KENNEWICK Sifting though the results of the recent Tri-Cities Wine Festival, which attracted a record 328 wines for judging, is a bit daunting.
Nearly 200 of them won awards.
So I decided to ask Eric Degerman, managing editor of Wine Press Northwest, who was a judge at the festival, to list his top 10 picks among wines priced $20 or less. Here they are:
Barnard Griffin, 2007 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $18 -- Thankfully, winemaker Rob Griffin's Merlot is both affordable and easy to find. Its pleasing oak notes embrace the currants and blueberry tones of its flavors, producing a balanced and smooth wine. It was voted Best of Class, and the 2006 vintage recently received a rare Double Platinum from Wine Press Northwest.
Coyote Canyon Winery, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $18 -- Mike Andrews' new winery in Prosser made a huge splash at the competition with its wines winning five golds, including this cab that's chock full of black cherries, plums and sweet, chalky tannins.
Domaine Ste. Michelle nonvintage Extra Dry sparkling wine, Columbia Valley, $12 -- Each year, this wine crafted by Rick Casqueiro tickles me. It's a fun and frothy off-dry bubbly loaded with tropical fruit accents. Take a bottle of this to every home you visit during the holidays.
Jones of Washington, 2008 Wahluke Slope Estate Vineyards chardonnay, Wahluke Slope, $17 -- The Jones family in Quincy produced the top Chardonnay of the competition. There's just a bit of oak behind notes of grapefruit, gooseberry and minerality, framed by mouthwatering acidity.
Kestrel Vintners 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $20 -- Looking for a Northwest facsimile of New Zealand Sauv Blanc? Try this one. It's filled with gooseberries, lime and assertive acidity.
Milbrandt Vineyards, 2008 Traditions Riesling, Columbia Valley, $13 -- This delicious drink is priced to drink often. Inviting aromas of pears and golden delicious apples play out on the palate. It's a slightly off-dry style that's nicely balanced with acidity.
Pacific Rim Winemakers, 2008 Gewürztraminer, Washington/ Oregon, $10 -- Steven Sealock and Nicolas Quille continue to roll out delicious wines from their West Richland winery, including this one. It offers notes of mandarin orange, sweetened yellow grapefruit, apple cider and candy corn.
Sweet Valley Wines, 2007 Righteous Red, Columbia Valley, $12 -- To find a wine made in Walla Walla at this price is almost unheard of. It's a Merlot-based blend that fills your nose with blackberries, plums, allspice and cloves. The creamy palate tastes of blueberry, boysenberry, nutmeg and chocolate.
VineHeart, nonvintage Sangiovese, Yakima Valley, $16 -- This farmer husband-and-wife operation in Prosser impressed with this wine's vibrant presentation of rich Bing cherries and pomegranate juice.
Willow Crest Winery 2006 Syrah, Yakima Valley, $16 -- Dave Minick made one of my favorite Syrahs of the competition. Pie cherries, cedar and menthol aromas transition to blackberry and raspberry on the palate with a nice balance of tannin and food-friendly acidity.
*Bob Woehler has been writing about Pacific Northwest wines since 1978. E-mail him at bwoehler@charter.net or check out his past columns at www.winepressnw.com.
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