Washington

• Columbia Valley
• Horse Heaven Hills
• Red Mountain
• Wahluke Slope
• Walla Walla
• Yakima Valley

Sineann is an Oregon producer but they make wines in many places.  The vines for this wine are almost one hundred years old and are just inside the Washington border.  It is an excellent Zin, that is not full throttle but not shy either.  It ages nicely too.  Purple in color.  The nose has some spice, plenty of cherries and a bit of plums.  On the palate, there is a nice gravelly quality underneath some nice cherry fruit.  It is young and exuberant at the moment but if you prefer a more claret style, this should cruise into that in another ten years.  It will work with meats and peppery foo

One of the best Cabs from Sineann I have had.  This is classic Washington Cab.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose is great with black cherries, slight fresh rubber and tarragon.  On the palate, this is deep and intense.  Black cherry fruit over spice.  It unwinds in the glass.  Firm tannins.  Drank over three nights and it was best on night three.  Long finish.  This will work with a wide variety of foods.  Probably needs about five to seven years and then should be good for fifteen after that.  If opening now, decant for six to eight hours.   

Looking for a nice value in dessert wines?  This one retails for around $15 and is nice.  Golden in color.  The nose has nice pineapple fruit, with a bit of lychee and peach.  On the palate, the pineapple carries thru.  This is sweet.  A bit of honey.  Nice to have a couple of ounces on its own.  

This is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Syrah from Cayuse Vineyard in Washington.  At eleven years from vintage it is rolling along just fine.  Pop and pour and it was drinking quite well.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, black cherries, slight burnt rubber/iron and a bit of a slight green herbal note (tarragon?).  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Juicy, black raspberries, black cherries with slight char underneath.  Good finish.  Worked well with roasted mushrooms.  Should have another decade left if well stored but I doubt it

Purple in color.  The nose is ok with cherries and dust.  On the palate, this is easy drinking.  Cherries with some underling spice.  Nice texture.  Nothing wrong but nothing exciting either except the price.  This is around $15 which is a nice price for a party.  

This is their basic Cabernet from a winery that makes both Washington and Oregon wines.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, sandalwood and fresh cut lumber.  On the palate, this has medium tannins.  There is a fair amount of oak, but also plenty of cassis fruit.  Easy drinking.  Good finish.  For a $30 Cab, this is a nice value.  Some depth.  Needs a couple of years and drink over the next five to seven after that.  

Purple in color, ruby t the rim.  The nose has cassis and bell pepper.  Also some baking spice.  The bell pepper is distracting but eventually mostly blows off which is fine.  On the palate, this is better.  Cassis with some underlying oak/spice.  Some depth and complexity.  Seems tight and a bit shut down at this point, so give it plenty of air if opening.  This will work with medium and heavier foods nicely.  Certainly has potential for improvement.  

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with dusty black cherries.  A bit of an herbal streak On the palate, this has tart cherry fruit with underlying char and spice.  Nice depth.  A bit of heat on the finish.  This seems to be made in a bit riper style though it should continue to settle down as it matures.  It should be good for a couple of decades after that.  

One of the stars of Washington wines.  Purple, ruby at the rim.  The nose is really interesting.  It had a spiciness which seems quite unique.  Also some black cherries, kirsch, and toast.  On the palate, this is still tannic.  Plenty of black cherry fruit though, so this should continue to develop.  Medium bodied.  Plenty of ripeness here but not over the top.  Some heat on the finish.  It drinks well now, but seems like further improvement is likely.  Needs bigger foods to pair with.  

Treasure Hunter wines have made a nice name for themselves buying excess juice that was not wanted and repackaging it and selling it at a lower price.  Some offerings are, of course, better than others.  This one is quite good.  It retails for around $20 which is an excellent value for a quality Washington sate Cabernet.  Purple in color.  The nose has nice cassis with leather and some cedar spice.  On the palate, this has nice Cassis fruit.  Some underlying spice.  Medium tannins.  Good finish.  Will work with heartier foods.  Very solid and actually, better than just solid.