More than 65 wines are reviewed below and in the database, including the latest from Andrew Januik, Cimento, Dude DeWalt, Elentone, Huston, Idilico, Januik, Kiona, Koenig, Left Coast, Novelty Hill, Nysa, Peter William, Pomum, Rossini, Ryzo, Sleight of Hand, Syncline, and Veer Wine Project.
The 2022 vintage is shaping up to be an exceptional one for Rhône-style wines from Washington’s Columbia Valley. Below, there are a plethora of outrageously good offerings from this vintage from a variety of producers. They include the best set of wines I’ve ever tasted from long-time Walla Walla Valley producer Sleight of Hand.
“Texturally, for me, the ‘22s are just out of this world,” says Sleight of Hand co-owner and winemaker Trey Busch. “They are very giving and approachable young, but I feel like they are still loaded with the stuffing to age.”
In 2022, cold temperatures in April pushed bud break back two to three weeks behind recent years. (Read a full report on the vintage here.) Cool temperatures persisted until June. Between the late start and a cooler than average September, the result was a greatly delayed harvest. The fate of the season was truly hanging in the balance toward the end of the month, with the possibility looming of an October frost. Then came the ‘October miracle.’
Temperatures in October in the Columbia Valley were generally five degrees Fahrenheit or more above average. This allowed fruit to fully ripen while the wines retained plenty of acidic verve.
I’ve already written about the strength of the 2022 white wines from the Columbia Valley. In terms of red wines, the result thus far has also been electrifying Syrahs and Mourvèdres.
Another producer whose 2022s shined is Syncline. I’ve been enjoying Syncline’s wines since the winery’s inception in 1999. The wines below are across the board the most impressive wines Syncline has made to date, with the 2022 vintage playing directly into the winery’s style.
The reviews also include Syncline’s first estate Furmint, first-ever Chardonnay, and a gorgeous Gruner Veltliner from the 2023 vintage. Look for an upcoming article dedicated to these wines from Syncline.
The releases below also include the debut wines from Cimento. This is a new winery focusing on estate wines from the Rocks District. Todd Alexander (Force Majeure, Holocene, and others) serves as winemaker. Cimento is a winery clearly reaching for the brass ring and, in its inaugural releases, already grasping it firmly in hand. Look for an upcoming article with full details about the winery.
The reviews below also include an always-strong set of releases from Januik and Novelty Hill. If you’re looking for consistent quality and value, look no further than Januik/Novelty Hill. They always deliver.
Finally, if you desire a sparkler for the holidays, to ring in the New Year, or a the bottle-is-the-occasion wine, make sure to visit Woodinville’s Elentone. Elentone makes top-quality Washington sparkling wine.
On to the reviews.
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At Northwest Wine Report, all scores come from blind tastings in varietal/style sets. Read more about this site’s process for rating and reviewing wines. See the Northwest Wine Report rating system and special designations. Read about how to interpret scores. See a list of recently reviewed producers.
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