I feel that I am almost always struggling to find a reasonably priced wine list when I am dining out, so I wanted to feature a few Seattle area restaurants that offer value but don't compromise on wine selection. The results are in from Wine Spectator and they have named their best wine restaurants for the world. Washington has a number of restaurants that were chosen for their inexpensive wine lists, while also boasting the Award of Excellence, an award given to restaurants that have an outstanding wine list.
One newcomer to the award is Emory's on Silver Lake -- a restaurant that was also recognized for having a reasonably priced wine list. Some great choices from Emory's by the glass include 2012 Chateau St. Michelle Grand Estates Merlot ($7.00) and the 2011 Duckhorn Merlot ($14.00) which represents one of the best value glass pours I've ever seen. By the bottle they have a great buy on 2004 Dom Perignon ($225.00), as well as 2011 St. Innocent “Temperance Hill” Pinot Noir ($49.00), 2010 L’Ecole No. 41 Merlot ($47.00), 2011 Duckhorn Merlot ($52.00) and even 2010 Opus One ($250.00). White wine values include the 2013 Arbor Crest, Bacchus Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc ($28.00), the 2012 Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay ($62.00), the 2012 Alexandria Nicole Viognier ($39.00) and the 2011 Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cold Creek Vineyard Chardonnay ($49.00).
Chandler's Crabhouse in Seattle was also selected for having an inexpensive wine list and has continued their line of having a great and well-priced wine list as Wine Spectator award winner since 2008. Some good options by the glass on their list include 2012 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc ($10.00) and 2006 Chateau Larose ($14.00) or the 2009 Canoe Ridge Merlot ($14.00). Great values by the bottle include 2012 Long Shadows Poet's Leap Riesling ($50.00), 2011 L'Ecole No. 41 Chardonnay ($44.00), and 2009 Ferrari-Carano Merlot ($59.00).
Finally, another Seattle restaurant that was recognized for an inexpensive wine list is Ten Mercer, a regular winner of Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence. Some values by the bottle on their list include 2012 DeLille Doyenne Rousanne ($56.00), 2010 Faiveley Mercurey ($46.00), 2009 Quintessa Cabernet ($149.00), 2012 Orin Swift 'Abstract' ($54..00), 2011 Abeja Syrah ($64.00) 2002 Chateau St. Michelle Reserve Syrah ($42.00) and 2006 Twomey Merlot ($68.00).
Be sure to check these restaurants out for great food and good value on their extensive wine lists.
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