Recommended Wines From Taste Washington - $30 And Over

Here are wines for big splurges, special occasions, everyday wines for Microsoft millionaires. Quality does not necessarily correlate with price. Quality definitely does not go up in proportion to price, but these wines are delicious. I know, I tasted them. Interestingly, all of the wines in this group are red except for 2003 Januik Cold Creek Chardonnay ($30). Two other excellent whites produced by wineries in this group are the Semillon from DeLille and the Chardonnay from Boudreaux, both under $30. I would love to have any of these wines in my cellar, although with the exception of the McCrea Amerique and the Quilceda Creek Cabernet, they are all ready to drink today. Most of them will keep well or improve for two to four years. The "Amerique" definitely need a few years, but will be wonderful. The Quilceda Creek is great and will age well for at least ten years. Prices are approximate. Sometimes you can get substantial discounts by pre-ordering or joining a mailing list or wine club.

Blends

• 2003 Baer "Arctos" ($34)
• 2002 Red Sky ($30)
• 2002 Brian Carter "L'Etalon" ($30 )
• 2003 Fall Line Red ($30)
• 2003 Cadence "Bel Canto"
• 2003 Cadence "Ciel du Cheval"
• 2004 DeLille "D2" ($30)
• 2003 DeLille "Harrison" ($65)
• 2004 DeLille Doyenne "Aix" ($32)
• 2003 Hightower "Pepper Bridge Vineyard Walla Walla Red" ($30)

Cabernet Sauvignon

• 2003 Amavi ($30)
• 2003 Pepper Bridge ($45)
• 2004 Syzygy ($30)
• 2002 Reininger ($30)
• 2003 Quilceda Creek ($140-$400)
• 2003 Boudreaux ($40)

Merlot

• 2003 Pepper Bridge ($45)
• 2002 Reininger ($30)
• 2003 Januik ($30)

Syrah

• 2003 Amavi ($30)
• 2003 Reininger ($30)
• 2003 DeLille Doyenne Syrah ($42)
• 2003 McCrea Amerique ($48)
• 2003 McCrea Boushay Vineyard ($48)
• 2003 McCrea Ciel du Cheval ($48)
• 2003 Cuvee Orlean ($48)