Category Archives: USA – Washington

Caprio Cellars, Walla Walla Valley (Washington) “Sanitella” Estate Red Wine 2020

($88):  An unnecessarily heavy bottle forecasts a hefty wine, which it is.  A Cabernet Sauvignon-heavy blend pumped up with Malbec and Merlot, it delivers riper black fruit notes wrapped with suave tannins.  Despite a richer and deeper profile compared to Caprio’s “Eleanor” bottling, it still has an engaging and balancing bitterness in the finish. Read more

Columbia Winery, Columbia Valley (Washington) Merlot 2016

($16):  Here is a reminder that good character-filled wine is available for less than $20.  A solid and deep Merlot, it combines herbal nuances with dark fruit notes.  Supple tannins mean it’s perfect for a hearty beef dish tonight.  A delectable hint of bitterness in the finish reinforces the idea that this Merlot is meant more for the table than for, “I’ll have a glass of Merlot” at the bar.Read more

Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen, Columbia Valley (Washington) Riesling “Eroica Gold” 2012

($30): The 2012 Eroica Gold, the inaugural vintage for this super wine, may explain the exceptional quality of the 2012 Eroica.  If I had to guess, the winemaking team compulsively selected grapes — ones with even a hint of extra ripeness went into the Gold Eroica keeping the 2012 Eroica even brighter and more vibrant than usual. … Read more

Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen, Columbia Valley (Washington) Riesling “Eroica” 2012

($22): In 1999, Dr. Ernst Loosen, a leading producer in the Mosel (the ancestral home of the Riesling grape) and Chateau Ste Michelle embarked on a collaboration to produce world class Riesling in Washington’s Columbia Valley.  The collaboration made sense since Chateau Ste Michelle was among the first to plant Riesling in Washington and the Dr.… Read more

Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley (Washington) Chardonnay Indian Wells 2012

($18): Though a more restrained — thankfully — style of Chardonnay, Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Indian Wells bottling doesn’t lack flavor.  A subtle creaminess enhances the spicy tropical fruit-tinged flavors.  It’s 14.5% stated alcohol shows as a touch of heat in the finish, but doesn’t detract once you match this wine with grilled swordfish.… Read more

Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen, Columbia Valley (Washington) Riesling “Eroica” 2012

($20): Eroica, a collaboration of Ernst Loosen of Germany’s Dr. Loosen and Bob Bertheau of Chateau Ste. Michelle, has been one of the finest Rieslings made in America since its 1999 debut.  It’s a blend of grapes grown throughout eastern Washington, composed by Loosen and Bertheau (after all, the wine is named for Beethoven’s Third Symphony). … Read more

Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley (Columbia Valley, Washington) Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Creek Vineyard 2010

($30): More tannic and muscular than Chateau Ste. Michelle’s very good Canoe Ridge Estate Cabernet, their Cold Creek Vineyard bottling is mineraly and dense. It is far less approachable at this stage than their Canoe Ridge Estate, which makes it a good candidate for a couple of more years in the bottle before pulling the cork.… Read more

Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley (Washington) Riesling Cold Creek Vineyard 2012

($18): Although Chateau Ste. Michelle does a consistently fine job with its entire range of varietal wines, they are especially talented when it comes to Riesling. This one is pure and precise. Its subtle sweetness is underpinned by riveting acidity, making it a superb choice either as a stand-alone aperitif or to accompany full flavored Asian cuisine.… Read more

Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley (Washington State) Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Creek Vineyard 2009

($30): A big step up from their very good Columbia Valley Cabernet, this single vineyard bottling from Chateau Ste Michelle is worth the premium. Although it’s more concentrated, its real virtue lies in the plethora of flavors it delivers. To complement the black fruit, there’s minerality and hints of earth that impart a savory component.… Read more

Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley (Washington) Riesling “Waussie” 2011

($22): Chateau Ste. Michelle, a world leader for Riesling, has done it again with this distinctive one. Super-talented Australian winemaker, Wendy Stuckey, calls it “Waussie” (Washington + Australia) Riesling because of its crisp Aussie style. I call it terrific. Citrus-infused and dry (appropriately indicated on the back label with the International Riesling Foundations [IRF] scale), its riveting acidity may overwhelm you if you sip as an aperitif.… Read more

Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen, Columbia Valley (Washington) Riesling “Eroica” 2011

($20):  Dr. Loosen, the famed German producer, and Chateau Ste. Michelle joined forces over a decade ago with the aim of making a stunning Riesling in Washington.  Well, they’ve succeeded and its name is Eroica.  The 2011, which may be their best ever, has a brilliant combination of lacey fruitiness–an almost Spätlese ripeness–offset by riveting acidity.  … Read more

Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley (Washington) Gewurztraminer 2010

($9):  What’s so remarkable about Château Ste. Michelle, Washington’s largest producer, is their ability to make terrific inexpensive as well as stunning high-end wines.  This bargain-priced Gewürztraminer delivers spiced fruit-flavors (gewürz means spicy), cutting citrus acidity and a whiff of sweetness that amplifies the wine’s spicy side. … Read more