Washington
Alexana Winery, Gran Rouge GSM 2018
Columbia Valley, Washington
Filled with bold fruitiness, red cherry, brambleberry, raspberry, blackberry, this dark-colored wine also has a lot of oak presence and hints of cajun. Overall, this is a powerful, but balanced wine, with an overall low acidity that is calibrated with the crispness of the fruit character. The palate is smooth but quite concentrated. Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)
Airfield Estate Lone Birch Syrah 2017
yakima Valley, Washington
A very bold wine with jammy components, but also a strong oak presence, dark chocolate, tar, and spices. The Palate is robust and powerful, full-bodied, and very structured. Tannins are grippy and squared.
Score : 14.75+/20 (89/100)
Avennia Arnaut Boushey Vineyard Syrah 2017
yakima Valley, Washington
Boushey vineyards, located on the cooler, western side of Yakima Valley, always produced wonderful, Rhône-like syrah. Very elegant, yet showing deep, concentrated flavors. This 2017 has aromas of blueberry and blackberry jam, vanilla bean, lean spice, cracked pepper, charcuterie, and a hint of smokiness. There’s a salinity and bright acidity that gives a lifting effect and properly long finish, all with ease and balance.
Score : 17/20 (94/100)
Avennia Lydian GSM 2017
Columbia Valley, Washington
This is the first release for this Grenache-syrah-mourvèdre blend. In Fact, the Lydian GSM is the first of a complete lineup of wines that we will be releasing each year. Fresh and bright, this wine is fruit-forward with fresh red berries, pepper, mint, and forest floor. The palate is light and flavorsome, delicate and flavorsome. Score : 15.5+/20 (91/100)
Barnard Griffin Merlot 2017
Columbia Valley, Washington
Grapes were sourced from old vineyards in the Yakima Valley and red mountain area. The concentrated aromatic profile includes black fruit, blue fruit, earthy notes, cedar, and smoke meat. The palate is ripe, with a nice balance between the mouthwatering acidity, and bold structure with strict but integrated tannins. Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)
Betz Family Winery Clos du Betz 2017
Columbia Valley, Washington
Fuschia-colored, this wine is very expressive and explosive, showcasing pomegranate, dark berries, fresh plum, herbs, sage, and mocha. It’s quite complex and characterful. The palate is full-bodied, but the clear acidity is lifting. Tannins are tied up and smooth, with a lot of volume and body.
Score : 16/20 (92/100)
Delille Cellars D2 red blend 2018
Columbia Valley, Washington
Cassis and Cranberries are at the forefront of this wine, joined with sweet notes of pencil shavings and mint and milk chocolate. It’s a fruit-forward, powerful wine yet smoothly structured and balanced.
Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)
Delille Cellars Four Flags 2018
Red Mountain, Washington
Four flags relate to the four vineyards from where the grapes are sourced: Ciel du Cheval, Grand Ciel, Upchurch, and Klipsun. Only the best Cabernet Sauvignon barrels from these sites make their way in this blend. Very sophisticated, this wine is all about balance between mature fruit (blackberry and cassis), aromatic herbs, and a soft oak presence bringing vanilla and spices to the mix. The palate is fully bonded, with restrained tannins and wild acidity.
Score : 16.25+/20 (93/100)
K Vintners Motor City Kitty Syrah 2017
Columbia Valley, Washington
Dark-colored and rich, this wine is very savory, with notes of smoked bacon, mushrooms, freshly crushed black pepper, forest floor, cocoa, gravels. It has a powerful palate with strong, grippy tannins, and a mineral-driven finale.
Score : 16.25+/20 (93/100)
Hedges Family Vineyard DLD, Les Gosses Syrah 2016
Red Mountain, Washinton
Punchy Syrah with wild & bright expression. It’s a very jammy and mature wine with intricate fruitiness as well as smoke and graphite notes. The flavor profile matches the expression on the nose, with concentration, depth, and polished tannins.
Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)
J. Bookwalter, J Protagonist, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Columbia Valley, Washington
Aged 20 months in 75% new French puncheons, 25% used French barrels, this is a classic expression of Columbia Valley’s Cabernet Sauvignon. Bold and ripe with rich flavors of cassis, plum, eucalyptus, and graphite. It’s full-bodied, Tannins are soft with crispy acidity and the concentration offers a good length.
Score : 15.5+/20 (91/100)
J. Bookwalter Notebook NV
Columbia Valley, Washington
Crafted from different varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Mourvèdre), different vintages (2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018), and different appellations (Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley,
Red Mountain) this wine is compelling and intriguing. While ripe and mature, it still shows accessible fruit flavors and a very supple palate. It’s youthful in style but quite complex with aromas of blueberries, blackberries, cherries, dried dates coffee, toast, cedar, beef jerky, and cola. Definitely quaffable.
Score : 16/20 (92/100)
K Vintners, Substance ‘CS’ - Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Columbia Valley, Washington
Profound wine showing blackberries, coffee, chocolate, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, light herbs, and peppercorn. Full-bodied with rounded tannins, the palate feels light and harmonious.
Score : 14.75+/20 (89/100)
Long Shadow Vintners, Feather Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Columbia Valley, Washington
Feather is Randy Dunn’s only wine made outside of California. It’s very dark, crimson-colored, with an overripe, concentrated black-fruit character as well as charcoal, oak, and dark chocolate notes. The palate is full-bodied, powerful, still showing intense concentration, intensity, and tight-textured tannins.
Score : 16/20 (92/100)
Château Ste. Michelle Wine estates, Ethos Cabernet Sauvignon reserve 2014
Columbia Valley, Washington
The profile of this wine is oak-forward and very extracted. Aromas include plum, blackberry, spice, and leather. It’s a solid wine, with fore-front tannins but still approachable and generous.
Score : 14.5+/20 (88/100)
Château Ste. Michelle Wine estates, Artist Series Red Wine 2015
Columbia Valley, Washington
A ripe and sophisticated blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec. It shows layered aromas of tart red berries, ripe blackberries, aromatic herbs, espresso, and almonds. Very expressive and tense, Tannins are compact and drying, with underlying fruit freshness and power. Score : 15.5+/20 (91/100)
Château Ste. Michelle Wine estates, Tenet Wines, The Pundit Syrah 2016
Columbia Valley, Washington
Tenet wines is a collaboration between the Washington-based power-player Château Ste-michelle and Rhône winemaker Michel Gassier. It’s a very expressive wine that shows bittersweet chocolate, toast, black tea, blueberry jam, and black cherry aromas. It’s fruit-driven, undeniably ripe but with very little spices. The palate is silky, smooth, and restrained, with a lot of charm.
Score : 16/20 (92/100)
[Wines tasted by Joanie Metivier]