Sean P. Sullivan - Washington Wine Report

Home
Wine Reviews
Rating System
About
Subscribe
Contact

For the past four years I’ve published an annual list of my favorite wines based on those I’ve sampled here from the year gone by. Below is a look back at some of my favorites from 2011 (see the 2010 list here, 2009 here, and 2008 here).

This list was compiled in the following manner.

Today’s Fresh Sheet – new and recent releases – includes wines from Pamplin Family Winery, JB Neufeld, Nefarious Cellars, Covington Cellars, and Lobo Hills.

January's Virtual Tasting is tonight from 7-8pm Pacific. Read about how to participate here.

The incidence of cork taint has been variously reported to be as little as 0.7% and as much as 10%. However, for most retailers, distributors, and wineries, it often appears to be a non-issue for one simple reason. Consumers rarely return corked bottles of wine. Here I discuss what steps consumers should take when they discover a corked wine and why returning the bottle is important to help reduce the incidence of cork taint.

First let me say that when I am referring to ‘corked’ wines, I am talking exclusively about bottles affected by 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) or bottles that appear as such.

January's Virtual Tasting is Thursday January 26th from 7-8pm Pacific. Read about how to participate here.

In tough times, we continue the search for good, inexpensive wines.

We start off today with three wines from Forgeron Cellars' Blacksmith label. The goal of Blacksmith is to focus on wines that provide both quality and value. In this, winemaker Marie-Eve Gilla surely succeeds.

As I wrote earlier this month, I have changed my rating system from a home grown, five point system to a traditional five star system. Please note that these ratings will be displayed in subsequent posts as follows:

(Exceptional)

(Excellent)

(Good)

(Decent)

(Not recommended/Flawed)

Read additional details about the rating system here.

A round-up of stories on Washington wine from January 15^th to 21^st. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the world…

Edmonton Journal writes about the Kung Fu Girl Riesling (look at that Canadian tariff!).

From around the country…

Shanken News Daily writes that Southern will buy Odom’s stake in distribution venture.

The Chicago Tribune writes about how to pair wine, with a callout to the Eroica Riesling.

One of the sadder stories in Washington wine from 2011 was the closing of Kennewick’s Picazo 7 Seventeen restaurant. However, to many, it seemed unlikely that owner Chef Frank Magaña would be gone for long. Indeed, earlier this week Magaña announced the opening of Chef Magaña Catering.

A round-up of stories on Washington wine from January 8^th to 14^th 2012. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the country (and abundance of love this week)…

Wines and Vines writes about Olympia trying to cut wine red tape.

CNN writes about the best wines to have with a grilled cheese with a callout to Washington riesling.

The Fort Wayne News Sentinel writes about Syrah as the perfect wine for winter with brief mention of Washington.

The January/February 2012 issue of Edible Seattle contains an article I wrote on EFESTĒ's Brennon Leighton. Check it out on newsstands now. See a directory of locations to find a copy here.

Enjoy!

January's Virtual Tasting wine will be the Januik Winery Red Wine Columbia Valley 2008. This wine retails for $18 and is widely available. The tasting will take place Thursday January 26th from 7-8pm Pacific.

What you need to do to participate is:

1. Buy this month’s wine from a local retailer or from the winery.

2. Tweet your comments about the wine on Twitter between 7 and 8pm using the hashtag #januik. For those on Twitter, follow me @wawinereport.

Join us!

Well folks, I’m happy to be back after a brief staycation to clear the mind, focus on some other endeavors, and plan for the year ahead. As is my custom, I want to start 2012 by discussing some things to expect on these virtual pages this year, including several significant changes. Planned changes for 2012 include:

1. A rating system revision
2. Coverage of Oregon wines
3. Addition of other writers to this space
4. A revised site design
5. Improved access to the Tasting Note Database
6. Faster turnaround on wine reviews
7. Subscription charges for wine reviews

Each of these changes is explained below.

All wines reviewed are rated as follows:

A round-up of stories on Washington wine from January 1st to 7th 2012. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the world…

The Manila Standard gives a year in review with a callout to Washington wine.

From around the country…

Decanter writes about new AVAs, including Naches Heights.

St. Louis Today writes about 2011’s best budget friendly wines with a callout to the Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot, Hedges CMS, and Efeste Riesling.

As promised, a brief vacation break to bring you this round-up. Regular posts will resume January 16th.

A round-up of stories on Washington wine from December 22nd to 31st. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the country…

The Illinois Daily Chronicle writes about Sleight of Hand.

NPR writes about government waste, with mention of the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center.

CNN writes about under $10 wines with a callout out to Pacific Rim.

Wine Spectator writes about 10 outstanding Washington reds.

Happy New Year everybody!

As I wrote in my last post, I’m taking a short vacation the first two weeks of 2012, although I may be posting some material ‘from the vault’ during this time as well as the occasional round-up. Look for regular new postings to resume on January 16th.

Have a great start to 2012!

Newer Posts Older Posts Home

View mobile version

Editor

Sean P. Sullivan is the editor of Washington Wine Report and a contributing editor at Wine Enthusiast magazine, covering Washington and Idaho. He has been writing about and reviewing Washington wine since 2005.

Instagram

Social

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

2020 Tour Guide

Labels Cloud

14 Hands 2010 Initiatives 2020 Washington Merlot Challenge 2021 Washington Syrah Challenge Abbey Page Abeja Adams Bench Airfield Estates Alder Ridge Alexandria Nicole Alternative Closures aMaurice Cellars Amavi Ambassador Ancestry Ancient Lakes Andrew Januik Andrew Will Anelare Angel Vine AntoLin Apex Cellars Ardor Arlington Road Cellars Array Ash Hollow Ashan Auclair Avennia Baer Winery Balboa Barnard Griffin Barons V Barrage Barrister Beresan Bergevin Lane Betz Family Winery Board Track Racer Bonair Winery Bookwalter Boomtown Boudreaux Cellars Brian Carter Bridgman Bunchgrass Winery Bunnell Family Buried Cane Buty Cadaretta Cadence Cairdeas Cana's Feast Candy Mountain Canoe Ridge Canon del Sol Cartel Wine Group Cascade Valley Wineries Castillo de Feliciana Castle Rock Winery Cave B CAVU Cayuse Vineyards Cedergreen Cellars Charles and Charles Charles Smith Wines Chateau Rollat Chateau Ste. Michelle Chelan Estate Chelan Ridge Chinook City Limits Cloudlift Cellars Clubhouse Cellars Co Dinn Col Solare College Cellars Columbia Crest Columbia Gorge Columbia Winery Concentric Wine Project Cooper Wine Company Corked Counter Corked Wines Corliss Estates Corvidae Corvus Cellars Cote Bonneville Cougar Crest Covey Run Covington Cellars Crayelle Cellars Cuneo Cellars CZ Cellars Darby Daven Lore DeLille Delmas Desert Wind Distant Bay DiStefano Domaine Pouillon Domaine Ste Michelle Donedei Double Canyon Doubleback Dowsett Family Winery DuBrul Vineyard Duck Pond Cellars Duckhorn Dumas Station Dunham Dusted Valley Dynasty Cellars Efeste Eight Bells El Corazon Eliseo Silva Elsom Cellars Ensemble Cellars Envious Cellars Erath Eritage Estrin Estates Eyrie Fall Line Falling Rain Fidelitas Winery Fielding Hills WInery Figgins Five Star Cellars Fjellene Flying Dreams Flying Trout For a Song Force Majeure Forgeron Full Pull Wines Furion Cellars Gard Vintners Giant Wine Co Gifford-Hirlinger Gilbert Glencorrie Goedhart Golden Ridge Goose Ridge Gordon Brothers Gorman Gramercy Cellars Grand Rêve Grosgrain Guardian Hard Row Harvest 2010 Harvest 2011 Harvest 2012 Harvest 2013 Harvest 2014 Harvest 2015 Harvest 2016 Harvest 2017 Harvest 2018 Harvest 2019 Harvest 2020 Hawks View Haystack Needle Heaven's Cave Hedges Family Estate Helix Hestia Cellars Hogue Cellars Hoodsport Hors Catégorie Horse Heaven Hills Horsepower Vineyards Hyatt Vineyards Idilico Intrinsic Isenhower Cellars Jaine Januik Winery JB Neufeld JM Cellars Jones of Washington Juliette's Dazzle K Vintners Kaella Winery Kerloo Kevin White Kiona Kontos Cellars Kyra Wines L'Ecole Lake Chelan AVA Lantz Cellars Latitude 46 North Laurelhurst Cellars Lauren Ashton Lawrelin Leonetti Cellar Liberty Bay Cellars Liminal Lobo Hills Locati Cellars Lodmell Cellars Lone Birch Lone Canary Long Shadows Lost River Winery Magnificent Wine Company Maison Bleue Manu Propia Mark Ryan Winery Maryhill Matthews Estate McCrea Cellars McKinley Springs Mercer Estates Merf Michael Florentino Milbrandt Vineyards Modern Wine Project Monesia's Song Morrison Lane Mosquito Fleet Mountain Dome Naches Heights Naches Heights AVA Napeequa Vintners Native Sun Nefarious Nelms Road Nicholas Cole Cellars No Girls Nodland Northstar Northwest Wine Round-up Nota Bene Novelty Hill NW Totem Cellars NW VIne Project NxNW Obelisco Estate Olsen Estates OS Winery Otis Kenyon Ott and Murphy Owen Roe Pacific Rim Palencia Palouse Pamplin Pandora Parejas Passion Patterson Paul Gregutt Pendulum Pepper Bridge Phylloxera Pic of the Vine Plumb Cellars Pomum Cellars Pondera Portteus Pour Me Powers Proletariat Wine Company Proper Prospice Puget Sound Purple Star Quilceda Creek Ramseyer Vineyards Randall Harris Rasa Vineyards Red Diamond Red Mountain Red Willow Reininger Renegade Result of a Crush Rex Hill Reynvaan Family Vineyards RiverAerie Riverhaven Cellars RMV Cellars Robert Ramsay Robison Ranch Cellars Ross Andrew Rotie Royal Slope Rulo Winery Russell Creek WInery Rusty Grape Vineyard Ryan Messer Ryan Patrick Sageland Vineyards Saint Laurent Salida Wines Salmon Harbor San Juan Vineyards Sandhill Sapolil Cellars Savage Grace Saviah Cellars Scarborough Screwcaps Seattle Area Wineries Seufert Seven Hills Winery Shady Grove Winery Sheridan Silvara Silver Bell Silver Lake Winery Sineann Six Prong Skylite Cellars Sleight of Hand Smasne Cellars Snipes Gap Vineyards Snipes Mountain Snoqualmie Sockeye Sodovino Sol Stone somme de parties sonoris Soos Creek Sparkman Cellars Spindrift Spokane Area Spring Valley Steele Wines Stella Fino Stevens Winery Stomani Cellars Stonecap Stottle SuLei Cellars Sweet Valley Winery Swiftwater Syncline Cellars Syrah SYZYGY Tagaris Tamarack Cellars Tefft Tempus Tenor Wines Tero Estates Terra Blanca Winery The Burn of Columbia Valley The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater Three Rivers Winery Thurston Wolfe Tildio Time & Direction Townshend Cellar Tranche Treveri Trust Tulpen Cellars Two Mountain Two Vintners Upland Estates Va Piano Vineyards Valdemar Estates Viento Wines Vin du Lac Vinyl Wines Virtual tasting Virtue Cellars W.T. Vintners Wahluke Slope Walla Walla Valley Walla Walla Vintners Walter Dacon Washington Hills Waterbrook Waters Waving Tree White Bluffs Whitestone Whitman Cellars William Church Willow Crest Wilridge Winery Wind Rose Cellars Wine Enthusiast Wine Enthusiast Scores WineGirl Wines Wines of Substance Woodhouse Wine Estates Woodinville Wine Cellars Woodinville WIneries Woodward Canyon Winery Yakima Valley Yellow Hawk Cellar Zerba Cellars Zero One Vintners

Blog Archive

► 2021 (26)
- ► April (1)
- ► March (12)
- ► February (5)
- ► January (8)

► 2020 (47)
- ► November (2)
- ► October (2)
- ► September (3)
- ► August (3)
- ► July (2)
- ► June (1)
- ► May (2)
- ► April (2)
- ► March (19)
- ► February (4)
- ► January (7)

► 2019 (34)
- ► December (1)
- ► November (1)
- ► October (5)
- ► September (2)
- ► August (2)
- ► July (3)
- ► June (2)
- ► May (2)
- ► April (9)
- ► March (1)
- ► February (2)
- ► January (4)

► 2018 (48)
- ► December (3)
- ► November (2)
- ► October (5)
- ► September (3)
- ► August (2)
- ► July (4)
- ► June (6)
- ► May (2)
- ► April (2)
- ► March (6)
- ► February (10)
- ► January (3)

► 2017 (46)
- ► December (2)
- ► November (6)
- ► October (2)
- ► September (4)
- ► August (10)
- ► July (2)
- ► June (2)
- ► May (2)
- ► April (3)
- ► March (6)
- ► February (6)
- ► January (1)

► 2016 (73)
- ► December (5)
- ► November (4)
- ► October (7)
- ► September (8)
- ► August (6)
- ► July (1)
- ► June (5)
- ► May (8)
- ► April (3)
- ► March (6)
- ► February (13)
- ► January (7)

► 2015 (71)
- ► December (2)
- ► November (5)
- ► October (6)
- ► September (4)
- ► August (5)
- ► July (6)
- ► June (8)
- ► May (2)
- ► April (6)
- ► March (9)
- ► February (11)
- ► January (7)

► 2014 (122)
- ► December (14)
- ► November (4)
- ► October (7)
- ► September (15)
- ► August (6)
- ► July (14)
- ► June (10)
- ► May (9)
- ► April (13)
- ► March (11)
- ► February (10)
- ► January (9)

► 2013 (192)
- ► December (22)
- ► November (18)
- ► October (14)
- ► September (17)
- ► August (10)
- ► July (14)
- ► June (14)
- ► May (15)
- ► April (17)
- ► March (17)
- ► February (20)
- ► January (14)

▼ 2012 (219)
- ► December (23)
- ► November (20)
- ► October (19)
- ► September (18)
- ► August (18)
- ► July (18)
- ► June (17)
- ► May (18)
- ► April (17)
- ► March (18)
- ► February (18)
- ▼ January (15)

► 2011 (233)
- ► December (30)
- ► November (19)
- ► October (22)
- ► September (18)
- ► August (15)
- ► July (18)
- ► June (16)
- ► May (18)
- ► April (17)
- ► March (24)
- ► February (17)
- ► January (19)

► 2010 (285)
- ► December (30)
- ► November (18)
- ► October (26)
- ► September (22)
- ► August (23)
- ► July (27)
- ► June (19)
- ► May (21)
- ► April (25)
- ► March (31)
- ► February (20)
- ► January (23)

► 2009 (278)
- ► December (31)
- ► November (26)
- ► October (21)
- ► September (18)
- ► August (16)
- ► July (18)
- ► June (26)
- ► May (23)
- ► April (22)
- ► March (23)
- ► February (22)
- ► January (32)

► 2008 (163)
- ► December (50)
- ► November (22)
- ► October (15)
- ► September (16)
- ► August (26)
- ► July (17)
- ► June (9)
- ► May (2)
- ► April (2)
- ► March (1)
- ► February (3)

► 2007 (4)
- ► November (2)
- ► June (2)

Pages

Home
Wine Reviews
Rating System
Submissions
Interpreting scores
How I sample wines
About
Publications
Awards
Appearances
Archival Links

Instagram

Editor - Sean P. Sullivan

About

Washington Wine Report is an independent publication focused on bringing Washington wine to you and bringing you to Washington wine. My goal is: to help you select Pacific Northwest wines at a variety of price levels; to keep you up-to-date about the Northwest’s wineries, vineyards, and individuals; to help you plan trips to wine country; and to connect you to the larger wine community.

Popular Posts

Editor

Instagram

Social

2020 Tour Guide

Labels Cloud

Blog Archive

Pages

Instagram