Just how good are the wines from that new AVA, Ancient Lakes that we visited and wrote about last week? How about a slew of Double Gold medals in the Seattle Wine Awards? Cave B alone (the 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, the red blend, and both the old vine "XXV" and the "regular" Merlots). Jones of Washington, Double Gold for the Riesling, the Sauv Blanc and the Rosé of Syrah. The Eroica Riesling from Ancient Lakes, Double Gold. The Riesling from Ryan Patrick, Double Gold.
It's the biggest independent wine competition in Washington State, and, it's true, they awarded over 250 Double Golds. But even with inflation, the 2013 awards are an impressive confirmation of the rationale for putting the name of the AVA on the label.
Here's the list of all the winners.
Meanwhile, Sunset Magazine has announced the results of its International Wine Competition. Some 3,000 wines were entered; some three dozen judges (wine makers, wine writers, sommeliers and wine educators) evaluated them over two days at Sunset headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif.
Warm days, cool evenings. Aperitifs overlooking the lawn, burgers on patio. The big winner from Washington was Barnard Griffin, with two best-of-class wines, a Rosé of Sangiovese and a Merlot. Winemaker Rob Griffin, the gent at the top right, started at Preston, moved to Hogue, and established his own brand a full 30 years ago.
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