7 Stellar Washington State Reds, From Cabernet Sauvignon to Syrah
Washington can trace its earliest winemaking roots to the 1860s, when Italian and German immigrants planted vines to make wines for their own consumption and local commercial distribution. The second largest wine producing state in the U.S.A., the modern wine industry started here in the 1950s and expanded rapidly through the following decades. The state’s largest wine region is the Columbia Valley AVA which crosses the border into northern Oregon and contains almost all of the other AVAs, including Walla Walla Valley, Ancient Lakes, Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope, Naches Heights, and Yakima Valley. Four rivers provide an ideal environment for growing excellent grapes; they are the Columbia River, Snake River, Walla Walla River, and Yakima River and soil types vary depending upon the AVA but include alluvial, silt, loess, ancient river rocks, and fractured basalt. Washington winemakers grow many varieties of grapes, but we recently tasted a few dozen reds and narrowed it down to seven exceptional wines composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc from the 2020 and 2021 vintages.
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Valdemar Estates 2020 Walla Walla Syrah Walla Walla Washington
Grapes used for this delicious and juicy Walla Walla Syrah were grown on high slopes in the Blue Mountain Vineyard and benefited from moderate summer temperatures that regulated ripening, acidity, and concentration of flavors. The family responsible for Valdemar Estates has more than 130 years of winemaking history in northern Spain and their Washington property is currently under the management of fifth generation Ana Martinez Bujanda and her brother Jesús Martinez Bujanda. Inky purple colored in the glass, this superb wine has aromas of crushed violet petals, black raspberry, and Mediterranean dried herbs that lead to flavors of pomegranate, cassis, dark chocolate, and freshly ground white pepper. Only 222 cases were made so drink now or enjoy over the next 10 years.
Buy Now: $65
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Canvasback 2020 Grand Passage Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Washington
Luckily, grapes grown on Red Mountain were minimally affected by the Oregon wildfires in 2020 as they were more than 200 miles away. The Canvasback winemaking team was careful to exclude any impacted grapes and noted that the yield was lower than usual, but the grapes were beautifully ripe with rich, vibrant flavors. This 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon wine was aged for 19 months in French oak and has aromas of black currant, forest floor, and lifted pine with a strong backbone of minerality that morphs to flavors of cigar box, dried herbs, black plum, and pomegranate. Drink now or over the next 15 years.
Buy Now: $88
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Col Solare 2020 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Washington
Col Solare translates from the original Italian to “shining hill,” and represents the partnership between Washington’s Chateau Ste. Michelle and Italy’s Marchesi Antinori wineries who joined forces to create an ultra-luxury Cabernet Sauvignon. Grapes for this 100 percent Cab cuvée were sourced from the Quintessence, Shaw 32, and Col Solare Estate vineyards. The resulting wine is exceptionally balanced with aromas of cassis, graphite, cardamom, and tart cherry. A firm spine of minerality supports flavors of black raspberry, Bing cherry, and powdered cocoa all enveloped in a smooth tannic sheath.
Buy Now: $145
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DeLille Cellars 2020 Grand Ciel Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain AVA Washington
This 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon stunner is made from grapes sourced from the Grand Ciel Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA. After harvest the grapes are cold soaked for 24 to 36 hours, then fermented for an average of 15 days on the skins. The young wine is then transferred to 100 percent new French oak and aged for 18 months prior to release. Aromas of brown baking spices, cedar chest, and cassis draw you into the glass for flavors of red plum, black raspberry, mocha, and golden-brown molasses. Drink now or over the next 15 years.
Buy Now: $160
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Matthews 2021 Reserve Cabernet Franc Colombia Valley AVA Washington
This enticing wine is made from grapes sourced from seven vineyards in the Red Mountain, Royal Slope, White Bluffs, and Columbia Valley AVAs and is composed of 83 percent Cabernet Franc, 12 percent Merlot, and 5 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. It was cellared in 100 percent new French oak for 21 months and is ruby-garnet colored in the glass. Boasting aromas of cassis, warm spice, freshly picked Bell peppers, and black plum, it is full bodied and voluptuous in the mid palate with flavors of ripe red and black fruits with delightful touches of vanilla and crème brulée in the long, long finish.
Buy Now: $185
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Mark Ryan Winery 2021 Lonely Heart Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain AVA Washington
Mark Ryan McNeilly founded his eponymous winery in 1999 and produces limited quantities of well-regarded wines. He has two tasting rooms, one in Woodinville and the other in Walla Walla. Grapes for his Lonely Heart Cab were grown in blocks 16 and 32 of the Quintessence vineyard in Red Mountain and after fermentation this 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 21 months in 87 percent new French oak barrels. It has a complex bouquet featuring aromas of cigar box, black raspberry, and pencil lead that pave the way for flavors of bright red cherry, cassis, and touches of dried Mediterranean herbs in the persistent finish. Only 360 cases were produced.
Buy Now: $100
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Northstar 2020 Premier Dionysus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Washington
Northstar prides itself on using grapes grown in diverse vineyards and sub-appellations within the Columbia Valley, but for this “premier” wine they exclusively use grapes grown in the Dionysus Vineyard. Only 207 cases of this bottling were produced, and we recommend drinking it now and over the next 15 years. It has heady aromas of chocolate covered cherries, black raspberry, cigar box, and a lifted whiff of vanilla that transfers seamlessly to the palate with the addition of black currant and juicy black plum flavors. The tannins are smooth and silky, and the finish goes on and on.
Buy Now: $96
Authors
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Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen
Source: Robb Report
