The REAL Washington top wines

I'm sure nobody here was suckered by the Spectator's choice of
Columbia Crest Reserve Cab as their "wine of the year." CC produces 25
million bottles a year, most of it plonk. I call it Washington's Six
Buck Chuck, a division of Heart of Darkness, Inc. itself, Chateau Ste.
Michelle (aka "The Evil Empire").

And as I predicted, no sign of CC Reserve Cab anywhere on Paul
Gregutt's year-end list. Their H3 cheapo blend crept in at #82,
probably for the QPR because it's only $15. I had it at Thanksgiving,
and it was vacuous, pedestrian and not worth anywhere near whatever my
father paid for it. (He didn't ask me before he went shopping, but I
didn't bust him on it. He said the wine guy at the store picked it
out.)

Numbers 2,3,4,5,11, and 40, however, are those I expressed immediate
shock that the Spectator didn't include at all. I've never had the
Charles Smith Syrah, so don't fault me for missing #1.

Guess I know my Washington wines a lot better than the shills at the
Spectator, with their "17,000 bottles tasted," huh? Their palates are
made of advertisers' money.

JJ


Paul Gregutt’s Top 100 Washington State Wines For 2009

#1 – 100 Charles Smith 2006 Royal City Syrah ($80)
#2 – 98 Quilceda Creek 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($125)
#3 – 96 Betz Family 2006 Père de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon ($58)
#4 – 96 Abeja 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($80)
#5 – 96 Leonetti Cellar 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($85)
#6 – 95 Fielding Hills 2007 RiverBend Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
($38)
#7 – 95 Owen Roe 2007 Lady Rosa Syrah ($45)
#8 – 95 Andrew Will 2006 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine ($55)
#9 – 95 K Vintners 2006 En Chamberlin Roma Red ($60)
#10 – 95 Sineann 2007 Block One Cabernet Sauvignon ($72)
#11 – 95 Côte Bonneville 2005 DuBrul Vineyard Red ($125)
#12 – 94 Poet’s Leap 2008 Riesling ($20)
#13 – 94 Buty 2007 70% Sémillon/26% Sauvignon/4% Muscadelle ($25)
#14 – 94 Rôtie Cellars 2007 Southern Blend Red Wine ($35)
#15 – 94 Rulo 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($40)
#16 – 94 Gramercy Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($42)
#17 – 94 Stevens 2006 XY Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($42)
#18 – 94 Northstar 2006 Merlot ($50)
#19 – 94 Corliss Estates 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon ($75)
#20 – 94 Nicholas Cole Cellars 2005 Estate Reserve ($75)
#21 – 94 Den Hoed 2006 Andreas Cabernet Sauvignon ($80)
#22 – 93 Upland Estates 2007 Sauvignon Blanc ($18)
#23 – 93 Novelty Hill 2007 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Viognier ($20)
#24 – 93 Ardenvoir 2008 Artist Series Sémillon ($22)
#25 – 93 Eroica 2008 Riesling ($24)
#26 – 93 Beresan 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($29)
#27 – 93 JM Cellars 2007 Chardonnay ($32)
#28 – 93 Watermill 2006 Praying Mantis Syrah ($32)
#29 – 93 Bunchgrass 2007 Frazier Bluff Vineyard Malbec ($32)
#30 – 93 McCrea 2005 Boushey Grande Côte Vineyard Syrah ($36)
#31 – 93 Balboa 2006 Sayulita Red ($40)
#32 – 93 Woodward Canyon 2008 Chardonnay ($44)
#33 – 93 Dunham 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon XII ($45)
#34 – 93 Grand Rêve 2006 Collaboration Series III Ciel du Cheval Red
($45)
#35 – 93 L’Ecole No 41 2006 Seven Hills Vineyard Perigee ($50)
#36 – 93 Spring Valley Vineyard 2006 Uriah Red ($50)
#37 – 93 Rasa Vineyards 2007 QED Syrah ($50)
#38 – 93 Pepper Bridge 2006 Seven Hills Vineyard Red ($55)
#39 – 93 Gorman 2007 The Evil Twin Syrah–Cabernet Sauvignon ($60)
#40 – 93 DeLille Cellars 2006 Chaleur Estate Red Wine ($75)
#41 – 93 JBookwalter 2006 Chapter Two Red ($78)
#42 – 93 Boudreaux Cellars 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($100)
#43 – 92 Whitman Cellars 2008 Riesling ($14)
#44 – 92 Pacific Rim 2008 Organic Riesling ($14)
#45 – 92 Amavi Cellars 2008 Sémillon ($20)
#46 – 92 Syncline 2007 Syrah ($24)
#47 – 92 Sleight of Hand 2007 The Enchantress Chardonnay ($24)
#48 – 92 Darby 2008 Le Deuce Viognier 52%/Roussanne 48% ($24)
#49 – 92 Barrister 2007 Cabernet Franc ($27)
#50 – 92 Hestia Cellars 2006 Syrah ($32)
#51 – 92 Tamarack Cellars 2006 DuBrul Vineyard Reserve Red ($45)
#52 – 92 Arbor Crest 2005 Dionysus Red ($45)
#53 – 92 Walla Walla Vintners 2006 Vineyard Select Cabernet Sauvignon
($48)
#54 – 92 Doyenne 2006 Syrah ($49)
#55 – 92 Cougar Crest 2005 Estate Grown Reserve Syrah ($55)
#56 – 91 McKinley Springs 2007 Viognier ($14)
#57 – 91 Merry Cellars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($14)
#58 – 91 Trust 2008 Riesling ($16)
#59 – 91 Nefarious Cellars 2008 Stone’s Throw Vineyard Riesling ($18)
#60 – 91 Gamache Vintners 2007 Estate Riesling ($18)
#61 – 91 Gordon Brothers 2006 Syrah ($20)
#62 – 91 Alexandria Nicole 2008 Crawford Viognier ($20)
#63 – 91 Baer 2008 Shard ($21)
#64 – 91 Waterbrook 2007 Reserve Syrah ($22)
#65 – 91 Efesté 2006 Final-Final Cabernet-Syrah ($25)
#66 – 91 Soos Creek 2006 Artist Series #7 Red Wine ($28)
#67 – 91 Andrew Rich 2007 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Roussanne ($28)
#68 – 91 Olsen Estates 2007 Chardonnay ($28)
#69 – 91 Basel Cellars 2006 Pheasant Run Vineyard Estate Merlot ($28)
#70 – 91 Otis Kenyon 2006 Merlot ($30)
#71 – 91 Tranche 2005 Chardonnay ($30)
#72 – 91 Tulpen Cellars 2005 Merlot ($30)
#73 – 91 Coeur d’Alene Cellars 2006 Boushey Vineyard Syrah ($36)
#74 – 91 GLM 2005 Deluge Red ($40)
#75 – 91 Forgeron 2004 Klipsun Vineyard Merlot ($46)
#76 – 91 AlmaTerra 2006 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Syrah ($50)
#77 – 91 Reynvaan Family Vineyards 2007 The Contender Syrah ($55)
#78 – 91 Col Solare 2006 Red Table Wine ($70)
#79 – 90 Snoqualmie 2008 Naked Riesling ($12)
#80 – 90 Hedges Family Estate 2008 C.M.S. White/Sauvignon Blanc ($14)
#81 – 90 Airfield Estates 2008 Riesling ($14)
#82 – 90 Columbia Crest 2007 H3 Les Chevaux Red ($15)
#83 – 90 Thurston Wolfe 2008 PGV ($16)
#84 – 90 Woodinville Wine Cellars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($18)
#85 – 90 SuLei Cellars 2007 Beet Red ($19)
#86 – 90 Three Angels 2007 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Primitivo ($20)
#87 – 90 Seven Hills 2007 Merlot ($22)
#88 – 90 Cadaretta 2008 Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon ($23)
#89 – 90 Milbrandt Vineyards 2006 The Estates Cabernet Sauvignon ($25)
#90 – 90 Isenhower 2006 River Beauty Syrah ($26)
#91 – 90 Trio Vintners 2006 Morrison Lane Vineyard Sangiovese Riserva
($26)
#92 – 90 Lullaby 2007 Viognier ($28)
#93 – 90 Stephenson Cellars 2006 Syrah ($30)
#94 – 90 Zerba Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($30)
#95 – 90 Hard Row to Hoe 2006 Cabernet Franc ($32)
#96 – 90/91 àMaurice 2006 Malbec ($34)
#97 – 90 :Nota Bene 2006 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red ($35)
#98 – 90 Tertulia Cellars 2006 Malbec ($35)
#99 – 90 Va Piano 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($48)
#100 – 90 Bergevin Lane 2006 Intuition Reserve Red Wine ($55)
Blogging Daily at www.paulgregutt.com

Author: "Washington Wines & Wineries - the Essential Guide" (UC Press)
Newspaper Columnist: Seattle Times, Spokane Spokesman-Review
NW Editor: Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Charles Smith Syrah is INCREDIBLE. And my baseline for great syrah is
JL Chave Hermitage and I cannot say enough about Charles Smith and his
red wines. Specifically the Royal City Syrah that is top ranked.

Suggest you get some before it runs out!! Very Small productions.


On Dec 1, 2:04*pm, j...@unspameljefe.net wrote:
> I'm sure nobody here was suckered by the Spectator's choice of
> Columbia Crest Reserve Cab as their "wine of the year." CC produces 25
> million bottles a year, most of it plonk. I call it Washington's Six
> Buck Chuck, a division of Heart of Darkness, Inc. itself, Chateau Ste.
> Michelle (aka "The Evil Empire").
>
> And as I predicted, no sign of CC Reserve Cab anywhere on Paul
> Gregutt's year-end list. Their H3 cheapo blend crept in at #82,
> probably for the QPR because it's only $15. I had it at Thanksgiving,
> and it was vacuous, pedestrian and not worth anywhere near whatever my
> father paid for it. (He didn't ask me before he went shopping, but I
> didn't bust him on it. He said the wine guy at the store picked it
> out.)
>
> Numbers 2,3,4,5,11, and 40, however, are those I expressed immediate
> shock that the Spectator didn't include at all. I've never had the
> Charles Smith Syrah, so don't fault me for missing #1.
>
> Guess I know my Washington wines a lot better than the shills at the
> Spectator, with their "17,000 bottles tasted," huh? Their palates are
> made of advertisers' money.
>
> JJ
>
> Paul Gregutt’s Top 100 Washington State Wines For 2009
>
> #1 – 100 Charles Smith 2006 Royal City Syrah ($80)
> #2 – 98 Quilceda Creek 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($125)
> #3 – 96 Betz Family 2006 Père de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon ($58)
> #4 – 96 Abeja 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($80)
> #5 – 96 Leonetti Cellar 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($85)
> #6 – 95 Fielding Hills 2007 RiverBend Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
> ($38)
> #7 – 95 Owen Roe 2007 Lady Rosa Syrah ($45)
> #8 – 95 Andrew Will 2006 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine ($55)
> #9 – 95 K Vintners 2006 En Chamberlin Roma Red ($60)
> #10 – 95 Sineann 2007 Block One Cabernet Sauvignon ($72)
> #11 – 95 Côte Bonneville 2005 DuBrul Vineyard Red ($125)
> #12 – 94 Poet’s Leap 2008 Riesling ($20)
> #13 – 94 Buty 2007 70% Sémillon/26% Sauvignon/4% Muscadelle ($25)
> #14 – 94 Rôtie Cellars 2007 Southern Blend Red Wine ($35)
> #15 – 94 Rulo 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($40)
> #16 – 94 Gramercy Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($42)
> #17 – 94 Stevens 2006 XY Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($42)
> #18 – 94 Northstar 2006 Merlot ($50)
> #19 – 94 Corliss Estates 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon ($75)
> #20 – 94 Nicholas Cole Cellars 2005 Estate Reserve ($75)
> #21 – 94 Den Hoed 2006 Andreas Cabernet Sauvignon ($80)
> #22 – 93 Upland Estates 2007 Sauvignon Blanc ($18)
> #23 – 93 Novelty Hill 2007 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Viognier ($20)
> #24 – 93 Ardenvoir 2008 Artist Series Sémillon ($22)
> #25 – 93 Eroica 2008 Riesling ($24)
> #26 – 93 Beresan 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($29)
> #27 – 93 JM Cellars 2007 Chardonnay ($32)
> #28 – 93 Watermill 2006 Praying Mantis Syrah ($32)
> #29 – 93 Bunchgrass 2007 Frazier Bluff Vineyard Malbec ($32)
> #30 – 93 McCrea 2005 Boushey Grande Côte Vineyard Syrah ($36)
> #31 – 93 Balboa 2006 Sayulita Red ($40)
> #32 – 93 Woodward Canyon 2008 Chardonnay ($44)
> #33 – 93 Dunham 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon XII ($45)
> #34 – 93 Grand Rêve 2006 Collaboration Series III Ciel du Cheval Red
> ($45)
> #35 – 93 L’Ecole No 41 2006 Seven Hills Vineyard Perigee ($50)
> #36 – 93 Spring Valley Vineyard 2006 Uriah Red ($50)
> #37 – 93 Rasa Vineyards 2007 QED Syrah ($50)
> #38 – 93 Pepper Bridge 2006 Seven Hills Vineyard Red ($55)
> #39 – 93 Gorman 2007 The Evil Twin Syrah–Cabernet Sauvignon ($60)
> #40 – 93 DeLille Cellars 2006 Chaleur Estate Red Wine ($75)
> #41 – 93 JBookwalter 2006 Chapter Two Red ($78)
> #42 – 93 Boudreaux Cellars 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($100)
> #43 – 92 Whitman Cellars 2008 Riesling ($14)
> #44 – 92 Pacific Rim 2008 Organic Riesling ($14)
> #45 – 92 Amavi Cellars 2008 Sémillon ($20)
> #46 – 92 Syncline 2007 Syrah ($24)
> #47 – 92 Sleight of Hand 2007 The Enchantress Chardonnay ($24)
> #48 – 92 Darby 2008 Le Deuce Viognier 52%/Roussanne 48% ($24)
> #49 – 92 Barrister 2007 Cabernet Franc ($27)
> #50 – 92 Hestia Cellars 2006 Syrah ($32)
> #51 – 92 Tamarack Cellars 2006 DuBrul Vineyard Reserve Red ($45)
> #52 – 92 Arbor Crest 2005 Dionysus Red ($45)
> #53 – 92 Walla Walla Vintners 2006 Vineyard Select Cabernet Sauvignon
> ($48)
> #54 – 92 Doyenne 2006 Syrah ($49)
> #55 – 92 Cougar Crest 2005 Estate Grown Reserve Syrah ($55)
> #56 – 91 McKinley Springs 2007 Viognier ($14)
> #57 – 91 Merry Cellars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($14)
> #58 – 91 Trust 2008 Riesling ($16)
> #59 – 91 Nefarious Cellars 2008 Stone’s Throw Vineyard Riesling ($18)
> #60 – 91 Gamache Vintners 2007 Estate Riesling ($18)
> #61 – 91 Gordon Brothers 2006 Syrah ($20)
> #62 – 91 Alexandria Nicole 2008 Crawford Viognier ($20)
> #63 – 91 Baer 2008 Shard ($21)
> #64 – 91 Waterbrook 2007 Reserve Syrah ($22)
> #65 – 91 Efesté 2006 Final-Final Cabernet-Syrah ($25)
> #66 – 91 Soos Creek 2006 Artist Series #7 Red Wine ($28)
> #67 – 91 Andrew Rich 2007 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Roussanne ($28)
> #68 – 91 Olsen Estates 2007 Chardonnay ($28)
> #69 – 91 Basel Cellars 2006 Pheasant Run Vineyard Estate Merlot ($28)
> #70 – 91 Otis Kenyon 2006 Merlot ($30)
> #71 – 91 Tranche 2005 Chardonnay ($30)
> #72 – 91 Tulpen Cellars 2005 Merlot ($30)
> #73 – 91 Coeur d’Alene Cellars 2006 Boushey Vineyard Syrah ($36)
> #74 – 91 GLM 2005 Deluge Red ($40)
> #75 – 91 Forgeron 2004 Klipsun Vineyard Merlot ($46)
> #76 – 91 AlmaTerra 2006 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Syrah ($50)
> #77 – 91 Reynvaan Family Vineyards 2007 The Contender Syrah ($55)
> #78 – 91 Col Solare 2006 Red Table Wine ($70)
> #79 – 90 Snoqualmie 2008 Naked Riesling ($12)
> #80 – 90 Hedges Family Estate 2008 C.M.S. White/Sauvignon Blanc ($14)
> #81 – 90 Airfield Estates 2008 Riesling ($14)
> #82 – 90 Columbia Crest 2007 H3 Les Chevaux Red ($15)
> #83 – 90 Thurston Wolfe 2008 PGV ($16)
> #84 – 90 Woodinville Wine Cellars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($18)
> #85 – 90 SuLei Cellars 2007 Beet Red ($19)
> #86 – 90 Three Angels 2007 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Primitivo ($20)
> #87 – 90 Seven Hills 2007 Merlot ($22)
> #88 – 90 Cadaretta 2008 Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon ($23)
> #89 – 90 Milbrandt Vineyards 2006 The Estates Cabernet Sauvignon ($25)
> #90 – 90 Isenhower 2006 River Beauty Syrah ($26)
> #91 – 90 Trio Vintners 2006 Morrison Lane Vineyard Sangiovese Riserva
> ($26)
> #92 – 90 Lullaby 2007 Viognier ($28)
> #93 – 90 Stephenson Cellars 2006 Syrah ($30)
> #94 – 90 Zerba Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($30)
> #95 – 90 Hard Row to Hoe 2006 Cabernet Franc ($32)
> #96 – 90/91 àMaurice 2006 Malbec ($34)
> #97 – 90 :Nota Bene 2006 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red ($35)
> #98 – 90 Tertulia Cellars 2006 Malbec ($35)
> #99 – 90 Va Piano 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($48)
> #100 – 90 Bergevin Lane 2006 Intuition Reserve Red Wine ($55)
> Blogging Daily atwww.paulgregutt.com
>
> Author: "Washington Wines & Wineries - the Essential Guide" (UC Press)
> Newspaper Columnist: *Seattle Times, Spokane Spokesman-Review
> NW Editor: Wine Enthusiast Magazine

On Dec 1, 2:04*pm, j...@unspameljefe.net wrote:
> I'm sure nobody here was suckered by the Spectator's choice of
> Columbia Crest Reserve Cab as their "wine of the year." CC produces 25
> million bottles a year, most of it plonk. I call it Washington's Six
> Buck Chuck, a division of Heart of Darkness, Inc. itself, Chateau Ste.
> Michelle (aka "The Evil Empire").
>
> And as I predicted, no sign of CC Reserve Cab anywhere on Paul
> Gregutt's year-end list. Their H3 cheapo blend crept in at #82,
> probably for the QPR because it's only $15. I had it at Thanksgiving,
> and it was vacuous, pedestrian and not worth anywhere near whatever my
> father paid for it. (He didn't ask me before he went shopping, but I
> didn't bust him on it. He said the wine guy at the store picked it
> out.)
>
> Numbers 2,3,4,5,11, and 40, however, are those I expressed immediate
> shock that the Spectator didn't include at all. I've never had the
> Charles Smith Syrah, so don't fault me for missing #1.
>
> Guess I know my Washington wines a lot better than the shills at the
> Spectator, with their "17,000 bottles tasted," huh? Their palates are
> made of advertisers' money.
>
> JJ
>
> Paul Gregutt’s Top 100 Washington State Wines For 2009
>
> #1 – 100 Charles Smith 2006 Royal City Syrah ($80)
> #2 – 98 Quilceda Creek 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($125)
> #3 – 96 Betz Family 2006 Père de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon ($58)
> #4 – 96 Abeja 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($80)
> #5 – 96 Leonetti Cellar 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($85)
> #6 – 95 Fielding Hills 2007 RiverBend Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
> ($38)
> #7 – 95 Owen Roe 2007 Lady Rosa Syrah ($45)
> #8 – 95 Andrew Will 2006 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine ($55)
> #9 – 95 K Vintners 2006 En Chamberlin Roma Red ($60)
> #10 – 95 Sineann 2007 Block One Cabernet Sauvignon ($72)
> #11 – 95 Côte Bonneville 2005 DuBrul Vineyard Red ($125)
> #12 – 94 Poet’s Leap 2008 Riesling ($20)
> #13 – 94 Buty 2007 70% Sémillon/26% Sauvignon/4% Muscadelle ($25)
> #14 – 94 Rôtie Cellars 2007 Southern Blend Red Wine ($35)
> #15 – 94 Rulo 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($40)
> #16 – 94 Gramercy Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($42)
> #17 – 94 Stevens 2006 XY Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($42)
> #18 – 94 Northstar 2006 Merlot ($50)
> #19 – 94 Corliss Estates 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon ($75)
> #20 – 94 Nicholas Cole Cellars 2005 Estate Reserve ($75)
> #21 – 94 Den Hoed 2006 Andreas Cabernet Sauvignon ($80)
> #22 – 93 Upland Estates 2007 Sauvignon Blanc ($18)
> #23 – 93 Novelty Hill 2007 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Viognier ($20)
> #24 – 93 Ardenvoir 2008 Artist Series Sémillon ($22)
> #25 – 93 Eroica 2008 Riesling ($24)
> #26 – 93 Beresan 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($29)
> #27 – 93 JM Cellars 2007 Chardonnay ($32)
> #28 – 93 Watermill 2006 Praying Mantis Syrah ($32)
> #29 – 93 Bunchgrass 2007 Frazier Bluff Vineyard Malbec ($32)
> #30 – 93 McCrea 2005 Boushey Grande Côte Vineyard Syrah ($36)
> #31 – 93 Balboa 2006 Sayulita Red ($40)
> #32 – 93 Woodward Canyon 2008 Chardonnay ($44)
> #33 – 93 Dunham 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon XII ($45)
> #34 – 93 Grand Rêve 2006 Collaboration Series III Ciel du Cheval Red
> ($45)
> #35 – 93 L’Ecole No 41 2006 Seven Hills Vineyard Perigee ($50)
> #36 – 93 Spring Valley Vineyard 2006 Uriah Red ($50)
> #37 – 93 Rasa Vineyards 2007 QED Syrah ($50)
> #38 – 93 Pepper Bridge 2006 Seven Hills Vineyard Red ($55)
> #39 – 93 Gorman 2007 The Evil Twin Syrah–Cabernet Sauvignon ($60)
> #40 – 93 DeLille Cellars 2006 Chaleur Estate Red Wine ($75)
> #41 – 93 JBookwalter 2006 Chapter Two Red ($78)
> #42 – 93 Boudreaux Cellars 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($100)
> #43 – 92 Whitman Cellars 2008 Riesling ($14)
> #44 – 92 Pacific Rim 2008 Organic Riesling ($14)
> #45 – 92 Amavi Cellars 2008 Sémillon ($20)
> #46 – 92 Syncline 2007 Syrah ($24)
> #47 – 92 Sleight of Hand 2007 The Enchantress Chardonnay ($24)
> #48 – 92 Darby 2008 Le Deuce Viognier 52%/Roussanne 48% ($24)
> #49 – 92 Barrister 2007 Cabernet Franc ($27)
> #50 – 92 Hestia Cellars 2006 Syrah ($32)
> #51 – 92 Tamarack Cellars 2006 DuBrul Vineyard Reserve Red ($45)
> #52 – 92 Arbor Crest 2005 Dionysus Red ($45)
> #53 – 92 Walla Walla Vintners 2006 Vineyard Select Cabernet Sauvignon
> ($48)
> #54 – 92 Doyenne 2006 Syrah ($49)
> #55 – 92 Cougar Crest 2005 Estate Grown Reserve Syrah ($55)
> #56 – 91 McKinley Springs 2007 Viognier ($14)
> #57 – 91 Merry Cellars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($14)
> #58 – 91 Trust 2008 Riesling ($16)
> #59 – 91 Nefarious Cellars 2008 Stone’s Throw Vineyard Riesling ($18)
> #60 – 91 Gamache Vintners 2007 Estate Riesling ($18)
> #61 – 91 Gordon Brothers 2006 Syrah ($20)
> #62 – 91 Alexandria Nicole 2008 Crawford Viognier ($20)
> #63 – 91 Baer 2008 Shard ($21)
> #64 – 91 Waterbrook 2007 Reserve Syrah ($22)
> #65 – 91 Efesté 2006 Final-Final Cabernet-Syrah ($25)
> #66 – 91 Soos Creek 2006 Artist Series #7 Red Wine ($28)
> #67 – 91 Andrew Rich 2007 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Roussanne ($28)
> #68 – 91 Olsen Estates 2007 Chardonnay ($28)
> #69 – 91 Basel Cellars 2006 Pheasant Run Vineyard Estate Merlot ($28)
> #70 – 91 Otis Kenyon 2006 Merlot ($30)
> #71 – 91 Tranche 2005 Chardonnay ($30)
> #72 – 91 Tulpen Cellars 2005 Merlot ($30)
> #73 – 91 Coeur d’Alene Cellars 2006 Boushey Vineyard Syrah ($36)
> #74 – 91 GLM 2005 Deluge Red ($40)
> #75 – 91 Forgeron 2004 Klipsun Vineyard Merlot ($46)
> #76 – 91 AlmaTerra 2006 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Syrah ($50)
> #77 – 91 Reynvaan Family Vineyards 2007 The Contender Syrah ($55)
> #78 – 91 Col Solare 2006 Red Table Wine ($70)
> #79 – 90 Snoqualmie 2008 Naked Riesling ($12)
> #80 – 90 Hedges Family Estate 2008 C.M.S. White/Sauvignon Blanc ($14)
> #81 – 90 Airfield Estates 2008 Riesling ($14)
> #82 – 90 Columbia Crest 2007 H3 Les Chevaux Red ($15)
> #83 – 90 Thurston Wolfe 2008 PGV ($16)
> #84 – 90 Woodinville Wine Cellars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($18)
> #85 – 90 SuLei Cellars 2007 Beet Red ($19)
> #86 – 90 Three Angels 2007 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Primitivo ($20)
> #87 – 90 Seven Hills 2007 Merlot ($22)
> #88 – 90 Cadaretta 2008 Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon ($23)
> #89 – 90 Milbrandt Vineyards 2006 The Estates Cabernet Sauvignon ($25)
> #90 – 90 Isenhower 2006 River Beauty Syrah ($26)
> #91 – 90 Trio Vintners 2006 Morrison Lane Vineyard Sangiovese Riserva
> ($26)
> #92 – 90 Lullaby 2007 Viognier ($28)
> #93 – 90 Stephenson Cellars 2006 Syrah ($30)
> #94 – 90 Zerba Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($30)
> #95 – 90 Hard Row to Hoe 2006 Cabernet Franc ($32)
> #96 – 90/91 àMaurice 2006 Malbec ($34)
> #97 – 90 :Nota Bene 2006 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red ($35)
> #98 – 90 Tertulia Cellars 2006 Malbec ($35)
> #99 – 90 Va Piano 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($48)
> #100 – 90 Bergevin Lane 2006 Intuition Reserve Red Wine ($55)
> Blogging Daily atwww.paulgregutt.com
>
> Author: "Washington Wines & Wineries - the Essential Guide" (UC Press)
> Newspaper Columnist: *Seattle Times, Spokane Spokesman-Review
> NW Editor: Wine Enthusiast Magazine

I'm not a fan of WS for wine rating, though I once again have a
subscription (I haven't paid since 90s, but one year got from Zachys
as a promo, and then recently I used some FF miles on an airline I
never fly and would never get a seat on for mags like This Old House,
WS, etc). I will say I enjoyed the recent article on counterfeiting. I
haven't looked at the Top 100 list.

But to be fair, the Top 100 is not supposed to be a list of the best
wines. I don't remember their exact language of criteria, but it's
something along the line of interest, representing a region, value,
and availability. I don't know about Charles Smith, but certainly
Abeja, Betz, and QC aren't exactly on shelves everywhere. The WOTY is
never the top scoring wine of the year, nor especially close to it.
The last 2 years they made a statement about wanting wines that were
more affordable in top spots. 500 case $100 wines aren't really
considered for the most part. Is there anything in the top 10 that
isn't at least 1000 cases? I'll look when I get home

On 12/1/2009 3:23 PM, DaleW wrote:
> On Dec 1, 2:04 pm, j...@unspameljefe.net wrote:
>> I'm sure nobody here was suckered by the Spectator's choice of
>> Columbia Crest Reserve Cab as their "wine of the year." CC produces 25
>> million bottles a year, most of it plonk. I call it Washington's Six
>> Buck Chuck, a division of Heart of Darkness, Inc. itself, Chateau Ste.
>> Michelle (aka "The Evil Empire").
>>
>> And as I predicted, no sign of CC Reserve Cab anywhere on Paul
>> Gregutt's year-end list. Their H3 cheapo blend crept in at #82,
>> probably for the QPR because it's only $15. I had it at Thanksgiving,
>> and it was vacuous, pedestrian and not worth anywhere near whatever my
>> father paid for it. (He didn't ask me before he went shopping, but I
>> didn't bust him on it. He said the wine guy at the store picked it
>> out.)
>>
>> Numbers 2,3,4,5,11, and 40, however, are those I expressed immediate
>> shock that the Spectator didn't include at all. I've never had the
>> Charles Smith Syrah, so don't fault me for missing #1.
>>
>> Guess I know my Washington wines a lot better than the shills at the
>> Spectator, with their "17,000 bottles tasted," huh? Their palates are
>> made of advertisers' money.
>>
>> JJ
>>
>> Paul Gregutt’s Top 100 Washington State Wines For 2009
>>
>> #1 – 100 Charles Smith 2006 Royal City Syrah ($80)
>> #2 – 98 Quilceda Creek 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($125)
>> #3 – 96 Betz Family 2006 Père de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon ($58)
>> #4 – 96 Abeja 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($80)
>> #5 – 96 Leonetti Cellar 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($85)
>> #6 – 95 Fielding Hills 2007 RiverBend Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
>> ($38)
>> #7 – 95 Owen Roe 2007 Lady Rosa Syrah ($45)
>> #8 – 95 Andrew Will 2006 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine ($55)
>> #9 – 95 K Vintners 2006 En Chamberlin Roma Red ($60)
>> #10 – 95 Sineann 2007 Block One Cabernet Sauvignon ($72)
>> #11 – 95 Côte Bonneville 2005 DuBrul Vineyard Red ($125)
>> #12 – 94 Poet’s Leap 2008 Riesling ($20)
>> #13 – 94 Buty 2007 70% Sémillon/26% Sauvignon/4% Muscadelle ($25)
>> #14 – 94 Rôtie Cellars 2007 Southern Blend Red Wine ($35)
>> #15 – 94 Rulo 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($40)
>> #16 – 94 Gramercy Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($42)
>> #17 – 94 Stevens 2006 XY Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($42)
>> #18 – 94 Northstar 2006 Merlot ($50)
>> #19 – 94 Corliss Estates 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon ($75)
>> #20 – 94 Nicholas Cole Cellars 2005 Estate Reserve ($75)
>> #21 – 94 Den Hoed 2006 Andreas Cabernet Sauvignon ($80)
>> #22 – 93 Upland Estates 2007 Sauvignon Blanc ($18)
>> #23 – 93 Novelty Hill 2007 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Viognier ($20)
>> #24 – 93 Ardenvoir 2008 Artist Series Sémillon ($22)
>> #25 – 93 Eroica 2008 Riesling ($24)
>> #26 – 93 Beresan 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($29)
>> #27 – 93 JM Cellars 2007 Chardonnay ($32)
>> #28 – 93 Watermill 2006 Praying Mantis Syrah ($32)
>> #29 – 93 Bunchgrass 2007 Frazier Bluff Vineyard Malbec ($32)
>> #30 – 93 McCrea 2005 Boushey Grande Côte Vineyard Syrah ($36)
>> #31 – 93 Balboa 2006 Sayulita Red ($40)
>> #32 – 93 Woodward Canyon 2008 Chardonnay ($44)
>> #33 – 93 Dunham 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon XII ($45)
>> #34 – 93 Grand Rêve 2006 Collaboration Series III Ciel du Cheval Red
>> ($45)
>> #35 – 93 L’Ecole No 41 2006 Seven Hills Vineyard Perigee ($50)
>> #36 – 93 Spring Valley Vineyard 2006 Uriah Red ($50)
>> #37 – 93 Rasa Vineyards 2007 QED Syrah ($50)
>> #38 – 93 Pepper Bridge 2006 Seven Hills Vineyard Red ($55)
>> #39 – 93 Gorman 2007 The Evil Twin Syrah–Cabernet Sauvignon ($60)
>> #40 – 93 DeLille Cellars 2006 Chaleur Estate Red Wine ($75)
>> #41 – 93 JBookwalter 2006 Chapter Two Red ($78)
>> #42 – 93 Boudreaux Cellars 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($100)
>> #43 – 92 Whitman Cellars 2008 Riesling ($14)
>> #44 – 92 Pacific Rim 2008 Organic Riesling ($14)
>> #45 – 92 Amavi Cellars 2008 Sémillon ($20)
>> #46 – 92 Syncline 2007 Syrah ($24)
>> #47 – 92 Sleight of Hand 2007 The Enchantress Chardonnay ($24)
>> #48 – 92 Darby 2008 Le Deuce Viognier 52%/Roussanne 48% ($24)
>> #49 – 92 Barrister 2007 Cabernet Franc ($27)
>> #50 – 92 Hestia Cellars 2006 Syrah ($32)
>> #51 – 92 Tamarack Cellars 2006 DuBrul Vineyard Reserve Red ($45)
>> #52 – 92 Arbor Crest 2005 Dionysus Red ($45)
>> #53 – 92 Walla Walla Vintners 2006 Vineyard Select Cabernet Sauvignon
>> ($48)
>> #54 – 92 Doyenne 2006 Syrah ($49)
>> #55 – 92 Cougar Crest 2005 Estate Grown Reserve Syrah ($55)
>> #56 – 91 McKinley Springs 2007 Viognier ($14)
>> #57 – 91 Merry Cellars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($14)
>> #58 – 91 Trust 2008 Riesling ($16)
>> #59 – 91 Nefarious Cellars 2008 Stone’s Throw Vineyard Riesling ($18)
>> #60 – 91 Gamache Vintners 2007 Estate Riesling ($18)
>> #61 – 91 Gordon Brothers 2006 Syrah ($20)
>> #62 – 91 Alexandria Nicole 2008 Crawford Viognier ($20)
>> #63 – 91 Baer 2008 Shard ($21)
>> #64 – 91 Waterbrook 2007 Reserve Syrah ($22)
>> #65 – 91 Efesté 2006 Final-Final Cabernet-Syrah ($25)
>> #66 – 91 Soos Creek 2006 Artist Series #7 Red Wine ($28)
>> #67 – 91 Andrew Rich 2007 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Roussanne ($28)
>> #68 – 91 Olsen Estates 2007 Chardonnay ($28)
>> #69 – 91 Basel Cellars 2006 Pheasant Run Vineyard Estate Merlot ($28)
>> #70 – 91 Otis Kenyon 2006 Merlot ($30)
>> #71 – 91 Tranche 2005 Chardonnay ($30)
>> #72 – 91 Tulpen Cellars 2005 Merlot ($30)
>> #73 – 91 Coeur d’Alene Cellars 2006 Boushey Vineyard Syrah ($36)
>> #74 – 91 GLM 2005 Deluge Red ($40)
>> #75 – 91 Forgeron 2004 Klipsun Vineyard Merlot ($46)
>> #76 – 91 AlmaTerra 2006 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Syrah ($50)
>> #77 – 91 Reynvaan Family Vineyards 2007 The Contender Syrah ($55)
>> #78 – 91 Col Solare 2006 Red Table Wine ($70)
>> #79 – 90 Snoqualmie 2008 Naked Riesling ($12)
>> #80 – 90 Hedges Family Estate 2008 C.M.S. White/Sauvignon Blanc ($14)
>> #81 – 90 Airfield Estates 2008 Riesling ($14)
>> #82 – 90 Columbia Crest 2007 H3 Les Chevaux Red ($15)
>> #83 – 90 Thurston Wolfe 2008 PGV ($16)
>> #84 – 90 Woodinville Wine Cellars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($18)
>> #85 – 90 SuLei Cellars 2007 Beet Red ($19)
>> #86 – 90 Three Angels 2007 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Primitivo ($20)
>> #87 – 90 Seven Hills 2007 Merlot ($22)
>> #88 – 90 Cadaretta 2008 Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon ($23)
>> #89 – 90 Milbrandt Vineyards 2006 The Estates Cabernet Sauvignon ($25)
>> #90 – 90 Isenhower 2006 River Beauty Syrah ($26)
>> #91 – 90 Trio Vintners 2006 Morrison Lane Vineyard Sangiovese Riserva
>> ($26)
>> #92 – 90 Lullaby 2007 Viognier ($28)
>> #93 – 90 Stephenson Cellars 2006 Syrah ($30)
>> #94 – 90 Zerba Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($30)
>> #95 – 90 Hard Row to Hoe 2006 Cabernet Franc ($32)
>> #96 – 90/91 àMaurice 2006 Malbec ($34)
>> #97 – 90 :Nota Bene 2006 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red ($35)
>> #98 – 90 Tertulia Cellars 2006 Malbec ($35)
>> #99 – 90 Va Piano 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($48)
>> #100 – 90 Bergevin Lane 2006 Intuition Reserve Red Wine ($55)
>> Blogging Daily atwww.paulgregutt.com
>>
>> Author: "Washington Wines& Wineries - the Essential Guide" (UC Press)
>> Newspaper Columnist: Seattle Times, Spokane Spokesman-Review
>> NW Editor: Wine Enthusiast Magazine
>
> I'm not a fan of WS for wine rating, though I once again have a
> subscription (I haven't paid since 90s, but one year got from Zachys
> as a promo, and then recently I used some FF miles on an airline I
> never fly and would never get a seat on for mags like This Old House,
> WS, etc). I will say I enjoyed the recent article on counterfeiting. I
> haven't looked at the Top 100 list.
>
> But to be fair, the Top 100 is not supposed to be a list of the best
> wines. I don't remember their exact language of criteria, but it's
> something along the line of interest, representing a region, value,
> and availability. I don't know about Charles Smith, but certainly
> Abeja, Betz, and QC aren't exactly on shelves everywhere. The WOTY is
> never the top scoring wine of the year, nor especially close to it.
> The last 2 years they made a statement about wanting wines that were
> more affordable in top spots. 500 case $100 wines aren't really
> considered for the most part. Is there anything in the top 10 that
> isn't at least 1000 cases? I'll look when I get home

Wine Spectator is a wonderful publication for those who sell
wine...certainly not for those who buy it...
The crazy part about them are the Wine Spectator awards they sell to
restaurants. As phony as the day is long. The wine lists that the
restaurants send in, mostly don't come close to what they have in stock
and it is never verified..and, they pay the Spectator for the privilege
of having a meaningless certificate to post on their walls.

On Dec 1, 11:04*am, j...@unspameljefe.net wrote:
> I'm sure nobody here was suckered by the Spectator's choice of
> Columbia Crest Reserve Cab as their "wine of the year." CC produces 25
> million bottles a year, most of it plonk. I call it Washington's Six
> Buck Chuck, a division of Heart of Darkness, Inc. itself, Chateau Ste.
> Michelle (aka "The Evil Empire").
> [etc.]

I don't trust WS reviews either, but I guess I have a better opinion
of Columbia Crest and Ste Michelle than you do. I think they both make
decent everyday wines. And I'd hazard a guess that very few people can
drink the wines on Gregutt's list on a daily basis. I'm sure the wines
are very good, at least I can vouch for the ones I've tried.
BTW, Gregutt does not taste blind, he doesn't believe in it. That may
be OK for him, but I know from personal experience that knowing what a
wine is when I drink it makes for significant prejudice.

Andy

Wine Enthusiast magazine just awarded it #2 on their list. I'm sure
Paul had some influence on that, but I don't know how much. Gotta get
me some and try it.


On Tue, 1 Dec 2009 11:30:12 -0800 (PST), Dick N <dneidich@gmail.com>
wrote:

>Charles Smith Syrah is INCREDIBLE. And my baseline for great syrah is
>JL Chave Hermitage and I cannot say enough about Charles Smith and his
>red wines. Specifically the Royal City Syrah that is top ranked.
>
>Suggest you get some before it runs out!! Very Small productions.
>
>
>> Numbers 2,3,4,5,11, and 40, however, are those I expressed immediate
>> shock that the Spectator didn't include at all. I've never had the
>> Charles Smith Syrah, so don't fault me for missing #1.

On Tue, 1 Dec 2009 12:23:04 -0800 (PST), DaleW <Dwmidnt@aol.com>
wrote:

>But to be fair, the Top 100 is not supposed to be a list of the best
>wines. I don't remember their exact language of criteria, but it's
>something along the line of interest, representing a region, value,
>and availability. I don't know about Charles Smith, but certainly
>Abeja, Betz, and QC aren't exactly on shelves everywhere. The WOTY is
>never the top scoring wine of the year, nor especially close to it.
>The last 2 years they made a statement about wanting wines that were
>more affordable in top spots. 500 case $100 wines aren't really
>considered for the most part. Is there anything in the top 10 that
>isn't at least 1000 cases? I'll look when I get home

I guess my point wasn't so much that they should have picked
low-production $100 wines. I have $35 Abeja syrahs, $35 Abeja cabs,
$40-$55 Betz syrahs and blends, $48 Cote Bonnevilles. My point was
more that WS completely ignored these wineries. They didn't need to
pick the $80-$120 reserves. They could have chosen excellent wines in
the lower ranges. Rulo, for instance, makes a stunning syrah/cab blend
that sells for $15, and even their top end syrahs are maybe $30.

True, a lot of the Washington wineries are small production. That's
part of what makes them good wineries with excellent product. But it
doesn't necessarily rule them out as good values, even if they are a
bit harder to find.

Further, the CC Reserve Cab was sold out before the Top 100 list even
appeared, so how available is that? If you want the alleged $27 wine
now, your only hope is winecommune.com, where it's on at $600 for a
six-pack.

As Gregutt wrote on his blog, "If WS wanted to choose a torchbearer
for the state - even if that torchbearer was to be Columbia Crest -
they could have picked something far better than this wine, which I
scored as an 89. A nice bottle, a bit pricey, and so limited (about
6000 cases) that it sold out a year ago. Some torchbearer."
http://tinyurl.com/yzxxgaf

I happen to think the writers at the Spectator are fat and lazy. Just
because plonk is available everywhere at great QPR doesn't make it fit
to drink.

I don't typically like cabernets but Columbia Crest Grand Estates
Merlot is, in my opinion and that of a lot of other people,
consistently a really nice wine for ten bucks.

And the Chateau St. Michelle sparkling wines, while not rivalling
Champagnes that cost 2-3X as much, are drinkable and a decent value
(although I haven't had one in a couple of years).

Shaun Eli
www.BrainChampagne.com

Shaun,
Cabernet and Merlot are two different grapes which may explain why
you like CC Grand Estates Merlot. Merlot tends to be a bit softer,
more approachable and less tannic than Cabernet Sauvignon especially
at the $10 price point.

On Dec 2, 5:18�pm, Shaun Eli <missingch...@BrainChampagne.com> wrote:
> I don't typically like cabernets but Columbia Crest Grand Estates
> Merlot is, in my opinion and that of a lot of other people,
> consistently a really nice wine for ten bucks.
>
> And the Chateau St. Michelle sparkling wines, while not rivalling
> Champagnes that cost 2-3X as much, are drinkable and a decent value
> (although I haven't had one in a couple of years).
>
> Shaun Eliwww.BrainChampagne.com

I know, I was just defending the Columbia Crest in general, after the
whole winery was called plonk...

jj@unspameljefe.net wrote:
> I'm sure nobody here was suckered by the Spectator's choice of
> Columbia Crest Reserve Cab as their "wine of the year." CC produces 25
> million bottles a year, most of it plonk. I call it Washington's Six
> Buck Chuck, a division of Heart of Darkness, Inc. itself, Chateau Ste.
> Michelle (aka "The Evil Empire").
>
> And as I predicted, no sign of CC Reserve Cab anywhere on Paul
> Gregutt's year-end list. Their H3 cheapo blend crept in at #82,
> probably for the QPR because it's only $15. I had it at Thanksgiving,
> and it was vacuous, pedestrian and not worth anywhere near whatever my
> father paid for it. (He didn't ask me before he went shopping, but I
> didn't bust him on it. He said the wine guy at the store picked it
> out.)
>
> Numbers 2,3,4,5,11, and 40, however, are those I expressed immediate
> shock that the Spectator didn't include at all. I've never had the
> Charles Smith Syrah, so don't fault me for missing #1.
>
> Guess I know my Washington wines a lot better than the shills at the
> Spectator, with their "17,000 bottles tasted," huh? Their palates are
> made of advertisers' money.
>
> JJ
>
>
> Paul Gregutt’s Top 100 Washington State Wines For 2009
>
> #1 – 100 Charles Smith 2006 Royal City Syrah ($80)
> #2 – 98 Quilceda Creek 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($125)
> #3 – 96 Betz Family 2006 Père de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon ($58)
> #4 – 96 Abeja 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($80)
> #5 – 96 Leonetti Cellar 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($85)
> #6 – 95 Fielding Hills 2007 RiverBend Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
> ($38)
> #7 – 95 Owen Roe 2007 Lady Rosa Syrah ($45)
> #8 – 95 Andrew Will 2006 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine ($55)
> #9 – 95 K Vintners 2006 En Chamberlin Roma Red ($60)
> #10 – 95 Sineann 2007 Block One Cabernet Sauvignon ($72)
> #11 – 95 Côte Bonneville 2005 DuBrul Vineyard Red ($125)
> #12 – 94 Poet’s Leap 2008 Riesling ($20)
> #13 – 94 Buty 2007 70% Sémillon/26% Sauvignon/4% Muscadelle ($25)
> #14 – 94 Rôtie Cellars 2007 Southern Blend Red Wine ($35)
> #15 – 94 Rulo 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($40)
> #16 – 94 Gramercy Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($42)
> #17 – 94 Stevens 2006 XY Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($42)
> #18 – 94 Northstar 2006 Merlot ($50)
> #19 – 94 Corliss Estates 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon ($75)
> #20 – 94 Nicholas Cole Cellars 2005 Estate Reserve ($75)
> #21 – 94 Den Hoed 2006 Andreas Cabernet Sauvignon ($80)
> #22 – 93 Upland Estates 2007 Sauvignon Blanc ($18)
> #23 – 93 Novelty Hill 2007 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Viognier ($20)
> #24 – 93 Ardenvoir 2008 Artist Series Sémillon ($22)
> #25 – 93 Eroica 2008 Riesling ($24)
> #26 – 93 Beresan 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($29)
> #27 – 93 JM Cellars 2007 Chardonnay ($32)
> #28 – 93 Watermill 2006 Praying Mantis Syrah ($32)
> #29 – 93 Bunchgrass 2007 Frazier Bluff Vineyard Malbec ($32)
> #30 – 93 McCrea 2005 Boushey Grande Côte Vineyard Syrah ($36)
> #31 – 93 Balboa 2006 Sayulita Red ($40)
> #32 – 93 Woodward Canyon 2008 Chardonnay ($44)
> #33 – 93 Dunham 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon XII ($45)
> #34 – 93 Grand Rêve 2006 Collaboration Series III Ciel du Cheval Red
> ($45)
> #35 – 93 L’Ecole No 41 2006 Seven Hills Vineyard Perigee ($50)
> #36 – 93 Spring Valley Vineyard 2006 Uriah Red ($50)
> #37 – 93 Rasa Vineyards 2007 QED Syrah ($50)
> #38 – 93 Pepper Bridge 2006 Seven Hills Vineyard Red ($55)
> #39 – 93 Gorman 2007 The Evil Twin Syrah–Cabernet Sauvignon ($60)
> #40 – 93 DeLille Cellars 2006 Chaleur Estate Red Wine ($75)
> #41 – 93 JBookwalter 2006 Chapter Two Red ($78)
> #42 – 93 Boudreaux Cellars 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($100)
> #43 – 92 Whitman Cellars 2008 Riesling ($14)
> #44 – 92 Pacific Rim 2008 Organic Riesling ($14)
> #45 – 92 Amavi Cellars 2008 Sémillon ($20)
> #46 – 92 Syncline 2007 Syrah ($24)
> #47 – 92 Sleight of Hand 2007 The Enchantress Chardonnay ($24)
> #48 – 92 Darby 2008 Le Deuce Viognier 52%/Roussanne 48% ($24)
> #49 – 92 Barrister 2007 Cabernet Franc ($27)
> #50 – 92 Hestia Cellars 2006 Syrah ($32)
> #51 – 92 Tamarack Cellars 2006 DuBrul Vineyard Reserve Red ($45)
> #52 – 92 Arbor Crest 2005 Dionysus Red ($45)
> #53 – 92 Walla Walla Vintners 2006 Vineyard Select Cabernet Sauvignon
> ($48)
> #54 – 92 Doyenne 2006 Syrah ($49)
> #55 – 92 Cougar Crest 2005 Estate Grown Reserve Syrah ($55)
> #56 – 91 McKinley Springs 2007 Viognier ($14)
> #57 – 91 Merry Cellars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($14)
> #58 – 91 Trust 2008 Riesling ($16)
> #59 – 91 Nefarious Cellars 2008 Stone’s Throw Vineyard Riesling ($18)
> #60 – 91 Gamache Vintners 2007 Estate Riesling ($18)
> #61 – 91 Gordon Brothers 2006 Syrah ($20)
> #62 – 91 Alexandria Nicole 2008 Crawford Viognier ($20)
> #63 – 91 Baer 2008 Shard ($21)
> #64 – 91 Waterbrook 2007 Reserve Syrah ($22)
> #65 – 91 Efesté 2006 Final-Final Cabernet-Syrah ($25)
> #66 – 91 Soos Creek 2006 Artist Series #7 Red Wine ($28)
> #67 – 91 Andrew Rich 2007 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Roussanne ($28)
> #68 – 91 Olsen Estates 2007 Chardonnay ($28)
> #69 – 91 Basel Cellars 2006 Pheasant Run Vineyard Estate Merlot ($28)
> #70 – 91 Otis Kenyon 2006 Merlot ($30)
> #71 – 91 Tranche 2005 Chardonnay ($30)
> #72 – 91 Tulpen Cellars 2005 Merlot ($30)
> #73 – 91 Coeur d’Alene Cellars 2006 Boushey Vineyard Syrah ($36)
> #74 – 91 GLM 2005 Deluge Red ($40)
> #75 – 91 Forgeron 2004 Klipsun Vineyard Merlot ($46)
> #76 – 91 AlmaTerra 2006 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Syrah ($50)
> #77 – 91 Reynvaan Family Vineyards 2007 The Contender Syrah ($55)
> #78 – 91 Col Solare 2006 Red Table Wine ($70)
> #79 – 90 Snoqualmie 2008 Naked Riesling ($12)
> #80 – 90 Hedges Family Estate 2008 C.M.S. White/Sauvignon Blanc ($14)
> #81 – 90 Airfield Estates 2008 Riesling ($14)
> #82 – 90 Columbia Crest 2007 H3 Les Chevaux Red ($15)
> #83 – 90 Thurston Wolfe 2008 PGV ($16)
> #84 – 90 Woodinville Wine Cellars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($18)
> #85 – 90 SuLei Cellars 2007 Beet Red ($19)
> #86 – 90 Three Angels 2007 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Primitivo ($20)
> #87 – 90 Seven Hills 2007 Merlot ($22)
> #88 – 90 Cadaretta 2008 Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon ($23)
> #89 – 90 Milbrandt Vineyards 2006 The Estates Cabernet Sauvignon ($25)
> #90 – 90 Isenhower 2006 River Beauty Syrah ($26)
> #91 – 90 Trio Vintners 2006 Morrison Lane Vineyard Sangiovese Riserva
> ($26)
> #92 – 90 Lullaby 2007 Viognier ($28)
> #93 – 90 Stephenson Cellars 2006 Syrah ($30)
> #94 – 90 Zerba Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($30)
> #95 – 90 Hard Row to Hoe 2006 Cabernet Franc ($32)
> #96 – 90/91 àMaurice 2006 Malbec ($34)
> #97 – 90 :Nota Bene 2006 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red ($35)
> #98 – 90 Tertulia Cellars 2006 Malbec ($35)
> #99 – 90 Va Piano 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($48)
> #100 – 90 Bergevin Lane 2006 Intuition Reserve Red Wine ($55)
> Blogging Daily at www.paulgregutt.com
>
> Author: "Washington Wines& Wineries - the Essential Guide" (UC Press)
> Newspaper Columnist: Seattle Times, Spokane Spokesman-Review
> NW Editor: Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Do you have multiple identities? Is one of your other identities
"Dipstick Duck"? Hmm. Quite appropriate if true, as it almost certainly
is. What exactly is your beef against Chateau Ste. Michelle? Did they
turn you down for a job once?

For those of you that don't understand what I'm talking about, I refer
you to the following article from The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...ichelle11.html