Thank you for supporting the wine blog throughout 2014. It was a fantastic year for wine and I wanted to include a collection of my favorite domestic new releases from 2014. The wines are all available for 50 dollars and under, so they are all relatively affordable. My top wine of 2014 pushes the 50 dollar price point, but the wine was so superlative that I had to include it. The list also includes value wines into the equation.
My wine of the year is the 2011 Quilceda Creek Red Wine. Virtually everyone is trying to produce a Washington Red with the viscosity, richness, mouthfeel and striking acidity that comes from the incredibly talented winemaking team at Quilceda Creek. Robert Parker, himself, once confessed "Make no mistake about the Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignons - they are world-class Cabernets that compete with the finest wines from Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Sonoma and Santa Cruz Mountains."
Despite being a more difficult growing season, Quilceda made the most of their chance. In the difficult years, the winemaking really shows through. It also helped that Quilceda sources from the best vineyards for red wine in the state, located in Red Mountain. Their 2011 Red wine is incredibly dense for the vintage with gobs of ripe fruit. It is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. This sleeping giant needs at least two more years of cellaring to reach its full potential. Here are my top 20 domestic wines (under 50 dollars) for 2014:
(1) 2011 Quilceda Creek ‘Red Wine’- Roasted coffee on the nose with black fruits and oak. Palate has an interesting herbaceous quality that is not typical for this blend. Nice concentration considering the vintage. Black cherry, blackberry and sage. Refined, yet with tons of fruit. Drink in 2 plus years. -94
(2) 2012 Long Shadows Sequel- Syrah wine, created by the famed winemaker John Duval. Has a smoky nose with cassis and is extremely perfumed. Palate is fat and viscous. Bacon fat, tar, blueberry, blackberry and a finish lingers for seemingly minutes. Open and expressive but this is a long ager. Don't drink this thing for at least two years. -95
(3) 2012 L’Ecole Number 41 Chardonnay- One of my perennial favorite Washington Chardonnays. This has oak, butter and tropical fruit on the nose. Palate is vibrant and has oak, cream, cantaloupe, pear and butter. Rock solid. Drink now. -92
(4) 2012 Dunham ‘Lewis Vineyard’ Riesling- Nose is more reminiscent of a Spatlase than a Kabinette style. Pear, golden delicious on the nose and mushroom. Richer than the 2013. Slate, lemon lime, green papaya and grapefruit. Drinking good now. -92
(5) 2013 Julia's Dazzle Rose- Made from Pinot Grigio grapes that are grown in The Benches. Minerals, strawberry, guava and a ton of character. Maybe even vanilla cream. I'd say this is the most delicious and best made Washington Rose I've ever had. -93
(6) 2009 Sbragia 'Home Ranch' Chardonnay- This wine underwent full malolactic fermentation and was aged in oak for 10 months. Rich golden hue with oak, orange blossom and honeydew melon on the nose. Palate has creme brûlée, golden delicious apple and ripe pear. Serious viscosity, this is just outstanding. Drink now. -94
(7) 2013 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc- Bright nose with starfruit grapefruit and light oak. Palate has cantaloupe, pear, Japanese Apple and minerals. Drink now. -93
(8) 2013 Chateau St. Michelle 'Eroica' Riesling- 1.5% Residual sugar on this one, a Kabinette style Riesling. Lemon zest and golden delicious on the nose. Palate has great minerality. Lemon-lime flavors with red delicious, cantaloupe and slate. Outstanding effort, the best Eroica I've had in 10 years. -93
(9) 2013 Novelty Hill 'Stillwater Creek' Sauvignon Blanc- Made with more than 20% Semillon, this has dried herbs, honeysuckle and cut grass on the nose. Palate has nice balance. Pear, minerals and lychee in this slightly sweet blend. Delicious and impressive effort considering 20 dollar price. Drink now. -92
(10) 2012 Januik ‘Weinbau Vineyard’ Syrah- Nose is muted with some herbaceousness and oak. Palate is plush but shut down. Creme de cassis and black cherry with blackberry. Delicious, drink in 2 years. -94
(11) 2010 Baer Winery ‘Callisto’- This is the second vintage of this wine. 100% French oak and 65% new oak. This wine is 77% Cabernet, 13% Cab Franc and 10% Merlot. Nose has red bell pepper and anise. Palate has blackberry, black cherry and coffee. Delicious, ready to drink, and complex. -93
(12) 2011 Hall Cabernet- Intoxicating nose of creme de cassis, smoke, red bell pepper. Palate has black cherry, anise, spice box, and moderately tannic. Delicious now but would improve in 2 years. -92
(13) 2012 Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc- This is one of my favorites, year after year. Lemongrass and grapefruit on the nose. Palate has bright minerals with grapefruit, pear, slate and minerals. Bright and refreshing. Drink now.-90
(14) 2010 Argyle Brut Rose- One of the best domestic sparkling wines each year. Pear and apricot with strawberry on the nose. Palate has strawberry, guava and pear. Wonderful wine. Drink now. -92
(15) 2010 Gordon Estates Syrah- Hard to find a more complex Syrah for around 20 bucks. This is a crack and pour. Brooding, dark color, with black pepper and oak on the nose, leading to beef jerky, blackberry and plum flavors. Blended with 7% Cab which contributes to the rich fruit flavors and adds structure. Excellent value, pick up a few while you can. - 92 points
(16) 2012 Alexandria Nicole Chardonnay- Light spice on the nose with rich pear and golden delicious. Palate is viscous and rich. Pear, golden delicious and cantaloupes with vanilla and oak. Solid effort, drink now. -91
(17) 2013 Chateau St Michelle ‘Cold Creek’ Riesling- Excellent aromatics, getting lime and lemon. This is serious stuff for the price. Off dry with a little bit of sweetness. Pear and lemon with great minerality on the palate. Drink now.-92
(18) 2012 Beringer ‘Private Reserve’ Chardonnay- Buttered toast and crème brulee on the nose. Palate has banana, golden delicious and butter. Delicious and complex. Drink now. -93
(19) 2010 Dunham Cabernet- Black fruits predominant on the nose like black cherry, anise and the wine maker noted a texture to the smell. Clearly a very compelling nose. Palate has blackberry, anise, spice cake, vanilla and black tea. Layered and delicious. Great acid structure and needs at least 3 years of cellaring. -93
(20) 2009 Chandler Reach ‘Corella’- Some translucence on the reddish brown color. Blend of 75% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot. Perfumed nose of rose petals, smoky oak, and blackberry. Palate is vibrant with great balance. Ripe strawberry and raspberry. Very tasty. Drink now. -92