The 2019 vintage in Washington State proved to be a cooler and wetter year than the last several vintages. Still, a rainy September and brief cold snap in mid-October didn’t keep this harvest from showing brighter and very balanced wines. Wines are presenting with phenolic ripeness without the higher sugars shown in the last few vintages. Rosés are bright in color with beautiful natural acids and very fruit-driven, with a bonus of having lower alcohols due to the lower brix at harvest. The aromatics such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Viognier are true-to-variety and wonderfully aromatic with more floral aromas than they have shown in years. Even big reds such as Merlot and Malbec have intense and forward floral aromatics. Washington was on a warming trend since 2012, until 2019 came along to serve as a reminder that Mother Nature is in full control and will keep the viticulture teams expecting the unexpected.

Columbia Valley