2009 WA Wine Awards: Best Whites
| By Shannon Borg |
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Best White Blend
< $15: Thurston Wolfe 2007 PGV, Washinton State
($15) Prosser; 588 Cabernet Court; 509.786.3313; thurstonwolfe.com
This blend of Pinot Gris (43 percent), Viognier (52 percent) and Muscat Blanc (5 percent) is full of aromas of lemon with a burst of fresh peach and a touch of pineapple on the palate. Great with steamed mussels and clams, this is a new classic Washington wine.
> $15: Cadaretta 2007 SBS, Columbia Valley
($23) Walla Walla; 509.591.0324; Cadaretta.com
This blend is based on a popular Australian style of wine—Australians order a glass of “SBS, please” when they want a blend of Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, or “SSB” if they want a softer, Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend. It has an aromatic noseful of citrus and tropical fruit, with crisp acidity and a burst of fresh lemon, lime and honeydew flavors. This wine is great on its own or with light cheeses, salads and grilled fish.
Best Viognier
< $15: Mount Baker Vineyards, 2006 Proprietor’s Limited Release, Yakima Valley
($15) Everson; 4298 Mount Baker Highway; 360.592.2300; mountbakervineyards.com
This Viognier is an aromatic powerhouse, with nectarine, white grapefruit and pineapple aromas and flavors, and fresh acidity, yet has the classic Viognier softness on the palate.
> $15: Seven Hills 2007, Wahluke Slope
($18) Walla Walla; 212 N Third Ave.; 509.529.7198; sevenhillswinery.com
Fermenting this luscious Viognier in the barrel adds a fresh-baked bread and soft spice to the fruit’s nectarine and orange-peel candy notes. A good match for the richness of Alaska king salmon or macaroni and cheese made with Beecher’s cheddar.
Best Chardonnay
< $15: Airfield Estates, 2007 Unoaked, Yakima Valley
($12) Prosser, 560 Merlot Drive; 509.786.7401; airfieldwines.com l A less oaky Chardonnay, the fresh lemon and golden apple flavors in this wine would complement a BLT, a salad or grilled chicken equally well.
> $15: Forgeron Cellars 2006 Columbia Valley
($25) Walla Walla, 33 W Birch St.; 509.522.9463; forgeroncellars.com
A wine with a soft spiciness and great balance: Spiced apple and pear flavors and a lingering finish round out this delicious wine.
Best Riesling
< $15: Efeste 2007 Evergreen, Columbia Valley
($14) Woodinville, 19730 144th Ave. NE; 425.398.7200; efeste.com
This soft but bright wine is a luscious, balanced Riesling with an interesting combination of sweet fruit and a dry finish, with citrus aromas (white grapefruit and pineapple). It’s a great match for seafood with light cream sauces.
> $15: Chateau Ste. Michelle 2007 Eroica, Columbia Valley
($25) Woodinville, 14111 NE 145th St.; 425.415.3300; ste-michelle.com
A refreshing, off-dry Riesling with lovely lime aromas and sweet orange and green apple flavors, this wine’s balance and elegance makes Eroica one of Washington’s true stars. Try it with Dungeness crab.
< $15: Thurston Wolfe 2007 PGV, Washinton State
($15) Prosser; 588 Cabernet Court; 509.786.3313; thurstonwolfe.com
This blend of Pinot Gris (43 percent), Viognier (52 percent) and Muscat Blanc (5 percent) is full of aromas of lemon with a burst of fresh peach and a touch of pineapple on the palate. Great with steamed mussels and clams, this is a new classic Washington wine.
> $15: Cadaretta 2007 SBS, Columbia Valley
($23) Walla Walla; 509.591.0324; Cadaretta.com
This blend is based on a popular Australian style of wine—Australians order a glass of “SBS, please” when they want a blend of Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, or “SSB” if they want a softer, Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend. It has an aromatic noseful of citrus and tropical fruit, with crisp acidity and a burst of fresh lemon, lime and honeydew flavors. This wine is great on its own or with light cheeses, salads and grilled fish.
Best Viognier
< $15: Mount Baker Vineyards, 2006 Proprietor’s Limited Release, Yakima Valley
($15) Everson; 4298 Mount Baker Highway; 360.592.2300; mountbakervineyards.com
This Viognier is an aromatic powerhouse, with nectarine, white grapefruit and pineapple aromas and flavors, and fresh acidity, yet has the classic Viognier softness on the palate.
> $15: Seven Hills 2007, Wahluke Slope
($18) Walla Walla; 212 N Third Ave.; 509.529.7198; sevenhillswinery.com
Fermenting this luscious Viognier in the barrel adds a fresh-baked bread and soft spice to the fruit’s nectarine and orange-peel candy notes. A good match for the richness of Alaska king salmon or macaroni and cheese made with Beecher’s cheddar.
Best Chardonnay
< $15: Airfield Estates, 2007 Unoaked, Yakima Valley
($12) Prosser, 560 Merlot Drive; 509.786.7401; airfieldwines.com l A less oaky Chardonnay, the fresh lemon and golden apple flavors in this wine would complement a BLT, a salad or grilled chicken equally well.
> $15: Forgeron Cellars 2006 Columbia Valley
($25) Walla Walla, 33 W Birch St.; 509.522.9463; forgeroncellars.com
A wine with a soft spiciness and great balance: Spiced apple and pear flavors and a lingering finish round out this delicious wine.
Best Riesling
< $15: Efeste 2007 Evergreen, Columbia Valley
($14) Woodinville, 19730 144th Ave. NE; 425.398.7200; efeste.com
This soft but bright wine is a luscious, balanced Riesling with an interesting combination of sweet fruit and a dry finish, with citrus aromas (white grapefruit and pineapple). It’s a great match for seafood with light cream sauces.
> $15: Chateau Ste. Michelle 2007 Eroica, Columbia Valley
($25) Woodinville, 14111 NE 145th St.; 425.415.3300; ste-michelle.com
A refreshing, off-dry Riesling with lovely lime aromas and sweet orange and green apple flavors, this wine’s balance and elegance makes Eroica one of Washington’s true stars. Try it with Dungeness crab.
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