The 2015 Washington Wine-Buying List

All the delicious, award-winning wines you should be buying now

By Seattle magazine staff August 12, 2015

This article originally appeared in the August 2015 issue of Seattle magazine.

RED WINES  
Red Wine of the Year  
Winner: Abeja 2012 Cabernet
Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $50
 
Merlot, $20 or less  
Winner: Waterbrook 2013
Merlot, Columbia Valley, $15

Finalists:
Milbrandt 2012 Traditions Merlot, Columbia Valley
BlackSmith 2012 Merlot, Columbia Valley
The House of Independent Producers (HIP) 2012 Merlot, Bacchus Vineyard, Columbia Valley
 
Merlot, $21–$40
Winner: L’Ecole No 41 2012 Estate
Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $34

Finalists:
Walla Walla Vintners 2012 Merlot, Walla Walla Valley
Seven Hills 2012 Merlot, Seven Hills Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley
Novelty Hill 2012 Merlot, Columbia Valley

Merlot, more than $40
Winner: Long Shadows 2012
Pedestal Merlot, Columbia Valley, $60

Finalists:
Dunham Cellars 2010 Merlot, Lewis Vineyard, Columbia Valley
JM Cellars 2012 Merlot, Columbia Valley
Pepper Bridge 2012 Merlot, Walla Walla Valley
 
Red Blend, $20 or less   
Winner: Soos Creek 2011 Sundance Red, Columbia Valley, $20

Finalists:
Dunham Cellars 2013 Three Legged Red, Columbia Valley
Syncline 2013 Subduction Red, Columbia Valley
Tamarack Cellars 2013 Firehouse Red, Columbia Valley

Red Blend, $21–$40
Winner: Result of a Crush 2012 Red, Walla Walla Valley, $30

Finalists:
Avennia 2012 Gravura Bordeaux Red, Columbia Valley
àMaurice 2011 The Artist Anderson Blend, Columbia Valley
Adams Bench 2010 Reckoning Red, Columbia Valley
   
Red Blend, more than $40
Winner: Avennia 2012 Sestina Bordeaux Red, Columbia Valley, $60

Finalists:
Corliss Estates 2010 Red, Columbia Valley Betz 2012 Clos de Betz
Bordeaux Red, Columbia Valley
Cadence 2011 Bel Canto Red, Red Mountain
 
Syrah, $20 or less   
Winner: Boomtown 2012 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $17

Finalists:
Purple Star 2012 Syrah, Columbia Valley
For a Song 2013 Syrah, Columbia Valley

Syrah, $21–$40
Winner: Savage Grace 2013 Syrah, Les Collines Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley, $32

Finalists:
Pomum 2011 Syrah, Columbia Valley
Amavi Cellars 2012 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley
Owen Roe 2012 Ex Umbris Syrah, Columbia Valley
 
Syrah, more than $40
Winner: Avennia 2012 Arnaut Syrah, Boushey Vineyard, Yakima Valley, $50

Finalists:
Gramercy Cellars 2012 Lagniappe Syrah, Columbia Valley
Betz 2012 La Serenne Syrah, Boushey Vineyard, Yakima Valley
Va Piano 2012 Syrah, Les Collines Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon, $25 or less  
Winner: Saviah 2012 The Jack Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $16

Finalists:

Ross Andrew 2012 Glaze Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
Nelms Road 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State
Nathan Gray 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon, $26–65  
Winner: Abeja 2012 Cabernet
Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $50  

Finalists:
Pepper Bridge 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley
Long Shadows 2012 Feather Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
Andrew Januik 2012 Stone Cairn Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain
 
Cabernet Sauvignon, more than $65
Winner: Doubleback 2012
Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $110

Finalists:
Upchurch Vineyard 2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain
Woodward Canyon 2012 Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State
Mark Ryan Winery 2012 Lonely Heart Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain
 
WHITE WINES  
White Wine of the Year
Winner: Savage Grace 2013 Riesling, Underwood Mountain Vineyards, Columbia Gorge, $21  
 
Sauvignon Blanc, $20 or less  
Winner: Va Piano 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $20

Finalists:
Efestē 2013 Feral Sauvignon Blanc, Evergreen Vineyard, Ancient Lakes
Savage Grace 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, 7 Mile Vineyard, Yakima Valley
Guardian 2014 Angel Sauvignon Blanc, Klipsun Vineyards, Red Mountain
 
Sauvignon Blanc, more than $20   
Winner: K Vintners 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $21

Finalists:
Avennia 2013 Oliane Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley
Efestē 2013 Sauvage Sauvignon Blanc, Boushey Vineyard, Yakima Valley
Lullaby 2012 Blanc de Virginie Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley
 
Chardonnay, $15 or less   
Winner: Buried Cane 2013 Chardonnay, Washington State, $14

Finalists:
Milbrandt 2013 Traditions Chardonnay, Columbia Valley
Charles Smith 2013 Eve Chardonnay, Ancient Lakes
Airfield 2013 Unoaked Chardonnay, Yakima Valley

Chardonnay, $16–$40  
Winner: L’Ecole No 41 2013 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $21

Finalists:
BlackSmith 2013 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley
Sixto 2012 Uncovered Chardonnay, Columbia Valley
Forgeron 2013 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley
 
Chardonnay, more than $40  
Winner: Tranche 2012 Chardonnay, Celilo Vineyard, Columbia Gorge, $45

Finalists:
Woodward Canyon 2013 Chardonnay, Washington State 
Ashan 2013 Chardonnay, Celilo Vineyard, Columbia Gorge  
Ashan 2013 Chardonnay, Kestrel View Estate Vineyard, Yakima Valley
 
Riesling, $15 or less  
Winner: Charles Smith 2013
Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Evergreen Vineyard, Ancient Lakes, $12

Finalists:

Milbrandt Vineyards 2013 Traditions Riesling, Columbia Valley
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2013 Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley
Seven Hills 2012 Riesling, Columbia Valley
 
Riesling, more than $15   
Winner: Savage Grace 2013 Riesling, Underwood Mountain Vineyards, Columbia Gorge, $21

Finalists:
Côte Bonneville 2014 Riesling, DuBrul Vineyard, Yakima Valley
Sparkman 2013 Birdie Riesling, Columbia Valley
Long Shadows 2013 Poet’s Leap Riesling, Columbia Valley
 
SPARKLING WINE  
Winner: Michelle NV Brut Rosé, Méthode Champenoise, Columbia Valley, $13

Finalists:
Pacific Rim NV White Flowers
Brut Sparkling Riesling, Selenium Vineyard, Yakima Valley
Michelle NV Sparkling Extra Dry, Méthode Champenoise, Columbia Valley
Analemma 2010 Atavus Blanc de Noir Sparkling, Columbia Valley  

ROSÉ
Winner: Renegade Wine Co.
2014 Rosé, Columbia Valley, $12

Finalists:
Long Shadows 2014 Julia’s Dazzle, The Benches Vineyard at Wallula, Horse Heaven Hills
Tranche 2014 Pink Pape Rosé, Blackrock Estate Vineyard, Yakima Valley
JM Cellars 2013 Mourvèdre Rosé, Stillwater Creek Vineyard, Columbia Valley
Gård 2014 Grand Klasse Reserve Rosé, Lawrence Vineyards, Columbia Valley 

RED WINES  
Red Wine of the Year  
Winner: Abeja 2012 Cabernet
Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $50
 
Merlot, $20 or less  
Winner: Waterbrook 2013
Merlot, Columbia Valley, $15
Finalists:
Milbrandt 2012 Traditions Merlot, Columbia Valley
BlackSmith 2012 Merlot,
Columbia Valley
The House of Independent
Producers (HIP) 2012 Merlot,
Bacchus Vineyard, Columbia Valley
 
Merlot, $21–$40
Winner: L’Ecole No 41 2012 Estate
Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $34
Finalists:
Walla Walla Vintners 2012 Merlot, Walla Walla Valley
Seven Hills 2012 Merlot,
Seven Hills Vineyard,
Walla Walla Valley
Novelty Hill 2012 Merlot,
Columbia Valley

Merlot, more than $40
Winner: Long Shadows 2012
Pedestal Merlot, Columbia Valley, $60
Finalists:
Dunham Cellars 2010 Merlot,
Lewis Vineyard, Columbia Valley
JM Cellars 2012 Merlot,
Columbia Valley
Pepper Bridge 2012 Merlot,
Walla Walla Valley
 
Red Blend, $20 or less   
Winner: Soos Creek 2011
Sundance Red, Columbia Valley, $20
Finalists:
Dunham Cellars 2013 Three Legged Red, Columbia Valley
Syncline 2013 Subduction Red,
Columbia Valley
Tamarack Cellars 2013 Firehouse Red, Columbia Valley

Red Blend, $21–$40
Winner: Result of a Crush 2012 Red, Walla Walla Valley, $30
Finalists:
Avennia 2012 Gravura
Bordeaux Red, Columbia Valley
àMaurice 2011 The Artist Anderson Blend, Columbia Valley
Adams Bench 2010 Reckoning Red, Columbia Valley
   
Red Blend, more than $40
Winner: Avennia 2012 Sestina Bordeaux Red, Columbia Valley, $60
Finalists:
Corliss Estates 2010 Red, Columbia Valley Betz 2012 Clos de Betz
Bordeaux Red, Columbia Valley
Cadence 2011 Bel Canto Red, Red Mountain
 
Syrah, $20 or less   
Winner: Boomtown 2012 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $17
Finalists:
Purple Star 2012 Syrah,
Columbia Valley
For a Song 2013 Syrah,
Columbia Valley

Syrah, $21–$40
Winner: Savage Grace 2013 Syrah, Les Collines Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley, $32
Finalists:
Pomum 2011 Syrah, Columbia Valley
Amavi Cellars 2012 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley
Owen Roe 2012 Ex Umbris Syrah, Columbia Valley
 
Syrah, more than $40
Winner: Avennia 2012 Arnaut Syrah, Boushey Vineyard,
Yakima Valley, $50
Finalists:
Gramercy Cellars 2012 Lagniappe Syrah, Columbia Valley
Betz 2012 La Serenne Syrah, Boushey Vineyard, Yakima Valley
Va Piano 2012 Syrah, Les Collines Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon,
$25 or less  
Winner: Saviah 2012 The
Jack Cabernet Sauvignon,
Columbia Valley, $16
Finalists:
Ross Andrew 2012 Glaze Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
Nelms Road 2012 Cabernet
Sauvignon, Washington State
Nathan Gray 2010 Cabernet
Sauvignon, Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon,
$26–65  
Winner: Abeja 2012 Cabernet
Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $50  
Finalists:
Pepper Bridge 2012 Cabernet
Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley
Long Shadows 2012 Feather Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
Andrew Januik 2012 Stone Cairn
Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain
 
Cabernet Sauvignon,
more than $65
Winner: Doubleback 2012
Cabernet Sauvignon,
Walla Walla Valley, $110
Finalists:
Upchurch Vineyard 2012 Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain
Woodward Canyon 2012 Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State
Mark Ryan Winery 2012 Lonely Heart
Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain
 

WHITE WINES  
White Wine of the Year
Winner: Savage Grace
2013 Riesling, Underwood
Mountain Vineyards,
Columbia Gorge, $21  
 
Sauvignon Blanc,
$20 or less  
Winner: Va Piano 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $20
Finalists:
Efestē 2013 Feral Sauvignon Blanc, Evergreen Vineyard, Ancient Lakes
Savage Grace 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, 7 Mile Vineyard, Yakima Valley
Guardian 2014 Angel Sauvignon Blanc, Klipsun Vineyards,
Red Mountain
 
Sauvignon Blanc,
more than $20   
Winner: K Vintners 2012
Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia
Valley, $21
Finalists:
Avennia 2013 Oliane Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley
Efestē 2013 Sauvage Sauvignon Blanc, Boushey Vineyard, Yakima Valley
Lullaby 2012 Blanc de Virginie
Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley
 
Chardonnay,
$15 or less   
Winner: Buried Cane 2013
Chardonnay, Washington
State, $14
Finalists:
Milbrandt 2013 Traditions
Chardonnay, Columbia Valley
Charles Smith 2013 Eve
Chardonnay, Ancient Lakes
Airfield 2013 Unoaked
Chardonnay, Yakima Valley

Chardonnay, $16–$40  
Winner: L’Ecole No 41 2013
Chardonnay, Columbia
Valley, $21
Finalists:
BlackSmith 2013 Chardonnay,
Columbia Valley
Sixto 2012 Uncovered Chardonnay, Columbia Valley
Forgeron 2013 Chardonnay,
Columbia Valley
 
Chardonnay, more than $40  
Winner: Tranche 2012
Chardonnay, Celilo Vineyard,
Columbia Gorge, $45
Finalists:
Woodward Canyon 2013
Chardonnay, Washington State  
Ashan 2013 Chardonnay, Celilo
Vineyard, Columbia Gorge  
Ashan 2013 Chardonnay, Kestrel View Estate Vineyard, Yakima Valley
 
Riesling, $15 or less  
Winner: Charles Smith 2013
Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Evergreen
Vineyard, Ancient Lakes, $12
Finalists:
Milbrandt Vineyards 2013 Traditions Riesling, Columbia Valley
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2013
Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley
Seven Hills 2012 Riesling,
Columbia Valley
 
Riesling, more than $15   
Winner: Savage Grace 2013 Riesling, Underwood Mountain Vineyards, Columbia Gorge, $21
Finalists:
Côte Bonneville 2014 Riesling,
DuBrul Vineyard, Yakima Valley
Sparkman 2013 Birdie Riesling,
Columbia Valley
Long Shadows 2013 Poet’s Leap Riesling, Columbia Valley
 
SPARKLING WINE  
Winner: Michelle NV Brut Rosé, Méthode Champenoise,
Columbia Valley, $13
Finalists:
Pacific Rim NV White Flowers
Brut Sparkling Riesling, Selenium Vineyard, Yakima Valley
Michelle NV Sparkling Extra Dry,
Méthode Champenoise,
Columbia Valley
Analemma 2010 Atavus  
Blanc de Noir Sparkling,
Columbia Valley  

 
ROSÉ
Winner: Renegade Wine Co.
2014 Rosé, Columbia Valley, $12
Finalists:
Long Shadows 2014 Julia’s Dazzle, The Benches Vineyard at Wallula, Horse Heaven Hills
Tranche 2014 Pink Pape Rosé,
Blackrock Estate Vineyard, Yakima Valley
JM Cellars 2013 Mourvèdre Rosé, Stillwater Creek Vineyard,
Columbia Valley
Gård 2014 Grand Klasse
Reserve Rosé, Lawrence Vineyards,
Columbia Valley  

 

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