Guide to Wine Scores

Den Hoed brothers, Bill and Andy, team up with another Washington wine pioneer, Allen Shoup, to create a blend of classic red grape varietals and a single varietal Cabernet Sauvignon from their jointly owned Wallula Vineyard. Their father, Andreas Den Hoed, migrated from Holland and labored to save enough money to bring his fiancee, Marie to join him. As one of the first … [Read more...] about Den Hoed 2009 Andreas Cabernet Sauvignon, $80

Three decades of winemaking experience is showcased in David Forsyth's single-vineyard wines.  Only two to three barrels of each wine are made annually and are available only through the Forsyth Family Vineyards wine club and a few select wine shops.  Prior, Forsyth worked for many years at Hogue Cellars and Mercer Estates.  This Cabernet Sauvignon was held back for release to … [Read more...] about Forsyth Brio 2007 McKinley Springs Horse Heaven Hills, $50

Spokane-based winemakers Joe and Rebecca Gunselman have stong ties to the Horse Heaven Hills AVA at their estate vineyard, Gunselman Bench.  This lovely, limited production Bordeaux varietal red blend was sourced from a number of vineyards, including Gunselman, Andrews Horse Heaven Ranch, McKinley Springs, and Phinny Hill vineyards. Nose: Fragrant aromatics of red and black … [Read more...] about Robert Karl 2010 Horse Heaven Hills Inspiration, $45

Brothers Bob and Roger Gamache pay tribute to their cousin Paul Champoux for the instrumental role he played in establishing the Horse Heaven Hills growing region with this elegant limited release wine that represents their vineyard select line. It's 100% Cabernet Franc, all sourced from Champoux Vineyard. Charlie Hoppes was consulting winemaker. Nose: Aromas of red … [Read more...] about Gamache Vintners 2009 Heritage Reserve Cabernet Franc, $42.50

Woodinville-based winemaker Darby English sourced fruit for this Syrah from Discovery Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The modest-sized vineyard is owned by Milo and Kay May and managed by notable grower Paul Champoux. Nose: Macerated berries, coffee with bittersweet chocolate shavings, violet, cigar box. Taste: Well-sculpted with intense depth and loads of exotic … [Read more...] about Darby Winery 2011 Discovery Vineyard Syrah, $42

Winemaker and owner David Larsen sourced this Bordeaux-style varietal from five blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon from the famed Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills and blended it with Cabernet Franc and Merlot. A remarkable and sumptuous red blend. Nose: Blackberry, plum, tart red berry, mulled spices, sandalwood. Taste: Vibrant and pure, with taut tannins and bold … [Read more...] about Soos Creek 2010 Champoux Vineyard Red Wine, $40

From winemaker Richard Batchelor's deft hand comes Maryhill’s Vineyard Series small-lot Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 20 months in 60% new French oak. This lush red wine is a beautiful example of why Cabernet is still the "king of grapes" in the famed Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Nose: Dusky aromas of cherry, red plum, sassafras, caramel and graphite. Taste: Rich and supple with a … [Read more...] about Maryhill Winery 2011 Alder Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, $40

This reserve-tier Coyote Canyon Vineyard wine is a Super Rioja style, blended from third-generation grower Mike Andrew’s estate-grown Tempranillo and Graciano. Andrews grew up with a love for family, farming and especially that of raising Registered Hereford cattle. His reserve label is called H/H, the brand his family once used to brand the left hip of the female cattle, which … [Read more...] about H/H Estates 2010 Michael Andrews Red Reserve, $38

Chateau Ste. Michelle's Canoe Ridge estate vineyard lies on a steep, windswept south-facing slope on the bank of the Columbia River. It is believed that velvety tannins – a trademark of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA – are a result of the effects of strong winds that constantly barrage the vineyards from the nearby river. The 2009 growing season was ideal. Nose: Tantalizing dark … [Read more...] about Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Canoe Ridge Estate Syrah, $35

A unique varietal, Cinsault is used primarily as a blending grape, but when Woodinville winemaker Bob Harris tasted the barrel samples from the 2012 vintage, he knew it was worthy of its own single varietal bottling. Nose: Glorious aromas of wild strawberry, rose petals, puff pastry and mineral spice. Taste: Lush, polished and pure with silky tannins and crushed pebble … [Read more...] about Robert Ramsay Cellars 2012 McKinley Springs Cinsault, $32

The pioneering Mercer family has been farming in the Horse Heaven Hills for four generations. Don Mercer planted the first wine grapes in the appellation in 1972.  Today, Mercer Estates are one of the top ten growers in terms of vineyard size.  One hundred percent of the grapes for this Reserve Chardonnay were sourced from Zephyr Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills … [Read more...] about Mercer Estates 2013 Reserve Chardonnay, $32

The Olympia-based winery's owner/winemaker Dana Madsen sourced hand-picked fruit for this wine from McKinley Springs Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Nose: Dusky aromas of dark fruit, red currant, rose petals, cedar box and dried savory herbs. Taste: Rich and dense with bold, textured tannins and a sheen of polished minerality that glides along extracted brooding … [Read more...] about Madsen Family Cellars 2010 McKinley Springs Petit Verdot, $30

Winemaker Doug Rowell of McKinley Springs family-owned and operated 2,000-acre estate vineyard aged this delicious Malbec for 18 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels. Nose: Aromas of black and red fruit, black olive, tobacco, spice and smoke accents. Taste: Brawny and bold with powerful dark flavors of blackberry, plum skin, caramel, mocha, tar and … [Read more...] about McKinley Springs Vineyard 2010 Malbec, $24

This flagship proprietary blend from the boutique winery run by the Martinez family is crafted with Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Cabernet Franc (15%) and Carménerè (15%).  All the fruit is sourced from Martinez Vineyard and Alder Ridge Vineyards, both in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Nose: Aromas of dark red fruit and blueberry accented with vanilla and graphite. Taste: … [Read more...] about Martinez & Martinez 2011 César Red Wine, $22

Owned by Precept Wine, Canoe Ridge was originally a partnership between Chalone Wines in Napa, Calif. and a group of Washington farmers and investors that founded the vineyard in 1990, with the winery to soon follow. This iconic Walla Walla-based winery has been sourcing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay from their eponymous Horse Heaven Hills vineyard since … [Read more...] about Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2011 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, $20