In tough times, we continue the search for good, inexpensive wines.

Corvidae is a new winery from David O’Reilly of Owen Roe fame. The winery gets its name from a family of birds that includes crows. The Corvidae label focuses on value priced wines. The Lenore Syrah is named after the Edgar Allen Poe poem “The Raven” and “The Rook” label features a crow.

Columbia Winery is a large, Woodinville- area producer.

College Cellars is a teaching winery located in Walla Walla. The winery is located at the Center for Enology and Viticulture at Walla Walla Community College.

Silvery Lake Winery is also located in Woodinville. The winery was founded in 1987 and produces more than 50,000 cases annually.

Unfortunately I didn’t feel that any of these wines really brought the thunder as Mr. Vaynerchuck would say.

The hunt continues…If you have favorite Washington wines under $15, send them along and I will check them out.

Wines:
Score

 Name

 Notes

 $

.

 Corvidae Syrah Lenore 2006

 Lots of blueberry and blueberry pie aromas along with blackberry bush and a touch of licorice. A fair amount of alcohol hangs above the nose. A bit aggressive on the front end of the palate then dips down.

Purchased at Fremont Wine Warehouse for $13

 $13

.

 Corvidae The Rook CSM Columbia Valley 2007

 Maple mixes with boysenberry syrup, raisin, and dried cherry aromas. Pepper and anise occasionally join the fray. A bit flat on the palate with occasional sharpness. The alcohol does not always seem balanced. 45% Cabernet; 27% Syrah; 28% Merlot.

Purchased at Fremont Wine Warehouse for $13


 $13

.

 Columbia Winery Syrah Columbia Valley 2005

 Mulberry, blackberry, and touches of sweet and toasty oak. A dry style that comes across as quite sharp on the palate. The alcohol also seems a bit obtrusive at times.

Purchased at Safeway for $12

 $15

.

 College Cellars Governor’s Red 2006

 A slight cloudiness in the color. Brown licorice and a whiff of nail polish on the nose. Taste has some interesting things going on but is a bit sharp at the front and a little thread later on. Cabernet; Syrah.

Purchased at West Seattle Cellars for $14

 $14

.

 Silver Lake Winery Syrah Rattlesnake Hills 2006

 A light nose with bright berries, notably blackberry, along with violets and a touch of barnyard. Fairly unbalanced on the taste with a lot of tanginess. Overall a decent nose but the taste is a disappointment.

Purchased at Safeway for $9

 $12