Fresh Press for June 27, 2011

June 27, 2011

FRESHPRESS

Gifford Hirlinger is in Washington’s Walla Walla Valley.

(Photo courtesy of Gifford Hirlinger)

Fresh Press is a weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest magazine. In each edition, we review recently released wines from Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho. Feel free to forward to your wine-loving friends and family. For more information on our tasting methods and review process, please go to the last page.

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 7 • © 2011

FRESHPRESS June 27, 2011

Spotlight: Gifford Hirlinger 1450 Stateline Road, Walla Walla, WA 99362 509-529-2075 • http://giffordhirlinger.com

WALLA WALLA, Wash. — Inspiration often comes out of nowhere, and Mike Berghan acknowledges he couldn’t care less about wine until his junior year of college.

So anyone who has experienced Berghan’s wines under his young Gifford Hirlinger brand in Walla Walla can credit Italy’s famous Antinori family with some indirect influence.

“Gonzaga University’s Renaissance program in Florence used to use the second floor of Palazzo Antinori — and on the street level was the Antinori wine bar and restaurant,” Berghan said. “Until then, I didn’t really have interest in wine.”

A little more than a decade later, he is consumed by it, tending two blocks of estate vines totaling 15 acres with a goal of producing 2,000 cases each vintage at his winery on Stateline Road, not far from Northstar and Pepper Bridge wineries.

“I’m the vineyard manager, the winemaker and I sit in the tasting room on the weekend,” Berghan said. “It’s not quite a one-man show, but close to it.”

The 34-year-old gave up the career of international finance he embarked on after graduating from the University of San Francisco.

“I worked for Salomon Smith Barney in San Francisco and quit after six months to work for a father of a friend of mine from college,” he said.

That friend’s father was famed viticulturalist Doug Wight, so instead of managing investment portfolios, Berghan began to learn how to manage vineyards in

Napa Valley. Before long, the native of Sandpoint, Idaho, wanted to return to the Northwest.

“I’m not into Pinot, so I stayed out of Oregon,” Berghan quipped. “I came home for vacation during August, and my dad and I got in a car and drove around wine-growing regions in Washington. We took a quick sidetrip to Walla Walla, and I’m really glad we did. It’s a beautiful community with great people and good wines.”

He arrived in fall 2001 and soon caught on at Canoe Ridge Vineyard, where he worked for six years. His first vintage for Gifford Hirlinger was 2003, and those wines were made at Basel Cellars.

The winery at Gifford Hirlinger — designed by a Sandpoint architect — was built in 2006, and Berghan developed some cash flow from that first vintage by selling fruit to Sandpoint’s Pend d’Oreille Winery as well as Basel Cellars.

“I started this and conned my family into investing in this. Fortunately, we’re all on speaking terms.”

He named the winery for after two portion of his family tree, and that love will get tested in 2011 much more than it did with the 2004 vintage — although it might allow him more time to spend with his wife and their two young children.

“I have 100 percent crop loss,” Berghan said. “I’ve already got some fruit contracts from the Wahluke Slope so I can have a placeholder vintage. About 300 cases — just enough to where people don’t forget I exist.”

That’s difficult to imagine considering these recent releases from Berghan.

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FRESHPRESS June 27, 2011

Spotlight: Gifford Hirlinger Outstanding! Gifford Hirlinger 2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $24. Mike Berghan shows he knows just how to deploy new French and Hungarian oak. It’s opulent but not overdone, allowing for aromas of black cherry, blackberry, chocolate, vanilla bean and black olive.

Inside, there’s beautiful extraction that results in a dense and rich drink of blackberry preserves and cherry jam. Resolved tannins create a finish of chocolate, cola and black licorice, and glimmering acidity will extend its life. (246 cases, 14.8% alc.)

Excellent. Gifford Hirlinger 2007 Estate Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $22. Here’s one of the more hedonistic examples of Merlot that you’ll find, starting with a nose that hints at Australian-style red licorice and chocolate, followed by allspice and leather. The pour brings juicy black cherries and chocolate in a lively structure that allows the fruit to stay just ahead of the tannin and oak. (195 cases, 14.8% alc.)

Excellent. Gifford Hirlinger 2008 Estate Malbec, Walla Walla Valley, $26. As a college student, Mike Berghan studied finance, and his business savvy shows. He planted a good amount of Malbec as this Bordeaux variety has rapidly become a fashionable

drink by itself. Strawberry compote, raspberry and blackberry tones are backed by chocolate, violet and flecks of minerality. The tannins are tucked behind the acidity. (348 cases, 13.8% alc.)

Recommended. Gifford Hirlinger 2008 Estate Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley, $28. This Bordeaux variety most often is treated as a blender, but Mike Berghan chose to label it on its own after adding some Merlot (20%). The influence of new French oak barrels (50%) for 23 months helps create a mood of blackberry, black cherry, smoky Belgian chocolate, mint and cola nut. There’s substantial weight to the structure and a nice thread of tannin. (123 cases, 14.2% alc.)

Excellent. Gifford Hirlinger 2008 Estate Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley, $26. Idaho native Mike Berghan feared a power surge from this crop off third-leaf fruit, but time in the bottle seems well-spent and he’s managed to keep the tannins normally associated with this burly Spanish red largely in check.

There’s a nose of blackberry, Nutella, coffee, cedar, tobacco leaf and minerality, and that blackberry motif makes its way to the palate. The tannin structure is

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FRESHPRESS June 27, 2011

Spotlight: Gifford Hirlinger akin to a bite of blackberry seed, making it penetrating but not overwhelming. (245 cases, 14.2% alc.)

Outstanding! Gifford Hirlinger 2008 Stateline Red, Walla Walla Valley, $16. Here’s a prime reason why you shouldn’t always judge a wine by the price, even in Walla Walla. If Mike Berghan truly paid attention to his wife and parents during this blending trial, then he’ll need to share the credit for this collaboration of Merlot

(46%), Cabernet Sauvignon (34%), Malbec (12%), Tinta Cão (4%), Tempranillo (3%) and Petit Verdot.

Skillful use of 100% neutral barrels creates a nose that includes chocolate-covered almonds, boysenberry, blackberry, nutmeg, espresso and black licorice. Close your eyes and the drink is of condensed blackberry juice and marionberry with delicious depth and bold tannins. (1,797 cases, 14.3% alc.)

New releases we’ve tasted Cabernet Sauvignon Excellent. Alder Ridge Vineyard 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $25. This vintage marked the first growing season at Alder Ridge without the late John Farmer as vineyard manager. It’s a compelling wine with aromas of pomegranate, pie cherry, chocolate, coffee and toasted sesame seed.

The vibrant drink brings in more pie cherries, reddish blackberries and pomegranate. Behind the abundant acidity and sturdy tannins are notes of vanilla, Graham cracker and pepper, a combination that can be enjoyed with a thick ribeye. (2,975 cases, 14.5% alc.)

Best Buy! Recommended. Waterbrook Winery 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $11. There’s little oak getting in the way of this pleasant drink that screams with tones of blueberry, marionberry and Chukar Cherries. The structure shows lots of cassis on the entry with a steady stream of acidity and a late drive of tannins. (988 cases, 13.7% alc.)

Merlot Recommended. Lopez Island Vineyards 2008 Merlot, Yakima Valley, $17. Here’s a Washington Merlot showing some Old World qualities with tones of boysenberry, pie cherry, leather and dark toast that swirl in bright acidity and late-arriving tannins. (240 cases, 14% alc.)

Excellent. Northwest Cellars 2008 Merlot, Yakima Valley, $18. Cherry Hill Vineyard near Zillah, Wash., has earned our attention for recent success with Riesling, and this Kirkland winery shows the site’s

versatility. Aromas lead with Chukar Cherry covered in bittersweet chocolate, followed by vanilla extract and mince meat. The drink is big, yet creamy with cassis and more cherry, backed by cloves, nutmeg, pumpkin pie and Ovaltine. (424 cases, 13.8% alc.)

Excellent. Robert Karl Cellars 2009 Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills, $22. Dr. Joseph Gunselmen furthers his reputation beyond Spokane, Wash., for remarkable and consistent reds with this balanced Merlot off Rob Andrews’ Horse Heaven Ranch Vineyard. The aromas bring thoughts of red currant, red raspberry, Rainier cherry and president plum, followed by notes of vanilla bean, coffee and a cigar humidor. Its expansive approach to the palate gets your attention as pleasing cherry, red currant and chocolate flavors take turns stepping out among the balanced structure. (200 cases, 13.5% alc.)

Best Buy! Recommended. Waterbrook Winery 2008 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $11. One of Walla Walla’s oldest labels bottled one of the boldest Merlots on the market. There’s a nice presentation of oak in the aromas with hints of baked Graham cracker crust that fits nicely alongside pomegranate, marionberry, cassis and slate. Those who enjoy the power of Petite Sirah should embrace the tannin structure inside this. (3,961 cases, 13.8% alc.)

Syrah Excellent. Westport Winery 2008 Vintner’s Reserve Swimmer’s Last Syrah, Washington, $27. We’ve quickly grown accustomed to the tasty work by Dana

Wine ratings All wines reviewed here are tasted blind after being submitted by producers. They are rated Outstanding, Excellent and Recommended by a tasting panel.

Outstanding: These wines have superior characteristics and should be highly sought after.

Excellent: Top-notch wines with particularly high qualities.

Recommended: Delicious, well-made wines with true varietal characteristics.

Best Buy: A wine that is $15 or less.

Priced are suggested retail and should be used as guidelines. Prices are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

For more details about our judging system, see the last page of this document.

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 7 • © 2011

FRESHPRESS June 27, 2011

New releases we’ve tasted Roberts, a young WSU graduate who makes the wines for his parents’ winery along the Washington coast.

There’s upfront blueberry and boysenberry aromas, backed by a steady push of Hershey’s milk chocolate, smoked hamhock and bacon grease. There’s little disappointment on the palate, which offers lots of appeal in addition to bolstering acidity and some late black tea tannins. Enjoy with duck breast. (57 cases, 12.7% alc.)

Sangiovese Recommended. Northwest Cellars 2008 Sangiovese, Yakima Valley, $25. Under Bob Delf’s direction, the bottle of Sangiovese (90%) from Art den Hoed Vineyard near Sunnyside incorporates some Syrah (10%), which helps account for the tones of blueberry and pomegranate throughout. In the background are hints of strawberry/rhubarb and oregano, and the fluid is darker than most would expect from this variety. (150 cases, 13.9% alc.)

Malbec Excellent. Elsom Cellars 2008 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $36. Woodinville winemaker Jody Elsom took extension classes for winemaking through Washington State University, and she learned her lessons well.

Dusty cherry, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, tobacco leaf and cedar can be imagined in the aromas. It’s big and beautiful in the mouth with ripe black cherry, raspberry and boysenberry flavors with well-managed tannins, supported by a distinctive heaviness in the finish. (155 cases, 14.5% alc.)

Recommended. Robert Karl Cellars 2008 Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $22. Here’s a pleasant example of what this underrated appellation can do with this Bordeaux variety. This downtown Spokane winery creates a bottle that brings tones of boysenberry, marionberry and minerality in both the aromas and the flavors, backed by rich barrel notes of black licorice and molasses. (100 cases, 13% alc.)

Best Buy! Outstanding! Eliseo Silva 2008 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $14. While the Eliseo Silva brand is a second label for Tagaris Winery, we still had to triplecheck the retail price because we have no records of a Northwest Malbec being this affordable. And it’s a stunning wine, carrying a theme of blueberry from beginning to end. The nose includes hints of boysenberry, chocolate sponge cake, Red Vines and anise. In the mouth, juicy blueberry and its acidity bring in huckleberry, black raspberry and mint leaf notes as winemaker Frank Roth brushed aside much of the tannin. Order online and the price is a paltry $10 per bottle. (1,421 cases, 13.5% alc.)

Zinfandel/Primitivo Recommended. Kandarian Wine Cellars 2009 Anomaly Mystery Block Zinfandel, Applegate Valley, $20. King Estate winemaker Jeff Kandarian steps outside Burgundian varieties at his own winery, and this Zin shows considerably more balance than most. The nose brings in tones of chocolate-covered boysenberry, Arturo Fuente cigar wrapper, blackberry jam, black pepper and a sprig of mint. It’s a lively and lip-smacking drink with blueberry and lingonberry flavors, backed by noticeably less alcohol than most Zins. The grapes come from a block of own-rooted vines planted in the 1970s at Wooldridge Creek Vineyard. (112 cases, 13.5% alc.)

Excellent. Whidbey Island Winery 2009 Primitivo, Horse Heaven Hills, $23. The prolific Coyote Canyon Vineyard continues to help its clients produce delicious wines, and Greg Osenbach turns this into a crowdpleaser. There’s sweetness showing in the nose with chocolate, molasses, cherry skins and tobacco. The drink is filled with cherry and blueberry juice, backed by chocolate, good grip from tannin and some late heat.

(135 cases, 14% alc.)

Red blends Best Buy! Outstanding! Precept Wine 2007 Pendulum, Columbia Valley, $15. The winemaking acumen of John Freeman should not be overlooked when accounting for the growth of the Andrew Browne/ Dan Baty empire. Because here’s a remarkable example of a wine that over-delivers at this price point from start to finish. One can almost breathe in the fuzzy boysenberry and raspberry, supported by anise, slate and menthol. A tip of the glass funnels in a fun, bold and balanced drink with more raspberry, chocolatecovered cherry and an explosion of boysenberry on the midpalate. There’s a sense of grace to the finish, thanks to fine-grained tannins. (964 cases, 14.1% alc.)

Excellent. Robert Karl Cellars 2008 Claret, Horse Heaven Hills, $20. The Gunselmans wisely tapped into this emerging appellation soon after establishing their winery in Spokane in 1999, and they continue to develop their estate Gunselman Bench Vineyard in the Horse Heavens. That site is included in this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (45%), Merlot (15%), Cabernet Franc (15%), Petit Verdot (15%) and Malbec, which brings a reward of blueberry, huckleberry, marionberry and Craisins. The broad tannins, shiny acidity and low alcohol should allow this to reach the next level in two to three years. (1,500 cases, 13.5% alc.)

Recommended. Tagaris Winery 2009 BoarDoe, Columbia Valley, $24. A bit of whimsy inspired the name for this estate blend of Bordeaux varieties — Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Malbec (20%), Petit Verdot

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FRESHPRESS June 27, 2011

New releases we’ve tasted (10%) and Merlot. Think of pie cherries in a light syrup along with cassis, and the Malbec gives off a hint of blueberry. Chocolate shavings, wintergreen and red pepper flakes add complexity to this balanced and bright drink. Enjoy with pork or venison. (1,716 cases, 13.5% alc.)

and butterscotch. There’s pleasing balance of fruit and oak on the palate with pineapple and orange, a bit of nuttiness and a lingering farewell of tangerine. (825 cases, 14% alc.)

Outstanding! Tagaris Winery 2007 Epyo, Columbia Valley, $56. Young winemaker Frank Roth puts his best effort -- in fact, the wine is named after a Greek reference for “work” — into this Meritage-style offering from owner Mike Taggares’ estate vines. He took Cabernet Sauvignon (34%) from Lee Palomo Vineyard with Malbec (22%) and Petit Verdot (22%) from the Alice Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope and rounded it out with Merlot from Arete Vineyard. The 18 months in new French oak brings out aromas of cherry, chocolate, cigar, cedar, mint and cherry wood. Rich black cherry and dark currant flavors carry into cranberry and orangy acidity. The finish shows chocolaty tannins and cracked black pepper. This wine is available only at the Richland, Wash., winery/ restaurant. (71 cases, 14% alc.)

Excellent. Van Duzer Vineyards 2010 Estate Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $16. A year ago, Jerry D. Murray took over the winemaking at this picturesque winery, so this marks his debut for the Thomas family.

The aromas provide an early indication of the dry style as it exudes segmented orange, yellow grapefruit, quince, lemon juice and honeysuckle. Tangelo and grapefruit flavors tow along Asian pear and nice minerality. (190 cases, 13.1% alc.)

Excellent. Whidbey Island Winery 2005 Composition, Yakima Valley, $30. The Osenbachs tap into some of the Yakima Valley’s best vineyards for their top wine, a production of Cabernet Sauvignon (33%) from Elephant Mountain, Merlot (33%) and Malbec (17%) from Crawford and Caberent Franc from Chelle den Millie. It makes for broad strokes of Craisins, pie cherry, dusty blueberry, blood orange and red licorice with food-friendly acidity to match. (150 cases, 13.5% alc.)

Chardonnay Recommended. Pondera Winery 2010 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $22. Looking for a bone-dry, no-oak Chardonnay to serve with ling cod? Here’s the wine.

Sourced from SageCliffe Vineyard near George, Wash., the crispness shows in the nose with starfruit, quince, clementine, goosebery, yellow grapefruit peel and jasmine. It’s long and juicy on the palate with crushed pineapple, green banana, lemon bitters and more jasmine. Lingering acidity creates a feel of running your tongue along the outside of etched glass.

(40 cases, 14.5% alc.)

Pinot Gris

Sauvignon Blanc Best Buy! Excellent. Eliseo Silva 2009 Arete Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $10. A perfumy nose of pineapple, quince, lime peel, celery leaf and bees wax broadens out into delicious flavors of fresh-cut pineapple and juicy lime. There’s a scrape of slate and some pleasing chalkiness that should make this a great chaser for oysters on the half-shell. (2,720 cases, 12.5% alc.)

Viognier Recommended. Silvan Ridge Winery 2008 Reserve Viognier, Rogue Valley, $18. This alternative to Chardonnay gathers up notes of banana chips, yellow grapefruit, orange, apricot, lime, jicama, campfire smoke and minerality. Enjoy with one of the wood-fired cheese pizzas or gourmet cheese plates served at this Eugene, Ore., winery on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons during the summer. (310 cases, 14.3% alc.)

White blends Recommended. Northwest Cellars 2009 Adagio, Columbia Valley, $18. An oak-free blend of Sauvignon Blanc (68%) and Chardonnay, it’s a lively drink of Granny Smith apple, lemon juice, lime zest, quinine and river rock. Try with fried oysters served on a Ritz cracker. This wine can be found via the Nectar Tasting Room in Spokane. (299 cases, 13.5% alc.)

Excellent. Ponzi Vineyards 2008 Reserve Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, $30. The Ponzi family’s Aurora Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains formed the base of this drink that’s influenced by 18 months of French oak barrels. That explains the spicy oak aromas that are joined by hints of banana, lemon

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FRESHPRESS June 27, 2011

Northwest wine regions Multi-state appellations Columbia Valley: This multi-state appellation is 11 million acres in size and takes up a third of Washington.

Established in 1984.

Columbia Gorge: This multi-state appellation begins around the town of Lyle and heads west to Husum on the Washington side of the Columbia River. It was established in 2004.

Walla Walla Valley: Walla Walla Valley: This multi-state appellation is in the southeast corner of Washington and around Milton-Freewater, Ore. Established in 1984.

Snake River Valley: This is in southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon. It covers 8,263 square miles and was established in 2007.

Washington Yakima Valley: The Northwest’s oldest appellation (established in 1983) stretches past Wapato in the west to Benton City in the east and includes Red Mountain, Rattlesnake Hills and Snipes Mountain.

Red Mountain: Washington’s smallest appellation is a ridge in the eastern Yakima Valley. It is 4,040 acres in size.

Established in 2001.

Horse Heaven Hills: This large appellation — 570,000 acres — is south of the Yakima Valley and stretches to the Oregon border. It was established in 2005.

Wahluke Slope: Approved in early 2006, this huge landform north of the Yakima Valley is an 81,000-acre gravel bar created by the Ice Age Floods. It is one of the warmest regions in the entire Pacific Northwest. Established in 2006.

Rattlesnake Hills: This appellation is in the western Yakima Valley north of the towns of Zillah, Granger and Outlook.The appellation is 68,500 acres in size with about 1,300 acres of vineyards. It was established in 2006.

Puget Sound: This sprawling appellation is in Western Washington. It stretches from the Olympia area to the Canadian border north of Bellingham. It also sweeps through the San Juan Islands and to Port Angeles. Established in 1995.

Snipes Mountain: This is one of Washington’s oldest wine-growing regions. At 4,145 acres in size, it is the state’s second-smallest AVA. Grapes have been grown on Snipes Mountain and at the adjacent Harrison Hill (also part of the AVA) since 1914. This AVA is within the Yakima Valley appellation and was approved in 2009.

Lake Chelan: This area in north-central Washington is almost entirely within the Columbia Valley. It is a young area, with the oldest vines dating to 1998. About 250 acres are planted here. It was approved in 2009.

Ribbon Ridge: This is the Northwest’s smallest appellation at 3,350 acres. It is best known for its Pinot Noir and is within the Chehalem Mountains AVA. It was established in 2005.

Yamhill-Carlton: This is a horseshoe-shaped appellation that surrounds the towns of Yamhill and Carlton. It was established in 2005. The “District” was dropped in 2011.

Chehalem Mountains: This is the largest within the Willamette Valley. This 62,100-acre appellation is northeast of the Dundee Hills. It was established in 2006.

Dundee Hills: Many of Oregon’s pioneer wineries are in the Dundee Hills within Oregon’s Yamhill County. The appellation is 6,490 acres in size. It was established in 2005.

Eola-Amity Hills: This important region stretches from the town of Amity in the north to the capital city of Salem in the southeast. It is 37,900 acres in size. It was established in 2006.

McMinnville: The hills south and west of the Yamhill County city of McMinnville are more than 40,000 acres in size.

It was established in 2005.

Umpqua Valley: This Southern Oregon appellation surrounds the city of Roseburg north of the Rogue Valley. It can produce Pinot Noir as well as warm-climate grapes. It was established in 1984.

Rogue Valley: The Northwest’s southern-most appellation surrounds the cities of Medford and Ashland, just north of the California border. It is known for its warm growing conditions. Established in 2001.

Applegate Valley: This small valley within the Rogue Valley is known for a multitude of microclimates that can result in wines of distinction and complexity. Established in 2004.

Southern Oregon: This AVA encompasses the Umpqua, Rogue and Applegate valleys and Red Hill Douglas County. It was established in 2005.

Red Hill Douglas County: This tiny appellation — just 5,500 acres — is within the Umpqua Valley. Fewer than 200 acres of wine grapes, primarily Pinot Noir, are grown here.

Established in 2005.

British Columbia

Okanagan Valley: In the province’s interior, this 100mile valley stretches from the border in Osoyoos to Salmon Arm in the north. Most wineries are near Oliver, Penticton and Kelowna. It was established in 1990.

Similkameen Valley: This warm valley is west of the southern Okanagan Valley. It was established in 1990.

Vancouver Island: This marine-influenced appellation is in the southwest part of the province. Established in 1990.

Fraser Valley: This farming area is in the Lower Mainland, south of Vancouver. Established in 1990.

Oregon Gulf Islands: This appellation includes approximately Willamette Valley: Oregon’s largest appellation stretches 100 islands spread out between Vancouver Island and the roughly from Portland to Eugene. Established in 1984. southern mainland. Established in 2005.

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FRESHPRESS June 27, 2011

About us Wine Press Northwest is a quarterly consumer magazine that focuses on the wine regions of Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho.

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Editor-in-chief: Andy Perdue editor@winepressnw.com Managing editor: Eric Degerman edegerman@winepressnw.com Advertising inquiries: Parker Hodge phodge@tricityherald.com © 2011

Tasting methods Recent Releases are evaluated under strict conditions to ensure objectivity. Northwest wineries submit wines to Wine Press Northwest for evaluation by Wine Press Northwest’s tasting panel. After wines are received, they are stored for at least two weeks and a third party serves them “blind,” meaning the tasting panelists do not know the producer. In addition, the panelists are served glasses of wine and are not able to view the bottles or their shapes prior to tasting. Wines are stored in temperature-controlled conditions, allowing them to be served at perfect cellar temperatures.

Price is not a consideration in these evaluations, nor is a winery’s advertising activity with Wine Press Northwest, as the magazine’s editorial/wine evaluation activities and advertising/ marketing efforts are kept strictly separate.

The panel has a combination of technical and consumer palates. If at least three of the four panelists consider a wine technically sound and commercially acceptable, it is included here as “Recommended.” The panel may also vote the wine as “Excellent” or “Outstanding,” our top rating. Wines considered

unacceptable by the panel are rejected and not included.

Reviews are grouped by variety or style and listed alphabetically by winery. Prices listed are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

To ensure we maintain an international perspective, our tasting panelists judge thousands of wines annually at various competitions, including: Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition, Riverside International Wine Competition, Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, Indy International Wine Competition, Virginia Governor’s Cup, Sonoma County Harvest Fair, Grand Harvest Awards, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru, Washington State Wine Competition, Seattle Wine Awards, Northwest Wine Summit, British Columbia Wine Awards, New York Wine and Grape Foundation Competition, Tri-Cities Wine Festival, Capital Food & Wine Fest and Idaho Wine Competition.

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 7 • © 2011