Guide to Wine Scores

Specializing in Bordeaux  varietal blends, the Seattle-based OS Winery recently relocated to the Georgetown neighborhood just south of downtown. “The new location and tasting room is more convenient for our customers and gives us the opportunity to create new relationships with those who are new to our wine,” says second-generation owner Peggy Sullivan, who has been involved … [Read more...] about OS Winery 2012 Sonas Merlot, $25

Coming from a family that is six generations deep in the Walla Walla Valley, brothers Chris and Cameron Kontos have a deep connection to the local community.  Their father is a partner and co-winemaker at Fort Walla Walla Cellars, and has had a strong influence on Cameron’s winemaking style. Cameron took wine classes at Walla Walla Community College and then spent an … [Read more...] about Kontos Cellars 2011 Walla Walla Valley Merlot, $34

Owners Dave and Michelle Dufenhorst were inspired by the European tradition of small family vineyards during bicycle rides in France and Italy and decided to plant a few vines and build a home on land they purchased in Orondo, not far from Chelan. However, once Dave turned to consulting winemaker Ron Bunnell (Bunnell Family Cellars) to take a look at the viability of the … [Read more...] about Rocky Pond 2013 Clos Chevalle Vineyard Riesling, $20

Owned by Bowin Lindgren of Connecticut, Chateau Rollat has had an established tasting room presence in Walla Walla but recently opened a second one at their production winery in Woodinville. The winery is named in honor of Lindgren’s great grandfather, Edouard Rollat, one of the foremost wine authorities in New York at the turn of the last century.  Rollat was the sommelier … [Read more...] about Chateau Rollat 2010 “Edouard” Red Wine, $62

Côte Bonneville, founded by Hugh and Kathy Shiels in 2001, showcases the incredible grapes they grow at DuBrul Vineyard, one of the premium sites in the Yakima Valley (featured in the Spring 2010 issue). Traditional winemaking techniques are combined with cutting edge science under the skillful guidance of daughter and winemaker, Kerry Shiels.  Kerry has been immersed in the … [Read more...] about Côte Bonneville 2009 Carriage House Red Wine, $50

Mike Conway was assistant winemaker for California’s Parducci Winery before he and his wife Ellena moved to Washington in 1980. “With the help of grape grower Mike Hogue, we actually started two wineries—our own Latah Creek and Mike Hogue’s Hogue Cellars,” Conway told Tasting Room Magazine.  “Three years later when it became impossible to make wines for both wineries my full … [Read more...] about Latah Creek Monarch Red, $20

Winemaker Morgan Lee continues to bring fresh, innovative ideas and winemaking techniques to this boutique Woodinville winery.  He allowed the grapes, sourced from Olsen Vineyard in the Yakima Valley, extended maceration to create this artistic and interesting wine. Nose: A pretty hue of light orange and perfumed aromas of white rose petals, jasmine and candied … [Read more...] about Two Vintners 2013 O.G. Gewürztraminer, $28

The very first Syrah vineyard block planted in Washington State was at Red Willow Vineyard in 1986, making it truly the mother of Washington Syrah.  It is estimated that 80 percent of all Syrah plantings in Washington can be traced back to cuttings from this vineyard.  Owen Roe winemaker David O'Reilly carefully selected the grapes used in this alluring Syrah from one of the … [Read more...] about Owen Roe 2012 Syrah Chapel Block, Red Willow Vineyard, $55

One of Woodinville's founding wineries, DeLille Cellars holds a long tradition of producing quality Bordeaux varietal wines. They have been producing the Chaleur Estate Blanc since 1995—a classic French styled wine produced from a barrel fermented blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.  The 2013 vintage is two thirds Sauvignon Blanc and one-third Semillon (sourced from … [Read more...] about DeLille Cellars 2013 Chaleur Estate Blanc, $38

Chris Figgins cut his teeth on cult wines while growing up on the family's iconic Walla Walla winery helping his father, Gary Figgins, founder of Leonetti Cellars.  An integral partner at Leonetti today, Chris utilized his adeptness in the vineyard and cellar to launch his own project several years ago.  FIGGINS is a winery with one Walla Walla vineyard that produces a … [Read more...] about FIGGINS 2011 Estate Red Wine, $85

Wenatchee is home to dozens of wineries that are worth exploring, not just for great wine, but for surprising bargain values like this Gewürztraminer from Martin-Scott Winery.  Mike Scott turned to vineyards after a life of fruit farming, bringing his agriculture knowledge and growing skills to vineyard management.  Twenty years later, Martin-Scott Winery, run by Mike and his … [Read more...] about Martin-Scott 2013 Gewürztraminer, $16

This wine is a gorgeous gem from the team at Betz Family Winery, where they have been sourcing grapes used in this Syrah from Boushey Vineyards for 13 vintages.  The high altitude Yakima Valley vineyard site benefits from cooler desert temperatures which contribute to the purity and concentration of fruit flavors showcased in this outstanding wine. Nose: Restrained black … [Read more...] about Betz Family Winery 2012 La Serenne Syrah, $55

Founded in 2000 by Nina Buty, the winery's talent includes winemaker Chris Dowsett and acclaimed consultanting winemaker Zelma Long. In 2013, Buty Cellars began harvesting Sémillon for this traditional white Bordeaux style blend from Boushey Vineyard. They also source Sémillon from the oldest block of Rosebud Ranch on the warm Wahluke Slope. Using grapes from these very … [Read more...] about Buty 2013 Sémillon, Sauvignon & Muscadelle, $25

The combined winemaking talent of Michael Corliss, Andrew Trio and Philippe Melka shine brilliantly with this masterful and opulent offering from Walla Walla-based Corliss Estates.  The winery maintains an impressive 450-acres of estate-grown vineyards in Red Mountain, Walla Walla Valley and Yakima Valley AVAs. Nose: Floral aromas infused with red fruit, coffee bean, pencil … [Read more...] about Corliss 2009 Red Wine, $75

Cave B Estate Winery is located in the Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley AVA, a region especially well-known for producing outstanding white grape varietals.  Under the deft hand of winemaker Alfredo "Freddy" Arredondo (formerly a chef), Cave B's estate-grown wines are crafted using minimalist interventionist techniques: no added enzymes, sugars or acids. This dazzling white … [Read more...] about Cave B 2012 Cuvée Blanc, $25

One of Lake Chelan's founding wineries, Tsillan Cellars is an Italian country style winery, full-service restaurant and event venue established in 2000 by visionary Dr. Robert Jankelson. The tasting room is a must-see destination that's hard to miss on the south side of the lake on Hwy 97A about three miles from the resort town of Chelan.  Mediterranean charm oozes from the … [Read more...] about Tsillan Cellars 2013 Estate Gewürztraminer, $14

Pondera is a boutique winery in Woodinville's Warehouse Winery District.  Owner Dan Howard is often found pouring wines in the tasting room and his talented son Shane excels in the cellar duties where he crafts small lots of premium award-winning Bordeaux style blends and varietals. The 2010 SVS Number One is a 'single vineyard series,' a rich, sumptuous blend sourced from … [Read more...] about Pondera Winery 2010 SVS Number One, $45

A self-taught winemaker who once managed rock and roll bands, Charles Smith is an artisan and a pioneer in the wine world who brings his brands to life on the local and international stage with innate marketing talent and the genius of a natural born innovator. The 'Beautiful Syrah' is truly a beautiful wine in every sense, as "feminine" in character as a Syrah can be — thus … [Read more...] about K Vintners 2012 The Beautiful Syrah, $50

Located on a beautiful stretch of the scenic Columbia Gorge, Jacob Williams is a family-owned winery named after Brad Gearhart’s two sons, Jacob and William. For over a decade, owner Brad Gearhart and winemaking veteran John Haw have teamed up to produce quality wines sourced from top vineyards in the region. Nose: Floral aromas of fresh apple, apricot, quince and … [Read more...] about Jacob Williams 2013 Gewürztraminer, $22

W.T. Vintners is a partnership between father and son George and George White, and sommelier Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen of Seattle’s RN74 restaurant. “Single vineyard wines are the lifeblood of the winery,” Lindsay-Thorsen told Tasting Room Magazine.  He crafts three different terroir-driven Syrahs, which are his primary focus. He originally got involved in winemaking by working … [Read more...] about W.T. Vintners 2011 Damavian Les Collines Syrah, $42

This Walla Walla winery was established by the Middleton family in 2005.  The winery's most popular bottling is this distinctive white Bordeaux blend of 72% Sauvignon blanc and 28% Semillon, a refreshing companion for a wide variety of Pacific Northwest seafood dishes. Nose: Racy aromas of grapefruit, lime and pear offset with grassy herbal tones. Taste: Brisk and … [Read more...] about Cadaretta 2013 SBS, $23

Col Solare is a partnership between Washington's Chateau Ste. Michelle and the 600-year old Antinori wine family of Italy. This 2011 release is the first-ever Red Mountain-designated vintage of its flagship red blend, dominated with Cabernet Sauvignon (77%) and blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Nose: Dusky aromas of red and black fruit, currant, cedar, and … [Read more...] about Col Solare 2011 Red Mountain Red Wine, $75