Wine Enthusiast Top Wine & Spirits of 2009 Released!

Howdy all!

Wine Enthusiast Magazine just released the Top Wine & Spirits Listings for 2009.  Check out the link for all of the nitty-gritty details, but at quick glance, Washington and Oregon fared very well!

Here's the rundown for the Northwest.

The Enthusiast 100 - the most dynamic and diverse wines available:

2:  Charles Smith 2006 Royal City Syrah (Columbia Valley)
8:  Poet’s Leap 2007 Riesling (Columbia Valley)
16:  Betz Family 2006 Père de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley)
39:  Fielding Hills 2007 RiverBend Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Wahluke Slope)
49:   Adelsheim 2007 Winderlea Vineyard Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills)
54:   Abacela 2005 South Face Block Reserve Syrah (Southern Oregon)
62:  Leonetti Cellar 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla)
82:  Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen 2008 Eroica Riesling (Columbia Valley)
86:  Stevens 2006 BlackTongue Syrah (Yakima Valley)
91:  Chehalem 2006 Ian’s Reserve Chardonnay (Dundee Hills)
95:  Rôtie Cellars 2007 Red Wine (Southern Blend) (Horse Heaven Hills)
97:  Woodward Canyon 2006 Merlot (Columbia Valley)
Top 100 Best Buys -- less than $15 with outstanding quality:

3:  Pacific Rim 2008 Organic Riesing (Columbia Valley (WA)
11:  Washington Hills 2007 Summit Reserve Late Harvest Riesling (Columbia Valley)
13:   Kirkland Signature 2006 Merlot (Columbia Valley)
17:  McKinley Springs 2007 Viognier (Horse Heaven Hills)
21:  Merry Cellars 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (Wahluke Slope)
38:  Upland Estates 2007 Gewürztraminer (Yakima Valley-Snipes Mountain)
43:  Kungfu Girl 2008 Riesling (Columbia Valley)
57:  Arbor Crest 2006 Merlot (Columbia Valley)
63:   Milbrandt Vineyards 2006 Traditions Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley)
69:  Hogue 2006 Cabernet Merlot (Columbia Valley)
71:  Chateau Ste. Michelle 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (Columbia Valley)
73:   Snoqualmie 2007 Chardonnay (Columbia Valley)
76:  Covey Run 2006 Reserve Chardonnay (Columbia Valley)
80:  Hedges 2007 C.M.S. Red (Columbia Valley)
84:   A to Z Wineworks 2008 Pinot Gris (Oregon)
89:  Columbia Crest Two Vines 2007 Gewürztraminer (Columbia Valley)

Top 100 Cellar Selections -- most ageable wines of the year:

4:  Betz Family 2006 La Serenne Syrah (Columbia Valley)
12:  Woodward Canyon 2006 Estate Red Wine (Walla Walla)
44: Chateau Rollat 2006 Edouard de Rollat Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla)
95:  McCrea Cellars 2005 Cuvée Orleans Syrah (Yakima Valley)
98:  Erath 2006 Bishop Creek Pinot Noir (Yamhill-Carlton District)
 So there you have it!  For those keeping track at home, the Northwest represented 12% of the The Enthusiast 100, 16% of the Top 100 Value Wines, and 5% of the Top 100 Cellar Selections.  An impressive showing for the region!

More detailed analysis to come, I just wanted to share the info.

5 comments:

Wood Wine Racks said...

What a great and powerful list of wines. Great representation from the full spectrum of wines.

Ron said...

Of the list, what are some of your favorites? Even narrowing a list of 100 down to just those from one region is still a long list, and I always lean heavily on recommendations. What do you say?

Anthony said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anthony said...

Were there any Missouri Wines on that list? Too much to take in at once. I'm surprise that a bottle of St. James Winery Country Red didn't make its way on that list. Such good wine for under $15.00.

Josh Gana said...

Ron...I have really dug some Woodward Canyon wine lately, I'd try that one :)