Summer is here with a bang. What is typically a mild Northwest June has turned into near heatstroke for most. Weather this hot calls for a great white wine or rose to match the heat. Over the past few months I’ve had the chance to try many of the new Washington white wine and rose releases. There are so many great options, depending on your budget to quench your thirst, so I have divided the best ones I’ve tried into those under 15 bucks and those over 15 bucks.
One to watch is the perennial top rose made in Washington, 2014 Julia’s Dazzle. At Costco for $12.99, this one is a rich, refreshing and fruit filled steal, as Long Shadows could easily charge twice as much, if not even more for this bottle. Also consider some lesser known varietals for value, as the 2013 Gard Freyja blends Viognier and Rousanne to create a lithe fruity quaff. For those who enjoy semi-sweet wines, check out the excellent 2013 Chateau St. Michelle ‘Cold Creek’ Riesling packs a ton of fruit and has vibrant minerality
In the higher range category, the 2013 Dunham Cellars Shirley Mays Chardonnay is their best release of this wine that I’ve tried, and is filled with flavors of pear and golden delicious with the right amount of oak. The 2013 Abeja Chardonnay, one of the best Chards out of Washington each year, impresses with the layered fruit and buttery mouthfeel. The 2013 Fidelitas Optu Blanc is also the best release of this wine that I’ve tried and tastes like a high end Bordeaux Blanc with a huge range of flavors, from white peach to butter. Finally, the 2013 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Blanc is a rich and opulent Bordeaux Blanc style white that is probably the best of its kind in Washington. Here are some of the best new White wine and Rose releases from Washington:
Under 15 bucks
2013 Gard Freyja- Made from 81% Viognier and 19% Rousanne. Nose has lychee and jasmine followed by flavors of pear, red delicious and starfruit. Delicious and complex for the price. -90
2014 L'Ecole No. 41 Chenin Blanc- Pear, baked apple and cinnamon on the nose. Palate has red delicious, starfruit, pear and vibrant acidity. Delicious. -90
2013 Chateau St. Michelle 'Cold Creek' Riesling-nose has orange blossom, jasmine and pear in this perfumed nose. Palate has great minerality. Pear, starfruit and red delicious. Tasty. -92
2013 Chateau St. Michelle Gewürztraminer- Honeysuckle and orange blossom on the nose. Palate has ginger, lemon zest and starfruit. Excellent wine. -89
2013 Hogue Pinot Grigio- Nose has green apple and cut grass with flavors of baked pear. A bit one note but tasty. -85
2012 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay- nose has brioche and pineapple followed by flavors of pineapple, golden delicious pear and cream. Delicious wine. -90
2013 Hogue Chardonnay- pear and red delicious on the nose followed by flavors of pear, honeydew and minerals. Clean and refreshing for Chard. -87
2012 Columbia Winery Chardonnay- Pear and oak on the nose with flavors of butter, cream and pear. Smooth, albeit simplistic. -87
2013 Chateau St. Michelle Chardonnay- Nose has pear and oak with flavors of butter, cream, vanilla, golden delicious and a long finish. -89
2013 Columbia Crest H3 Chardonnay- Butter with mushroom and cut grass. Light and lithe palate with green apple, pear, minerals and limited oak flavors. The new Washington style Chard. -90
2013 Chateau St. Michelle Indian wells Chardonnay- Pear and golden delicious with some oak on the nose. Palate has pear, starfruit and red delicious. Nice minerality but slightly behind the 2012. -89
2014 Long Shadows Julia’s Dazzle Rose- This is a Pinot Grigio Rose, with a small amount of Sangiovese added. Nose has strawberry, guava and white peach. Palate has vibrant minerality. Strawberry, guava, pear and a long finish. Up there with the best in the state. -93
Over 15 bucks
2014 Bunnell Family Winery Viognier- Orange blossom and pear on the nose followed by pear, brioche and cantaloupe flavors. -90
2013 Chandler Reach Viognier- Honeysuckle, pear and baked apple on the nose. Palate is balanced and has red delicious, pear and a light cream finish. Delicious. -90
2013 Mark Ryan Viognier- Honeysuckle and pear with light spice on the nose. Palate is lithe and has pear, red delicious and cantaloupe. Fantastic expression of the varietal. -91
2012 Cougar Crest Viognier- honeysuckle and pear with nutmeg on the nose. Palate has velvety texture with Japanese pear, vanilla, and brioche. Delicious, drink now. -91
2013 JM Chardonnay- Golden delicious and pear on the nose with light oak. Palate has pear, red delicious and light oak component with cream. -91
2013 Dunham Cellars Shirley Mays Chardonnay- Made from Lewis Vineyard fruit. Pear and honeysuckle on the nose. Pear, golden delicious and oak with nice richness on the palate. Their best one yet. -93
2013 Abeja Chardonnay- nose has mushroom golden delicious and peer. Palate has butter, pear, red delicious and star fruit. Just rich and delicious. Mouthfeel is excellent. -93
2013 Woodward Canyon Chardonnay- Nose has banana and oak, followed by flavors of vanilla, red delicious and starfruit. Nice long finish. -93
2013 Chateau St. Michelle Canoe Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay- Nose has pear, red delicious and butter. Palate is rich with butter, pear and red delicious. Drink now. -91
2012 Tranche Slice of Pape Blanc- Blend of Rousanne, Viognier and Marsanne with Nose has honeydew, pear and red delicious. Palate has pear, red delicious and star fruit. Nice richness. -93
2012 Lauren Ashton Rousanne- Honeydew and pear on the nose. Palate has cut grass, stardust and pear. Viscous and tasty. -92
2013 Fidelitas Optu Blanc- Klipsun Vineyard fruit. Butter, pear, honeysuckle, and cantaloupe on the nose. Palate has white peach, pear, red delicious, butter, and vanilla. The finish lingers. -93
2013 Chaleur Estate Blanc- 65% Sav Blanc and 35% Semillon. Nose has lemongrass, cantaloupe and mushroom with forest floor. Palate has bright acidity with Meyer lemon, cantaloupe, lemon lime flavors and incredible balance. Finish lingers. -95
2013 Novelty Hill Stillwater Creek Sauvignon Blanc- Made with 16% Semillon. Pear, orange blossom and cantaloupe on the nose. Palate has pear, honeydew and red delicious. Drink now. -90
2014 Cote Bonneville Riesling- This is done in the Spatlase style. Peach, honeysuckle, and orange blossom on the nose, followed by flavors of lemon lime, honey, red delicious and pear. Impressive effort. Excellent minerality. -91
2013 Poets Leap Riesling- Pear and mushroom on the nose. Palate has bright minerality. Pear, golden delicious, mushroom and slate. Light lemon lime as well. Best Riesling in WA? -93
2014 Seven Hills Rose- This is made from mostly Cab Franc. Strawberry, baked apple and raspberry on the nose. Palate has pear, strawberry and guava. Lithe and delicious. -91
2014 DeLille Cellars Doyenne Rose- Grenache dominant Rose. Nose has watermelon, pear, and strawberry. Flavors of cran-cherry, watermelon and vanilla. -92