Washington Wine Buying Guide: The Bottles That Impressed Our Judges
Meet the winners and finalists of our 2017 Washington State Wine Awards.
By Seattle Magazine Staff July 25, 2017
This article originally appeared in the August 2017 issue of Seattle magazine.
Check out the full list of our Washington Wine Award winners here.
Some of the wines in this story may be sold out in stores or at the winery, but can often be purchased at restaurants, or from online retailers or collectors. Bottle prices were derived from two retailers and the winery, when possible. Retail prices may vary.
White Wine of the Year
Forgeron 2014 Chardonnay,
Columbia Valley $28
Chardonnay, $20 or less
Winner: Chateau Ste. Michelle 2015 Indian Wells Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $18
Finalists: For a Song 2015 Chardonnay, Ancient Lakes, Caliche Lake Vineyard, $11–$15; Charles Smith 2014 Eve Chardonnay, Washington State, $13
Honorable mention: Airfield Estates 2015 Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $15
Chardonnay, $20–$35
Winner: Forgeron 2014 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $28
Finalists: Dusted Valley 2015 Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, Olsen Vineyard, $34; Ashan 2015 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $25
Chardonnay, more than $35
Winner: Côte Bonneville 2014 Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, DuBrul Vineyard, $50
Finalists: Woodward 2015 Chardonnay, Columbia Gorge, Celilo Vineyard, $74; Ashan by Gorman 2014 Chardonnay, Columbia Gorge, Celilo Vineyard, $40
Honorable mention: Woodward Canyon 2014 Chardonnay, Washington State, $44
Sauvignon Blanc, all prices
Winner: Efestē 2015 Feral Sauvignon Blanc, Ancient Lakes, Evergreen Vineyard, $20
Finalists: Avennia 2015 Oliane Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, $28; Guardian 2015 Angel Sauvignon Blanc, Red Mountain, Klipsun Vineyard, $20
Honorable mention: Savage Grace 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard, $20
Riesling, Dry, all prices
Winner: Efestē 2014 Evergreen Riesling, Ancient Lakes, Evergreen Vineyard, $20
Finalists: Chateau Ste. Michelle 2015 Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10; Tempus 2014 Riesling, Ancient Lakes, Evergreen Vineyard, $18
Honorable mention: Pacific Rim 2014 Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley, $11
Riesling, Off-dry, all prices
Winner:Milbrandt 2014 Traditions Riesling, Columbia Valley, $13
Finalists: Nine Hats by Long Shadows 2015 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $14; Poet’s Leap by Long Shadows 2015 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $20
Honorable mention: Savage Grace 2016 Riesling, Columbia Gorge, Underwood Mountain Vineyards, $22
Rosé, all prices
Winner: College Cellars of Walla Walla 2016 Rosé of Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, Reed Vineyard, $16
Finalists: Mr. Pink Rosé by Underground Wine Project 2016, $12; Avennia 2016 L’Egerie Rosé, Columbia Valley, $28
Honorable mention: Tranche 2016 Pink Pape Rosé, Yakima Valley, Blackrock Vineyard, $20
Sparkling Wine, all prices
Winner: NV Block Wines Extra Brut Pinot Noir Rosé, Washington State, Marchant Vineyard, $25
Finalists: NV Treveri Brut Chardonnay, $15; NV Treveri Extra Brut, $15
Honorable mention: Analemma 2012 Blanc de Noirs, $59
Red Wine of the Year
B. Leighton 2014 Syrah, Yakima Valley, Olsen Brothers Vineyard, $45
Syrah, $25 or less
Winner: Two Vintners 2014 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $25
Finalists: Gramercy 2013 Lower East Syrah, Columbia Valley, $25; Tenet by Ste. Michelle 2014 The Pundit Syrah, Columbia Valley, $25
Honorable mention: For a Song 2014 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $14
Syrah, $25– $40
Winner: Kerloo 2014 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Les Collines Vineyard, $40
Finalists: Saviah 2013 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $32 ; Amavi 2014 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $33
Honorable mention: Kevin White 2014 En Homage Syrah, Yakima Valley, $28
Syrah, more than $40
Winner: B. Leighton 2014 Syrah, Yakima Valley, Olsen Brothers Vineyard, $45
Finalists: Mark Ryan 2014 Lost Soul Syrah, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard, $48; Two Vintners 2014 Some Days Are Stones Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Stony Vine Vineyard, $50
Honorable mention: Avennia 2014 Arnaut Syrah, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard, $50
Merlot, $25 or less
Winner: Chateau Ste. Michelle 2014 Indian Wells Merlot, Columbia Valley, $20
Finalists: Novelty Hill 2014 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $23; Boomtown by Dusted Valley 2014 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $19
Honorable mention: Kiona 2013 Merlot, Red Mountain, Estate Vineyard, $25
Merlot, more than $25
Winner: Two Vintners 2013 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $32
Finalists: Pepper Bridge 2014 Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $50; Walla Walla Vintners 2014 Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $30
Honorable mention: Northstar 2013 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $41
Cabernet Sauvignon, $30 or less
Winner: Ross Andrew 2015 Glaze Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $15
Finalists: Novelty Hill 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Stillwater Creek Vineyard, $30; Purple Star 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $19
Honorable mention: For a Song 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $12
Cabernet Sauvignon, $30–$65
Winner: Walla Walla Vintners 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $42
Finalists: Amavi 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $33; Canvasback 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $40
Honorable mention: JB Neufeld 2013 Old Goat Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Artz Vineyard, $55
Cabernet Sauvignon, more than $65
Winner: Betz 2014 Pere de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $75
Finalists: Woodward Canyon 2014 Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State, $99; Passing Time 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $75
Honorable mention: Upchurch Vineyard 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Estate Vineyard, $70
Red Blend, $20 or less
Winner: Tamarack 2015 Firehouse Red Blend, Columbia Valley and Walla Walla, $16
Finalists: Newsprint by Guardian 2014 Red Blend, Columbia Valley, $18 Soos Creek 2013; Sundance Bordeaux Red, Columbia Valley, $20
Honorable mention: Mark Ryan 2014 Board Track Racer The Vincent Red Blend, Columbia Valley, $20
Red Blend, $20–$40
Winner: Mark Ryan 2014 Numbskull Bordeaux Red, Walla Walla Valley and Columbia Valley, $38
Finalists: Sparkman 2014 Wilderness Rhône Blend, Columbia Valley, $25; Avennia 2014 Gravura Bordeaux Red, Columbia Valley, $35
Honorable mention: Gorman 2014 Zachary’s Ladder Red Blend, Red Mountain, $30
Red Blend, more than $40
Winner: Long Shadows 2013 Chester-Kidder Red Blend, Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley, $55
Finalists: Cadence 2013 Bordeaux Red, Red Mountain, Tapteil Vineyard, $45; Corliss 2011 Bordeaux Red, Columbia Valley, $75
Honorable mention: Avennia 2014 Sestina Bordeaux Red, Columbia Valley, $65
Rhône Red Blend, $25 or less
Winner: Kevin White 2015 Rhône Red, Yakima Valley, $18
Finalists: Raconteur Wine Co. 2014 Rhône Red, Columbia Valley, $19; Secret Squirrel by Corliss 2013 Rhône Red, Columbia Valley, $25
Rhone Red Blend, more than $25
Winner: W.T. Vintners 2014 Rhône Red, Walla Walla Valley, Stoney Vine Vineyard, $35
Finalists: Tenet by Chateau Ste. Michelle 2014 Rhône Red, Columbia Valley, $70; Kevin White 2014 La Fraternité Rhône Red, Yakima Valley, $28
Honorable mention: Avennia 2014 Justine Rhône Red, Columbia Valley, $40
Meet our esteemed tasting panel and learn about our methodology here.
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