2007 Washington Wine Favorites

"The best "Best Lists" are always subjective, just like most impressions in the wine world. Numerical Ratings and Ten Best give the illusion of objectivity, but are only subjective impressions dressed in the garb of objectivity. I mean, when Wine Spectator or Robert Parker hand out "100s", aren't these just their "faves". When a national magazine (was it Money?) rated Bremerton, Washington as the best place to live in the U.S. based on a bunch of statistics, you knew something was awry with their methodology. Did a human being actually visit Bremerton?

Studying chemistry and enology at U.C. Davis will not make you a great winemaker because winemaking is ultimately an art and depends on the creative imagination of the winemaker. Art is based on the science of light and color and also on psychology and sociology, but a painting based only on these sciences will be "schlock" art or kitch. Now that I think of it, some wines are schlock or kitch, some are "Kinkades", some are "readymades", some are mass produced factory wines, and some are exquisite masterpieces. In any event, here are my favorites of 2007. I challenge anyone to tell me what I should put on my list of favorites. I could dress them up as "bests"! I'd like to hear about your faves.

Favorite Restaurant - Cafe Campagne

Favorite Wine Shop - The Spanish Table

Favorite Wine Shop Owner - Michael Teer

Favorite Vineyard - Ciel Du Cheval

Favorite Winery - DeLille

Favorite Winery Owner - Daniel "Big Papa" Ferelli of Efest

Favorite Winemaker - John Bell

Favorite Wine - Amaurice Chardonnay

Favorite New Seattle Winery - Ponum

Favorite New Washington State Winery - Adam's Bench

Favorite Seattle Winery - DeLille

Favorite Walla Walla Winery - Amaurice

Favorite Red Mountain Winery - Terra Blanca

Favorite Yakima Valley Winery - Massett

Favorite Puget Sound Winery - Cameraderie

Favorite Terroiriste - Cris Carmada

Favorite Red Blend - Amaurice

Favorite Winery Name - Hence

Favorite Wine Name - The Evil Twin

Favorite Cabernet Sauvignon - Pepper Bridge

Favorite Merlot - Gordon Bros.

Favorite Syrah - Darby Destiny Ridge

Favorite Bordeaux Style Blend - Amaurice

Favorite Red Rhone Blend - DeLille "Aix"

Favorite White Rhone Blend - Darby Deuce

Favorite Chardonnay - Amaurice

Favorite Late Harvest Viognier - Northwest Totem

Favorite Inexpensive Winery - Balboa

Best of the Best - ???