The 2014 Washington Wine-Buying List

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WHITE WINES

White Wine of the Year
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 Eroica Riesling, Columbia Valley, $22

Sauvignon Blanc, $20 or less
Winner: Lobo Hills 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, $17

Finalists:
Guardian 2012 Angel Sauvignon Blanc, Red Mountain, Klipsun Vineyards, $20 SOLD OUT
Efestē 2012 Feral Sauvignon Blanc, Ancient Lakes, Evergreen Vineyard, $20
Cedergreen 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, Spring Creek Vineyards, $17

Sauvignon Blanc, more than $20
Winner: Efestē 2012 Sauvage Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, Golden View Vineyard (Boushey), $23

Finalists:
Woodward Canyon 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, Walla Walla Valley, Estate Vineyard, $26
Avennia 2012 Oliane Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, $25
Matthews 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley,
Stillwater Creek Vineyard, $30
Lullaby 2012 Blanc de Virginie Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $22

Chardonnay, $15 or less
Winner: For a Song 2011 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $10

Finalists:
BlackSmith 2012 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley*
Tamarack 2012 Chardonnay,Columbia Valley, $15
Airfield Estates 2012 Unoaked Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, Miller Vineyard, $15
Charles Smith 2012 Eve Chardonnay, Washington State, $12
Hedges 2011 House of Independent Producers (HIP) Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, Dionysus Vineyard, $14

Chardonnay, $16–$40
Winner: Gorman 2012
The Big Sissy Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $35

Finalists:
Array 2011 Dijon Clone Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, Otis Harlan Vineyard, $32
Sparkman 2012 Lumière Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $30
Maison Bleue 2012 Au Contraire Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, French Creek Vineyard, $25

Chardonnay, more than $40
Winner: Woodward Canyon 2012 Chardonnay, Washington State, $44

Finalists:
Côte Bonneville 2011 Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, DuBrul Vineyard, $50
Abeja 2012 Chardonnay, Washington State*
Ashan 2012 Chardonnay, Columbia Gorge, Celilo Vineyard,  $45
Buty 2012 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, Conner Lee Vineyard, $40
Sparkman 2011 Enlightenment Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, French Creek Vineyard, $50

Riesling, $15 or less
Winner: Charles Smith 2013 Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Ancient Lakes, Evergreen Vineyard, $12

Finalists:
Long Shadows 2012 Nine Hats Riesling, Columbia Valley, $12
Tempus 2012 Riesling, Ancient Lakes, Evergreen Vineyard*
Milbrandt 2012 Tradition Riesling, Columbia Valley, $13

Riesling, more than $15
Winner: Chateau Ste.
Michelle 2012 Eroica Riesling, Columbia Valley, $22

Finalists:
Long Shadows 2012 Poets Leap Riesling, Columbia Valley, $20
Dunham 2012 Riesling, Columbia Valley, Lewis Estate Vineyard, $19.50
Savage Grace 2012 Riesling, Columbia Gorge, Underwood
Mountain Vineyards, $19
Memaloose 2012 Idiot’s Grace Riesling, Columbia Gorge, $22
Côte Bonneville 2012 Riesling, Yakima Valley, DuBrul Vineyard, $22

SPARKLING WINES

Winner: Michelle (by Domaine Ste. Michelle) NV Brut Rosé, Méthode Champenoise, Columbia Valley, $13

Finalists:
Sweeter sparkling wine: Treveri NV Gewürztraminer Demi-Sec, Méthode Champenoise, Columbia Valley, $17
Dry sparkling wine: Castillo de Feliciana 2012 Brillante Sparkling Brut, Méthode Traditionelle, Columbia Valley, Airport Ranch Vineyard, $30

RED WINES

Red Wine of the Year
Winner: Mark Ryan 2011 Lonely Heart Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $85

Merlot, $20 or less
Winner: BlackSmith (by Forgeron) 2011 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $18

Finalists:
Charles Smith 2012 The Velvet Devil Merlot, Washington State, $12
Boomtown (by Dusted Valley) 2012 Merlot, Columbia Valley $15

Merlot, more than $20
Winner: Long Shadows 2011 Pedestal Merlot, Columbia Valley, $60

Finalists:
Januik 2011 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $25 SOLD OUT
Abeja 2011 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $40
Pepper Bridge 2011 Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $50
Two Vintners 2010 Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, Pepper Bridge Vineyard, $32

Red Blend, $20 or less
Winner: Tamarack 2012 Firehouse Red, Columbia Valley, $18

Finalists:
Gilbert 2010 Allobroges, Wahluke Slope*
Syncline 2012 Subduction Red, Columbia Valley, $20
Kevin White 2012 La Fraternité, Yakima Valley*

Red Blend, more than $20
Winner: Soos Creek 2010 Champoux Vineyard Red, Horse Heaven Hills, $40

Finalists:
Avennia 2011 Sestina, Columbia Valley, $55
Avennia 2011 Gravura, Columbia Valley, $35
Cadence 2010 Bel Canto, Red Mountain, Cara Mia Vineyard, $60
Kevin White 2011 En Hommage, Yakima Valley, $25 SOLD OUT
Côte Bonneville 2009 Carriage House, Yakima Valley, DuBrul Vineyard, $120

Syrah, $20 or less
Winner: Charles Smith 2012 Boom Boom, Washington State, $15

Finalists:
For a Song 2012 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $15
Airfield Estates 2011 Runway Syrah, Yakima Valley, Black Rock Vineyards, $20
Balboa 2010 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Estate Eidolon Vineyard (Block B5)*
Tempus 2010 Syrah, Yakima Valley*

Syrah, more than $20
Winner: W.T. Vintners 2011 Damavian Syrah, Walla Walla, Les Collines Vineyard, $42

Finalists:
Gramercy 2010 John Lewis Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $75
Avennia 2011 Arnaut Syrah, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyards, $48
Syncline 2011 Syrah, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyards, $35
Kerloo Cellars 2011 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $40 SOLD OUT

Cabernet Sauvignon,$25 or less
Winner: Novelty Hill 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $25

Finalists:
Nelms Road 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State, $25
Va Piano 2011 Bruno’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $23
For a Song 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $15
McKinley Springs 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $24

Cabernet Sauvignon, $26–$65
Winner: Abeja 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $45

Finalists:
Manu Propria 2010 Ex Animo Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, Red Willow Vineyard, $35 SOLD OUT
Efestē 2010 Big Papa Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $54
Abeja 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla, Estate Heather Hill, $55
JB Neufeld 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley, $35
Gramercy 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Phinny Hill Vineyards, $48

Cabernet Sauvignon, $65 or more
Winner: Mark Ryan 2011 Lonely Heart Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $89

Finalists:
Doubleback 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $85
Den Hoed 2009 Andreas Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, Wallula Vineyard, $80
Betz 2011 Père de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $68
Woodward Canyon 2009 Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State, $89 SOLD OUT

Petit Verdot (open submission tasting)
Winners: Dusted Valley 2011 Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley, $42
Tero Estates 2010 Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley, $38
Sparkman 2011 Underworld Petit Verdot, Yakima Valley, $48 SOLD OUT
Silvara Vineyards 2011 Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley, $32
Watermill 2010 Estate Petit Verdot, Walla Walla, $32

* Wine was nominated and tasted as a finalist but bottle price was later determined to be outside the category price range. In some cases, the price was changed after qualifying as a finalist.

Best Emerging Winery
Rasa, Walla Walla

Winemaker to Watch
Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen, W.T. Vintners

Winemaker of the Year
Greg Harrington, Gramercy Cellars

Vineyard of the Year
Evergreen Vineyard, Ancient Lakes AVA

Sommelier of the Year
Cortney Lease, wine director of Wild Ginger/The Triple Door

Retailer of the Year
Dan McCarthy of McCarthy & Schiering