Have you ever tried a wine from Washington state? If not, you are missing out on some really fine wines that also happen to be quite affordable.
As the world heats up due to global warming, there has been an interesting turn of events in the wine-making industry. The warmer days, cooler nights and soft breezes from the Pacific Ocean have turned Washington state into a winemaker’s paradise. The grapes grown there are producing wines of extraordinary depth, aroma and flavor — just about everything one seeks in a wine.
Among the host of wineries in Washington state, Columbia Winery is one of the standouts. Those wine critics who just adore giving numbers to wines have rated many of the Columbia Winery wines at 90 percent or above.
Columbia Winery 2014 Chardonnay ($21)
The Columbia Valley growing district of Washington imparts truly classical qualities to the grapes used in this wine. No longer are our wines emulating the austere and stiff French style. Quite the contrary, Americans prefer the more fruity and expansive style now delivered by most American vintners. This wine expresses this new, open and fruit-filled style perfectly. There is not one aroma or flavor to pick from but a host of constantly changing flavors. Pineapple melds with golden apple and nectarine, all lying on a bed of light sweet oak and vanilla. This wine posses one of the longest and flavor-filled finish of any chard that I have sampled in a long time.
Columbia Valley Winery 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon ($23)
If you are a cabernet sauvignon lover and are tired of the wimps on the market, this is the wine for you. It is a dark ruby-colored, full-flavored beauty presenting everything one looks for in the variety. The aroma is heavy with the impression of big dark berries and ripe black cherries. The flavor features raspberry, cherry, black currants, vanilla and oak, all in almost obscene amounts.
Columbia Winery Red Blend ($21)
This wine is a blend of two of the most favored red wines, merlot and syrah. The combination resulted in a wine that emphasizes the best characteristics of both varieties. The beverage has an inviting red color, a medium body and presents the familiar aroma of cassis, blackberry, black cherry, blueberry and coffee with hints of pepper residing in the background. Most of these aromas carry over to the flavor where they mingle with a suggestion of soft spices. There is no need for any further bottle aging to allow for improvement.
Columbia Valley Winery 2014 Merlot ($23)
Given up on merlot and had enough of the bland off-brands? Salvation is at hand with the Columbia Valley Winery 2014 Merlot. What makes merlot grapes perfect for growing in Washington state is they ripen earlier than the cabernet sauvignon and can be made into wine while the cab grapes are still on the vine. This selection is a soft and elegant wine displaying the flavors and aromas of black cherries and blackberries with a hint of oak and vanilla in the background.
Wine columnist Bennett Bodenstein can be reached at frojhe1@att.net.
[[In-content Ad]]
