Best Buys of 2013
- Details
- Written by Rand Sealey
Below, we list wines that give the biggest "bang for the buck'" ones scoring 19/20 points for $40 or less and ones scoring 18.5/20 points for $25 or less. Some of these wines may be sold out.
Wines Scoring 19 Points for $40 or Less
2010 Abeja Estate Viognier, Walla Walla Valley ($30) - July
2010 àMaurice Malbec, Columbia Valley, Gamache Vineyard ($35) - June
2010 àMaurice "The Graves" Red Blend, Columbia Valley ($35) - June
2010 àMaurice Syrah/Grenache, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($38) - June
2011 Array "Dijon Clone" Chardonnay, Yakima Valley ($30) - March
2011 Array Chardonnat, Columbia Valley, Conner-Lee Vineyard ($30) - March
2011 Avennia "Justine" Red Blend, Columbia Valley ($38) - October
2012 Balboa Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($30) - August
2012 Balboa "Mith" White Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($30) - August
2008 Bunnell Family Cellar Petit Verdot, Wahluke Slope, Northridge Vineyard ($34) - March
2009 Bunnell Family Cellar Petite Sirah, Wahluke Slope, Northridge Vineyard ($40) - March
2008 Bunnell Family Cellar Syrah, Yakima Valley, Boushey-McPherson Vineyard ($40) - May
2012 Buty Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, Conner Lee Vineyard ($40) - November
2009 Cadaretta Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($40) - March
2011 Ch. Ste. Michelle-Dr. Loosen "Erioica" Riesling, Columbia Valley ($22) - February
2009 Ch. Ste. Michelle Merlot, Columbia Valley, Cold Creek Vineyard ($35) - July
2009 Corvus Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain ($39) - May
2010 DeLille Cellars Doyenne "Signature" Syrah, Yakima Valley ($39) - January
2010 DeLille Cellars "D2" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($40) - January
2010 Efesté "Ceidleigh" Syrah, Red Mountain ($39) - February
2010 Efesté "Joilie Bouche" Syrah, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard ($39) - February
2011 Eight Bells "8 Clones" Syrah, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($32) - November
2010 El Corazon "Blueprint" Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley ($40) - March
2011 El Corazon "Tiger's Blood" Carmenère, Walla Walla Valley ($38) - April
2010 Flying Trout Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, Phinny Hill Vineyard ($38) - November
2010 Flying Trout "Mary's Block" Malbec, Walla Walla Valley ($39) - November
2009 Forgeron Cellars Syrah, Columbia Valley ($30) - February
2010 Guardian Cellars "The Alibi" Red Wine, Red Mountain ($39) - January
2012 Helix by Reininger Viognier, Columbia Valley, Stillwater Creek Vineyard ($33) - September
2010 Hestia Cellars Malbec, Columbia Valley ($30) - January
2010 JB Neufeld Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley ($34) - May
2011 Kerloo Cellars Grenache, Horse Heaven Hills ($40) - September
2011 Kerloo Cellars Malbec, Wahluke Slope, Stone Tree Vineyard ($40) - September
2011 Kevin White Winery "Fraternité" Red Wine, Yakima Valley ($20) - September
2011 Kevin White Winery "En Hommage" Red Wine, Yakima Valley ($25) - - September
2009 Laurelhurst Cellars "El Humidor" Petite Sirah, Horse Heaven Hills ($38) - January
2012 Maison Bleue "La Famille" Rosé of Mourvèdre, Columbia Valley ($20) - August
2012 Maison Bleue "Jaja" White Wine, Columbia Valley ($25) - August
2011 Maison Bleue "Jaja" Red Wine, Yakima Valley ($30) - August
2011 Maison Bleue "La Montagnette" Grenache, Snipes Mountain, Upland Vineyard ($40) - November
2010 Manu Propria "Ex Animo" Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($35) - February
2012 Mark Ryan Viognier, Columbia Valley ($30) - December
2008 McCrea Cellars Syrah, Yakima Valley, Boushey Grand Cote Vienayrd ($36) - March
2008 McCrea Cellars "Cuvee Orleans" Syrah, Yakima Valley ($40) - March
2012 Nefarious Cellars Riesling, Columbia Valley, Stone's Throw Vineyard ($19) - October
2011 Nefarious Cellars Syrah, Lake Chelan, Defiance Vineyard ($30) - October
2010 Northstar Estate Malbec, Walla Walla Valley ($40) - October
2010 Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($40) - October
2010 Pamplin Family Winery J|R|G Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($33) - February
2012 Rasa Vineyards "The Composer" Riesling, Columbia Valley ($30) - August
2011 Rotie Cellars Southern Blend, Columbia Valley ($40) - July
2011 Rotie Cellars Northern Blend, Walla Walla Valley ($40) - July
2012 Rotie Cellars Northern White Marsanne, Washington State ($28) - August
2010 Seven Hills Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley, McClellan Estate Vineyard ($32) - August
2011 Seven Hills Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, Seven Hills Vineyard ($35) - September
2009 SYZYGY Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($37) - July
2009 Tero Estates Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley ($38) - February
2010 Tero Estates "Herb's Block" Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard ($39) - October
2010 Thurston Wolfe Reserve Petite Sirah, Horse Heaven Hills, Zephyr Ridge Vineyard ($30) - August
2010 Tildio Malbec, Columbia Valley, Stillwater Creek Vineyard ($35) - October
2008 Tranche Cellars Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley ($40) - July
Treveri Cellars Sparkling Syrah Brut, Columbia Valley ($19) - December
Wines Scoring 18.5 Points for $25 or Less
2012 A Broken Chair Cellars Roussanne-Viognier, Columbia Valley ($25) - September
2011 Array Chardonnay, Washington State ($25) - March
2012 Basel Cellars Estate Semillon, Walla Walla Valley, Double River Ranch ($24) - July
2010 Bergevin Lane "She Devil" Syrah, Columbia Valley ($24) - January
2012 Bergevin Lane "Dreamweaver" Roussanne, Columbia Valley ($24) - June
2011 Board Track Cellars "Suicide Shift" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($25) - July
2011 Board Track Cellars "The Chief" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($25) - December
2011 Brian Carter Cellars "Oriana" White Wine, Columbia Valley ($24) - July
2012 Buty Semillon-Sauvignon-Muscadelle, Columbia Valley ($25) - November
2012 Cadaretta "SBS" White Wine, Columbia Valley ($22) - August
2012 Cairdeas "Nellie Mae" White Wine, Columbia Valley ($22) - October
2012 Ch. Ste. Michelle "Mimi" Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills ($20) - September
2012 College Cellars Carmenère, Walla Walla Valle, Clarke Vineyard ($18) - October
2012 College Cellars Malbec, Walla Walla Valley, Clarke Vineyard ($20) - November
2012 Convergence Cellars "Sunbreak" Chenin Blanc, Snipes Mountain, Upland Vineyard ($19) - November
2010 Coyote Canyon Primitivo, Horse Heaven Hills ($25) - September
2012 Dunham Cellars "Shirley Mays" Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($24) - October
2010 Eight Bells Syrah, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard ($25) - May
2012 Forgeron Cellars "Ambiance" White Wine, Columbia Valley ($25) - August
2012 Gramercy Cellars Rosé, Columbia Valley, Olsen Vineyard ($25) - May
2010 Guardian Cellars "Chalk Line" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($25) - January
2012 Hard Row to Hoe "Nauti Bouy" White Wine, Lake Chelan ($22) - October
2012 Hard Row to Hoe White Meritage, Lake Che;an ($22) - October
2012 Helix by Reininger Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, Stillwater Creek Vineyard ($21) - December
2009 Jones of Washington Cabernet Franc, Wahluke Slope ($25) - March
2012 Laurelhurst Cellars "Vinum Vidua" White Wine, Columbia Valley ($24) - November
2012 L'Ecole No. 41 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($21) - September
2009 Locati Cellars Barbera, Columbia Valley ($25) - October
2010 Lost River Nebbiolo, Wahluke Slope ($25) - November
2012 Kerloo Cellars Grenache Rosé, Yakima Valley, Angolina Farm Vineyard ($24) - May
2010 McKinley Springs Syrah, Horse Heaven Hills ($24) - September
2010 McKinley Springs Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills ($24) - September
2010 Milbrandt "The Estates" Malbec, Wahluke Slope, Northridge Vineyard ($25) - March
2011 Milbrandt "The Estates" Ancient Lakes Riesling, Evergreen Vineyard ($17) - March
2009 Nine Hats Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($25) - February
2012 Novelty Hill Roussanne, Columbia Valley, Stillwater Creek Vineyard ($23) - July
2012 Ott & Murphy "Possesion" White Wine, Columbia Valley ($19) - October
2012 Robison Ranch Cellars Viognier, Walla Walla Valley ($19) - September
2012 Rotie Cellars Southern White, Columbia Valley ($20) - June
2010 Seven Hills Merlot, Columbia Valley ($22) - January
2011 Seven Hills Merlot, Columbia Valley ($22) - September
2012 Tempus Cellars Riesling, Ancient Lakes, Evergreen Vineyard ($16) - August
2010 Tero Estates Tero Red, Columbia Valley ($25) - June
2011 Three Rivers Riesling, Columbia Valley ($15) - February
Treveri Cellars Sparkling Rosé Sec, Columbia Valley ($18) - December
Treveri Cellars Gewurztraminer Sparkling Wine, Columbia Valley ($17) - December
2012 Waitsburg Cellars "Cheninières" Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley ($17) - May
2012 Waitsburg Cellars "Chevray" Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley ($17) - May
2012 Waitsburg Cellars Old Vine Riesling, Columbia Valley ($15) - May
2011 Waitsburg Cellars "Three" Merlot Malbec Mourvèdre, Columbia Valley ($25) - May
2012 William Church Viognier, Columbia Valley ($23) - July
Holiday Barrel Weekend
- Details
- Written by Rand Sealey
The weekend of December 7-8 was Holiday Barrel Weekend in the Walla Walla Valley. During this event, wineries got into the Holiday spirit with festive lights and decorations, while entertaining visitors with new releases and samplings of future releases. Here are some of the wines we tasted.
Cadaretta Winery - Here, we sampled a richly perfumed and tasty 2011 Syrah from the Blue Mountain and Stone Tree vineyards, and a 2011 Windthrow Rhone-style blend. Also, barrel samples of the 2012 Merlot from the winery's Southwind estate vineyard in the south Walla Walla Valley, and an intese Cabernet Sauvignon from Red Mountain and Alder Ridge.
El Corazon - Here, with Spencer Sievers, we tasted the 2012 Grand Vidure (aka Carmenère) to be released next year as the next vintage of "Tiger's Blood" (named after the Sievers' son). It was richly aromatic and perfumed, with deep, saturated dark fruits and a long elegant finish (19 points). Also tasted was the 2011 "Dorado" Red, a 73% Sangiovese, 17% Malbec, 5% Cab Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot blend that is a departure from the usual "Super Tuscan" blend. To be reviewed in January.
Woodward Canyon - Rick and Darcey Small previewed the 2012 Artist's Series Cabernet Sauvignon to be released late next year. A rich, flamboyant wine with loads of fruit and minerality, it will be a highly pleasurable wine.
Maison Bleue - Next year, Jon Meuret will have a new "Voyageur" Syrah, his first from the Walla Walla Valley. Composed of 60% Pepper Bridge and 40% Seven Hills, the barrel sample showed seductive aromas of wild fruits, tobacco, violets and incense. Rich and supple, it has South Walla Walla Valley terroir written all over it. Stunning, it is a potential 19.5 points wine.
Forgeron Cellars - At the winery's Raclette Party, Marie-Eve Gilla previewed the next edition of the Anvil Reserve, a 2012 Malbec from the Stone Tree Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope. Deep purplish colored, almost midnight black, it recalled the "black wine" of Cahors in central France. The intense fruits, perfumes, maduro cigar, and black violets jumped out of the glass along with deep, saturated flavors. Also previewed was a 2012 Alder Ridge Zinfandel which was loaded with spicy fruits laid on a medium full-bodied frame.
Seven Hills Winery - The winery has a special pre-release offering of its first Estate Reserve Malbec, that scored 19+ points. A full review is to follow in the January issue of the Review.
Reynvaan Family Vineyards - The Reynvaans previewed their 2012's (to be released next Fall) during Fall Release Weekend. Superb wines, scoring 19 - 20 points. A full report will be in the January 2014 issue.
Another highlight of Holiday Barrel Weekend was the Tero, Flying Trout, Waters dinner at the Marcus Whitman Hotel on December 7th. Eighty diners were treated to superb dished prepared by chef Antionio Campolio and his staff, accompanied by impeccably paired wines. It was a fabulous and fun evening.
The Top Wines of 2013
- Details
- Written by Rand Sealey
Last week, I published my compliation of wines reviewed from July through December 2013. Links for this listing and the one for January - June can be found under "Email Messages" on the "Your Subscriptions" page after loging in to the Review of Washington Wines website. To find a review for a particular wine go to the issue for the month in which the wine was reviewed and scroll down until the review is found.
Below is the annual listing of the top wines of 2012, scoring 20/20 points and 19.5 points. On December 26th, the Review Blog will list the wines offering the most bang for the buck: Wines Scoring 19 points for $40 or Less and Wines Scoring 18.5 points for $25 or Less. Some of the wines in the listing below and in the upcoming ones may be sold out.
The 20/20 Points Wines
2009 Leonetti Cellar Reserve Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($160) - January
2009 Rasa Vineyards "Perfect union" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($95) - January
2010 Seven Hills Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley ($75) - November
The 19.5/20 Points Wines
2010 Adams Bench "the V" Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($52) - July
2010 Adams Bench Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, Mays Discovery Vineyard ($60) - October
2010 Andrew Will "Sorella" Red, Horse Heaven Hills, Champoux Vineyard ($75) - May
2010 Andrew Will Red Wine, Horse Heaven Hills, Champoux Vineyard ($62) - November
2009 Balboa "Wraith" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($75) - April
2009 Balboa "Eidolon" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($75) - April
2010 Betz Family Winery "Pere de Famille" Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($68) - May
2011 Betz Family Winery "La Cote Rousse" Syrah, Red Mountain ($60) - December
2010 Cadaretta "Windthrow" Red Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($50) - August
2008 Col Solare Red Blend, Columbia Valley ($78) - April
2008 Corliss Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($65) - December
2008 Corliss Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($75) - December
2010 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Rouge, Red Mountain ($75) - July
2010 DeLille Cellars Harrison Hill Red Wine, Snipes Mountain ($75) - July
2007 Den Hoed "Marie's View" Red Wine, Horse Heaven Hills, Wallula Vineyard ($80) - February
2007 Den Hoed "Andreas" Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, Wallula Vineyard ($80) - February
2010 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley ($85) - August
2012 Dowsett Family Winery Gewurztraminer, Columbia Gorge, Celilo Vineyard ($24) - August
2010 FIGGINS Estate Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley, Figgins Estate Vineyard ($85) - November
2009 Forgeron Cellars "Anvil Reserve" Red Blend, Columbia Valley ($56) - August
2010 K Vintners "The Hidden" Syrah, Wahluke Slope, Northridge Vineyard ($70) - May
2010 K Vintners "Broncho" Malbec, Wahluke Slope, Northridge Vineyard ($70) - May
2011 Kerloo Cellars Tempranillo, Columbia Valley ($36) - November
2010 Long Shadows "Pirouette" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($50) - October
2010 Mark Ryan "Lonely Heart" Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain ($80) - April
2009 Rasa Vineyards "Plus One" Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Kiona Vineyard ($75) - January
2009 Rasa Vineyards "Creative Impulse" Red Blend, Yakima Valley, DuBrul Vineyard ($95) - January
2011 Rasa Vineyards "Living in the Limelight" Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley, Dionysus Vineyard ($55) - July
2010 Rasa Vineyards "Principia" Reserve Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($85) - December
2010 Rasa Vineyards "Creative Impulse" Red Wine, Yakima Valley, DuBrul Vineyard ($95) - December
2010 Silverback Vineyards Syrah, Columbia Valley ($80) - June
2010 Sleight of Hand Cellars "The Illusionist" Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($52) - March
2010 Spring Valley Vineyard "Nina Lee" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($50) - September
2009 Tenor 1:1 Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($98) - February
2009 21 Grams Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($125) - January
2009 Woodward Canyon "Charbonneau" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley ($69) - August
The Compilation of Wines Reviewed July - December 2013
- Details
- Written by Rand Sealey
Our semi annual listing of wines reviewed in the Review of Washington Wines has been published. To see it, go to the Review webisite and login. Then you will see the subscription page "Your Subscriptions." Below that, you will see "Email Messages." There will be a link to the listing, "Wines Reviewed July - December 2013" (you will already have received an email with this listing). This is a link that will be kept on the subscription page so you can access this list, as well as ones for January - June 2013 and 2012 at any time.
Upcoming postings on this Review Blog will compile additional listings and special reports.
December 12: Top Wines of 2013 - This will include all wines scoring 20/20 and 19.5/20 points.
December 19: Winter Barrel Tasting in Walla Walla - This will report on wines tasted from the barrel from the 2012 and 2013 vintages.
December 26: Best Buys of 2013 - A listing of wines scoring 19 points, costing $40 or less and wines scoring 18.5 points for $25 or less.
December 30: Looking Ahead to 2014 - This will accompany the January 2014 issue of the Review, and will include Predctions for 2014 and Wineries to Watch in 2014,
Happy Holidays!
The Fifth Anniversary Issue
- Details
- Written by Rand Sealey
In December of 2008, I launched an online publication called Rand Sealey's Review of Washington Wines. It was devoted to describing and rating Washington Wines using the University of California Davis 20 Point System. Initially, I was going to use the more popular 100 point system until Chris Camarda convinced me otherwise during a visit to the Andrew Will Winery on Vashon Island (the wines were reviewed in the January 2009 issue). I pointed out to me that no one would buy wines scoring less than 80 points, so 100 points for all practical purposes was 20 points. Over the past five years, I have found the 20 Point System to be more consistent and less subjective than the 100 points one.
The Inaugural December 2008 issue contained 32 wines being reviewed. It included a Profile on the Reininger Winery, west of Walla Walla, where we had bought a second home near downtown in March. And other wines from around the state were included.
Since then, the number of wines being reviewd as steadily increased. in 2010, about 40 wines per issue were reviewed, then in 2012 about 45. At the begining of 2013, the number per issue rose to over 50. This is largely due to the increased number of wineries producing exceptional. Here are some of the wineries that have emerged since the inception of the Review: Tero Estates, Flying Trout, El Corazon, Glencorrie, Doubleback, Corliss, Tranche, Rotie Cellars, Corvus, Maison Bleue, Rasa, Mackey, Robison Ranch, Adams Bench, Avennia, Proper, Lauren Ashton, Convergence Zone, Eight Bells, Kevin White and many more.
In the meantime, the scope of the Review of Washington Wines has broadened as new AVA's came into being, such as Naches Heights (see the December issue for Wilridge) and new wineries emerging (such as A Broken Chair in September). The addition of a weekly Review Blog in 2009 has supplemented the monthly issues. Our move from Seattle to Walla Walla full time in February has facilitated an expanded coverage of the state as well.
Over the years, the number of subscribers has steadily increased and the renewal rate has been over 90%, with many having been with me for five years.
So this month's issue marks a milestone for this publication. It has been largely a labor of love for me, having come from the retail wine business as owner of Esquin from 1969 to 1997, and then as a consultant there until 2009. My subscription base now covers more than my expenses, although I have yet to recover all of my start-up costs. I have all my subscribers to thank for making this endeavor a success, and all my friends in the wine industry who have been so helpful and supportive.
Next week, watch for my semi annual compilation of wines reviewed from July to December 2013, and then the following weeks for listings of the Top Wines of 2013 and the Best Buys of 2013. There will also be lists of of Up and Coming Wineries, and Predicitions for 2014.
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