Washington State Wines

[powermovers]

Writing to see if any of you out there have tried Washington State wines?  They supply 7% of the nations wine---and growing.

If available in your area, you should try Silverlake wines from the Yakima Valley area....at least the merlot.  My favorite is the 2003 Reserve.  The 2002 is rated higher, but the 03' is much better.  It's deliciuous right from the 1st sniff.   It just smells marvelous, and taste even better---especially with brie cheese believe it or not.

Also another great merlot is Cheateau St. Michelle ( Canon Rigde appelation) Horse Heaven Hills].....just too yummy, and a bit more bold than the wine listed aboove.

These 2 wines list for about $20-$25, but if you are near a Safeway store, or one associated with Safeway, you can pick them up for $16......and $13.50 discounted price if you buy ANY 6 wines.

They also have some of the best reisling in the country.

[whanda]

I think this is a great wine. Do these wines have sites on the net so we can view them?

[powermovers]

Yes they do.   You can go to http://www.ste-michelle.com  OR   http://www.silverlakewinery.com


On the St. Michelle site.  They feature the 2005 vintage Canoe Ridge merlot.....I haven't tried that year yet but I'm sure it's good.   I buy and stock up on the 2004 vintage.

It's fruity, bold, dusty but delishious, right out of the bottle.   But tones and mellows with many levels when decanted and dranked slowly.  Each glass has it's own personality.

Which ones have you tried?

[powermovers]

I just recently came across 2 more Washington State wineries.   The wine is/was absolutely fabulous.
After trying them, and researching them, I found that their wine is VERY sought after....very quickly right out of the gates.

Both are in Walla Walla, which is in the eastern part of the state.   It's very, very hot over there and land is surrounded by glacier carved valleys, and mass rivers---some which even run off into the Columbia River.
Actually, I went to junior college in this city long ago before I drank wine and was only a beer guy.   Also, most of those famous wineries weren't there when I went to school, or was just getting started.

O.K., back to the wine.

The first one is Abeja winery.  We opened one of their 05' cabs.   I know it was to early to open it but I was curious.   The smell, sip after sip, and the flavor it brought out was amazing from this $40 bottle.  Most cabs if opened too early don't do well, no matter how long it decants, but this; was very good now.  Even knowing that, this ones good now, and can be cellared for the next 2 decades.

It was released this past March 1st of 08', with only 1800-2200 cased produced.  This is a small unknown winery to many outside Wash state, and even many in it.  This wine is a 10 out of 10.  I'd say rating would be at between 94-96....it's really that good.

Next is Tamerack cellars, also in Walla Walla. 

I bought a 04' Merlot of theirs 2 months ago and finally tried it last week.  "OH MY GOD!!!!" 
Tooooooo good!  I research this one and found that Wine & Spirits gave it a 92.   I gave it a, "oh my god", and then added another 3 points (95).

I went back in to by more the following week and they were ALL gone.  They only had 05's left that they JUST got in, so I was hesitant to buy one.  I finally did, and WOW!.  I thought the 04' was good, the 05' was even better.   This time Wine & Spirits gave it a 94 rating,  and Wine Advocate gave gave it a 92.   I  again added 2-3 more points than both and would rate it 96-97.

I am immediately leaving work today (4/1/08) and buy 6 or more at the shop this evening, maybe more.  Also the winery says this wine will.  You may have some in a store near you, but if not, check out their website online because they only produced 1 little over 1400 cases.   Do it fast because when you go there, you'll see that most everything they have is sold out, or selling out....so you may have a better chance at a wine shop or grocery store.

Last not but least.  I've tasted many Wash. state wines, and so far 5, even a $11 cab  from Walla Walla.  I think they must have something good over there in the soil, because everything I've had so far has this wonderful earthy and luscious taste.

This is my secret to you.....Enjoy.

p.s.  I'm starting to think and realize some of the best reds come from my state; and I love Calif. reds.

[winelv1]

Check out this link for a great article on Walla Walla which is an up and coming wine area in Washington State.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/getaways/317678_shorttrips31.html Hope the link works.

[powermovers]

Back again with a word from a great Winery and wines from Tamerack Cellars.

Letting everyone know how brilliant this wine is.  I mentioned earlier that I tried the 04' Merlot and it sold out when I tried to fing more.  The on 4/1/08, I found their 05' Merlot which was better than the 04'.   I have just found out that the 05' is sold out now currently and their now onto selling thier 06', as well as their flagship wine with 6 different grapes in it....wow!   

Anyway most of you if you don't live in the Northwest may not have access to it in stores, but if you know anything about wine, and you're a true wine lover, you should do anything in your power to try some of their stuff.  I don't know what they do, but it seems like magic.   I mean you can tastes berries, cherries, chocolate, earthy soil, and just an army of goodness.  It's a very small winery.....maybe making like 1400 cases only of anything and it's good.


This is so good, you should taste it, and save some for yourself.   Do not kid youselves; these wines in this state are so good, and yet mostly inexpensive.   

I'm looking for another good California winery.  Right now, my fav. is Kendall Jackson in Cali.   I wonder if they make good wine on the east coast?

[americanwn]

I live in Walla Walla and believe me it's intimidating to have 130 wineries around you.  Winelv1, Walla Walla is more than "up and coming," by all accounts we are already there!  The problem is I suppose that it is hard to get all the good wine here throughout the rest of the country.  I actually heard someone saying that we have basically reached market saturation in the valley, there are too many wineries, not enough grapes to open more, and not enough demand to drink all of it.  That could be untrue but needless to say there is some great stuff here.  Here are my recomendations.

Dusted Valley Vintners - These guys make some KILLER syrah's, so far they have been pretty low production but I worked for them last year and they were talking about ramping up production.  Look for the birch creek vineyard syrah, squirell tooth alice syrah, and their higher production label, Boomtown. 

DaMa Wines - These ladies make some delicious cab and I really like their riesling.

Charles Smith Wines - This is K Vintners high production label (K Syrah) and includes the Kung Fu girl riesling, Boom Boom syrah (which is AWESOME).

My other favorite wineries in the area are Stephenson Cellars and Trust.

So much wine and so little time to drink it all!
Cheers,
Jeff

[williamgeorgemic]

Washington wine is wine produced from grapes grown in the U.S. state of Washington. Washington ranks second in the United States in the production of wine, behind only California. By 2006, the state had over 31,000 acres (130 km²) of vineyards. Washington produces a full spectrum of wines ranging from mass-produced to premium boutique wines. In 2006, The Wine Advocate gave two perfect scores of 100 points for Cabernet Sauvignon wines made by Quilceda Creek Vintners using grapes from several Washington AVAs. It will be fine and good for health because it is medicated.
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williamgeorgemic
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