+- WineBoard (https://www.wines.com/wineboard)
+-- Forum: TASTING NOTES & WINE SPECIFIC FORUMS (https://www.wines.com/wineboard/forum-200.html)
+--- Forum: Northwest Wines (https://www.wines.com/wineboard/forum-28.html)
+--- Thread: Washington's Best White Wines >$15 (/thread-14333.html)
- Bucko - 03-18-2003
Yet another round. Same disclaimer that I did not taste every single wine in the class.
No. 10 and 9 (tie) - 1999 Kestrel, Chardonnay, Estate, Yakima Valley, $20: Pears, toasty oak and figs radiate from this light gold wine. A melange of flavors unfold, ranging from vanilla custard and hazelnuts to pears and orange zest. Interesting; 87/88.
No. 10 and 9 (tie) - 2001 L'Ecole, Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $20: Fruity and buttery, the pears, peaches, vanilla and toasty notes are displayed across the senses. Well-balanced, with a long aftertaste, the moderate acidity ties it all together; 87/88.
No. 8 - 2001 Columbia Winery, Viognier, Red Willow Vineyard, Yakima Valley, $40: This straw-colored wine has a pleasant light peach tinge and a delightful nose of flowers, ripe peaches and mandarin oranges. The mouth feel is full and round, with firm acids; 88/86.
No. 7 and 6 (tie) - 2001 Three Rivers, White Wine, Meritage, Columbia Valley, $22: 70 percent sauvignon blanc and 30 percent semillon. While barrel-fermented in French oak, the wood is certainly not overwhelming and adds character to this wine. Rich and creamy, there is plenty of tropical fruit and figs to go around, with subtle nuances of cut grass and French vanilla; 88/88.
No. 7 and 6 (tie) - 2001 Buty, Chardonnay, Roza Bergé Vineyard, Yakima Valley, $25: Pears, tropical fruit and vanilla notes stress the aromas of this new release. With a silky mouth feel and impeccable balance, this wine is more buttery and less acidic than its Conner Lee Vineyard cousin; 88/88.
No. 5 - 2001 Waterbrook, Viognier, Columbia Valley, $20: Aromas of citrus, honeysuckle and melon carry over to the palate, with a nice dose of minerality. Well-balanced, this medium-bodied wine finishes on a crisp note; 89/90.
No. 4 - 2002 Whitman Cellars, Viognier, Walla Walla Valley, $18: With a tad too much wood for my oak-sensitive palate, this is a very nice wine nevertheless. Floral scents blend with peach, apricot and toasty oak notes. Medium-bodied, with layered fruit, the wine has a brisk, refreshing finish; 90/91.
No. 3 - 2001 Buty, Chardonnay, Conner Lee Vineyard, Columbia Valley, $25: Pears and vanilla underscore the nose of this light gold chardonnay. Nicely balanced, with the acidity, pear and citrus fruit, and oak all working in harmony. Kudos go out for keeping the oak in the background where it belongs; 91/92.
No. 2 - 1999 Kestrel, Chardonnay, Ice Wine, Yakima Valley, $40: A whopping 29.7 percent residual sugar makes this a dessert unto itself. More often than not these wines are cloying, but Kestrel rolled a strike with the acidity here. Intense peach and honey notes are augmented by pear extract in a thick, viscous package. A delicious wine; 92/92.
No. 1 - 2001 McCrea, Viognier, Yakima Valley, Washington, $22: This light gold beauty has an enticing bouquet that is filled with lychee, lemon, pineapple and apricot scents that float on the nose, then expand out over the palate. There is a lot of depth and character to this wine, and it contains fruit from both Ciel du Cheval Vineyard and Elerding Vineyard; 92/93.