Drink: Winning Wines

For 10 years now, our sister publication Seattle magazine has tracked the burgeoning wine scene in Washington with an annual celebration of the best wines in the industry.

When its Washington Wine Awards program started, three were seven American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in Washington. Today, there are 13. In 2005, wine grapes were growing on 30,000 acres in the state. Now they account for 50,000 acres. Ten years ago, 360 wineries called Washington home. That number has swelled to nearly 900.

Its not just the scale of the Washington wine industry that has changed in a decade. The quality has improved markedly as well. What becomes clear when reviewing this years list is that were entering a second phase in Washington wine, one in which the right grapes are planted in the right places, and a diversity of styles is embraced. So lets toast the finest wines of the year, as determined by a panel of 14 industry professionals. For complete coverage of Seattle magazines Washington Wine Awards, visit seattlemag.com.

RED WINES
Red Wine of the Year
Abeja 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon,
Columbia Valley, $50

Merlot, $20 or less
Waterbrook 2013 Merlot,
Columbia Valley, $15

Merlot, $21$40
LEcole No 41 2012 Estate Merlot,
Walla Walla Valley, $34

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

Red Blend, $20 or less
Soos Creek 2011 Sundance Red, Columbia Valley, $20

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

Red Blend,more than $40
Avennia 2012 Sestina Bordeaux Red,
Columbia Valley, $60

Syrah, $20 or less
Boomtown 2012 Syrah,
Columbia Valley, $17

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

Syrah, more than $40
Avennia 2012 Arnaut Syrah,
Boushey Vineyard, Yakima Valley, $50

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

Cabernet Sauvignon, $26$65
Abeja 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon,
Columbia Valley, $50

Cabernet Sauvignon, more than $65
Doubleback 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon,
Walla Walla Valley, $110

WHITE WINES
White Wine of the Year
Savage Grace 2013 Riesling, Underwood Mountain Vineyards, Columbia Gorge, $21

Sauvignon Blanc, $20 or less
Va Piano 2013 Sauvignon Blanc,
Columbia Valley, $20

Sauvignon Blanc, more than $20
K Vintners 2012 Sauvignon Blanc,
Columbia Valley, $21

Chardonnay, $15 or less
Buried Cane 2013 Chardonnay,
Washington State, $14

Chardonnay, $16$40
LEcole No 41 2013 Chardonnay,
Columbia Valley, $21

Chardonnay, more than $40
Tranche 2012 Chardonnay, Celilo Vineyard,
Columbia Gorge, $45

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

Riesling, more than $15
Savage Grace
2013 Riesling, Underwood Mountain Vineyards,
Columbia Gorge, $21

SPARKLING WINE
Sparkling Wine of the Year
Michelle NV Brut Rose,
Methode Champenoise, Columbia Valley, $13

ROSE WINE
Rose wine of the Year
Renegade Wine Co. 2014 Rose,
Columbia Valley, $12

Some wines may be sold out in stores or at wineries but can often be available at restaurants or from online retailers or collectors. Bottle prices are derived from two retailers and the winery, when possible. Retail prices may vary. Wine Awards produced by Yashar Shayan.