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

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

From around the world…

The Toronto Star writes about 14 Hands.


From around the country...

The Atlantic writes about Walla Walla.

MarketWatch writes that Washington is one of the best places to retire, and wineries are part of the reason why.


From around the blogosphere...

The Wine Economist writes about Washington’s invisible vineyard: Yakima.

Great Northwest Wine writes that Washington wine grapes top 50,000 acres; ’13 crop to exceed 200,000 tons. They also highlight some of Washington’s great vineyards, starting with Upland and Elephant Mountain.

The Washington Vine writes about Chateau St.Michelle.

Wine Peeps writes about the Anew Riesling.

The Zinfandel Chronicles revisits its power rankings.

Northwest Wine Anthem writes about BBQ & Washington Wine - The Big Smoke Smackdown meets Dusted Valley Vintners.

Paul Gregutt writes about rising stars and pick(s) of the week. He also writes about Waitsburg Cellars. 

Write for Wine writes about Long Shadows.

Woodinville Wine Update writes about Vortex Cellars.

Lucha Vino pairs a Washington GSM v. Cotes du Rhone. 


From the locals...

The News Tribune writes that former Ste. Michelle boss Allen Shoup has become an influencer in the area wine industry. They also write about the Auction of Washington Wines.

The Yakima Herald writes that a new Washington wine grape - Marquette – is to be harvested this week.

The Seattle Times writes about the Yakima Valley. They also write that for many on Champions Tour, wine becomes hobby of choice.

The Wenatchee World writes that a record wine grape harvest set to begin.

The Puget Sound Business Journal publishes its list of top wineries in Washington state by production.

The Pacific Northwest Inlander writes that Patit Creek Cellars brings a taste of Walla Walla to downtown Spokane.

Bremerton Patriot writes about the Kitsap Wine Festival.

OPB News writes that Northwest winemakers are ready for an intense vintage.


That's all folks!

In lieu of our regular Virtual Tasting this month, I would like to encourage everyone to grab a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and participate in #CabernetDay on Thursday August 29th. Started in 2010 by Social Media maven Rick Bakas, this event has blossomed since. 1,750 people participated the first year. In 2012 over 3,200 people participated making more than 21 million impressions.

Participation is easy. Simply grab a bottle of your favorite Cabernet Sauvignon on Thursday August 29th, pull together a few friends if you so wish, and tweet about the wine using the hashtag #CabernetDay. Follow the hashtag, which guarantees to be fast and furious with thousands of people tweeting around the world.

See you there!

After two successive cooler vintages in 2010 and 2011, 2012 marked a return to warmer times in Washington’s vineyards. This is reflected in many of the vintage’s rosés.

While there are numerous exceptions, the 2012 rosés from Washington reviewed below – with a couple Oregon wines sprinkled in as well – tend to be richer and more fruit filled than their predecessors from the last two vintages. 2010 rosés in particular were often marked by higher levels of acidity. Some producers managed to retain good acidity in 2012 despite the warmer temperatures. Others did not.

Overall, this is a time for excitement about rosés from the Pacific Northwest. There has been an explosion in production in the last several years as interest in rosé in the U.S. rebounds. Once thought of as cheap, sweet, pink wine, winemakers are now exploring the use of a variety of different grapes and styles, and consumers are responding. While often the prices – and sometimes the quality – have a hard time matching many of the wines coming out of, say, Provence, as I am fond of saying, they do have a bit of head start!

In addition to the new reviews listed below, I have also included those previously published as well as a few reviews from my work at Wine Enthusiast. Summer grows short. Drink up!

Charles & Charles Rosé Columbia Valley 2010 $10                       
(Excellent) An aromatically appealing wine with strawberry and spice. The palate is rich, rounded, and fruit filled while retaining well balanced acidity. A superb value. 81% Syrah, 16% Mourvèdre, 2% Cinsault, 1% Grenache. 12.9% alcohol.

JM Cellars Cinsault Rosé Columbia Valley 2012 $25
(Excellent) Pale peach. An aromatic wine with bubble gum, strawberry, and watermelon. The palate is dry and medium bodied with rich fruit flavors. 13.8% alcohol.

Julia’s Dazzle Rosé Pinot Grigio Horse Heaven Hills 2012 $15
91 points. Brief skin contact during fermentation gives this appropriately named, single-vineyard (The Benches) rosé it’s pretty pale-salmon color. It’s immediately appealing, with notes of melon and strawberry, and just a hair off-dry, with a rich, textured feel. Wine Enthusiast 9/1/2013

Kerloo Cellars Angolina Farm Grenache Rosé Yakima Valley 2012 $24
(Excellent) Pale salmon colored. Lightly aromatic with strawberry and spice along with a citrus twist. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied with tart, citrusy fruit flavors and a persistent finish. 100% Grenache. 12.1% alcohol. 132 cases produced.

Lauren Ashton Cellars Rosé of Sangiovese Stillwater Creek Vineyard Washington 2012 $18
(Excellent) The vineyard has changed from the 2011 vintage – Stillwater Creek instead of Red Willow – but the grape remains the same. A pale salmon color, it’s directly appealing with notes of cherry, wet stone, and spice. It has richness and texture but – even with the listed alcohol level higher than often seen outside of saignee-style roses’ (this one is not) - still manages to move deftly. 14.0% alcohol. Sample provided by winery.

Maison Bleue La Famille Rosé of Mourvèdre Columbia Valley 2012 $20
(Excellent) A moderately aromatic, captivating wine with strawberries and cream, peppery spice, and abundant mineral notes. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, dry with crisp, etched acidity that draws out on the finish. 100% Mourvèdre. Olsen Vineyard. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. 12.5% alcohol. 365 cases produced. Sample provided by winery. Reviewed July 17, 2013 NB: This wine only improves after a day of being open.

Brian Carter Cellars Abracadabra Magical Rosé Blend Columbia Valley 2012 $20
 (Good) Pale pink. A moderately aromatic wine with cherry and peppery spice. It’s medium bodied and drinks dry with full, rich fruit flavors and well balanced acidity. 41% Sangiovese, 39% Grenache, 9% Syrah, 9% Mourvèdre, 2% Counoise 2%. 13.4% alcohol. 0.35% Residual Sugar.

Castillo de Feliciana Vino Verano ‘Summer Wine’ Columbia Valley 2012 $16
(Good) A moderately aromatic wine with apple, citrus, and grape skins. It’s dry and medium-plus bodied, full flavored with a textured feel. A deliciously enjoyable, appropriately named wine. 100% Pinot Gris. 13.8% alcohol. Recommended

Gilbert Cellars Rosé of Mourvèdre Columbia Valley 2012 $17
(Good) Pale salmon. A moderately aromatic wine full of grapefruit and peppery spice. The palate has medium bodied fruit flavors and wants a bit more acid to lift up the frame. 100% Mourvèdre. 24K and Sunland vineyards. Aged three months in neutral oak (70%) and stainless steel. 13.4% alcohol. 895 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Gramercy Cellars Rosé Olsen Vineyard Columbia Valley 2012 $25
(Good) Pale salmon colored, this is an aromatically expressive blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah all coming from Yakima Valley’s Olsen Vineyard whose prominence continues to climb. It has notes of melon, fresh herbs, and spice. It’s medium bodied and still retains good acidity considering the warmth of the vintage. 46% Cinsault, 32% Grenache, and 22% Syrah. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. 13.2% alcohol.  200 cases produced.

Renegade Wine Co Rosé Columbia Valley 2012 $10
(Good) Pale salmon colored. Subtle aromas of watermelon, strawberry, and citrus. The palate is dry and tart with a blast of acid that carries it through on the finish. 76% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, 4% Cinsault. 12.5% alcohol. Recommended Reviewed April 29, 2013

Robert Ramsay Rosé Columbia Valley 2012 $18
(Good) Pale salmon colored. An aromatic wine with strawberry and red cherries. It’s off-dry with sweet fruit flavors. 45% Grenache, 45% Cinsault, and 10% Viognier. Upland and McKinley vineyards. 316 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Ross Andrew Meadow Rosé Sangiovese Columbia Valley 2012 $15
87 points. Pale salmon in color, this mostly Sangiovese rosé drinks dry with notes of strawberry, bubblegum and melon. The flavor concentration isn’t all there but there’s still much to enjoy here. Wine Enthusiast 9/1/2013

Sleight of Hand Cellars The Magician’s Assistant Cabernet Franc Rosé Blackrock Vineyard Yakima Valley 2012 $18
(Good) Pale copper with a slight pink tinge. It’s moderately aromatic with spice and strawberry. The palate is medium bodied with a rounded feel and tart cherry flavors. 100% Cabernet Franc. Blackrock Vineyard. Fermented in stainless steel and barrel aged for five months in neutral French oak. 13.5% alcohol. 0.19% Residual Sugar. 225 cases produced. Published May 9, 2013

Stoller Estate Exclusive Tempranillo Rosé Dundee Hills 2012 $25
 (Good) An aromatically intriguing wine with peanut shells, tangerine, strawberry, and cranberry. The palate is medium bodied, dry with a tart, lingering finish. Whole cluster pressed. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. 13.1% alcohol. 225 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Syncline Rosé Columbia Valley 2012 $20
(Good) Pale salmon in color with a copper tinge. A lightly aromatic wine with strawberry, spice, wheat, and mineral notes. The palate is light bodied with mouthwatering acidity. 49% Mourvèdre, 39% Cinsault, 12% Grenache. 12.6% alcohol. 690 cases produced.

Tranche Cellars Pink Pape Dry Rosé Wine Columbia Valley 2012 $15
 (Good) An aromatically intriguing wine with pink grapefruit, watermelon, and spice. The palate is medium bodied with a creamy mouthfeel and a zing of acid, finishing a touch bitter. 12.9% alcohol. Sample provided by winery. Reviewed March 26, 2013

Wysling Rosé Columbia Valley 2012 $13
 (Good) A moderately aromatic wine with abundant herbs and melon. It’s bone dry with a textured feel and a tart, slightly bitter finish. 13% alcohol. 50 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Amavi Cellars Cabernet Franc Rosé Walla Walla Valley 2012 $21
 (Decent/Good) A medium cherry color with a slight orange tinge. It’s moderately aromatic with strawberries, cherry, and braised green pepper. The palate is dry and medium bodied with abundant spice flavors, showing some heat on the finish. 100% Cabernet Franc. Waliser (70%) and Summit View vineyards. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. 13.9% alcohol. 203 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Mannina Cellars Madily Rosé Walla Walla Valley 2012 $12
(Decent/Good) Medium cherry colored. Brightly aromatic with watermelon, cherry, and orange peel. It’s off-dry, medium bodied with a creamy feel. 100% Mourvèdre. 12.9% alcohol. 64 cases produced.

Stoller Estate Grown Pinot Noir Rosé Dundee Hills 2012 $20
(Decent) Medium cherry colored. Moderately aromatic with ripe cherry and bubblegum. The palate is medium bodied with the alcohol bleeding through considerably. Combination of saignee and whole cluster pressings. Fermented and aged in stainless steel and neutral oak. 14.1% alcohol. 500 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.

Waterbrook Sangiovese Rose Columbia Valley 2012 $11
85 points. Pale salmon colored, this is a straightforward summer sipper with notes of cherry, watermelon, and wet stone. It drinks dry with a hint of effervescence and tart flavors. Wine Enthusiast 7/1/2013

Wind Rose Cellars Rosato Dry Rosé Wine Washington State 2012 $15
 (Decent) Medium salmon in color with rose petal, watermelon, bubblegum, and some reductive notes. The palate is medium-plus bodied with plump fruit flavors. 51% Nebbiolo, 18% Dolcetto, 17% Primitivo, and 14% Barbera. 13.2% alcohol. 120 cases produced. Sample provided by winery. Reviewed May 9 2013

The August issue of WLX Wine and Dine Magazine has an article I wrote on actor Kyle MacLachlan and his ...pursued by bear project. You can read the article here.

Also, the August and September issues of Wine Enthusiast have a series of wine reviews for my areas of coverage for the magazine.

Enjoy!

The September issue of Seattle Metropolitan magazine is coming out this week and contains this year’s Top 100 Washington wines list. This is the fourth year that I’ve had the pleasure to write this article for the magazine.

This year’s list was drawn from over 600 submissions, meaning that making the list was more competitive than ever. Truly – were it not for space issues - we could have extended it to two hundred wines and still maintained an extraordinarily high level of quality.

We made a number of changes to the list this year – partly out of an interest in mixing things up and partly out of necessity. As in previous years, wines were tasted in varietal sets and scored using a 100-point system to create the list. However, unlike previous years, we did not publish these scores to avoid any conflicts with my work for Wine Enthusiast.

This made a new approach to the format of the list a necessity. The result: Rather than creating a straight one to one hundred list based on numerical point scores (and ordering based on score, price and overall excitement) as in previous years, this year’s list is divided up into a series of sub-lists which were created based on the same factors. These lists – which were determined subsequent to the tastings – are as follows:

Top 15 – The top wines tasted regardless of category or variety, the best of the best.
Chardonnay
Rieslings
Syrah
Rising Stars
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Food Friendly Favorites
Varietal Whites and Blends
Red Blends
Bang for the Buck
A Sense of Place
Unsung Heroes of Washington Wine

In addition to these lists – which comprise the Top 100 - there are also lists for Top Wines $25 and Under and Top Wines $15 and Under.

My hope is that – though the wines listed do not have scores attached – dividing them up into these sub-lists will help provide context. Dividing the list up in this manner also had secondary effects, creating some additional diversity for the wines therein and showing groupings.

In addition to the Top 100 list, the issue also contains a list of five wine road trips written by Allison Williams. Subscribers were sent the issue over the weekend. It will be on Seattle area newsstands this week and available on-line at the beginning of September.

Enjoy!

A round-up of stories on Washington wine from August 8^th to 14^th 2013. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the country…

Long Island Newsday writes about Charles and Charles launching their 2012 Chardonnay.

The Kansas City Star gives a list of Washington wineries to consider when choosing your next bottle.

The Cape Gazette writes about Washington Viognier.

From the blogosphere…

Great Northwest Wine writes about the replanting of the Circle Block at Champoux. They also write about the Triple Door pairing wine and burlesque.

Paul Gregutt writes about wine labels. He also writes about wine ads.

The Wine Economist writes that it’s a brave new world on planet Riesling.

Wine Peeps writes about Red Willow’s 40^th anniversary.

Lucha Vino compares a Washington Tempranillo to one from Ribero del Duero.

Woodinville Wine Update writes about upcoming events.

Write for Wine writes about EFESTE’s Big Papa Cabernet.

Under the Grape Tree writes about a Washington Road Trip.

AgInfo.net writes about China looking at Walla Walla wine. They also write about Walla Walla wineries hosting Chinese trade officials and exporting Washington wine.


From the locals…

The Bellingham Herald writes about grape harvest looming.

The North Kitsap Herald writes that the weather has been a roller coaster for winemakers.

The Union-Bulletin writes about Allen Shoup of Long Shadows.

The Wenatchee World writes about the NCW Awards.


That's all folks!

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

From around the country...

The Kansas City Star writes that Washington state wineries offer a bounty of fine flavors.

Orange Coast writes about the Januik Cabernet.


From around the blogosphere...

Northwest Wine Anthem writes about Amavi Cellars. 

Great Northwest Wine writes that Walla Walla wineries learn about Hong Kong market. They also write that Washington winemakers remember Walter Clore 10 years after death.

Paul Gregutt writes an open letter to consumers of Washington wine.

Wine Peeps writes about a challenging wine pairing. 

The Zinfandel Chronicles writes in defense of Merlot.

Lucha Vino features a match of two Washington State wines in Seattle v. Lake Chelan cross state BDX style battle. 

WineEyak writes that wine is a time machine to the early1980′s.

The Woodinville Wine Update writes about Fidelitas Wines new Woodinville tasting room.

Write for Wine writes about L’Ecole No 41’s Estate Caberbet Franc.

Under the Grape Tree writes about a Washington road trip. Read more here, here, and here.

AgInfo.net writes that China looks at Walla Walla.


From the locals...

The Seattle Times writes about Alexandria Nicole.

The News Tribune writes that Washington State Fair seeks amateur brewers, winemakers for contest. They also write about Ross Andrew.

The Bellingham Herald writes about the Ancient Lakes.


Leftovers…

Boom Consumer writes about the Walter Clore Center receiving federal funds.


That's all folks!

It’s a fun time of year in the vineyards. Grapes are turning color but no harvest work yet (at least not in Washington). Mostly, this is the time to watch the grapes soak up the sun while imagining the wine that is in the offing. Washington's vineyards are where you’ll find contributing photographer Richard Duval just about any day between now and crush. Among his favorite spots? Red Mountain.

 “Washington is blessed with such beautiful vineyards, and Red Mountain is one of the jewels in the crown,” he said. “Much sun, great terroir, and a beauty that grows with each season. I captured this image at Portrait Cellars, and it has quickly become one of my favorites.” Click on the picture for a larger image.

See previous Pic of the Vine images here.

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

From around the country...

Wired Magazine shares an infographic on how global warming will change the face of winemaking.

The Cleveland Plain-Dealer writes about the Charles & Charles Rose 2012.

Emporia Gazette writes about Riesling.

The Dallas Morning News writes about the Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling.

The Pensacola News Journal writes about Mercer Estates Syrah.


From around the blogosphere...

Great Northwest Wine writes about Wind Rose Cellars. They also write about Puget Sound Business Journal honoring a Seattle wine retailer, Washington’s Col Solare selecting a new head winemaker, the first director of Washington wine industry embracing foundation work, veraison, Northwest Syrahs, and Impulse Wine.

Paul Gregutt writes about Sauvignon Blanc. He also writes about àMaurice Cellars and Soos Creek.

WineEyak writes about the climate of the Yakima Valley AVA.

Wine Peeps writes about Riesling. They also write about the Waterbrook Sangiovese Rosé.

Wine Law Northwest visits Woodinville tasting rooms.

Northwest Wine Anthem writes about Alexandria Nicole. They also write that wine is food.

The Washington Vine writes about Vintage Spokane 2013 and Spokane Wineries.

Wild 4 Washington Wine writes about Parejas Band of Sisters 2012.

The Blue Collar Wine Guy writes about Seifert and Jones Wine Merchants.

Woodinville Wine Update writes about upcoming events.

Under the Grape Tree writes about a Washington wine roadtrip.


From the locals...

The Seattle Times reports writes about the Wahluke Slope.

The Spokesman-Review writes about Bridge Press Cellars. They also write about Patit Creek.

The Bellingham Herald writes about the Horse Heaven Hills. They also write about the Ancient Lakes.

The Tri-City Herald writes about the countdown to harvest.

The Herald.net writes about Precept.

Wenatchee World writes about the North Central Wine Awards.

KAPPTV writes about Walla Walla being nominated for “America’s best small town for food.”

Pacific Northwest Inlander gives a Washington wine 101.


Leftovers (posts missed from previous weeks)…

The Herald writes about Holmes Harbor.


That's all folks!

Summary of Posts for June 2013

Washington Tasting Room Magazine Article on ‘The Rocks’

Washington Wine Roun-up June 22^nd to 20^th 2013

Pic of the Vine July 2013

Washington Wine Round-up July 1^st to 7^th 2013

July Virtual Tasting – Barnard Griffin Pinot Gris 2012

Fresh Sheet July 18^th 2013

Washington Wine Round-up July 8^th to 14^th 2013

Veraison in Eastern Washington

Tonight! July Virtual Tasting Barnard Griffin Pinot Gris 2012

Pictures From the Horse Heaven Hills

Washington Wine Round-up July 15^th t0 21^st 2013

Six Steps for Starting a Wine Tasting Group

'Anew' Look at Riesling From Ste. Michelle