Washington State Wine – Episode #177

February 6, 2007

Wines tasted in this episode:

Today Gary sits down and really gets into Washington State wine. This part of the country is bringing the thunder and many people don’t know how good it really is! Sit back and enjoy this run through Walla Walla and more.

132 Responses

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February 7, 2007

Justmarsh
Wait, let me get this straight. You’re riding a unicorn through a rainbow, smoking a cigar when you suddenly get hit in the mouth with a purple paintball that makes you swallow the chocolate shake in your mouth.

Can someone please make a Vayniac shirt of this?
February 7, 2007

luvgrapesqeezings
Rock on Gary! Recently I have enjoyed ‘03 and ‘04 Novelty Hill cab. In addition, I have had the ‘03 Hedges Three Vineyards Red that is very extracted and firmly structured which should evolve nicely over the next few years. Have you tried any wines from Leonetti Vineyards?
February 7, 2007

Joel Bombardier
Gary,

First let me thank you for:
1: Sending the love out to your brothers in the North West(Washington), we appreciate having the wines in our back yard featured on WLTV.
2: Focusing on Delille Cellars, I am a HUGE fan of this Winary and am estatic that you gave them the nod.

Second, let me address the QOTD:

Recently, and coincidentally, I have been on a Walla Walla specific kick.
I have had three significant wines from the region.

Hightower Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Whitman Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
With those two cabernets I was honestly a little dissapointed, just not “great wines” they were good, but not great, and for the year, location, and price (30 ish), I just expected more.

Walla Walla Vinters Cuvee 2003
The Cuvee is a big favourite of mine, huge flavor, amazing color, dark fruit, chocolate, dirt, what more could one ask for.

Finally,
Sweetbread Cellars Pinot Noir 2005
This wine was actually made by an aquaintance of mine on Vashon Island Wa, and this wine is as you say “stupid good.” And I will leave it at that, oh and the nose is worth just FINDING the damn stuff.

(honorable mention) Washington’s (Hedges) CMS (price point ~ 10 dollars) is quite good, really one of the best “everyday” wines available, I could see it getting a solid 88 points. Really, quite good for the money.

Thank you, and goodnight.

P.S
I have been saving a 2001 DeLille Chaleur Estate Blanc, and hoping for a good opportunity.
February 7, 2007

Darlene O.
Hey, Gary, LOVED this episode, to see the diversity in the Washington State wines. A great education! Thanks! QOD: Nope. Never had, to my knowledge, a Washington State wine. Now, of course, I’ll have to remedy that!!
February 7, 2007

Panoca
Excellent episode. Washington State wines will crash California ones in a very near future.
February 7, 2007

Lil Luce
OMG! Dirty Dancing, Darth Vader (but don’t be scared), Skittles Rainbow, you don’t like analagies? I can’t decide which of these statements made me laugh harder….

QOTD: I LOVE Washington St wines ever since I went to Seattle on a business trip. I spent two joyous hours in a place that featured boutique wines called The Tasting Room. I currently have on hand:
Brian Carter ‘98 Solesce (Columbia Valley),
Buty Rediviva Stones (Syrah/cab sauv) ‘03 from Walla Walla,
Reininger 2001 Cab Sauv,
L’Ecole No. 41 2004 Chenin Blanc.

Some of these weren’t cheap, but I agree with you, Gary. The value for what you are buying beats most of what you get in Cali. I will add Cayuse to the list. I have heard that Spring Valley Vineyards is also top notch (and also sold on WL).
February 7, 2007

ATLien
QTD: Dunham Cellars!! Real!
February 7, 2007

E
Oh, I forgot Kiona Lemberger. It’s Blaufrankisch, only from WA–good, and different, but I can’t find it anymore.
February 6, 2007

Ken
Thanks for the episode on Washington State wines. Hopefully the prices will not escalate too much with their increased popularity. I will make it a point to seek out some more wine from Washington. Also, Iâ€™ve found Merlot from Washington to be very likable and almost â€œright bankâ€ in some aspects. IMO the Merlot beat those from CA hands down.
QOD: Iâ€™ve had some WA wines but not as many as I would like. One of my favorites is the CC Walter Clore â€“ delicious stuff!! I havenâ€™t had the Cayuse yet but it is on my â€œto tryâ€ list.
February 6, 2007

deadgame
QOD: For those really drink everyday, sometimes multiple bottles, these are cheap, easy to find(at least in WA) and very good: Sagelands 2003 Merlot($13); Snoqualmie 2003 Syrah($5.49, really); Columbia Crest Grand Estates Syrah($10) and Columbia Winery 2005 Gewurzt($9).
February 6, 2007

Jack:)
Great show. I love the mega tasteings.

Don’t like the analogies?… Are you kidding me?
Your analogies are one of your signature traits.

Real WA wine. Colombia Crest Gewertraminer- Great wine!
February 6, 2007

Shotgun
Bring the Thunder. Great show. That’s what we are looking for…
February 6, 2007

Riezin
I had my wedding at a place in Philly where you could provide all the alcohol. I served 2 whites, 2 reds, and sparkling, and one of the reds was the Ruah Desert Wind 1998. Its a bordeaux-style blend. This was just last September so it was drinking really well, but if was definitely ready – not something with a ton of life left i dont suspect. Enjoyed it though. Thanks for the Wash State ep, definitely someplace that gets overlooked, glad you raised my consciousness of it.
February 6, 2007

Ken B.
Great episode Gary!

YOU ARE CHANGING THE WINE WORLD!
February 6, 2007

Dave-from-Katonah
Wow this is sooo freaky! I just finished reading the new WS C-du-Pape issue, which incl an article on WA state wines. I was just about to Ask WLTV about doing a show on WA state wines, when…wammo..9 wines being tasted tonight!!! Freaky!! Great show…BTW – has anyone ever had any Betz Family Vineyards wines??
February 6, 2007

stewart l
Great episode-I love Wash. state syrah. Presently in my cellar I have the 2000 and 2001 C. Crest reserve syrahs which are still tasting great,I also have the 1999 C. Crest Walter Clore reserve cab. I have sev bottles left of the 1999 Kiona Cab which is great and recently purchased the 2003 Syncline syrah from Columbia Valley. Good qpr for these wines, none were over 25 dollars when bought!
February 6, 2007

jason carey
Isenhower, Syrah, Mourvedre and a white viognier mix are all terrific..
Check out Them apples
February 6, 2007

PatB
Great episode! Nice to see a whole bunch of Washington wines. I agree with you…much greater value than most California wines.
February 6, 2007

ChrisR
WOW!! You brought the thunder today!! When I saw Delille and Cayuse on “This Just In,” I went nuts. And then you go and review them too like you read my mind. Awesome ep!
February 6, 2007

Dale Cruse
Did anyone else note the “sem-ill-on” pronunciation?
February 6, 2007

DS
Gary,
Greetings from a three-week lurker. Thank you a million times over for the education and entertainment in the midst of a brutal cold snap on the Great Plains. This episode on Washington wines was just too good to let slide without comment. Like many I have consumed Columbia Crest, Ch. Ste. Michelle, Columbia Winery, Covey Run, Hedges, and Hogue, and found some pretty good value there. Best Washingnton red to daate has been an ‘02 Cougar Crest Syrah and best white an ‘02 Viento Viogner (which might actually have been made in Washington from grapes sourced just south of the Rio Columbia. Keep the good stuff coming, Gary, and thanks again.
February 6, 2007

wannaBconnoisseur
Great show!!

I have not had many Washington wines that I can remember, look forward to trying some.
February 6, 2007

E
That was almost like two episodes in one.

QOD: Andrew Will cab = good, Goose Ridge syrah & Vireo = even better.
February 6, 2007

joe
Gary, what do you think of Gordon Brothers?
February 6, 2007

JonE
Big time G-Man. Wow what a great sampling of Washington state. Unfortunately I have not delved thoroughly enough into Washington state, shame on me. Cheers to trying.