Michiko_small
Reputation: 287

Recommendations for Washington red wines?

I would like to drink more locally produced wine but I've had a hard time finding WA wines I really like. I prefer my reds to be elegant and supple rather than big and bold. I also like it lighter in color and body. As a reference, my favorite reds are pinot noirs from Russian River or Marlborough.

I've recently tried a few cab francs from WA that were awesome, and I'm excited to find some more.

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  • Nufer_small
    Reputation: 146

    You're in luck. The really expensive reds tend to be that big oak, huge extract, high booze style.

    You can find plenty of lighter, more elegant Wa. reds for around $10-$20.

    Two in particular I like are Chinook Cabernet Franc and the Fall Line red blends that have a high percentage of cab franc.

    Grenache is tricky. The good ones, like McCrea, tend to be expensive, and the cheaper ones can be too full of booze or too sweet. I see no point in drinking locally if you can find a $10-$15 Cotes du Rhone that beats a $30 Washington grenache.

    You might also try sangiovese. Waving Tree has a good one.

    Then there's the Washington bad boy grape lemberger. Kiona is a decent one for around $10.

    The latest oddball grape in Wa. reds is Petit Verdot, which is usually a minor blending grape in Bordeaux. Quite a few Washington wineries are putting out 100% petit verdot wines. Some are cab wannabes, pushing $30, but you can find lighter ones that give you more of a taste of the grape for $20 and under, like Cor or Castle Rock (this may be California--they make wines from all over the West).

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  • Gold-head_small
    Reputation: 6000

    I have a theory about why Cabernet Franc wines tend to be more successful than other, kick-you-in-the-face varietals in Washington and elsewhere in the States. It's not because the grapes are better; it's because the winemakers who are thinking about Cab Franc are less interested in maximum extraction, maximum alcohol, maximum oak, maximum everything. Most winemakers in WA are following California's lead, which is "how can we make this a MONSTER?" Cab Franc in contrast is interesting to people who are more interested in subtlety (a rare thing in America).

    It's very popular in parts of the Loire Valley, like Chinon and Saumur-Champigny, though most Americans first encounter it as a blending grape with Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux blends, or Californian attempts to recreate those blends. These attempts usually succumb, in my opinion, to the blowout capabilities of Cabernet Sauvignon, which is perfect for Robert Parker-style 16.5% megaton bombs. You can't really do that with Cab Franc, thank God, so you have to fall back on subtlety and elegance.

    Note that the Cab Franc territory in the Loire abuts and shades into the Pinot Noir regions as you get closer to Burgundy -- Sancerre reds are Pinot Noir, for instance.

    I know you asked about Washington wines, but I don't know much about them, so I'm rambling about what I do know. I'm looking forward to hearing the answers myself!

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  • Nose_small
    Reputation: 1276
    Moderator

    I really like the Grenache, Cabernet Franc, and Mourvedre from Almquist Family Vinters, the folks who own The Book Bindery and the adjoining winery. Based on the history of those three varietals in this state as mainly smaller-role blending grapes (based on their relatively lower boldness as compared to Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Sangiovese). The Grenache and Cabernet Franc varietals are generally softer on the palate. You can order them at The Book Bindery, or hit the wine tasting room next door first to make sure whatever you choose is up your alley.

    Another one I really enjoyed that you might like, is the 2007 Gilbert Cellars Cabernet Franc.

    I also really like Kevin Cedergreen's Thuja. It's an inexplicable name (well, I'm sure there's a name, but whatever) for a Merlot-Cab blend. The 2005 and 2006 are the years I've had that have not been overwhelming.

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  • Cats_small
    Reputation: 891

    This wine celler

    http://www.citycellar.com/index.htm

    Has a section of 100 bottles that are all priced $10.00 or less. They try to make this selection well rounded as far as origins and types of wine are concerned. There are some locals in there. If you don't want to break the bank while trying some stuff on a whim maybe swing by this place.

    I've only been there once but the staff was super helpful and very nice. I think they really like what they do.

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