Washington

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

This is from a can although it appears they also sell this in bottles.  It is a blend of Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Grenache.  It has a reasonably deep pink/ruby color.  The nose has cherries and raspberries.  On the palate, this is easy drinking and refreshing.  Flavors of cherries and strawberries.  No tannins.  Ready to drink now.  Worked well with salty fried food but should go with a wide variety of foods.  The trend of wine cans is catching on.  For wines that are made for now, this is a convenient, non-breakable alternative.  I hope more wineries go this route.  

This is a Syrah from Washington state.  I am not up on my Washington vintages but I don't recall 2011 as being special.  Hopefully, this wine shows better in better vintages.  Purple in color.  The nose has some generic black fruit.  On the palate, there is some boysenberry.  Not much depth.  A bit bitter on the finish.  It seems like it might be a bit past its prime.  If you have any, hopefully it shows a bit better.  

This is an interesting take on this varietal more known in Austria than Washington state.  Light green/gold in color and very pale.  The nose is nice with a lemon/lime quality but also a bit of pear and slight asparagus note.  On the palate, this has a tart lemon/lime note.  Slightly oily viscous texture.  A hint of sweetness but good acidity to work with it.  Still fresh but seems a bit rounder than on release.  It will be interesting to see how this ages though I would recommend drinking most of them in the next three years.  It will work with lighter foods or on its own.   

This is join venture made in Washington state.  Back in the day, this was a bit pricey vis a vis the other options but the price has remained stable and now full retail is about $25.  A nice wine for that price.  Light golden in color.  The nose has peaches, minerals and slight char.  With air a slight lychee note emerges.  On the palate, this is just slightly sweet.  Peaches with nice minerality.  A softer texture.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and should for the next five to ten at least.  It will work with almost any food.  Spicy foods would be great!  

Another Washington wine that was nice to try.  97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petite Verdot.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with cassis, some chocolate, a bit of blueberries and spice.  On the palate, this has a lush texture.  It is tight but with air opens in the glass.  Cassis and blueberry fruit with spice and oak.  It needs a few years and will probably improve by a point or two.  Nice finish.  It is concentrated but a big wine and will need bigger foods or great on its own.  

Wow.  My first time trying this wine and it is spectacular.  Purple in color with a slight ruby rim.  The nose has toast, black raspberries and black pepper.  With air notes of soy sauce and black olives emerge.  Full bodied but this lovely silky but powerful texture.  On the palate, this has great boysenberry fruit with an underlying minerality.  It is deep and complex and persistent on the palate.  It is also delicious.  Long finish.  This will easily continue to improve for a decade and be good for another decade or two after that.  It worked great with a spicy pasta dish but would work

This is a very nice Cab Franc from Washington.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, tobacco and slight bell pepper.  On the palate, this has a nice complexity.  Good fruits black cherries and cherries with underlying herbal notes.  Good finish.  Slight tannins.  This works better with foods and went well with a home made pizza.  It seems still young and might get better but should easily last another 5 to ten years.  

This is an inexpensive Pinot Grigio from Washington state.  It costs about $10 which is fair.  Light white gold/copper in color.  The nose is light but mostly minerals.  Easy drinking although it finishes bitter.  Has some acidity.  If this is the option at a party, it is fine.  Drink now.  

This is a great value in Washington Cab.  Originally from younger vines in the Champoux vineyard, these wine have been made for 20+ years now.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, sandalwood, slight bell pepper.  On the palate, this has nice cassis fruit with an underlying char.  Full bodied.  A nice complexity, it takes some time (about an hour) to fully open up.  Firm tannins.  Juicy acidity.  In style, this is somewhere less ripe than Napa and more than Bordeaux.  It easily has a decade or more left.  Works great on its own or with bigger foods.  

This is doing quite well at 11 years from vintage.  It is a Washington state Cab Franc that in its youth was boisterous and ripe but has calmed down, picked up some funk and is drinking well.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, slight tobacco and baking spice.  On the palate, this has wispy tannins.  Good juicy black cherry fruit with underlying char and a bit of forest floor.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  Works well on its own or with some bigger or medium foods especially roast.