The Seattle Wine Awards is the largest and most comprehensive independent Washington wine recognition program. The wines that earn recognition in the Seattle Wine Awards must achieve tasting panel consensus where they earn one of the following awards: Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze Grand Awards of Excellence in their respective price/wine categories.The Seattle Wine Awards tasting panel consists respected wine directors, buyers, distributors, educators and Seattle’s top sommeliers who know what Washington wine is all about. The panel tasts the wine "single-blind," which means the panel will only know the varietal of the wine. They will not know the price nor producer. The panel uses a modified 20-point system to score each of the wines.
Recently it's been pointed out that Washington State wines are more than just about Walla Walla, but if you view the full list of winners and the concentration of those from the Walla Walla Valley, you sure wouldn't know it. Congratulations to the all of the wineries and especially those from Walla Walla! (For the complete list of Washington State winners you will find them at 2010 AWARD WINNERS)
AWARD-WINNING "WHITES"
Chardonnay: $20.00 – Under
Silver 2009 Substance Chardonnay (Ch), Washington State
Chardonnay: $20.01 – Over
Double Gold 2007 àMaurice Cellars Chardonnay, Columbia Valley
Double Gold 2008 Le Chateau Winery Chardonnay, White Bluffs
Gold 2008 Dunham Cellars Chardonnay, Lewis Vineyard
Gold 2008 Dusted Valley Old Vine Chardonnay, Yakima Valley
Silver 2008 L'Ecole No 41 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley
Silver 2008 Woodward Canyon Chardonnay, Washington State
Dessert Styles: All Pricing
Gold 2008 Dunham Cellars Late Harvest Riesling, Lewis Vineyard
Bronze 2008 Tertulia Semillon Ice Wine, Columbia Valley
Riesling: All Pricing
Double Gold 2008 Long Shadows Poet's Leap, Columbia Valley
Gold 2008 Dunham Cellars Lewis Vineyard Riesling, Columbia Valley
Bronze 2009 Rasa Vineyards “The Composer,” Sagemoor Vineyards
Bronze 2008 Three Rivers Riesling, Columbia Valley
Sauvignon Blanc: All Pricing
Silver 2008 CAVU Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley
Silver 2008 Three Rivers Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley
White Bordeaux Styles: All Pricing
Double Gold 2008 L'Ecole No 41 Estate “Luminesce,” Seven Hills Vineyard
Gold 2008 CADARETTA “SBS,” Columbia Valley
White Proprietary Blend: $20.00 – Under
Double Gold 2008 Waterbrook Winery “Mélange Blanc,” Columbia Valley
Gold 2008 Magnificent Wine Company “House White,” Columbia Valley
White Rhone Styles: All Pricing
Silver 2008 Rotie Cellars “Southern White,” Columbia Valley
Viognier: All Pricing
Double Gold 2008 Skylite Cellars Viognier, Snipes Mountain
Silver 2008 Dusted Valley Viognier, Yakima Valley
Silver 2008 Watermill Winery Viognier, Columbia Valley
Bronze 2007 Reynvaan Family Vineyards “Queen's Road White,” Walla Walla
Rosé — Single: All Pricing
Gold 2009 CAVU Cellars Barbera Rosé, Alder Ridge Vineyard
AWARD-WINNING "REDS"
Red Bordeaux Styles: $20.00 – Under
Bronze 2007 Sweet Valley Wines “Double Barrel,” Walla Walla
Red Bordeaux Styles: $20.01 – $35.00
Double Gold 2006 àMaurice Cellars "The Tsutakawa," Columbia Valley
Double Gold 2007 Bunchgrass “Triolet,” Walla Walla
Gold 2006 Saviah Cellars “Big Sky Cuvée,” Columbia Valley
Gold 2008 Waters Winery “Interlude,” Columbia Valley
Silver 2007 Otis Kenyon Wine “Matchless Red,” Walla Walla
Silver 2007 Tertulia “Sobra,” Columbia Valley
Bronze 2006 CAVU Cellars “Horizon Red,” Walla Walla
Red Bordeaux Styles: $35.01 — Over
Double Gold 2006 Woodward Canyon “Estate Red,” Walla Walla
Silver 2007 Glencorrie “éMarquis,” Columbia Valley
Silver 2007 L'Ecole No 41 “Apogee,” Pepper Bridge Vineyard
Bronze 2006 Le Chateau Winery “Masterpiece Red #1,” Walla Walla
Bronze 2007 Sleight of Hand Cellars “The Archimage,” Walla Walla
Cabernet Franc: $20.01 – $35.00
Gold 2007 Watermill Winery Estate Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla
Bronze 2008 Tamarack Cellars Cabernet Franc, Wahluke Slope
Cabernet Franc: $35.01 — Over
Double Gold 2007 Dusted Valley Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla
Gold 2007 Three Rivers Cabernet Franc, Weinbau Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon: $20.01 – $35.00
Double Gold 2007 Dusted Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla
Double Gold 2007 Five Star Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla
Double Gold 2007 Walla Walla Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla
Gold 2006 Gifford Hirlinger Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla
Gold 2007 Glencorrie Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
Silver 2007 Bergevin Lane Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
Silver 2006 Tulpen Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla
Cabernet Sauvignon: $35.01 — Over
Double Gold 2006 Dunham Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Lewis Vineyard
Double Gold 2007 L'Ecole No 41 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla
Double Gold 2006 SYZYGY 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
Gold 2007 CADARETTA Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
Gold 2006 Dumas Station Minnick Hills Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla
Gold 2007 Glencorrie Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla
Gold 2007 Pepper Bridge Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla
Gold 2007 Skylite Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla
Gold 2005 TL Cellars “Release No. Two” Cabernet Sauvignon, Les Collines Vineyard
Gold 2007 Woodward Canyon “Artist Series #16” Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State
Silver 2006 Basel Cellars Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Pheasant Run
Silver 2006 Canoe Ridge Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
Silver 2006 Long Shadows “Feather,” Columbia Valley
Silver 2007 Waters Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Cold Creek Vineyard
Bronze 2006 Dunham Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon XII, Lewis Vineyard
Bronze 2007 Spring Valley Vineyard “Frederick” Cabernet Sauvignon Blend, Walla Walla
Bronze 2006 Three Rivers Cabernet Sauvignon, Champoux Vineyard
Merlot: $20.00 – Under
Gold 2007 Dusted Valley Boomtown Merlot, Columbia Valley
Gold 2008 Substance Merlot (Me), Washington State
Merlot: $20.01 – $35.00
Double Gold 2006 Gifford Hirlinger Estate Merlot, Walla Walla
Double Gold 2007 Watermill Winery Merlot, Walla Walla
Silver 2007 Five Star Cellars Merlot, Walla Walla
Silver 2007 Glencorrie Merlot, Stillwater Creek
Silver 2008 Walla Walla Vintners Merlot, Walla Walla
Bronze 2007 Seven Hills Winery Merlot, Seven Hills Vineyard
Bronze 2007 Tamarack Cellars Merlot, Columbia Valley
Bronze 2007 Tempus Cellars Merlot, Seven Hills Vineyard
Bronze 2007 Tertulia “Pepper Bridge Merlot,” Walla Walla
Bronze 2006 Tulpen Merlot, Columbia Valley
Merlot: $35.01 — Over
Double Gold 2006 Canoe Ridge Vineyard Reserve Merlot, Columbia Valley
Double Gold 2006 Dunham Cellars Merlot, Lewis Vineyard
Double Gold 2007 L'Ecole No 41 Estate Merlot, Seven Hills Vineyard
Double Gold 2006 Northstar Winery Columbia Valley Merlot, Columbia Valley
Gold 2006 Northstar Winery Walla Walla Merlot, Walla Walla
Gold 2007 Spring Valley Vineyard “Uriah Merlot Blend,” Walla Walla
Gold 2006 Three Rivers Winery Merlot, Champoux Vineyard
Silver 2006 Long Shadows “Pedestal,” Columbia Valley
Silver 2007 Pepper Bridge Winery Merlot, Walla Walla
Sangiovese: All Pricing
Double Gold 2007 Trio Vintners “Sangiovese Riserva,” Yakima Valley
Double Gold 2008 Walla Walla Vintners Sangiovese, Columbia Valley
Double Gold 2006 Yellow Hawk Cellar Sangiovese, Walla Walla
Silver 2008 Sweet Valley Wines “Righteous Sangiovese,” Walla Walla
Red Proprietary Blends: $20.00 – Under
Bronze 2007 Magnificent Wine Company “House Red,” Columbia Valley
Bronze 2007 SuLei Cellars “Beet Red,” Walla Walla
Red Proprietary Blends: $20.01 – $35.00
Double Gold 2006 Tulpen “Coalescence Red Blend,” Columbia Valley
Double Gold 2007 Walla Walla Vintners “Cuvée,” Washington State
Silver 2006 Dunham Cellars “Trutina,” Lewis Vineyard
Silver 2005 Whitman Cellars Narcissa Red, Walla Walla
Red Proprietary Blends: $35.01 — Over
Double Gold 2007 Skylite Cellars “Reserve Proprietary Blend,” Columbia Valley
Gold 2007 Sleight of Hand Cellars “The Illusionist,” Columbia Valley
Silver 2006 Long Shadows “Piroutte,” Columbia Valley
Silver 2006 Long Shadows “Saggi,” Columbia Valley
Red Rhône Styles: All Pricing
Double Gold 2007 àMaurice Cellars Syrah / Grenache, Columbia Valley
Gold 2007 Rasa Vineyards “QED” Rhone Blend, Walla Walla
Silver 2008 Rotie Cellars “Southern Red,” Washington State
Syrah: $20.00 – Under
Double Gold 2008 DaMa Wines Winery Syrah, Columbia Valley
Gold 2007 Dusted Valley Boomtown Syrah, Columbia Valley
Silver 2008 Substance Syrah (Sy), Washington State
Syrah: $20.01 – $35.00
Double Gold 2007 L'Ecole No 41 Syrah, Columbia Valley
Double Gold 2007 SYZYGY 100% Syrah, Walla Walla
Gold 2006 Bergevin Lane “Oui Deux Syrah,” Wahluke Slope
Gold 2006 Cougar Crest Estate Winery “Estate Syrah,” Walla Walla
Gold 2008 Dusted Valley Grenache, Columbia Valley
Gold 2006 Walla Walla River Winery Syrah, Walla Walla
Silver 2007 Bunchgrass Syrah, Columbia Valley
Silver 2007 CADARETTA Syrah, Columbia Valley
Silver 2006 Glen Fiona “Basket Press Syrah,” Columbia Valley
Silver 2007 Magnificent Wine Company “Originals Syrah,” Columbia Valley
Silver 2007 Otis Kenyon Wine Syrah, Walla Walla
Silver 2007 Tempus Cellars Syrah, Columbia Valley
Bronze 2007 Amavi Cellars Syrah, Walla Walla
Bronze 2007 Bunchgrass Syrah, Walla Walla
Bronze 2006 Dunham Cellars Syrah, Lewis Vineyard
Bronze 2007 Rotie Cellars “Northern Red,” Horse Heaven Hills
Bronze 2007 Rotie Cellars “Southern Red,” Horse Heaven Hills
Bronze 2008 Rotie Cellars “Northern Red,” Washington State
Bronze 2007 Tertulia Syrah Les Collines, Columbia Valley
Bronze 2006 Tulpen Syrah, Columbia
Syrah: $35.01 — Over
Double Gold 2006 Cougar Crest Estate Winery Reserve Syrah, Walla Walla
Double Gold 2006 Long Shadows “Sequel,” Columbia Valley
Double Gold 2007 Rasa Vineyards “Principia Reserve Syrah,” Walla Walla
Double Gold 2007 Sleight of Hand Cellars “Levitation Syrah,” Columbia Valley
Double Gold 2007 Spring Valley Vineyard Nina Lee Syrah,” Walla Walla
Gold 2006 Cougar Crest Estate Winery “Golden's Legacy Syrah,”
Gold 2006 Dunham Cellars Lewis Vineyard Syrah, Columbia Valley
Gold 2007 Dusted Valley Reserve Syrah, Walla Walla
Silver 2007 Reynvaan Family Vineyards “In the Rocks,” Walla Walla
Silver 2007 Waters Winery Forgotten Hills Syrah, Walla Walla
Bronze 2007 Reynvaan Family Vineyards “The Contender,” Walla Walla
Red Varietal: $20.00 – Under
Gold 2007 Sweet Valley Wines “Righteous Malbec,” Columbia Valley
Red Varietal: $20.01 – $35.00
Double Gold 2008 CAVU Cellars Malbec, Columbia Valley
Double Gold 2007 Skylite Cellars Malbec, Verhey Vineyards
Double Gold 2007 Watermill Winery Estate Malbec, Walla Walla
Gold 2007 Gifford Hirlinger Estate Petit Verdot, Walla Walla
Gold 2007 Saviah Cellars Malbec, Walla Walla
Gold 2007 Tertulia Carmenere, Walla Walla
Gold 2007 Tertulia Malbec, Columbia Valley
Silver 2006 Saviah Cellars Petit Verdot, Walla Walla
Silver 2007 Three Rivers Malbec, Columbia Valley
Red Varietal: $35.01 — Over
Double Gold 2007 Dusted Valley Malbec, Columbia Valley
Double Gold 2007 Otis Kenyon Wine Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills
Gold 2007 Ash Hollow Malbec Reserve, Walla Walla
Silver 2007 Basel Cellars Estate Winery Carmenere, Chelle Den Millie
Silver 2005 Le Chateau Winery Malbec, Columbia Valley
Silver 2008 Rasa Vineyards “Vox Populi » Mourvedre, Minick Vineyard
7 comments:
Catie,
I'm all about touting all good Washington wines, but you seem to be offended by a mention of anything in Washington outside of Walla Walla.
In fact the Seattle Wine Awards validate the accuracy of the statement "more than just Walla Walla."
1. 71% of the winners are from wineries outside Walla Walla.
2. 58% of the winners from Walla Walla wineries used grapes from outside of the Walla Walla Valley.
I understand your bias for Walla Walla being a WW girl, and I love Walla Walla, too, but to denigrate comments favorable to anything other than WW is not helpful to the Washington State wine industry nor is it accurate.
John,
Thanks for stopping by. I do not get offended easy. Nor do I get offended by a mention of anything in Washington outside of Walla Walla. That is your own projection of me and an incorrect one at that.
I consider all of Washington State just as much my home as I do the city of Walla Walla. I was touting the great wines of Washington State and traveling to just about every barrel tasting and spring release in the Yakima Valley and Prosser area before Walla Walla organized their first season. But you wouldn't know as you were probably still living in Texas.
And John, I find it interesting that you would accuse me of denigrating any comments favorable to anything other than WW. I see it the other way around and feel that you are the one guilty of denigrating. To stand behind that "Washington wines are more
than just Walla Walla ..." is very negative and may be interpretted by a reader, especially a newbie to WA wines, to skip Walla Walla.
I feel that if someone chooses to visit Walla Walla first before any other Washington State AVA, at least it is the first step in discovering all of the other great AVAs in Washington State. Whether a tourist chooses to visit Walla Walla, Wahluke, Red Mountain, H3 or any of the other AVA's, the whole WA wine industry benefits.
I am surprised that you "love" Walla Walla as you left an impression at the WBC09 that you were doubtful Walla Walla could pull off a "classy" wine bloggers conference, such as Napa did.
Oh and one more thing. Please do not diminish me by saying I am a "girl."
C~
John,
One more thing. Your calculated percentages still prove my original statement "Recently it's been pointed out that Washington State wines are more than just about Walla Walla, but if you view the full list of winners and the concentration of those from the Walla Walla Valley, you sure wouldn't know it."
58% of winners were from Walla Walla and that is over half of the rest of the state. And so what if they used grapes outside of the Walla Walla Valley? Why is that and has been such a problem for you? It's about what the Walla Walla winemaker's do with those grapes, that is important. And in a single blind, the judges don't have a clue. All they know is the wines are worthy of accolades, no matter where they come from.
C~
Catie, as a new neighbor to your slight west, I have no problem with you touting and promoting the winners from Walla Walla. I may even do the same for my "home" AVA's.
The question about where the grapes come from is important to me because I'm trying to understand terroir, particularly terroirs of Washington. No doubt W2 has a high concentration of the state's best winemakers and that is worth celebrating. The source of the grapes also matters just as much, in my opinion.
I've heard the Woodinville winemakers import some grapes, too :)
Catie,
Please accept my apology for calling you a girl. That's a compliment where I grew up.
We've both made our points. Now let's just tip a glass to great Washington wine.
John
Hey Chris!
Thanks for stopping by. Tout away about the wines from the Yakima Valley. Yakima has a long wine and vine history in Washington State and very worthy of “touts.” And yes, I agree with you about the importance of the grapes, as for my own personal experience I find the unique terroirs of Washington State very fascinating and have since I was a kidlet. My father’s hobby was going out on geology digs and treks. Sometimes we went with him and were taught what to look for when it came to rocks and soil. In grade school I did a science project on rocks and soils of Washington State. Of course, two years of college soil science added to my fascination of Washington State, as well.
Just like the other AVAs, Walla Walla’s is very unique and for the most part in a blind tasting I think it is pretty distinguishable. However, there just isn’t enough of those grapes to go around or some vineyards are strictly used for estate. Also, we have winemakers in the Walla Walla Valley who do not want to use all Walla Walla grapes as they want to build layers of flavor and complexity by using several vineyards from the larger Columbia Valley, as well as adding something new to their portfolio. We also have winemaker’s from other AVAs who want to use Walla Walla grapes. Why shouldn’t they have access to Walla Walla to put their own style on their craft?
I have noticed for some wine lovers it seems to be a source of agitation for them that many Walla Walla winemakers don’t always use Walla Walla grapes. Well, I find it a moot and a rather ridiculous argument when you consider the end result - - or craft, if you will. It’s like saying artists like Monet, Degas, and Kahlo should have been restrained to use only one pigment. Nobody seems to hammer on the Woodinville wineries for not using grapes from only their area of Woodinville, like they seem to do Walla Walla - - and they shouldn’t “hammer” on Woodinville, either. Woodinville has always produced some exceptional wine, such as Betz and Brian Carter to name a few. I want to be able to experience what one winery in Woodinville and another in Walla Walla can do with the same varietal, say from the Wahluke Slope, as an example. Isn’t that the beauty of winemaking and most of all wine appreciation?
A few years ago I had an opportunity of a lifetime due to some very good friends. I went on a two day tour of the AVAs of Washington State (and since that tour we have added a few more AVAs). If you want to go back to my journeys, you will find the links below:
Sense of Place: http://tinyurl.com/2c8coff
Sense of Place Part 11: http://tinyurl.com/2cqd84n
Final Chapter: http://tinyurl.com/2axdjyb
Hopefully that clarifies any projections or erroneous information about me not appreciating any other wines and vines other than Walla Walla.
Cheers,
C~
John,
Typically being called a "girl" doesn't bother me when it is done out of friendship and not in a debate.
Thank you for your apology.
C~
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