
Washington
An important winegrowing state increasingly recognized for its high-quality reds and whites...
An important winegrowing state increasingly recognized for its high-quality reds and whites, Washington ranks second in production in the U.S. after California. Washington wines continue to gain well-deserved popularity as they garner higher and higher praise from critics and consumers alike.
Washington winemakers draw inspiration mainly from Napa Valley, Bordeaux and the Rhône as well as increasingly from other regions like Spain and Italy. Most viticulture takes place on the eastern side of the state—an arid desert in the rain shadow of the Cascade mountains. Irrigation is made possible by the Columbia River. Temperatures are extreme, with hot and dry summers and cold winters, during which frost can be a risk.
Washington’s wine industry was initially built on Merlot, which remains an important variety to this day, despite having been overtaken in acreage planted by Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Bordeaux blends and Rhône blends are common as well as single varietal bottlings. Washington reds tend to express a real purity of concentrated fruit. The best examples have a bold richness, seamless texture, plush or powdery tannins and flavors such as licorice, herb, forest floor, espresso and dark chocolate.
In terms of white wine, Riesling is the state’s major success story, producing crisp, aromatic examples with plenty of stone fruit that range from bone dry to lusciously sweet. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc perform nicely here as well, and Viognier is beginning to pick up steam.
-
Leonetti Merlot (scuffed labels) 2011Merlot from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
- RP
- WS
-
Cote Bonneville Carriage House Red Blend 2011Bordeaux Red Blends from Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WE
-
Three Rivers River's Red Blend 2011Other Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
-
Goose Ridge g3 Red Wine 2011Bordeaux Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
-
Spring Valley Nina Lee Syrah 2011Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
- RP
- WS
-
J. Bookwalter Protagonist 2011Bordeaux Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
- RP
- WE
-
Figgins Estate Red Wine 2011Bordeaux Red Blends from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
- RP
- WS
-
Mercer Estates Cavalie Reserve 2011Bordeaux Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
-
Barnard Griffin Syrah 2011Syrah/Shiraz from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
-
Buty Rediviva of the Stones 2011Other Red Blends from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
- TP
- WS
-
Mercer Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
-
Efeste Ceidleigh Syrah 2011Syrah/Shiraz from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
- WS
-
Cayuse En Cerise Syrah 2011Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
- RP
- WS
-
Cayuse God Only Knows Grenache 2011Grenache from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WE
- WS
-
Cadence Cara Maria Vineyard Bel Canto 2011Bordeaux Red Blends from Red Mountain, Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WE
-
Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
- RP
- WS
-
Seven Hills Winery Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
-
Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
- WE
-
Owen Roe Chapel Block Red Willow Vineyard Syrah 2011Syrah/Shiraz from Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
- WS
-
Efeste Final Final Red Blend 2011Other Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
-
Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WE
-
L'Ecole 41 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
-
Efeste Big Papa Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
-
Matthews Winery Claret 2011Bordeaux Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WS
- WE
-
Cadence Taptiel 2011Bordeaux Red Blends from Red Mountain, Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
- WE