We’ve had many reasons to celebrate in recent weeks — birthdays, anniversaries and vacations. What better times to pull out a bottle of fine Washington state and/or California wine from our collection?
For example, on our anniversary we enjoyed two Washington state beauties, Obelisco 2012 Electrum Cabernet Sauvignon and Force Majeure 2010 Collaboration V, Estate Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.
Yes, these are definitely special-occasion wines.
In the last few months, we also opened some good-value reds — how can you miss at $15?
So here are some of the wines in our glasses lately — at a wide range of prices, from $15-$70 — in alphabetical order. Some of these were small pours at wine events; others were glasses at restaurants or bottles shared with friends.
Note: Sometimes you can find lower prices at Costco, through wine apps or wine stores.
- Alexandria Nicole Cellars 2012 Destiny, $48
- Ambassador 2012 Plenipotentiary Cabernet Sauvignon, $50
- Avennia 2010 Sestina, $50
- Bartholomew Primitivo 2013, $24
- Columbia Crest 2013 H3 Cabernet Sauvignon, $15
- Corliss 2012 Secret Squirrel Cabernet Sauvignon, $25
- Decoy 2013 Red Wine, $24
- Des Voigne 2012 The Duke Zinfandel, $30
- Double Canyon 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, $65
- Eagle Eye 2007 Proprietary Red Limited Edition Heritage, $50
- Efeste 2010 Big Papa Cabernet Sauvignon, $54
- Force Majeure 2010 Estate Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, $65
- Guardian Cellars 2012 The Wanted, $37
- Lauren Ashton 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, $50
- Mercer Estates 2011 Ode to Brothers GSM, $42
- Michael David 2013 Petite Petit, $17
- Oak Ridge 2013 OZV Zin, $14
- Obelisco 2012 Electrum Cabernet Sauvignon, $70
- Seghesio 2014 Sonoma Zinfandel, $26
- Seven Falls 2013 Jones Vineyard Zinfandel, $40
- Stags’ Leap 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, $50
- William Church Winery 2010 Bishop’s Blend, $22
- The Woodhouse Wine Estates 2012 Darighe, $65
We hope you also have a chance to taste some of these delicious wines; if the above vintages are sold out, chances are the next ones are very drinkable too.
Special thanks to Lauren Ashton, Double Canyon and Oak Ridge for the samples to taste.
Cheers!
Margot and Dave
We had a wonderful time at the Grand Tasting at 
Of the wineries that were new on our list, Ambassador Wines was our favorite. Plenipotentiary Cab Sauv is a rich, robust delight from Red Mountain; according to the tasting notes: “Deep dark chocolate cherry, blackberry jam, toast and finishes off with vanilla sweetness and spice. The mouth explodes with dark fruit flavors, a rich and full mid-palate and a nice lingering vanilla, blackberry and spice finish. The tannins meld nicely with the acid and to create a nice enticing finish begging you to take another sip.” We are looking forward to visiting their tasting room in Woodinville to try some of their other wines.
Here is the list of our other favorites that we tasted at SWFE (in alphabetical order):