Sean P. Sullivan - Washington Wine Report Note: Site has moved to www.northwestwinereport.com

In the April 30th issue of Wine Spectator Advance – the magazine's newsletter that previews the April 30th issue – the Andrew Will Sorella once again received a 95 point rating. This is the second year in a row that this wine has received a 95 point rating from this magazine. This is quite an accomplishment. It is only the twenty first red wine from Washington to receive a 95 point rating or higher, a “Classic” in Spectator’s system. No white wine has received a rating in this category.

While a number of Washington wines have scored 100 points in other publications, most notably Quilceda Creek’s Cabernet in the Wine Advocate, 96 points is the glass ceiling for Washington wine in Wine Spectator. Only five wines have received a 96 point rating, two in this decade. A complete list of the wines rated 95 points or higher is below. Read our look at three of them here.

Cayuse Syrah Walla Walla Valley Bionic Frog 2001 $55, 96 points
Cayuse Syrah Walla Walla Valley Bionic Frog 2003 $65, 96 points
Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon Washington 1989 $25, 96 points
Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon Washington 1990 $26, 96 points
Leonetti Merlot Washington 1992 $25, 96 points
Andrew Will Sorella Horse Heaven Hills 2005 $68, 95 points
Betz Syrah Red Mountain La Côte Rousse 2004 $45, 95 points
Cayuse Syrah Walla Walla Valley En Cerise Vineyard 2001 $45, 95 points
Cayuse Syrah Walla Walla Valley Bionic Frog 2005 $70, 95 points
Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Reserve 2005 $27, 95 points
Gorman Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain The Evil Twin 2006 $55, 95 points
Gorman Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain The Evil Twin 2005 $55, 95 points
Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon Washington 1991 $29, 95 points
Leonetti Reserve Walla Walla Valley 2001 $95, 95 points
Owen Roe Cabernet Sauvignon Yakima Valley DuBrul Vineyard 2005 $60, 95 points
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Washington Reserve 1992 $49, 95 points
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2004 $100, 95 points
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Washington 2003 $85, 95 points
Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 1987 $35, 95 points
Woodward Canyon Charbonneau Red Walla Walla County 1988 $NA, 95 points