Dodging bullets is a skill that Washington winemakers have honed in recent vintages. In the face of threats including excessive heat, killer frost and wildfire smoke, they still managed to make impressive wines.
That's a testament not only to their determination, but also to the superiority of the terroir in Washington's Columbia Valley.
The 2019 reds that now dominate the market are a prime example of that. The growing season was nearly ideal until a statewide frost arrived in early October, ending the harvest and leaving some late ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and other reds hanging on the vines. The state's largest producer, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, lost about 20% of its crop. That means fewer bottles of Washington reds for consumers, yet the overall quality of the offerings remains high.
That's the upshot, based on my blind tastings of nearly 350 wines in our Napa office since my last full report on Washington ("Standing Strong," Oct. 15, 2021), including more than 100 wines that were featured in my Washington wine focus last summer (June 30, 2022). My preliminary rating of the 2019 vintage was 89-92 on Wine Spectator's 100-point scale, which reflected caution over the impact of the freeze. After tasting a full range of wines, however, I rate the vintage 94 points overall.
At Cayuse, Christophe Baron and Elizabeth Bourcier once again set the pace with two 97-point Syrahs: the Walla Walla Valley Cailloux Vineyard 2019 ($92) and Walla Walla Valley En Chamberlin Vineyard 2019 ($92). Their No Girls Syrah Walla Walla Valley La Paciencia Vineyard 2019 ($76) also earned 97 points.
Grown in rocky soils, these are all boldly flavored wines that retain detail and dimension. Grenache is another house specialty, and the Horsepower Walla Walla Valley Sur Echalas Vineyard 2019 (95 points, $122) is vibrant, earthy and complex.
Denne historien er fra March 31, 2023-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 31, 2023-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
New Zealand's Success Story
From small beginnings, the country’s wines have ascended to global prominence
Wine Is Healthiest Choice for Drinkers
Decades of research has linked light to moderate drinking, especially of wine, to a range of health benefits.
In Pursuit of the Perfect Crust
“Dough is always the hardest challenge for any home chef,” explains chef and restaurateur Tony Gemignani. “But it’s the foundation of any great pizza.”
SEAVEY VINEYARD
In Napa’s Conn Valley, a family-run winery marches to its own drum
CALIFORNIA RHONES Show Their Range
RECENT VINTAGES DELIVER EXCELLENT REDS AND WHITES IN AN ARRAY OF STYLES
Tuscany Comes of Age
Anchored by the 2021 vintage, Tuscan reds set a new standard of quality
The Absolute Best Places to Eat and Drink in America
PROFILES OF THE 63 WINE SPECTATOR GRAND AWARD WINNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TODAY, AS THE PROGRAM MARKS ITS 44TH YEAR
Events- A Grand Tour for Wine Spectator- a perfect day with an evening of outstanding wines.
A young couple in shorts and festival shirts sped into the ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott on a mission.
Big Wine Players Target Pinot Noir - Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they're looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they’re looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Restaurant Awards- Lazy Bear- Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it's so much more.
Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it’s so much more. This Mission District restaurant effortlessly strips away the formality of a multicourse dinner and replaces it with conviviality, nostalgia and curiosity. With reverence for time and place, Lazy Bear is an ode to California where guests dine in concert with the season and can explore diverse wines, including an impressive collection of older California vintages.
