Columbia Crest "Two Vines" Pinot Grigio 2009

Columbia Crest "Two Vines" Pinot Grigio 2009

Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Blend: Pinot Grigio (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $7.99 (1.5L bottle)

Our review: Yellow-gold in color, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (apple and pear) with slight floral notes and hints of honey and cider. Similarly defined fruit flavors develop quickly on the palate, and there is a good balance to the acidity. The finish adds a bit of spice and some minerality.

Our rating: This being Memorial Day, the unofficial start to summer, we thought we'd try a few inexpensive 1.5L bottles of wine, which are more appropriate for backyard barbecues and family gatherings than sit down dinner parties. First up is this Washington State Pinot Grigio, which we purchased for not much more than the 750ml bottle. We think this is a nice example of a typical relaxed summer wine. According to the fact sheet on the winery's website, there is no oak cellaring, though this wine has a bit of unrefined "oakiness", particularly in the finish. It adds some character to the wine, but it's not terribly well developed. It doesn't detract, but doesn't add much either. We rate it about Average overall, and certainly worth considering, especially to accompany simple grill fare like chicken, ribs, and the like.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Opens with enticing aromas of fruit salad and a fragrance reminiscent of orchard blossoms. Luscious flavors of green apple are joined by subtle hints of pear and citrus. Crisp and refreshing, this wine is perfect for sipping on its own but is a natural with food as well.

Winery website: Columbia Crest.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (89%), Semillon (11%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: December 2010
Purchase Price: $6.99

Our review: This pale straw wine has soft aromas of tropical fruit and lemongrass with slight herbal notes. The citrus flavors on the palate are quite crisp, even tart. There's a dry minerality present as well. The extended finish adds a citrus-zest element.

Our rating: Our overall impression of this wine is one of spicy tartness, and kind of an odd mix at that. The finish goes on forever, usually a strong point for us, but we're not sure in this case. Overall, it's a rather unusual wine and not altogether unpleasant, though it's probably not one we'd buy again. We served our bottle with a broiled white fish dinner, probably a good choice given its general character. On the score sheet, it rates on the low side of Average. (We previously rated the Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc 2007 quite high, Above Average, nearly Excellent, a marked difference from the present vintage.)

Taste profile from the winemaker: "The wine offers fresh aromas of herbs and lavender with a beautiful floral note. A touch of Semillon is added for richness. This wine would pair well with dishes with cream sauce."

Winery website: Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery.

Cupcake Riesling 2009

Cupcake Riesling 2009
Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington
Blend: Riesling (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: March 2010
Suggested Retail Price: $14.99

Our review: Light golden straw in color, this wine has aromas of freshly cut tropical fruit with a very slight blend of herbal and floral notes. The fruit flavors are expressive on the palate, initially with some sweetness that is quickly balanced with a mild acidity. The finish adds some mineral character.

Our rating: This is a very nice example of a dry riesling. True, there's a touch of sweetness at the start, but that just enhances the overall experience. Consider this wine for any Asian cuisine, or enjoy it alone as a sipping wine. We served our bottle with (of all meals) pizza, but it worked out quite well. We rate it well Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Bold, with the luscious aromas and flavors of grapefruit, pineapple and nectarine."

Winery website: Cupcake Vineyard.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Horse Heaven Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Chateau Ste. Michelle Horse Heaven Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Washington
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $12.99

Our review: Pale silver-green in color, this wine has fresh and light aromas of tropical fruit (kiwi), green apple, and asparagus, with bright citrus floral notes. Very smooth on the palate, there is a very slight sweet sensation that lingers as the fruit flavors with a balancing acidity develop. The finish is quite complex and richly defined.

Our rating: This is a highly nuanced wine with a lot of character, one that will bring out the best of whatever cuisine with which it is served. We enjoyed our bottle with roasted poultry, but it would also pair well with most seafood dishes. An elegant, refined wine that we rate Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Delivers aromas of citrus and green apple with lively herb spice notes. Partial stainless steel fermentation [was used] to preserve the Sauvignon Blanc’s vibrant varietal character and fresh, crisp quality."

Winery website: Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery.

Barnard Griffin Fume Blanc 2008

Barnard Griffin Fume Blanc 2008
Origin: Washington
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.8%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Light silver with green highlights, this wine has gentle aromas of tropical fruit and spice, with just a hint of some sweet vegetal notes. Initially tart on the palate, a good balance between the fruit flavors and a mild acidity quickly develops. The finish is quite short but is where the "fume" character comes in.

Our rating: This is an interesting wine though one without much depth, somewhat surprising for a fume blanc. Look to pair it with richly flavored poultry or vegetarian dishes. Quite a range on the scorecard, but overall we rate it about Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Classic Sauvignon Blanc nose of citrus and grapefruit with light herbal notes. Generous lime and tangerine flavors nicely accented by a touch of cream. Dry, crisp, cleansing and refreshing. This a great summer sipper and makes the palate absolutely crave for shellfish and seafood."

Winery website: Barnard Griffin.

Hogue Fume Blanc 2007

Hogue Fume Blanc 2007
Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (83%), Semillon (17%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: June 2009
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Aromas of tropical fruit and peach with hints of spice are presented by this golden straw wine. The fruit flavors are quite crisp on the palate and quickly acquire a somewhat tart citrus character. The finish is long and expressive, though there is little to no evidence of any oak or smokiness commonly found in "fume" blancs.

Our rating: It's been years since we last tasted a fume blanc from this winery, long before we started this blog. Though we didn't take notes at the time, our recollection is the wine was overpowered by an oakiness, and thus we were relunctant to try again. There is no such problem here. In fact, marketed as a fume blanc, some oak character is expected and we detected only the barest hint. This wine is more in the style of a South African sauvignon blanc, a good choice for many dishes but not an outstanding one. At $9 it's a little overpriced; look for it $2-3 less. We rate it on the high side of Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Aromas of grapefruit, peach, guava and grass, along with vanilla and a hint of smokiness. On the palate are varietal flavors of grapefruit, white peach and honeydew melon. The wine is crisp, smoky and round with moderate weight and richness contributed by the semillon added to the blend"

Winery website: Hogue Cellars.

Snoqualmie Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Snoqualmie Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.7%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: March 2009
Purchase price: $7.99

Our review: Gentle aromas of citrus and sweet apples are presented by this pale gold wine. Crisp on the palate, the fruit flavors are accompanied by a mineral character that adds depth and interest. The extended finish has a nice complexity though develops a bit too much heat in the end.

Our rating: This would be a delicious dinner wine and may readily be paired with grilled fish or mildly seasoned chicken dishes. We actually served ours with a French onion soup course and it was perfect. Attractively priced, we rate this wine Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Bold and bright aromas fill the nose followed by a rich mouthful of citrus and melon which linger on the palate. This is a very crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc that will pair well with a variety of foods."

Snoqualmie Sauvignon Blanc 2007 is available to purchase from Wine.com.

Winery website: Snoqualmie Wines.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (85%), Semillon (15%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: March 2009
Purchase price: $9.99

Our review and rating: Pale gold with hints of green, this wine has aromas of tree fruit and citrus with very slight floral notes. The palate has a pleasing blend of fruit flavors nicely balanced with a mild acidity. The long finish adds just a touch of smokiness. Our score: We enjoyed this wine with roasted turkey sandwiches but it would pair extremely well with any mildly seasoned poultry dish. Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "The mostly stainless steel fermentation makes this a crisp, clean, refreshing style of Sauvignon Blanc. The wine offers fresh aromas and flavors of lemongrass, apple and melon. Semillon, which contributes an appealing fig character and a beautiful soft, adds a rich quality to the wine."

Winery website: Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery.

Waterbrook Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Waterbrook Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 14.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: January 2009
Purchase price: $7.99

Our review and rating: An aroma of tree fruit and honey with notes of spice and oak are evident in this wine. The moderate body has smooth tree fruit (apple, pear) flavors moderated by a mild acidity. The finish brings out more of the oak cellaring, adds some heat, and is of considerable length. Our score: A nice wine that should pair well with grilled chicken or fish and herb-roasted potatoes. Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A classic Sauvignon Blanc nose rounded out with aromas of pears and a hint of oak. A crisp palate of lime, fresh pressed McIntosh apples and pears lead to a clean finish with lingering fruit notes."

Waterbrook Sauvignon Blanc 2006 is available to purchase from Wine.com.

Winery website: Waterbrook.

Pacific Rim Chenin Blanc 2007

Pacific Rim Chenin Blanc 2007
Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Blend: 100% Chenin Blanc
Alcohol content: 13.1%
Bottle closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: January 2009
Purchase Price: $8.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "The wine is vividly bright with flavors of pear, quince and grapefruit essence with an eruption of floral aromas. An inspired complement to shellfish, grilled fish, soft cheeses and Middle Eastern food."

ABC Wines review: A very pale yellow with greenish tones, this wine has aromas of citrus (grapefruit and lime) with some fresh grassy, maybe vegetal notes. The flavors on the palate are similar, though somewhat unbalanced, slightly sweet but lacking acidity. The finish is quite brief though a citric sensation does linger for a bit. Our score: A good wine to pair with mildly spicy Asian dishes; we served it with teriyaki meatball appetizers. Average, maybe a touch higher.

Winery website: Pacific Rim Winemakers.

Columbia Crest Two Vines Sauvignon Blanc 2005

Columbia Crest Two Vines Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington
Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Bottle closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: July 2008
Purchase Price: $7.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "This Sauvignon Blanc sports aromas of green apple, citrus, and hints of freshly mown grass. The bright fruit flavors are accentuated by racy acidity and end with a cleansing finish."

ABC Wines review: This wine has aromas of citrus and stone fruit with bright grassy notes. Smooth with a moderate body on the palate, the slight sweet fruit flavors are somewhat muted, replaced by a brisk acidity. The finish is fairly long though not particularly memorable. Serve this wine with most pasta dishes. Our score: A bit on the "old" side for this varietal, still this wine, especially at the price paid, rates on the high side of Average.

Winery website: Columbia Crest Winery. An image of the bottle could not be located. The displayed image is for the Grand Estates collection, though is similar in appearance to the wine reviewed.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling 2006

Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling 2006
Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Blend: 100% Riesling
Alcohol content: 13.0%
Bottle closure: Natural cork
Purchase date: March 2008
Purchase price: $9.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A dry, crisp, refreshing style of Riesling with beautiful forward fruit flavors, crisp acidity and an elegant finish. It offers brisk, cooler climate Riesling character of white peach and mandarin oranges with a clean finish. Classified as a dry Riesling and made it in the Troken style, it is very versatile with food. Try it with Asian dishes or shrimp."

ABC Wines review: This riesling is really well done. The wine is very fragrant, with floral aromas of honeyed tropical fruit. Very smooth, the flavors are of sweet melon and pineapple with a nice citric-based acidic balance. The long-lasting finish is on the dry side. This wine could easily be paired with a Japanese yakitori or most Chinese dishes. Our score: Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Winery website: Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery.

Columbia Crest Two Vines Riesling 2006

Columbia Crest Two Vines Riesling 2006
Origin: Washington State
Blend: 100% Riesling
Alcohol content: 11.5%
Bottle closure: Synthetic cork
Purchase date: January 2008
Purchase price: $7.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Enticing aromas of baked pear and fresh peaches are complemented by a touch of sandalwood. A bright, sweet-tart finish follows loads of generous fruit salad flavors."

ABC Wines review: This riesling exhibits a very light, almost floral fragrance of sweet fruit. The initial taste is quite sweet but flavorful and complex. The finish is slightly dry, a bit tart, and surprisingly smooth and long-lasting. This wine would do nicely as a before dinner aperitif or paired with a spicy dessert. Our score: Above Average.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurztraminer 2006

Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurztraminer 2006
Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington
Blend: 91% Gewürztraminer, 9% Muscat Canelli
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Bottle closure: Natural cork
Purchase date: January 2008
Purchase price: $7.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A bright, refreshing medium-dry wine with inviting aromas of lychee nuts, nutmeg and clove spice. This Gewürztraminer is nicely balanced between fruit and the grape’s natural crisp character, while still being lush. Try this rich wine with Thai food."

ABC Wines review: Very fragrant, this wine has aromas of spiced fruit and herbs. The initial taste is semi-dry and reminiscent of tart citrus with just a hint of effervescence. The mineral characteristics blend nicely with the fruit flavors. The finish is relatively dry, crisp and clean. Rated 87 points by Wine Spectator and designated a "Best Value" (June 2007). Our score: Above Average.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc 2005

Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Origin: Columbia Valley Washington State
Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Bottle closure: Natural cork
Purchase date: November 2007
Purchase price: $8.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "The mostly stainless steel fermentation makes this a crisp, clean, refreshing style of pure Sauvignon Blanc. The wine shows aromas and flavors of sweet citrus and dried herbs. We have been striving for more true 'varietal character' with this wine by picking a little earlier, having slightly heavier canopies and laying off the oak. This is a Very food versatile wine–try it with salad courses, appetizers or zesty chicken dishes."

ABC Wines review: This smooth tasting wine has a complex combination of flavors and aromas. The initial taste of citrus and tropical fruit is accompanied by a refreshing crispness with a hint of herbs. The wine has a long, very pleasant finish. It should pair nicely with a wide range of foods, or just for late afternoon sipping. Rated 88 points by Wine Spectator in 2007. Our score: Above average to excellent.