From the kick off of this blog on January 17, 2012 through tonight, I have reviewed approximately 250 wines. I would like to give special recognition to 50 of those wines, along with one winery that has really stood out this year.
WINE OF THE YEAR/RED WINE OF THE YEAR: Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Napa Valley’s Groth Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is an unforgettable, regal wine that electrifies the senses and does the highly lauded Oakville AVA proud.
WHITE WINE OF THE YEAR: aMaurice Cellars Columbia Valley Viognier 2010
aMaurice Cellars features a flat-out impressive lineup of both white and red wines. Their Columbia Valley Viognier is a delicate, beautiful, and exciting wine that is quite obviously made with care.
$20 BELOW RED WINE OF THE YEAR: Gifford-Hirlinger Stateline Red 2009
With their 2009 Stateline Red, a Cabernet Sauvignon dominated blend, Gifford-Hirlinger proves that there are age and cellar-worthy Cabs available for under $20.00. Retailing at a mind-boggling $16.00, I have purchased more individual bottles of this wine than any other this year.
$20 BELOW WHITE WINE OF THE YEAR: Tempus Cellars Evergreen Vineyard Riesling 2011
Of all of the high quality, low-priced Rieslings that I tasted this year, the Evergreen Vineyard Riesling from Walla Walla up-and-comer Tempus Cellars led the pack. Wine consumers everywhere should rejoice that wines like this one are available for $16.00!
WINERY OF THE YEAR: Rotie Cellars
Winemaker/owner Sean Boyd is doing some amazing things with Rhone varietals at Rotie Cellars in Walla Walla. I had the opportunity to sample six of Rotie’s current releases, highlighted by the 2010 Southern Blend, and I simply can’t recommend their wines enough (if you can find them).
FAB 50 OF 2012
- Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 ($125.00)
- Woodward Canyon “Artist Series” Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 ($54.00)
- Long Shadows Wineries Pirouette 2007 ($50.00)
- Rotie Cellars Southern Blend 2010 ($40.00)
- Rasa Principia Reserve Syrah 2008 ($85.00)
- Ridge Geyserville 2009 ($35.00)
- Carlisle Montafi Ranch Zinfandel 2009 ($45.00)
- Rotie Cellars “Little G” 2010 ($45.00)
- Long Shadows Wineries Sequel Syrah 2007 ($50.00)
- Buty Columbia Rediviva Phinny Hill Vineyard 2008 ($48.00)
- aMaurice Cellars Columbia Valley Viognier 2010 ($25.00)
- Maison Bleue Graviere Upland Vineyard 2010 ($45.00)
- Gramercy Cellars Third Man GSM 2009 ($45.00)
- Rasa Doctrina Perpetua Syrah Block 5 Bacchus Vineyard 2009 ($60.00)
- Betz La Cote Rousse Syrah 2007 ($55.00)
- Kistler Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay 2010 ($65.00)
- aMaurice Cellars Columbia Valley Chardonnay 2009 ($28.00)
- Buty Connor Lee Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 ($32.00)
- Proper Syrah 2010 ($36.00)
- Ravenswood Teldeschi Vineyard Zinfandel 2008 ($35.00)
- J “Barrel 16″ Pinot Noir 2010 ($75.00)
- Wild Horse Cheval Sauvage Pinot Noir 2008 ($60.00)
- L’Ecole 41 Estate Merlot 2008 ($36.00)
- L’Ecole 41 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard 2008 ($49.00)
- Saviah Cellars Une Valee Walla Walla Valley 2009 ($32.00)
- Ravenswood Barricia Vineyard Zinfandel 2008 ($35.00)
- Ridge Lytton Springs 2009 ($35.00)
- Girard Artistry 2008 ($40.00)
- MacPhail Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2010 ($39.00)
- Trio Vintners Plaisir 2009 ($26.00)
- Stolpman Estate Syrah 2009 ($34.00)
- Gifford-Hirlinger Stateline Red 2009 ($16.00)
- Erath Pinot Noir Estate Collection 2009 ($34.00)
- Trefethen Dry Riesling 2010 ($22.00)
- Frank Family Vineyards Zinfandel 2009 ($36.75)
- Walla Walla Vintners Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley 2010 ($28.00)
- Aberrant Cellars Confero Pinot Noir 2009 ($35.00)
- Reininger Syrah Walla Walla Valley 2008 ($42.00)
- Seghesio Rockpile Zinfandel 2010 ($38.00)
- Mackey Vineyards Concordia 2009 ($38.00)
- Tempus Cellars Evergreen Vineyard Riesling 2011 ($16.00)
- Syncline Mourvedre 2010 ($30.00)
- Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2009 ($38.00)
- K Syrah “Pheasant Vineyard” Wahluke Slope 2010 ($35.00)
- Mackey Vineyards Merlot 2009 ($36.00)
- Tamarack Cellars Merlot Columbia Valley 2008 ($28.00)
- Kontos Cellars Merlot 2009 ($32.00)
- Sequoia Grove Carneros Chardonnay 2009 ($28.00)
- Amavi Cellars Syrah Walla Walla Valley 2010 ($29.00)
- Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2011 ($12.00)
