walla Walla Valley ($40) - February
2019 Echolands "Rubrum" Red Blend, Walla Walla Valley ($38) - February
2018 Echolands Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Les Collines Vineyard ($38) - February
2019 College Cellars Zinfandel, Walla Walla Valley, Les Collines Vineyard ($30) - June
2018 College Cellars Malbec, Walla Walla Valley ($30) - June
2020 Thurston-Wolfe Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, McKinley Springs Vineyard ($30) - July
2021 Frichette Semillon, Red Mountain, Artz Vineyard ($40) - July
2020 Neher Family "Raku Red" Syrah, Wahluke Slope ($32) - October
2020 Saviah Cellars Barbera, Walla Walla Valley, Dugger Creek Vineyard ($35) - October
2020 Saviah Cellars Malbec, Walla Walla Valley ($35) - October
2021 L'Ecole No 41 Chardonnay, Ancient Lakes, Evergreen Vineyard ($36) - October
2021 Canvasback White Wine, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($38) - 19.5/20 points - October
2018 Bergevin Lane "Dreamweaver" Malbec, Walla Walla Valley, Bergevin Springs Vineyard ($35) - November
2019 CAVU Cellars Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, Alder Ridge Vineyard ($40) - November
2017 Balboa Estate Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, Waliser Vineyard ($40) - November
2017 Balboa Estate Malbec, Walla Walla Valley, Eidolon Vineyard ($40) - November
2020 Foundry Vineyards Malbec, Columbia Valley, Conley Vineyard ($38) - December
2019 Foundry Vineyards "Artisan Blend" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($38) - December
2019 College Cellars Mourvèdre, Walla Walla Valley, Stoney Vine Vineyard ($30) - December
2019 College Cellars Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Cockburn Vineyard ($30) - December
2019 Barrister Carmenère, Wahluke Slope ($39) - December
2017 Robert Karl Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, Gunselman Bench Vineyard ($36) - December
2019 Winescape "GSM" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($39) - December
Top Wines of 2022
- Details
- Written by Rand Sealey
Here, we have the highest scoring wines of 2022 in the Review of Washington Wines, using the University of California, Davis 20 Point System.
Wines Scoring 20/20 Points
2018 Adams Bench Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($80) - January
2018 Adams Bench Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, Mays Discovery Vineyard ($80) - January
2028 Adams Bench Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Stillwater Creek Vineyard ($80) - January
2019 Force Majaure Estate Syrah, Red Mountain ($85) - March
2019 Force Majeure Estate Cabernet Sauviginon, Red Mountain ($150) - March
2019 Force Majeure Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, SJR Vineyard ($100) - October
2019 Abeja Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Heather Hill Vineyard ($75) - December
Wines Scoring 19.5/20 Points
2018 Adams Bench "the V" Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($68) - January
2018 Adams Bench "Ursula" Sangiovese, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($62) - January
2028 Long Shadows "Saggi" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($65) - January
2018 Long Shadows "Pirouette" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($70) - January
2018 Long Shadows "Pedestal" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($65) - January
2018 Long Shadows "Sequel" Syrah, Columbia Valley ($70) - January
2018 Long Shadows "Chester Kidder" Red Wines, Columbia Valley ($70) - January
2019 Kontos Cellars "Baker Blend" Malbec, Walla Walla Valley ($57) - February
2018 Kontos Cellars "The Boss" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($197 - 1.5 L) - February
2017 VanArnam Grand Reserve "Harmony Red" Yakima Valley ($80) - February
2019 Force Majeure "Parvata" Red Wine, Red Mountain ($70) - February
2020 PASXA Estate White Wine, Walla Walla Valley, Rockgarden Vineyard ($85) - March
2019 PASXA Grenache, Walla Walla Valley, River Rock Vineyard ($85) - March
2019 PASXA Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, River Rock Vineyard ($85) - March
2019 PASXA Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, SJR Vineyard ($85) - March
2019 Force Majeure "Epinette" Red Wine, Red Mountain ($95) - March
2018 Kontos Cellars Brynnan" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($67) - April
2019 L'Ecole No 41 Ferguson Estate Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($70) - April
2019 Mark Ryan "Old Vines" Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain ($80) - May
2019 Mark Ryan "Lonely Heart" Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain ($100) - May
2019 Canvasback Merlot, Red Mountain ($56) - June
2019 Canvasback Cabernet Franc, Red Mountain, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard ($74) - June
2019 Canvasback Cabernet Sauvignon, Red MountaIn, Longwinds Vineyard ($74) - June
2019 Canvasback Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Klipsun Vineyard ($74) - June
2019 Canvasback Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard ($74) - June
2019 Canvasback "Grand Passage" Red Wine, Red Mountain ($90) - June
2018 Northstar Premier Merlot, Columbia Valley ($100) - June
2021 Valdemar Estates Roussanne, Columbia Valley ($40) - June
2019 Valdemar Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley ($70) - June
2019 Valdemar Estates Syrah, Red Mountain, Klipsun Vineyard ($75) - June
2019 Devona Pinot Noir, OR, Freedom Hill Vineyard ($50) - August
2018 Devona Pinot Noir, OR, Freedom Hill Vineyard ($55) - August
2018 Devona Pinot Noir, Or, Mt. Richmond Vineyard ($55) - August
2016 Devona Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Bacchus Vineyard ($70) - August
2019 Avennia "Sestina" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($75) - August
2018 Avennia Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($95) - August
2018 Fortuity "Destined" Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($65) - August
2018 Fortuity "Destined" Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, DuBrul Vineyard ($65) - August
2018 Fortuity "Destined" Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, Heart of the Hill Vineyard ($65) - August
2019 Kontos Cellars "Dorsey Baker" Blend, Walla Walla Valley ($63) - September
2019 Fortuity "Destined Cuvée" Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley ($65) - September
2018 Domaine Pouillon Estate Syrah, Columbia Gorge ($47) - September
2019 L'Ecole No 41 "Apogee" Red Blend, Walla Walla Valley, Pepper Bridge Vineyard ($56) - October
2019 L'Ecole No 41 "Perigee" Estate Red Blend, Walla Walla Valley, Seven Hills Vineyard ($56) - October
2021 Canvasback White Wine, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($38) - October
2019 Canvasback Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Funk Vineyard ($74) - October
2019 Force Majeure "Les Voles" Mourvèdre, Red Mountain ($85) - October
2019 Holocene Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, River Rock Vineyard ($85) - October
2019 The Walls "Mahana" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, River Rock Vineyard ($65) - November
2019 Valdemar Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Klipsun Vineyard ($75) - November
2018 Bergevin Lane "GB3" Estate Red, Walla Walla Valley, Bergevin Springs Vineyard ($75) - December
2020 Kontos Cellars "Baker" Malbec, Walla Walla Valley, Summit View Vineyard ($63) - December
2019 Kontos Cellars "The Boss" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($197 - 1.5 L) - December
2020 Va Piano "Black Label" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Stoney Vine Vineyard ($75) - December
Holiday Barrel Weekend & French Wines on Sale
- Details
- Written by Rand Sealey
Holiday Barrel Weekend in Walla Walla
Here's what we tasted last weekend, December 3 and 4.
Library Wines at Abeja
Instead of barrel samples, Abeja poured previously released wines paired with small bites.
2019 Chardonnay, Washington State ($50) - This Chardonnay has developed beautifully. It shows a brilliant gold color and lovely aromas of apple, peach, quinc, citrus and pineapple with scents of apple blossoms, acacia flowers and wisteria. The flavors are resonant, pure Chardonnay, with notes of grape skin, peach stone and tart apple. The back picks up touches of creme fraiche and hazelnut on the way to a full, lon, satiny finish. 19.5/20 points.
2018 Beekeeper's Blend, Washington State ($44) - Composed of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, this offers a ruby color and engaging aromas of raspberries, huckleberries, cherries, roses, mulberry, rosemary and vanillin. The flavors are supple, yet forceful, with red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, ganache and roasted coffee beans, followed by framboise and kirsch liqueurs on the long, firm yet smooth finish. 19/20 points.
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($96) - This Cabernet, 84% with 14% Merlot and 1% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot exhibits a deep ruby-garnet color and rich, smoky aromas of blackberry, cherry, blueberry, crushed roses, tobacco, pine sap, and sultry incense. The flavors are rounding out beautifully, with notes of licorice root, black tea and variegated earth and minerals. On the back, the wine turns chewy textured yet satiny, with sensations of roasted nuts, mocha, toffee and satiny tannins. 19.5/20 points.
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Heather Hill Vineyard ($264 - 1.5 Liter) - This is a highly aromatic 100% Cabernet. Deep ruby-garnet, it possesses a nose of blackberry, cherry, plum, black roses, cigar mix, sandalwood, sagebrush, anise and oriental incense. The flavors are beautifully structured and deep, with notes of licorice, dark cocoa, French roast and loamy minerals. The back reveals pressed berries, roasted walnuts, mocha, integrated oak and satiny tannins on the seamless, ultra long finish. Superb. 20/20 points.
Barrel Tasting 2021 Reds
At two wineries, we had barrel samples of the following wines.
2021 Mongata Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Resurgent Vineyard - Ruby colored, this emits rich aromas of blackberry, blueberry, black currant with scents of rosebuds, tobacco, sage and incense. The flavors are ample yet deep, with supple fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa and cobblestone and silt minerals. On the back, the wine presents a round texture with notes of red liqueurs and roasted nuts prefacing a ripe tannin finish. 19+/20 points.
2021 Mongata Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley - This is a Chinon-like Cab Franc with a ruby color and rich, smoky nose of raspberry, blueberry, cherry, plum, lilac, tobacco and herb potpourri. The flavors are rich and round, marked by licorice, cocoa, roasted coffee brans and earth. The back picks up macerated fruits, roasted nuts, framboise liqueur and soft charcoal, followed by a chewy tannin finish. 19+/20 points.
2021 Saviah Cellars Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Funk Vineyard - Deep ruby-crimson colored, this emits rich, sensuous aromas of blackberry, cherry, plum, cassis, crushed roses, tobacco, cedar and incense. The flavors, likewise, are thick and dramatic, with dark fruits that are infused with licorice, chocolate and Rocks minerals. The back picks up macerated fruits, roasted walnuts, mocha and graphite, followed by a long balanced tannin finish. 19.5/20 points.
French Wines on Sale
A couple of weeks ago, Wine.com, a major in line wine retailer, announced a sale on selected wines at up to 40% off. I put in an order and have tasted the following French wines.
N.V. Le Grand Courtâge Grande Cuvée Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine ($16.99 Regular $25) - This is an enjoyable bubbly. It shows a brilliant copper-pink color, streaming bubbles and aromas of strawberries, red currants, pomegranate, orange peel, pink lilac and orange blossoms. The flavors are sprightly, with red and orange fruits that are accented by grape skins and saline minerals. The wine enlivens further on the back with fraise and Cointreau liqueurs and CO2 on the moderate alcohol (11.5%) true Brut finish. 18.5/20 points.
N.V. Château de Bligny Champagne Grande Reserve Brut Rosé ($47.99 - Regular $65) - This is a beautiful Rosé at a great price. It displays a brilliant copper- pink color, streaming bubbles and lovely aromas of strawberry, cherry, pomegranate, tangerine, cherry blossoms, pink roses and orange incense. The flavors are deftly styled, with red and orange fruits that are imbued with grape skins, cherry stones and minerals. The vibrancy continues in the back with fraise and cerise liqueurs and recurring orange peel, followed by a CO2 enlivened Brut finish. 19+/20 points.
2020 Château Pique-Caillou Graves Blanc, Pessac-Leognan ($37.99 - Regular $60) - This white Bordeaux is 90% Sauvignon Blanc, with 10% Semillon. It shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of Bosc pear, Casaba melon, grapefruit, pear blossoms, lemongrass and flintstone. The flavors are classically styled, with yellow and green fruits that are imbued with grape skins, melon rind and gravelly (Graves) minerals. On the back, the wine takes a dynamic turn with poire William liqueur, melon rind, almond and grapefruit peel, followed by a precise fruit acid finish. 19/20 points.
2020 Château Saint André Corbin, St, Georges-St. Emilion ($25.99 - Regular $39) - From the commune just north of Saint Emilion, this is composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. It shows a deep ruby color and rich aromas of raspberry, cherry, plum, crushed roses, mulberry, sweet tobacco, cedar and stick ince and nse. The flavors are full and round, with red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, French roast and clay and limestone minerals. On the back, the wine firms up a bit with macerated fruits, roasted pecans and framboise and kirsch liqueurs and moderate oak (1/3 new) followed by a chewy tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.
2020 Château du Caillou Cahors Malbec ($19.99 - Regular $32) - This a fine rendition of the "Black Wine" of Cahors in southwest France. It shows an inky ruby-purple color and an intense nose of blackberry, blueberry, black currant, black roses, mulberry, tobacco, sage and incense. The flavors are ample yet deep cored, with dark fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, French press and stony (caillou) minerals. The wine fills out on the back with macerated berries, roasted nuts, creme de cassis and blueberry preserves followed by a ripe tannin finish. Super value. 18.5/20 points.
2020 Domaine des Quatre Vents Fleurie ($23.99 - Regular $32) - This is an elegant Cru Beaujolais. It shows a deep ruby color and lovely aromas of fraises de bois, cerise and cassis with scents of rose petals, lavender and whiffs of sweet incense. The flavors are supple yet vigorous with red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, Swiss chocolate, black tea and granitic minerals. The back reveals gently pressed berries, fraise and cerise liqueurs, followed by a moderate acid and tannin finish. The charm gives it a plus. 18.5+/20 points.
2019 Domaine Nôtre Dame de Pallières Gigondas ($31.99 - Regular $38) - Composed of 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre from a high elevation site, this exhibits a deep ruby color and seductive aromas of strawberries, blueberries and brambly currants with scents of crushed roses, tobacco, garrigue and spiced incense. The flavors are mouth filling, with red and blue fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, French roast and Montmirial minerals. The saturation continues on the back with fraise and creme de cassis liqueurs and blueberry preserves, followed by a savory moderate tannin and acid finish. 18.5+/20 points.
Off Aromas in Wine / Saviah Deals of the Week
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- Written by Rand Sealey
Off Aromas in Wine
A lot has been written about 2.4.6 trichloranisole ("TCA") cork taint in wines, but what about other taints that can affect the smells in wines? Here's a rundown on others. TCA taint is now less of a problem than it used to be. During the past three months, I have run across only one "corked" bottle. Most wineries now use quality certified corks or composite ones such as Diam.
Brettanomyces - Called "Brett" for short, this is a rogue yeast, cousin to the wine fermentation Sacchromyces. It gives the wine a "barnyard" smell. Some Oregon winemakers claim Brettanomyces adds complexity to red wines. If that's the case, a little bit goes a long way.
Ethyl Acetate - This is an ester that is present in most wines, at a normal range of 50-60 g/L, but when the level reaches 150-200 g/L the wine can acquire a "rotten egg" smell. Ethyl Acetate comes from the same bacteria that produces vinegar. Proper sanitation helps prevent the occurrence of ethyl acetate.
Sulfur Dioxide - SO2 is present in most wines, usually added as a preservative. But an excess can produce smells of burning matchstick or in extreme cases, rotten egg.
Premature Oxidation - Called "Premox" for short, this occurs when wine has been overworked by excess oxygenation, producing wines more mature than they should be. A week ago, I opened a bottle of 2016 Grenache that Lynn said was off. I smelled it and said, "premature oxidation - premox." Premox occurs more often in white wines than red.
Reductivity - This is the obverse of premature oxidation. It occurs when a wine doesn't get enough oxygenation. This O2 starvation can also produce H2S gas, giving a skunky smell. Some claim putting copper such as a penny in a glass of reductive wine helps.
Secondary Fermentation - Secondary fermentation in the bottle is desirable in sparkling wine, but not in still wine. It can be caused by remaining fermentation yeast in the wine, causing the wine to foam.
Luckily, the above taints occur less frequently than in the past. When I owned Esquin Wine Merchants in the 'seventies and 'eighties, customers would brink back "bad" or "corked" wines. But with more sanitary wine production methods, this occurs less often.
Saviah Deals of the Week
Yesterday, I received an email from Saviah Cellars announcing a five day only sale on selected wines. Two of the wines were the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2020 Syrah, both from the Walla Walla Valley and priced at an unbelievable $25 a bottle. I picked up a bottle of each wine, which have just been released. Here are my reviews.
2020 Saviah Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley ($25 - Regular $35) - This shows a deep ruby color and engaging aromas of blackberry, Bing cherry, Damson plum, crushed roses, sweet tobacco, cedar, a hint of mint and stick incense. The flavors are true to variety, ample and deep, with red and black fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cola, French roast and loamy earth. On the back, the wine fills out with roasted berries and nuts, mocha, kirsch and graphite, followed by a suave ripe tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.
2020 Saviah Cellars Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($25 - Regular $35) - Deep ruby colored, this emits enticing aromas of blackberry, blueberry, black currant, black roses, pipe tobacco, lavender, olive tapenade and spiced incense. The flavors are deliciously mouth filling, with copious black and blue fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, French roast and silty minerals. The back reveals roasted berries and nuts, mocha, creme de cassis, blueberry preserves and charcoal, followed by a ripe, almost decadent sweetish tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.
This deal is for on line orders only and expires at midnight, Sunday, December 4. Other wines are on sale as well.
Thanksgiving Wine Reccomendations
- Details
- Written by Rand Sealey
Repeatedly, I have stated that Thanksgiving should be celebrated with American wines. Thanksgiving is a truly American event and should be accompanied by wines from our country. Here are my suggestions.
Steer away from tannic wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon unless you are having prime rib of beef in which case that would be ideal. Softer, less tannic medium bodied wines are better choices. With the seasonings of turkey and its accompaniments, Cabernet Franc or Merlot, with their slightly herbal flavors would be fine choices. If you like Pinot Noir, that will work well if the turkey isn't too highly seasoned. For whites, aromatic ones such as Riesling or Rhone white varieties and blends such as Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne will work well.
For the more adventurous, consider Mourvèdre (an aromatic red) or Grenache (a medium bodied red). For more off beat choices, try Carmenère (the lost grape of Bordeaux) or Tempranillo or Nebbiolo (also aromatic reds). If you're having a large group, you can make the dinner a tasting event as well.
Also try Rosé which can be appealing to a wide range of tastes. Whenever we've has a large gathering, guests always gravitate to these enjoyable wines. Sparkling Rosés are fun to have as well.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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