Washington Wine Reviews

I drank these 5 wines and tasted apple, apple cider, bitter, black cherry, bright, cinnamon, fruity, honey, pear, slightly sweet. The wines are aged, food friendly, low alcohol, small production and came from a variety of sources, including wine clubs, wineries, and wine stores.

Wine reviews by: Jessyca Frederick

Michaud Riesling

2021 Naked Wines Michaud Riesling

This white wine tastes like most other “low alcohol” white wines — apple cider. I found it a touch sweet with no acid to balance it, and flabby. 11.9% ABV.

Tasting notes: slightly sweet, apple cider, cinnamon

Chaleur Blanc

2020 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Blanc

What I liked was that the Semillon added a bit of a honeyed, bitterish note to counteract the Sauv Blanc’s acidic fruitiness. It reminded me of a bright Viognier or a Viognier/Roussanne blend.

Tasting notes: honey, bitter, fruity, bright

Métier Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley

2020 Delille Cellars Métier Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley

A great expression of Washington’s best terroir across Columbia Valley and into Yakima Valley. Structured but easy drinking blend representing the region.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Camaraderie Cellars Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

I enjoyed this Cabernet Sauvignon, which I often don’t. A blend of Cab Sauv from multiple Washington AVAs and 15% Merlot to soften the edges even further.

Tasting notes: black cherry

Pinot Gris Yakima Valley

2021 Camaraderie Cellars Pinot Gris Yakima Valley

This is an example of a wine that wasn’t especially distinctive, but was exactly as advertised, “Fresh, bright acidity matches aromatics of apple and pear.” Food-friendly, indeed.

Tasting notes: apple, pear, bright

Notice: I hold no formal wine credentials. I am a wine geek who has consumed 1000+ of bottles from 100+ different wine clubs and 1000s more bottles that didn’t come from those wine clubs. I do not accept payment for wine reviews, and I do not accept payments to influence my opinions. I happily accept free wine (and I buy wine).

Why read my wine reviews: Wine taste is subjective. What I like may not be what you like. I try to leave room for you to form your own opinions, so I don’t provide a score or a rating. I do point out wines that are an incredible value or truly not worth the money. I note flaws, wines that don’t have typicity (because this matters if you are buying wine without having tasted it yourself), when wines are out of balance, and when wines lack appropriate body.

I don’t like wasting money (or anything for that matter). I’m careful about where I spend my money and my mindset as a reviewer is to be careful about where you spend yours. I don’t believe a high price tag equals quality and I know for sure there are wines of very good quality that are also a great value.

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