Wine Enthusiast Magazine just released the Top Wine & Spirits Listings for 2009. Check out the link for all of the nitty-gritty details, but at quick glance, Washington and Oregon fared very well!
Here's the rundown for the Northwest.
The Enthusiast 100 - the most dynamic and diverse wines available:
2: Charles Smith 2006 Royal City Syrah (Columbia Valley)Top 100 Best Buys -- less than $15 with outstanding quality:
8: Poet’s Leap 2007 Riesling (Columbia Valley)
16: Betz Family 2006 Père de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley)
39: Fielding Hills 2007 RiverBend Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Wahluke Slope)
49: Adelsheim 2007 Winderlea Vineyard Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills)
54: Abacela 2005 South Face Block Reserve Syrah (Southern Oregon)
62: Leonetti Cellar 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla)
82: Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen 2008 Eroica Riesling (Columbia Valley)
86: Stevens 2006 BlackTongue Syrah (Yakima Valley)
91: Chehalem 2006 Ian’s Reserve Chardonnay (Dundee Hills)
95: Rôtie Cellars 2007 Red Wine (Southern Blend) (Horse Heaven Hills)
97: Woodward Canyon 2006 Merlot (Columbia Valley)
3: Pacific Rim 2008 Organic Riesing (Columbia Valley (WA)
11: Washington Hills 2007 Summit Reserve Late Harvest Riesling (Columbia Valley)
13: Kirkland Signature 2006 Merlot (Columbia Valley)
17: McKinley Springs 2007 Viognier (Horse Heaven Hills)
21: Merry Cellars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (Wahluke Slope)
38: Upland Estates 2007 Gewürztraminer (Yakima Valley-Snipes Mountain)
43: Kungfu Girl 2008 Riesling (Columbia Valley)
57: Arbor Crest 2006 Merlot (Columbia Valley)
63: Milbrandt Vineyards 2006 Traditions Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley)
69: Hogue 2006 Cabernet Merlot (Columbia Valley)
71: Chateau Ste. Michelle 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (Columbia Valley)
73: Snoqualmie 2007 Chardonnay (Columbia Valley)
76: Covey Run 2006 Reserve Chardonnay (Columbia Valley)
80: Hedges 2007 C.M.S. Red (Columbia Valley)
84: A to Z Wineworks 2008 Pinot Gris (Oregon)
89: Columbia Crest Two Vines 2007 Gewürztraminer (Columbia Valley)
Top 100 Cellar Selections -- most ageable wines of the year:
4: Betz Family 2006 La Serenne Syrah (Columbia Valley)So there you have it! For those keeping track at home, the Northwest represented 12% of the The Enthusiast 100, 16% of the Top 100 Value Wines, and 5% of the Top 100 Cellar Selections. An impressive showing for the region!
12: Woodward Canyon 2006 Estate Red Wine (Walla Walla)
44: Chateau Rollat 2006 Edouard de Rollat Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla)
95: McCrea Cellars 2005 Cuvée Orleans Syrah (Yakima Valley)
98: Erath 2006 Bishop Creek Pinot Noir (Yamhill-Carlton District)
More detailed analysis to come, I just wanted to share the info.
What a great and powerful list of wines. Great representation from the full spectrum of wines.
ReplyDeleteOf the list, what are some of your favorites? Even narrowing a list of 100 down to just those from one region is still a long list, and I always lean heavily on recommendations. What do you say?
ReplyDeleteRon...I have really dug some Woodward Canyon wine lately, I'd try that one :)
ReplyDelete