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Columbia Valley

Columbia Valley AVA is larger than some states. At 18,000 square miles, or 11 million acres, the appellation covers almost half of Washington State and a small part of Oregon on the south side of the Columbia River. Established in 1984, Columbia Valley contains numerous sub appellations within its boundaries, including Yakima Valley AVA and Walla Walla AVA, both large and important wine districts. Columbia Valley AVA, generally called the Columbia Basin by Pacific Northwesterners, is in the Columbia River Plateau, and the AVA also includes a section of northeastern Oregon. There are dozens of microclimates within this appellation of about 7,000 vineyard acres. Many kinds of grapes are grown in the Columbia Valley, though the principal grapes planted are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, Syrah, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc. Eastern Washington experiences very hot summers and cold winters, and the northern latitude means that Washington vineyards receive several more hours of sun in the summer than California vineyards. Grapes in Washington therefore have time to develop significant tannins and overall ripeness.

2016 Januik Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

ST  91   

2016 Isenhower Road Less Traveled Cabernet Franc

2016 Eleganté Cellars Tempranillo

Light label condition issue

2016 Palencia El Viñador Syrah

Light label condition issue

2016 Elevation Cellars Black Peak Tempranillo

2016 Kasia Winery Moxie Mourvedre

Light label condition issue

2015 Quilceda Creek Galitzine Cabernet Sauvignon

JD  98+    
ST  95+    
WA  93+    

2015 Chateau Ste. Michelle Ethos Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

JS  92   
WS  91   
ST  91   
WE  91   

2015 Chateau Ste. Michelle Limited Release Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Lightly depressed cork

WA  95+    
ST  94   
JD  94   
JS  93   

2015 Januik Ciel du Cheval Petit Verdot

2015 Dusted Valley Stonetree Vineyard Imporcitor Cabernet Sauvignon

3-bottle Lot, Wood Case

2015 Isenhower Jongleur Petit Verdot

2015 Brian Carter Cellars Byzance

Light label condition issue

JS  92   

2014 Quilceda Creek Red

WA  94   
ST  91   

2014 Chateau Ste. Michelle Limited Release Cold Creek Vineyard Syrah

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

2014 Col Solare

Light capsule condition issue

WA  94   
ST  91+    

2014 L'Ecole No. 41 Columbia Valley Chardonnay

WS  90   
ST  90+    
WE  90   

2014 Sleight of Hand The Archimage

JS  93   
OB  92   
WA  91   
ST  91   
WS  90   
WE  90   

2014 Charles Smith Wines Casa Smith Northridge Vineyard Barbera

WE  91   

2014 Charles Smith Wines Casa Smith Northridge Vineyard Barbera

Light label condition issue

WE  91   

2014 Januik Weinbau Vineyard Malbec

2014 Isenhower River Beauty Syrah

2014 Brian Carter Cellars Byzance

Light label condition issue

WA  90   
JD  90   

2014 Brian Carter Cellars Trentenaire

JD  90