Local Wines

AFFORDABLE WASHINGTON WINES

 Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 2011 Picks from Washington

10. Washington Hills 2010 Sauvignon Blanc (Washington)
15. Hogue 2009 Gewürztraminer (Columbia Valley)
27. Stonecap 2009 Merlot (Columbia Valley)
34. J. Bookwalter 2010 Anecdote Riesling (Columbia Valley)
39. David Hill 2009 Estate Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley)
44. Terrapin Cellars 2010 Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley)
50. Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Blanc de Blancs (Columbia Valley)
85. Barnard Griffin 2009 Fumé Blanc (Columbia Valley)
96. Arbor Crest 2009 Bacchus Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Columbia Valley)

Seattle Times Washington Wine Picks Under $30

Reds
70. Gordon Brothers 2007 Syrah ($17)
75. Waterbrook 2008 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($20)
76. Arbor Crest 2009 Three Vineyards Syrah ($20)
48. Salida 2006 Tempranillo ($24)
79. Tranche 2006 Syrah ($25)
25. Ch. Ste. Michelle 2007 Cold Creek Vineyard Merlot ($28)
26. Tulpen Cellars 2007 Merlot ($28)
49. Hard Row to Hoe 2008 Syrah ($28)
80. Watermill 2008 Estate Cabernet Franc ($28)
81. Bunchgrass 2008 Founder’s Blend Cab Franc-Merlot ($28)
82. Isenhower 2008 Wild Thyme Cabernet Sauvignon ($29)
28. Kontos Cellars 2008 Syrah ($30)
50. Syncline 2009 McKinley Springs Vineyard Syrah ($30)
83. Soos Creek 2008 Ciel du Cheval Cabernet Sauvignon ($30)
84. Obelisco Estate 2008 Merlot ($30)

Whites
65. Olsen Estates 2009 Blanc des Coteaux ($12)
66. Lujon 2009 Pinot Gris ($12)
67. O• S 2010 Champoux Vineyard Riesling ($15)
68. Hestia Cellars 2009 Chenin Blanc ($15)
69. Thistle 2010 Pinot Blanc ($16)
71. Penner-Ash 2009 Riesling ($18)
72. Yamhill Valley 2009 Riesling ($18)
73. Barrister 2010 Klipsun Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc ($19)
74. Quady North 2010 Pistoleta White ($19)
24. Dunham 2009 Lewis Estate Riesling ($20)
45. Rulo 2009 Sundance Vineyard Chardonnay ($20)
46. Pacific Rim 2009 Solstice Vineyard Riesling ($22)
77. Cadaretta 2010 sbs ($23)
78. Chehalem 2009 Corral Creek Riesling ($24)
27. ArborBrook 2008 Sydney Sémillon ($28)
7. Efesté 2009 Lola Chardonnay ($30)
51. Cowhorn 2009 Viognier ($30)

 

Washington’s Best Blends at $15 and Under

Olsen Estates 2008 Red Wine; $15. A red Rhône-style blend based on syrah, all estate-grown. Deep black fruits, thick streaks of composty loam, veins of coffee and licorice, and penetrating, fully ripe tannins.

Seven Hills 2008 Planing Mill Red; $16. Firm and tartly wound, with cassis and black cherry at the core of a young, stiffly tannic, cabernet-based blend.

O• S 2007 Red; $18. A nice follow-up to the 2006 Red, which was a featured pick a year ago. Merlot, cabernet, cab franc and a splash of petit verdot make for an edgy wine with good grip and substantial tannins.

Saviah Cellars 2009 The Jack Cabernet Sauvignon; $15. Forward and fruity with black cherry hard-candy flavors. It adds just the barest hint of earth and fungus, giving it some welcome depth and detail.

Saviah Cellars 2009 The Jack; $15. A merlot-based red blend, aged in American oak. Strawberries and plums dance into a detailed wine with fine-grained tannins and a pleasing herbal streak.

Boomtown 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon; $15. Solid fruit anchors this value offering. A fairly tannic wine, it’s loaded with herbal highlights along with licorice, clove, vanilla and tobacco.

Milbrandt Vineyards 2008 Traditions Merlot; $15. This has assertive vanilla and tobacco flavors, but also shows substantial berry and cherry fruit at the heart of the wine.