Another year and another spectacular Washington wine event has come and gone. Taste of Washington 2016 was an absolutely incredible event, just as it is each year. I wanted to pass on some of the highlights from the weekend. With my media pass I was able to gain entrance one hour early, which gave me some extra time talking with winemakers and restaurant industry folks. I was even able to grab some time with John Howie, himself, as he talked about his impressive wine list and three level 3 sommeliers he employs at his restaurants. His appetizers at the Alaska Airlines Lounge were top shelf, including crab cakes, creamy mushroom bisque and beef tenderloin.
In terms of tasting, there were some standout wines. The 2013 B. Leighton ‘Gratitude’ (WWB, 93) was a stunning and seamless wine that will be sure to impress GSM lovers across the Northwest. Andrew Will had some gorgeous bottlings, including their 2012 Ciel du Chevel Red Wine (WWB, 94) and their 2012 Sorella (WWB, 93). Each had incredible richness and texture. The 2013 Bunnell Family Cellar Cabernet (WWB, 93) was an absolutely stunning effort from head winemaker Ron Bunnell. This wine was both viscous and balanced, showcasing this excellent vintage. There were some excellent value wines as well, none exceeding the excellent 2013 Claar Cellars Riesling Ice Wine (WWB, 93) which checks in at 21% residual sugar and has excellent balance and intensity. For Chardonnay lovers, another value was the 2014 Chateau St. Michelle ‘Canoe Ridge Vineyard’ Chardonnay (WWB, 92) which is a great case buy and shows impressive range of fruit profiles, with a lovely cream finish. Here are some of the fantastic wines that I recently tried at Taste of Washington.
2012 Andrew Will ‘Ciel du Cheval’ Red Wine- This flagship wine from this estate is one of the best that I have sampled from Andrew Will in the past 10 years. The wine has aromas of sandalwood, red cherry mocha and figs. The density coats the palate, yielding intense flavors of blackberry, anise, mocha and creme de cassis. Dense and delicious wine that will cellar beautifully. Drink 2016-2028- 94
2012 Andrew Will ‘Sorella’- This intense and rich bottling has aromas of blueberry compote, blackberry and mocha. The wine has rich flavors of blueberry, anise, mocha, creme de cassis and lovely minerality coat the palate. Gorgeous wine that is new world meets Bordeaux. Drink 2016-2028- 93
2015 Charles and Charles Rose- This value wine begins with lovely feminine aromas of white peach, red raspberry and red cherry. Flavors of guava red cherry and red raspberry. This is an excellent value wine that is tough to put down right now. Drink 2016-2020-88
2013 Sixto ‘Frenchman Hills Vineyard’ Chardonnay- This expressive Chardonnay bottling begins with deep aromas of butter, brioche and pear. This leads to dense flavors of starfruit, red delicious apple, and nutmeg with brioche. Lovely intensity. Drink 2016-2022- 93
2014 Chateau St. Michelle ‘Canoe Ridge Vineyard’ Chardonnay- This great Chardonnay bottling begins with bright aromas of pear, starfruit. and cut grass, with Gala apple. There are rich flavors of poached pear, Pazzaz apple and vanilla with a lovely cream finish. very nice. Drink 2016-2022- 92
2014 Chateau St. Michelle ‘Eroica Gold’ Riesling- This lovely Spatlase style Riesling has bright aromas of golden delicious apple, with white raisin. This leads to medium weight flavors of apricot, golden delicious apple and pear that sit aside racy acidity. Drink 2016-2023- 92
2013 Chateau St. Michelle ‘Canoe Ridge Vineyard’ Merlot- The wine has aromatics of prune, red cherry, red raspberry and sage. This leads to medium weight flavors of red cherry, boysenberry and baking spices with very light tannins. Drink 2016-2023- 91
2013 Chateau St. Michelle ‘Canoe Ridge Vineyard’ Cabernet-This wine has a lovely herbaceous aromatic profile with red bell pepper, red cherry and sagebrush. There are medium weight flavors of mocha, red cherry, red raspberry and blackberry preserves. Plush fruit that makes this hard to resist right now. Drink 2016-2033- 91
2014 Chateau St. Michelle ‘Cold Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay- This standout Chard starts with aromas of poached pear, red delicious apple, with suggestions of starfruit. Flavors of red delicious apple, marzipan and nutmeg. Lovely vanilla finish with nice minerality. Drink 2016-2021- 91
2013 Chateau St. Michelle ‘Cold Creek Vineyard’ Cabernet- This herbaceously aromatic wine starts with red bell pepper, red cherry, and lavender on the nose. There are medium weight flavors of baking spices, blackberry and black cherry with hints of black olive. Lovely Washington style Cabernet that is done in the forward style. Drink 2016-2022- 91
2013 Chateau St. Michelle ‘Druthers’ Cabernet- There are dense and lovely aromatics of baking spices, red cherry, red currant with red bell pepper. This leads to rich flavors of blackberry preserves, red cherry, and mocha with lovely density. Intense and moderately tannic now. Drink 2016-2026- 93
2011 Coach House Cellars Cabernet-This cold vintage wine has herbaceous aromas of mint, red bell pepper, and blackberry. This leads to lighter flavors of blackberry, black cherry, and black olive. Drink 2016-2022- 87
2013 Co Dinn ‘Roskamp Vineyard’ Chardonnay- This Chardonnay combines Dijon clone 76 and 96. The Chardonnay begins with aromas of nutmeg, Red Delicious apple and Bartlett pear. There are medium weight flavors of Gala apple, starfruit and poached pear a cream finish. Lovely texture and minerality. Drink 2016-2023- 92
2013 Co Dinn ‘Painted Hills Vineyard’ Cabernet –This expressive bottling begins with aromas of red bell pepper, anise and spicebox. There are smooth flavors of red cherry, red raspberry and blackberry pie. Lovely mouthfeel and texture to this elegant Cabernet bottling. Drink 2016-2025- 91
2013 Co Dinn ‘Roskamp Vineyard’ Syrah- This juicy Syrah has aromas of wet stone, red cherry and blackberry preserves. There are medium weight flavors of anise, blackberry jam, and cassis. Smooth and viscous wine that is polished and maintains that hallmark elegance of the winemaker. Drink 2016-2025- 92
2013 Dunham Cabernet Franc- This winery only bottling is sourced from Double Canyon fruit. The Cab Franc opens with aromatics of red cherry, red raspberry, blueberry compote and hints of coffee grounds. There are dense flavors of blueberry, boysenberry and mint. Lovely depth to this fantastic bottling. The structure makes this hard to resist right now. Kudos to the Dunham winemaking team on this one. Drink 2016-2026- 93
2012 Pursued by Bear Cabernet- On the softer side, this wine has aromas of mocha, mint eucalyptus and blackberry. This leads to medium weight flavors of blackberry pie, black cherry, black olive and cassis. Polished and showcasing the elegance of this great vintage. Drink 2016-2026- 92
2013 Purple Star Sauvignon Blanc- This is a balanced style of Sav Blanc. The wine has aromas of cut grass, pear and Gala apple. This leads to medium bodied flavors of pear, lemongrass, and lychee. Lovely effort from this warmer vintage. Drink 2016-2020 -89
2014 For A Song Riesling- This value Riesling has aromas of Pazzaz apple, cut grass and ripe pear. There are medium bodied flavors of unripe pear, golden delicious apple and Meyer lemons. Vibrant wine that needs a hot summer day. Drink 2016-2022- 89
2013 Bunnell Family Cellar Cabernet- This delicious and open style Cabernet begins with intense aromas of creme de cassis, anise and blackberry compote. This leads to dense flavors of black olive, black cherry, cassis and blueberry compote. Absolutely stunning rich and balanced Cab. Drink 2016-2026- 93
2012 Bunnell Family Cellar Cabernet-This balanced wine has aromas of tar, sagebrush, cassis and mocha. Not as intense as the 2013 but bringing medium weight flavors of blackberry, black olive and black cherry persist alongside mild tannins. Very solid with a long finish. Drink 2016-2025- 91
2012 Ambassador Vineyards of Washington Syrah- This excellent balanced Syrah has aromas of anise, red cherry and sagebrush. This leads to medium weight flavors of anise, red cherry, lavender and blackberry jam, roasted dates with very light tannins. Delicious and open Washington style of Syrah. Drink 2016-2022- 90
2013 B. Leighton ‘Gratitude’- This new release GSM wine begins with aromas of red cherry, lavender and wet stone. There are deep flavors of red cherry, guava, and blackberry compote amalgamate alongside a lovely smooth texture. Delicious and lithe wine that is absolutely gorgeous right now. Drink 2016-2026- 93
2013 Claar Cellars Riesling Ice Wine- This is an excellent value sticky. The wine opens with aromas of apricot, golden delicious apple and white raisin bring nice intensity. This leads to flavors of white raisin, golden delicious apple and pineapple. Bursting with acidity this is gorgeous right now. Drink 2016-2022- 93
2014 Gordon Estate Late Harvest Gewurtztraminer- This lovely effort has aromas of lychee, orange blossom and pineapple. Flavors of orange marmalade, creme brûlée and pineapple. Delicious and mineral drive effort is a joy to drink right now. Drink 2016-2026- 92
2010 Naked Winery ‘Orgasmic’ Late Harvest Riesling- This value dessert wine has flavors of orange rind, red delicious apple and white raisin. This leads to medium weight flavors of orange marmalade, white raisin and hints of blood orange. Drink 2016-2025- 90
2012 Brian Carter Cellars ‘Opulento’- This intriguing dessert wine begins with aromas of blackberry, black cherry and mint flavors of boysenberry, preserves, mocha and coffee grounds. Lovely texture and weight. Drink 2016-2026- 90
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