Going for Seconds recently blogged on a tasting in Seattle with Steve Tanzer of International Wine Cellar fame. The purpose of the event was to taste ten of the best Cabernet and Syrah in Washington. The list is quite interesting. Here it is:

• 2004 Leonetti Cellar Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2004 Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2005 L’Ecole No. 41 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2005 Abeja Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2005 Chateau Rollat Edouard de Rollat Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

• 2006 Betz La Serenne Columbia Valley Syrah
• 2004 Cayuse Cailloux Vineyard Walla Walla Valley Syrah
• 2005 K Vintners Walls Walla Walla Valley Syrah
• 2005 Gramercy Cellars Walla Walla Valley Syrah
• 2005 Waters Forgotten Hills Walla Walla Valley Syrah

Let’s start with the cabernets. Leonetti and Quilceda Creek are clearly the standard bearers. L’Ecole’s spot is well-deserved given their consistently exceptional wines and twenty-fives years of production. The last two are quite interesting. Abeja has developed a strong following over the last several years. Chateau Rollat is a relative newcomer. Consulting winemaker Christian LeSommer of France’s Rothchild creates Bordeaux blends for owner Bowin Lindgren. The results thus far are spectacular.

Moving on to the Syrah, Betz, Cayuse, and K Vintners are all well-known for their exceptional wines from this varietal. Gramercy and Waters are again relative newcomers who continue to receive a good deal of critical acclaim. Their inclusion on this list shows how far they have come (not to mention how quickly).

For write-ups of recent releases from Abeja, Chateau Rollat, Waters, and Gramercy as well as many other wineries see my Walla Walla Spring Release 2008 report.