Flagship wines from these select Washington State producers are known for their quality, not mass production quantity.
Merriam-Webster defines flagship as “the finest, largest, or most important product to a company.” It is not uncommon for a single wine to define a winery, especially in the operation’s formative years. They are the genius wines, part inspirational and part magical, brought to fruition with site-driven fruit and utmost precision in the making. Many a flagship wine has catapulted a winery to stardom and launched a thousand-fold cases. They are wines that capture the imagination.
If you find yourself thrilled with a particular flagship wine, the odds are high that you will appreciate the rest of the winery’s bottlings as well.
In this section, we review 28 such wines—and hear from winery owners, vintners and managers about what makes these offerings truly special.
Tsillan Cellars 2018 Estate Reserve Malbec
“Finding a magic growing site for Malbec was pure serendipity when we planted the first Malbec vineyard in 2001,” says owner and founder Bob Jankelson. “It was to be a Bordeaux blender until that first taste. The first barrel taste hinted that something special was happening. The estate Malbec quickly attained single varietal status in our line of estate wines. Our 2010 vintage won Best Malbec in the 2013 San Francisco International Competition, showing we could compete with the best from Europe and Argentina. My pedestrian palate was pleased that my enthusiasm was not unfounded.”
95 Pts.
Deep and complex, with enticing aromas of blue and red berries, tobacco, caramel, cinnamon, spice and white pepper. The mouthfeel is concentrated, yet on an elegant scale, flowing with refined rich raspberry, blackberry, light vanilla and lavender notes. Balanced to a tee, with fresh acidity and lingering spice notes on the sustained finish. $55
Maryhill Winery 2017 McKinley Springs Vineyards Cinsaut
Maryhill Winery may be best known for their remarkable array of single-vineyard wines. “Offering over 60 wines, Maryhill’s portfolio is among the most diverse in the state,” says Collyn Scott, manager of the Woodinville tasting room. “This richly, balanced Cinsaut is one of those wines which exemplifies their passion for showcasing so many different varietals and expressions of terroir,” he adds.
94 Pts.
Bright, with silky texture that speaks to finesse and detail, framed with pretty red fruit of cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry intermingled with white pepper, leather and cinnamon accents. A sheen of firm tannins coats the exquisite finish. $48
The Walls Vineyards 2018 Stanley Groovy Red Wine Blend
“Stanley Groovy is one of our flagship wines because it is the wine you are most likely to find at your favorite restaurant or wine bar and has served as a wonderful introduction to The Walls and other wines we produce,” says general manager Carrie Alexander. “It is also comprised of a unique blend of mostly Portuguese varietals and is perfect for pairing with a wide variety of dishes.”
93 Pts.
Standout structure defines this supple red blend, ebbing and flowing with luxurious cherry paste, mission fig, tobacco, olive, cacao nib, floral wild lavender and a tinge of smoke. The flavors permeate the finish with fresh acidity and ultra-fine tannins. $30
Whole Picture 2018 Cabernet Franc by Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards
Don and Judy Phelps planted Cabernet Franc as their first vines in 2005 in the Glacial Gravels vineyard on the north shore of Lake Chelan AVA. “The vineyard soils are a mix of sand, gravel and rocks, which provides a perfect site for this grape to excel,” says grower Don Phelps. “We like to think of the Whole Picture Cabernet Franc from Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards as ‘Made From The Ground Up.’ ”
95 Pts.
These estate grapes for this single varietal were tilled from the glacial soils of the Lake Chelan AVA, captivating the senses with terroir-driven aromas and flavors, hitting upon crushed stone, steeped blackberry and dark cherry with a modicum of dried currants and lovely graphite notes. Beguiling for its purity on the palate, the majestic structure brings unwavering depth and clarity from front to the finish. $55
Chandler Reach Vineyards 2016 Monte Regalo
Monte Regalo, meaning Mountain’s Gift, was the first blend that founder Len Parris ever put together. “Our very first vintage in 2000 was a hand-picked blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot,” says marketing manager Meghan Potter. “Our ‘Gift of the Mountain’ has performed well vintage after vintage, and beginning in 2015 we added Petit Verdot and Carménère to this beautiful blend.”
92 Pts.
This Bordeaux varietal red shows maturity, sculpted with elegant structure supported by savory tannins. Rich flavors of cherry paste, blackberry and violet are layered with tobacco, dried herbs and crushed pebbles that accompany the long finish. $30
Brian Carter Cellars 2015 Solesce
Solesce is the first wine ever made under the Brian Carter Cellars label and dates back to 1997. “When I start blending in the spring of every year, the first red I start with is the Solesce. What this means is that it gets the pick of the litter. If I need it for Solesce it is not available for anything else,” says owner and winemaker Brian Carter. “Solesce, which is our Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend, is the only wine we age for 30 months in the barrel before bottling, everything else ages for either 18 or 22 months.”
94 Pts.
Very suave, yet still youthfully tight, this Left Bank Bordeaux-style red enchants with aromas of mixed dark fruits, violet and dried sage. There’s a textural element at play that deepens the vivid profile of blackberry, cassis and cherry with subtle hints of blue fruit. Fine polished tannins and balanced acidity contribute to the compelling finish. $60
Mercer Estates 2017 Sharp Sisters Red Blend
“This long-time favorite pays tribute to the lively women in our lives,” says owner Brenda Mercer. “Carma Sharp Mercer, the namesake of our Carma Wine Club, and her four sisters were always the life of the party. Naming this fantastic wine after these ladies only seems fitting and is always a favorite in wine club shipments.”
92 Pts.
An absolute charmer, with polished structure and mesmerizing aromas of smoke, blackberry and blueberry. The macerated berry flavors are richly packed, joined by red plum, fig and upbeat notes of sage, graphite, cocoa powder and spice that flourish on the concentrated finish. $25
L’Ecole Nº 41 2017 Estate Seven Hills Vineyard Perigee
In 2002, owner and winemaker Marty Clubb bottled his first Bordeaux blend from Seven Hills Vineyard called Perigee, which means close to the earth. “One of the oldest vineyards is our Estate Seven Hills Vineyard, originally planted in 1980 and expanded several times during the last 40 years,” says Marty. “L’Ecole became a partner in Seven Hills Vineyard in 1997 when we joined Norm McKibben (Pepper Bridge Winery) and Gary Figgins (Leonetti Cellar) in a substantial expansion of this vineyard site. We have used fruit from Seven Hills Vineyard dating back to 1993.”
94 Pts.
Made in the classic tradition of using all five major Bordeaux varietals, this is loaded with sophistication. Finessed raspberry and blackberry fruit roll seamlessly through the elegant structure, heightened by powdery tannins and earthy expressions of cedar box, cocoa powder, and wild herbs that linger on the endless finish. $55
Newhouse Family Vineyards 2012 Vestige
“This wine was created to honor our dad, Alfred Newhouse. He’d been growing wine grapes since 1972 on land he had purchased that had wine grapes growing on it since 1917 on Snipes Mountain,” says owner Marla Newhouse. “He was one of the pioneers of the wine industry in the valley and we thought it was only fitting there should be a wine in his honor from the Snipes Mountain AVA. Thus the name Vestige.”
94 Pts.
Brimming with jammy blackberry, ripe cherry, blueberry and rhubarb flavors, this beguiling red wine is backlit with shining acidity and earthy herbaceous accents. The well-etched sculpture is supported by mocha-tinged tannins and spice notes that gain terrific complexity on the finish. $48
The Bunnell Family Cellar 2012 Discovery Vineyard Syrah
Winemaker Ron Bunnell and his wife Susan, owners of The Bunnell Family Cellar, rank high among the Syrah pioneers and producers of the Yakima Valley. “We have been making a Syrah from the Horse Heaven Hills since our first vintage in 2004 and a 100% Discovery Vineyard since 2009,” says owner Susan Bunnell.
93 Pts.
Silky in texture, this version is filled with savory expressions of aged prosciutto, green olives and dried herbs. Fine-tuned acidity enlivens the nuanced core of black currant and boysenberry flavors mingled with cocoa, violet and spice notes that linger on the aftertaste. $39
DeLille Cellars 2018 D2
One of DeLille’s founding wines, D2 has become the winery’s most sought-after label since the first vintage made in 1992. “D2 takes its name from the grand route du vin, or great wine road that travels through the historic chateau region of Bordeaux,” says Keri Tawney, director of marketing. “Always leading with Merlot, it is a traditional Bordeaux-style blend sourced from over a dozen of the state’s most prestigious vineyards across the Columbia Valley to create the ultimate expression of Washington State terroir.”
92 Pts.
Accents of crushed stone, dried thyme, cocoa, graphite and spice add distinctive character to the energetic flavors of velvety red fruit and dried currants. Polished, with fine-tuned structure and well-buffed tannins that deliver on the long, satisfying finish. $45
Coyote Canyon Winery 2016 Tres Cruces
Mike Andrews has been farming the land since he was young, with a focus on wine grapes. Tres Cruces in Spanish means Three Crosses and is a blend of three different varietals, Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. “Mike has worked with Hispanics for over 40 years and when he started the winery he wanted to pay homage to the site, to his family, to his faith and those that helped him get there over the years,” explains winemaker Justin Michaud. “Mike had visited Israel years ago and the trip helped confirm his faith, and when he returned to Prosser he installed three crosses at the top of the vineyard. Mike can look out and see these crosses every day he is at the vineyard and be reminded of the bigger picture.”
92 Pts.
Smooth and forwardly ripe, with a beam of black currant and raspberry reduction streaming through the bold palate, with well-embedded white peppercorn, graphite and cocoa powder hints gripped by sweet tannins on the finish. $28
J Bell Cellars 2015 Essence Red Blend
“This is one of the two blends we consider our flagship wines,” says Wes Teslo, owner and winemaker. “It is our Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend and I feel it truly embodies all that is unique and wonderful about Bordeaux wines. I enjoy the challenge of continually creating this blend from different vintages to provide something similar-but-different each time to our club members and guests. Essence Wine Club is named after this blend, and members often receive an allocation of the newest release in their fall shipments.”
93 Pts.
Powerfully structured, this smooth Cabernet-dominant red wine appeals with aromas of black cherry, bittersweet chocolate, Madagascar vanilla and cigar box. Chewy tannins lend a muscular edge to the rich palate, mingled with concentrated blackberry, red stone fruit and cedar spice that combine for admirable length. $55
Gamache Vintners 2015 Heritage Collection Euclid
“This red blend from our Heritage Collection gave us the flexibility and creative space to put our 35-plus years of viticultural experience in a bottle,” says general manager Jessica Gamache. “We start the blending process at the vineyard selection level and then select the Bordeaux varietals from those sites that just blend so well together. Washington state is doing some pretty amazing things in the vineyards and we want to share that with others.”
92 Pts.
Crafted from Bordeaux varietals, this red wine portrays elegance in the well-cut structure inlaid with harmonious black cherry and plum flavors mingled with inflections of anise, dried herbs and pencil shavings. Fine tannins and flecks of bright mineral spice extend the expressive finish. $36
Airfield Estates Founders Series 2018 Michael L. Miller
Marcus Miller, president of the winery, named this wine in honor of his father and the winery’s founder, Michael L. Miller. “It contains the very best lots of grapes made from the Rhône varietals grown on our farm. The heart of this blend is made from Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre that were co-fermented together in a 4-ton concrete cube prior to spending 20-plus months in a mix of barrique and puncheon format barrels. It is truly a special wine, from a special vintage, bearing a special name.”
93 Pts.
Intricacies abound in this GSM-red blend, showing commanding focus and structure. Complexly layered with dark currant, black cherry and rich boysenberry fruit that dovetail with expressive details of fig, tobacco and crushed rock. The long finish carries spice accents and well-defined grip. $50
Upchurch Vineyard 2018 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The first vintage of this red wine was released in 2010. “Our estate Cabernet Sauvignon is the wine that started it all,” says Katie Huston, who heads the marketing department. “Founder Chris Upchurch planted Upchurch Vineyard in 2007 to produce a Washington State ‘First Growth’ from our certified sustainable single parcel in Red Mountain.”
95 Pts.
A pillowy mouthfeel adds to the exalted structure, with velvety flavors that gain depth on the midpalate flowing with seamless notes of cassis, dark plum and red currant. Cedar-infused tannins round out the finish, giving it a polished flair that takes it to a whole new level. $75
Three of Cups Winery 2017 L’Astre Syrah, Walla Walla Valley
Winemakers and business partners Mike Metheny and Lisa Swei have been working with Syrah since launching the winery in 2013. “L’Astre means The Star and is that point in the sky that Lisa and I had been looking for to find our Syrah,” explains Mike. “When we moved the source of our Syrah to the Walla Walla Valley, we knew we had made the right decision and our patience was rewarded.”
92 Pts.
Elegant and complexly nuanced, offering meaty, earthy aromas of blueberry and blackberry that pick up exciting energy on the well-balanced and structured midpalate, backed by currants, cinnamon, floral and graphite hints. Firm tannins and refined spice details shine through on the stellar finish. $30
Callan Cellars 2018 Elephant Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
“This is my current favorite vintage from this site and we will continue to make this wine as long as we can,” says owner and winemaker Lisa Callan. She has been making Cabernet Sauvignon with grapes from the Yakima valley since 2014. “The 2018 vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Elephant Mountain Vineyards, a site on the southern slopes of Rattlesnake Ridge. The ridge sits above the Missoula Flood plain with elevations from 1320-1460 feet. The high elevation means that they have about 30 more frost free days than the rest of the Yakima Valley.”
93 Pts.
A velvety rich style, with alluring aromas of dusky dark fruit, pencil shavings and sage. Distinguished flavors of cassis, macerated blackberry, anise and fig flow with agility through the densely structured palate, leaving a lasting impression undercut with firm tannins. $35
Damsel Cellars 2017 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Syrah
“Before ever producing a drop of wine, my favorite varietal was Syrah,” says owner and winemaker Mari Womack. “When I thought about the wine I wanted to make, Syrah was the obvious choice and this is the true flagship—and first—wine ever produced at Damsel Cellars. It is the wine that launched the Damsel style and brand and continues, vintage after vintage, to be one of the favorite wines of our customers and mine.”
92 Pts.
This blend of two Syrah clones offers intriguing aromas of smoke, violet and brooding dark fruit. The sleek structure is heightened by grippy tannins and a bold brambly profile of blackberry, blue plum, cracked peppercorn and black olive notes that roll seamlessly through the long finish. $28
Lord Lion Winery 2016 Walla Walla Valley Carménère
Graham Cox, owner and winemaker, says Carménère has become a signature wine. “Wine lovers are joining the club especially to get the Carménère as the early vintages are limited in supply. The 2016 version spent two years in new French oak barrels and two years maturing in the bottle, giving it a smoothness and well-rounded boldness with just a hint of the white pepper tones.”
93 Pts.
Enchantingly rich, yet without being overly assertive, displaying elegant tannins and harmonious flavors of capsicum pepper aligned with cassis, dark plum and dried strawberry. Coffee, white pepper and mineral spice notes extend the earthy character on the drawn-out finish. A fine representation of this varietal from Washington. $40
WIT Cellars 2017 Olsen Vineyards Petit Verdot
“We have been working with Olsen Vineyards and their exceptional growers since 2004, building a rich history with them, resulting in knowing how to treat the beautiful fruit,” says Cat (Carolina) Warwick, part of the winemaking team. “We believe this is the best location for growing Petit Verdot. We source it from Block 23, located high on the Roza, north of Benton City. It is ideally located, with a south facing slope and high elevation, to maximize sun exposure and air drainage.”
93 Pts.
Offering fragrant aromas of berries, violet and cranberry, this complex version is broad and generous on the rich, savory palate. Brooding, with towering structure surging with plump blackberry, cassis and cherry paste, the flavors are embedded with earthen spice and herbaceous hints. Satiny tannins add depth and extend the lengthy finish. $50
Thurston Wolfe 2018 Zinfandel
Zinfandel and Petite Sirah are both flagship wines at Thurston Wolfe winery. “These two varieties make up the bulk of our red wine varietals and blends and they are rare varieties for Washington,” says Wade Wolfe, owner and winemaker. “We have five acres of Zinfandel and produce about 20 tons each year. What does not go into the varietal Zinfandel goes into the Dr. Wolfe’s Family Red where Zinfandel is the predominate variety.”
90 Pts.
Complex and full-bodied, offering rich, striking aromas of spiced cherry and pencil lead. Smooth and solidly structured, the jammy flavors of black raspberry, strawberry and cherry weave together in unison on the high-toned midpalate. Briar patch and cedar notes extend the finish. $20
Stottle Winery 2016 Big Eddie
“Big Eddie has been a hit since it was first released in 2012. We actually came up with the name in 2010, named for Amy Stottlemyer’s father, but we were waiting to come up with a blend that fit the name—a big wine with a big personality,” says owner and winemaker Josh Stottlemyer. “It quickly became our best seller and remains so today. We obsess over blending this Right Bank Bordeaux-style blend, doing as many as 40 different trials with each vintage and blending down to hundredths of a percent.”
92 Pts.
This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec displays broad supple flavors of blackberry, currants, violet and notes of strawberry, draped over savory herbs of mint leaf, sage and thyme. The tannins are well integrated yet maintain a firm grip on the expansive finish. $38
Ryan Patrick 2017 Rock Island Red
This flagship wine pays homage to the winery’s humble beginnings in the small town of Rock Island, Washington. “The founders believed everyone should have access to quality wines at an affordable price. This wine is a fantastic representation of a great Washington wine that justifiably outperforms its price point,” says Eric Skaare, who manages the Prosser tasting room.
91 Pts.
Smooth and seamless, loaded with cassis, rich blackberry and dark cherry fruit mixed with cedary shadings of cocoa powder, ample spice and sweet tannins. There’s good duration on the full-flavored finish. $22
Cedergreen Cellars 2009 Merlot
“When we started making wine, our goal was to make the best Merlot in the state, and selected vineyards tailored to make our flagship wine,” says owner Julie Baker Cedergreen. She and her husband, Kevin Cedergreen, blend only the best barrel lots for their Merlot each year. “It is elegant, gorgeous, and showcases the romance of Washington State Merlot. The grapes come from Conner Lee (cooler site) and Clifton Hills (warmer site), that provide balanced acidity and fruit with big flavors.”
93 Pts.
Impeccably structured, silky and graceful, offering gravelly earth accents cloaked in voluminous flavors of dark cherry paste and steeped plum, complemented by notes of black olive and baker’s chocolate. Smooth tannins and tobacco hints adorn the creamy, saturated finish. $45
Poppi Bittersweet Vermouth by DiStefano Winery
Winery founder Mark Newton switched his focus to vermouth, a wine-based aperitif, a couple of years ago and now produces three high-quality vermouths. “The name Poppi was coined by my daughter, Catherine, when she was very young,” says Mark. “My late mother’s name, Patricia, was too difficult for Catherine to pronounce, so she called her grandmother Poppi instead. The name stuck.”
92 Pts.
DiStefano Winery, a third generation American-Italian family, crafts this Cabernet-based vermouth filled with bitter, herbal, floral and dry flavors and aromatics. Fortified and infused with 21 botanicals, if offers a range of sweet cherry, bitter orange and lemon peel mixed with cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, tree bark and anise notes. Try with a Negroni or Manhattan. $18, 500ml
Convergence Zone Cellars 2017 Storm Front
“Storm Front is our most popular and highest production wine, yet still only at 115 cases or so annually,” says Scott Greenberg, owner and winemaker. “Storm Front was our first red wine starting in 2008. It embodies the reason we started a winery—to produce balanced, bold red blends.”
91 Pts.
Bursting with red stone fruit, currants, violet and rose petal expressions, picking up cigar box, dark coffee beans, mulberry, sage and mineral accents. Shows good depth and harmony, with fine tannins that linger. $29
Patterson Cellars 2019 Sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir
“Our flagship sparkling wines are both fun and challenging to make,” says cellar master Jim Hewiston. “Fun because of the celebratory factor, challenging because the margin for error is much smaller than still wines. Sparkling wine also happens to be John Patterson’s favorite wine!”
92 Pts.
Finely meshed and creamy, this sparkling rosé is laced with expressive ripe cherry, red berries, apricot and pastry cream flavors. A tang of salinity and mandarin zest glide across the lush finish with fine beads. $42