Washington

Country: US / Fish House Variety: Sauvignon Blanc Washington Winery: Original House Wine / Columbia Valley (WA) An appealing quaffer with notes of passion fruit, papaya and citrus. It drinks a hair off dry (1.2g/L residual sugar), with moderate concentration, and goes down easy.

Country: US / Tribute Riverbend Vineyard Variety: Red Blend Washington Winery: Fielding Hills / Wahluke Slope A blend of Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this has strong notes of barnyard that take over the wine, with the flavor concentration not able to stand up to it. Tasted twice with consistent notes.

Country: US / Destiny Ridge Vineyard Variety: Pinot Gris Washington Winery: Alexandria Nicole / Horse Heaven Hills A pleasant, easy drinker with notes of red apple, melon and jasmine. It’s fleshy in feel with some residual sugar sweetening the finish.

Country: US / Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Washington Winery: Sagelands / Columbia Valley (WA) A straightforward quaffer with off-dry notes of fresh herbs, whole bell pepper and black currant.

Country: US / Trentenaire Variety: Red Blend Washington Winery: Brian Carter Cellars / Columbia Valley (WA) Based on Petit Verdot, this blend is tart and toasty as well as tangy and seemingly slightly sweet from its luscious black fruits. Peppery tannins and highlights of cedar and roasted meat add further interest.

Country: US / Zachary’s Ladder Variety: Red Blend Washington Winery: Gorman / Columbia Valley (WA) It’s labeled simply Columbia Valley but in fact it’s made from all Red Mountain fruit. Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, with a splash of Petit Verdot, this is quite ripe and sweetly juicy—like a big bowl of blackberries. Aged in […]

Country: US / The Bully Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Washington Winery: Gorman / Red Mountain Big and quite tannic, this is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot. The combination of Red Mountain fruit and the naturally tannic Petit Verdot is balanced against by the tart, juicy berry flavors and the influence from […]

Country: US / Variety: Viognier Washington Winery: Mark Ryan / Columbia Valley (WA) Smooth and silky, this lovely Viognier begins with flavors of citrus, lemongrass and fresh herb, before continuing into a well-rounded, full-flavored midpalate that hints at just a touch of residual sugar.

Country: US / Zephyr Ridge Vineyard Variety: Petite Sirah Washington Winery: Thurston Wolfe / Horse Heaven Hills This is a brambly, blueberry-laden Petite Sirah, with black cherry, plum and chocolate highlights. Firm, ripe tannins bring a streak of lemon verbena. It’s gently earthy, absolutely flavorful and drinking beautifully.

Country: US / Variety: Rhône-style White Blend Washington Winery: Southard / Columbia Valley (WA) A blend of Viognier and Roussanne, this humbly-labeled white is a revelation. On the palate, it has the style and sleekness of fine Burgundy, with flavors running through a spectrum of herb, citrus and tree fruits. This is polished and seductive.

Country: US / Sugarloaf Vineyard Variety: Rhône-style Red Blend Washington Winery: Southard / Yakima Valley This bone-dry, Southern Rhône-style blend consists of 61% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre, 12% Cinsault and 9% Counoise. Elegant and detailed flavors of light berry and Bing cherry are dusted with a cocoa accent.

Country: US / sbs Variety: Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon Washington Winery: Cadaretta / Columbia Valley (WA) A blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Sémillon, this definitely reflects the cool 2011 vintage in its steely tension. The clean green-fruit flavors are well defined and highlighted with notes of grassy herbs and saline minerality.