Washington State Wine Tasting

Washington State Wine Tasting – Episode #307

September 4, 2007

Gary Vaynerchuk sure has been yapping a whole lot about Washington State and today he does a little tasting on 4 wines from the wonderful North West!

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Comments on this episode(235) Leave a comment ›

“As a lifelong Washington resident, Im glad to see the wines bringing s…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
“first comment. live in seattle love the washington wines. love the sh…” by David
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Chatter Creek Cabernet Franc Alder RidgeWashington Cabernet Franc
2004 L’ecole 41 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia ValleyWashington Cabernet Sauvignon
2004 Pepper Bridge MerlotWashington Merlot
2004 Delille Doyenne SyrahWashington Syrah

235 Responses

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September 6, 2007

fatherthechair
Hysterical episode. I have had a few Washington wines over the years but since I’ve been paying attention about six months ago, the only one I’ve had is the ‘06 Chateau St Michelle Dry Rose that Gary tasted on ep. 270. Serious bang for the buck there.
September 6, 2007

The BoBo
I’m a recent transplant from the midwest to the Columbia valley area. Ok so Washington state is #2 in the U.S. in wine production & 90% of you people never knew about this stuff. I dont know why it’s such a secret. I’m the guy in love with dessert wines always looking for German Eiwein. So to answer the QOTD it would be #2 Tera Blanca chenin blanc ice wine and #1 is 2004 Siegerrebe from Bainbridge Island Winery. sweet golden honey my friend.
September 6, 2007

Matt the Lurker
QOTD – 2008 Poopy Diaper Cab Franc

I’m not really sure what I’m waiting for. I’ll get on it.
September 6, 2007

Wino4Life
QOTD

2002 DUNHAM, CABERNET SAUVIGNON (PURCHASED FROM WL)
September 6, 2007

BelgianBeerMistress
QOTD: I havta go with Columbia Crest – their 2 vines Merlots and Chardonnays are cheap, but I luv em.
September 6, 2007

Dawn
QOTD: Chateau Ste. Michelle Orphelin, Kestrel Co-Ferment Syrah
September 6, 2007

Catie
What Steve B said:

The three “F’s” – Frederick, Feather and Forgeron Chardonnay are some of the very best in Washington state.
September 6, 2007

Steve B
QOTD: Springl Valley “Uriah” and “Frederick” (Right Bank and Left Bank style blends, respectively), both absolutely magnificent. Also Long Shadows “Feather” (made by Randy Dunn) and Forgeron Chardonnay, a really clean white.
September 6, 2007

Oregon Jim
I haven’t seen the show yet, I think your server or mine is down. I have read all the comments. Nice to see Matthews and Whitman mentioned. I can’t believe how many folks get to taste Quilceda, Leonetti, and Cayuse! Awesome! I would like to mention a couple of wines from Oregon that are in the Walla Walla AVA. One is Le Ecole’s Seven Hills 2002 Syrah. Seven Hills is a fantastic vinyard located in Oregon, the other is Zerba an Oregon producer who grows and makes his own Syrah. I suggest his 2003 Estate Syrah. Put your hat on backwards before trying these!
September 6, 2007

vivaitalia
I’m so tired of over-oaked washington red blends!
September 6, 2007

Happy Wine Guy
GV, another great episode.
QOTD – K Vintners “The Creator”, first time I had it I was speaking in tongues.
Nick – it is a 60/40 Syrah/Cab
September 6, 2007

Sean S
Thanks for doing my home state. My favorite is the Andrake X-Merlot made right here in O-town. Gary, have you heard of this?
September 5, 2007

Svaros
I was invited to a comparative tasting of some of Washington’s NorthStar Merlots against some of the Prestige Cru wines from St Emilion and Pomerol. As such, I decided to hold off commenting until after the tasting.

I’m not a professional by any stretch of the imagination. I was invited by a friend who had taken a position at St Michelle Wine Estates, the parent company of Northstar, and was one of the only non-industry people there.

The three flights that we tasted were:

1st Flight
2003 NorthStar Columbia Valley Merlot
2003 Chateau Bellevue Mondotte
2003 Chateau Clos Fourtet
2003 Chateau L’Evangile
2003 Chateau Pavie

2nd Flight
2003 NorthStar Walla Walla Valley Merlot
2003 Chateau Cheval Blanc
2003 Chateau La Gomerie
2003 Chateau Magrez-Fombrauge
2003 Chateau Pavie Macquin

3rd Flight
2004 NorthStar Columbia Valley Merlot
2004 Chateau Bellevue Mondotte
2004 Chateau LaFleur Pomerol
2004 Chateau L’Evangile
2004 Chateau Pavie

The tasting was done double blind, and the 2003 and 2004 Columbia Valley Merlot was chosen by the group over the rest. It was definitely made in the old world style, and would have taken someone expecting a fruit bomb by surprise.

The other interesting thing was that in these wines, the aromas and flavors that neophyte oenophiles (including myself) sometimes struggle were amazingly obvious.

QOTD: 2003 NorthStar Columbia Valley Merlot
September 5, 2007

pete c
QOTD- Matthews Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon- expensive but very good
September 5, 2007

T Scott
Can’t lurk when you’re doing my home state.

QOTD: The ‘03 Chateau St. Michelle Syrah Reserve that we had at our wedding reception last year.
September 5, 2007

yowens
GV- I can’t see myself enjoying the poop- maybe I’m wrong- I’ll try it. QOTD: I think probably l’ecole’s semillon, but I’ve only had a couple.
September 5, 2007

jhollo77
QOTD: Anything from Basel Cellars… K Vintners, Walla Walla Vintners, Pepper Bridge, North Star, and Va Piano are also on the top of my list. Those are all Walla Walla wineries, but it’s all I can think about right now — We’re headed there for wine tasting this weekend! Can’t wait!
September 5, 2007

Arthur
I Loved the Hedges 2004 cab. Very tasty…
September 5, 2007

Stevo
Great show…again. Cant say I had any that you have tried, hopefully I can find it around Hawaii. QOTD= Eroica Reisling, Dr. Loosen and Chateau St. Michelle got it right. This is the only reisling that I have enjoyed coming out of USA
September 5, 2007

madange
Finally, a long overdue Washington wine spotlight show. If I can recall almost all of the Washington wines you’ve reviewed on the show have been solid scoring wines…the lowest being(correct me if I’m wrong) an 85pt 2003 L’ecole Seven Hills Merlot. I think your absolutely correct in recognizing the purity of fruit in Washington wines. I’ve also experienced earthier style wines from Washington. One of my favorites is Winemaker Charlie Hoppes’s 2003 Fidelitas Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon…can you say “loam”. I was a big fan of 2002 Gordon Brothers Merlot with hints of coffee, leather, and roasted sage leaf. In fact, I’ve enjoyed almost all of their estate grown red wines of recent vintage. You’d do yourself a favor by sampling some Washington Rieslings as well. The 2005 Hogue Genesis Riesling, for example, is loaded with honey-lemon and petrol infused peaches all with a terrific acidic backbone that would give many wines from Alsace and Mosel a run for their money…especially @
September 5, 2007

KyBoy
Having just moved out of Washington St I’m thrilled to see this episode. Kentucky doesn’t quite carry the selection of value priced wines that I could find in WA. QOTD- 2000 Arbor Crest Dionysus. Very nice Bordeaux style wine. The 2001 was very good as well.
September 5, 2007

Kevin C.
QOTD: Feather from Long Shadows is my favorite wine from Washington. A Cabernet Sauvignon made by Randy Dunn that is a great wine.
September 5, 2007

mrzitro
QOTD: Portteus 2005 Malbec
September 5, 2007

babalooo
Hey Gary, 2nd time posting, so I’m not a lurker anymore.

QOTD: I know a little about Washington wines as I did a wine tour there in June. Loved SO MANY WA wines! My favorite I guess is “boutique” b/c it’s a small winery but Maison de Padgett and Horizon’s Edge – two FUN wines.

I also enjoyed Hedges, Barnard Griffin, Powers, too many to remember right now.
September 5, 2007

ScottB
oops…must also mention the 2003 Reininger Syrah from Walla Walla. Excellent wine and only about $26.