I remember vividly the time a wine sales rep. told me he didn’t like Washington wine in general. I couldn’t believe that he was serious, and to this day I rib him about that statement. First of all, if you are truly immersed in the wine world, there are few wine regions that you do not like. There may be varietals you are not fond of, but it is never a sweeping rejection of an entire region.
Washington is the picture of diversity. Maybe not as diverse as let’s say Italy, but certainly enough diversity of terroir to keep any wine lover happy. Think of the great areas where wine are produced in Washington State. Red Mountain, Columbia Gorge, Rattlesnake Hills, Walla Walla, Wahluke Slope and Horse Heaven Hills. There are thirteen AVAs in Washington State, soon to be fourteen from what I have heard on the streets. From all these unique viticultural areas, come some very unique, distinct wines.
March is the official and original Washington Wine Month, so I will dedicate this blog to reviewing fifty Washington wines. I hope you enjoy the reviews, and some side-notes on Washington wine facts. Follow me on my journey through Washington Wine Month…
2010 Memaloose “Mistral Ranch” Red (Columbia Valley, WA)… $20.
Memaloose owns two vineyards that are farmed sustainably and three that are farmed organically. Their wines lean more towards an “old world” style and are great with food.
Aromas of blueberries, grape jam, bloody meat and dusty rocks (I really like this nose). Blueberries and cassis notes all over the palate, matched by a beam of bright acidity. This is a mouth-watering wine with good balance, that would be tough to pick as a “new world” wine in a blind tasting line-up. 84% syrah, 11% & 5% grenache (B+)
Non-vintage Result Of A Crush Red Table Wine (Walla Walla, WA)… $25.
Smokey cherries and currants come through on the nose. Dusty minerals on the palate followed by notes of Bing cherries, currants, cassis, rose petals and violets. There is a bloody meat element on the mid-palate that is subtle. There is a nice balance of acidity that carries the fruit notes into the medium to long finish.
This wine has some good pedigree as an extension of the Reynvann family (Reynvann wines are receiving some big accolades). Sisters Amanda and Angela team up with consulting wine maker and brother Matt Reynvann. (B+/A-)
2012 Renegade Wine Co. Red (Columbia Valley, WA)… $10.
This is a tale of two wines and I feel a need to tell the story. I reviewed this wine on my Youtube channel “Stan The Wine Man”, and wasn’t thrilled with it. After it had much more time to breathe, it came to life and was an entirely different and better wine. It’s not often you have to decant a $10 bottle for a long time, but this is an exception to the rule. I want to tip my hat to wine maker Trey Busch (Sleight of Hand) for doing such a nice job with this red blend (I suggest however, that you put instructions on the label to “decant extensively before consuming”).
A blend of 40% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot 16% cabernet franc, 3% malbec & 2% petite verdot, this red exhibits a nose of grape juice (go figure), tobacco and currants. There is a huge load of dark fruits and spices on the front of the palate. Smooth, polished tannins back the big fruit notes that flow big and smooth across the palate into a spice driven finish with a touch of minerals coming through. A great bottle of wine for ten bucks. (B)
This is my first three Washington Wine reviews. Join me tomorrow with a few more Washington wine facts, and more reviews.
Cheers! Stan The Wine Man
