Recent Washington Wine News

Auction of Washington Wines Honor Roll

For the Auction of Washington Wines in August, the following wine industry members have been named to the 2023 Event's Honor Roll.

Ted Basler - Lifetime Achievement Award - To the former Chateau Ste Michelle Chief Operating Officer for his contributions for over 40 years.

Marty Clubb - Award of Distinction - To the Managing Winemaker of L'Ecole No 41.

Emerging Leaders

Becca De Kline - 4 Feathers Wine Services

Devyani Gupta - Winemaker, Valdemar Estates

Michelle Moyer - Enology Professor, Washington State University

Ashley Trout - Winemaker, Vital Wines and Brook & Bull

Congratulations to all for their leadership!

Ryan Pennington Named COO at L'Ecole No 41

After ten years at Chateau Ste Michelle, Ryan Pennington has been named Chief Operating Officer of L'Ecole No 41 in the Walla Walla Valley. There, he joins Managing  Winemaking Marty Clubb and Winemaker Marcus Rafanelli as the winery celebrates its 40th Anniversary. The Pacific Northwest Wine Competition Moves to Walla Walla

Pacific Northwest Wine Competition Moves to Walla Walla

Starting July 9th, The Pacific Northwest Wine Competition has moved to Walla Walla from Bellingham. This year's Competition was held at the Walla Walla Community College's Institute foe Enology and Viticulture from the 9th through the 12th. One hundred and ten wineries entered wines totaling 557 wines. Top winners include Alexandria Nicole's Best of Show 2022 Shepards Mark White and Double Golds for Plumb Cellars and Golden Ridge Cellars in Walla Walla. 

New Wines Tasted Recently

Here are some new wines we've tasted lately.

2022 Charles & Charles Rosé, Columbia Valley ($15) - A collaboration of Charles Bieler and Charles Smith, this is a blend of 48% Syrah, 31% Grenache and 21% Mourvèdre. It shows a light copper-pink color and fresh aromas of strawberry, pink currant, watermelon, tangerine, pink roses, pink lavender and whiffs of pink incense. The flavors are lightly extracted, with grape skins, pink fruits and light minerals. On the back, the wine turns brisk and quaffable, with fraise and cassis liqueurs, melon rind and tangerine peel, followed by a crisp, dry finish. A super buy at $11.99. 18+/20 points.

2022 Lu & Oly "Flowerhead" Rosé, Columbia Valley ($20) - This Sangiovese dominated Rosé offers a copper-pink color and fragrant aromas of strawberry, pink cherry and Mandarin orange and fresh pink fruits and saline minerals, followed by a nicely fruited finish. Full review to be in the September Review of Washington Wines. 18.5/20 points.

2021 Famille Foillot Altesse, Rousette de Bugy ($32.90 - Foodscape) - Altesse is a grape similar to the Furmint of Tokay. Brilliant gold colored, it emits intriguing aromas of Bosc pear, nectarine, lemon and passion fruit, with scents of pear blossoms, honeysuckle and sweet yellow incense. The flavors, as well, are distinctive, with well delineated yellow fruits that are marked by notes of grape skins, nectarine skins and Jura minerals. On the back, the wine takes a brisk turn with poire William liqueur, lemon custard and melon rind, followed by a juicy yet dry and racy finish. 19/20 points.

2022 Ferrari-Carano Fumé, Sonoma County ($16.99 - Safeway) - Modeled after a Loire Fumé Blanc, this Sauvignon Blanc presents a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of Anjou pear, white peach, gooseberry, Crenshaw melon, pear blossoms, jasmine, meadow flowers and green incense. The flavors are bright and fresh, with notes of grape and pear skins and Sonoma Valley minerals. The appeal continues on the back with pear and peach liqueurs, melon rind and lemon custard, followed by a juicy finish. Excellent value. 18.5/20 points.

2021 J de Villebois Pouilly-Fumé ($35.99 - Safeway) - Pouilly Sur Loire is less well known than Sancerre but makes similar wines. Those one shows a brilliant gold color and typical aromas of Anjou pear, white peach, gooseberry, Crenshaw melon, pear blossoms, meadow flowers, flint and white incense (fumé). The flavors are brisk, with yellow fruits that are imbued with pear skins, peach stones and Kimmeridigan marl. The resonance continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs, melon rind and touches of almond and lemon custard on the crisp, juicy persistently minerally finish. 19/20 points.

2022 Andrew Browne Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley ($24) - See the August issue of the Review of Washington Wines for this version of a Loire style Sauvignon Blanc. 18.5/20 points.

2022 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough ($15.99 - Safeway) - New Zealand, especially Marlborough, presents another, crisp style of Sauvignon Blanc. This one presents a medium lemon-gold color and intriguing aromas of green apple, quince, Casaba melon, lime, apple blossoms, jasmine, lemongrass and wet stone. The flavors mirror the aromatics with brisk white and green fruits that are accented by grape skins, melon rind and north shore minerals. The back picks up applejack liqueur and lime zest on the way to a bracing, yet well fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.

2021 La Crema Chardonnay, Russian River Valley ($27.99 - Safeway) - The Russian River is one of California's top AVAs for Chardonnay. This one exhibits a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of pear-apple, white peach, citrus, Crenshaw melon, pear blossoms, acacia flowers, wisteria and white incense. The flavors are precise, pure Chardonnay, with yellow fruits that are marked by pear skins, peach stones and Russian River minerals. On the back, the wine resonates with poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of brioche and lemon custard, followed by a lingering, balanced finish. 19/20 points.

2020 Seghesio Zinfandel, Sonoma County ($26.99 - Safeway) - From a 125 year old winery, this offers a purplish ruby color and rich aromas of raspberry, cherry, Damson plum, black roses, sweet tobacco, oregano and spiced incense. The flavors, as well, are attention getting, with red and black fruits that are infused with red licorice, cocoa, espresso and baked earth. On the back, the wine fills out with raspberry and cherry liqueurs, plum preserves and roasted nuts, followed by a warm (15% alcohol) spiced (nutmeg, clove) juicy finish. 18.5/20 points.