The list of wineries at this weekend’s Taste Washington 2012 is a little mind-boggling. If you could taste all the wines from every winery, and make diligent and serious use of the spit bucket, I’d give you some kind of medal or award. Or at least a toothbrush and a cold beer. While there are certainly more than 10 wineries I’m going to visit, everybody loves a good Top 10 list, no? In alphabetical order:
- Beresan: For some Carmenere.
- Buty: For one of the best white wines in the state.
- Chinook: For a Cab Franc to chill down; a great summer red.
- Doubleback: For fans of wine and football.
- Dusted Valley: For staining your teeth. And possibly a toothbrush.
- Efeste: For Final Final.
- Figgins: For the love of Leonetti.
- Gilbert: For a refreshing rosé of Mourvédre
- Hedges: For more rosé, and some frank, provocative wine talk.
- Kiona: For Lemberger love.
Or maybe you’d rather take your Taste Washington tips from a handsome(r) blogger? The Northwest Wine Anthem will help you get strategic. And you know the Washington Wine Report has some knowledge to share as well.
So what have I overlooked? Let me know in the comments. Or corral me on Sunday.
Full disclosure: I have received a pass to this event as a member of the media.
Lovely, Jameson!
You’ve inspired me to create my own Top 10. Let’s see if we have some overlap:
Airfield Estates Where quality and value say “Cin Cin!”
Chinook Wines Wins of such authenticity and purity and two of the loveliest people (Kay and Clay) that you could ever hope to meet in the vineyard
COR Cellars Alba COR Pinot Gris is delicious beyond all description
Domaine Pouillon Black Dot and Katydid red blends are the apex of elegance and substance
Dusted Valley Because these Midwesterners rock- it’s like they were born with eastern WA terroir in their blood! Ramblin Rose is da’ bomb.
Lost River Winery Cabernet to give you chills. And can’t wait to try the Cedarosa Red.
Maison Bleue Winery Marsanne that makes my knees weak
McKinley Springs My husband’s favorite Washington state Syrah.
Naches Heights Vineyard Because Phil Cline understands that great wine begins in the vineyard.
Syncline James and Poppie are transforming the way wine is made in Washington state. The Blanc de Blancs is astonishing.
Can’t wait. Hope to see you there, Jameson, amidst the “crush”.
Julie,
Thank you for your additions. I see we had some overlap and I’ll give you a sneak preview of L to Z: Maison Bleue is definitely on that list! Hope to see you Sunday.
Cheers,
Jameson
That’s what I get for rushing my alphabet! I coulda had another 10! 😉 Can’t wait to see the rest of your list. You’ve given me the makings of a plan of attack: balancing favorites with those I need to revisit. Great post!
Julie,
Thank you. Writing this post also helped me form a plan for Sunday as well.
Jameson
Killer post, Jameson. I’ve bookmarked and enjoyed following your blog immensely. Looking forward to seeing you Sunday and tasting these and other gems. Love Washington wine!
Kenan,
Thank you and see you Sunday. I appreciate the support!
Cheers,
Jameson
I am a huge fan of Kiona Lemberger, Final Final is always in my cellar from Efeste, and Hedges has been a long time fav also. The others I will have to try. Great job on the list!
Thank you. I feel it’s really important to support the wineries who make Lemberger; it’s part of what makes Washington wine unique. Enjoy Taste Washington!
Best,
Jameson
Second Buty–got the chance to taste a vertical of their semillon/sauvignon blend in the fall. Gorgeous. And promising new Cabernet, too.
Maggie,
I really like their reds, too. Hope you got to have tacos with some of that Buty white! Thanks for commenting.
Cheers,
Jameson