Washington 2018 reds: top-scoring wines from Horse Heaven Hills
Horse Heaven Hills represents 27% of Washington’s total wine production, and produces benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon with good depth and intensity. Dr Owen Bargreen takes a detailed look at the AVA and selects his best Horse Heaven Hills 2018 red wines.
Founded in 2005, this AVA encompasses roughly 6,070 hectares with 37 varieties planted at largely south-facing slopes mostly set on sandy-loam soils.
The region represents 27% of Washington’s total wine production and the nearby rivers have a strong mitigating effect, as the region is bounded on the north by the Yakima Valley AVA and on the south by the Columbia River.
Scroll down for the top-scoring Horse Heaven Hills 2018 red wines
The proximity to the rivers creates 30% more wind while moderating temperature extremes, as this is one of Washington’s warmer sites.
Winds also lead to smaller canopy and berry sizes leading to extremely concentrated small berries at some sites as well as help to reduce frost risks which are sometimes prevalent at the start and end of the growing seasons.
Washington 2018 red wines: full report and top-scoring wines
COMING SOON
Individual analysis by AVA:
Columbia Valley | Red Mountain | Walla Walla Valley | Yakima Valley
Plus: Top-value Washington 2018 reds – the best to buy
Elevations range from 548 metres at the area’s northern boundary to 91 metres at its southern edge.
The region has three main soil types; wind-blown sand and loess, Missoula Flood sediment, and hill slope rubble from the Columbia River basalt bedrock. Each of these provides well-drained soils particularly well-suited to Cabernet Sauvignon.
Popularly planted grapes include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Riesling (66% red varieties planted compared to 34% white) with a strong moderating effect by the nearby Columbia River. Think Cabernet Sauvignon with good depth and intensity, also embodying salty and underbrush undertones.
The Horse Heaven Hills AVA has one of the state’s finest sites – the famed Champoux Vineyard, planted by Don Mercer in 1972 and now owned by Quilceda Creek.
Quilceda Creek wines from this site are known for their pillowy soft dark fruit profiles with a weightless texture, as well as tar, tobacco, sagebrush and chocolate undertones.
Top Horse Heaven Hills producers:
- Quilceda Creek
- Columbia Crest
- Andrew Will
- Passing Time
- Woodward Canyon
The top-scoring Horse Heaven Hills 2018 red wines
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Andrew Will, Sorella, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington, USA, 2018
One of the outstanding wines of this vintage. Right now it is very tightly wound, with a massive wall of dark currants, blackberry compote and...
2018
Andrew WillHorse Heaven Hills
Quilceda Creek, Palengat, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington, USA, 2018
A silky blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (97%) from Champoux and Mach One Vineyards, with the Cabernet Franc (3%) from the Palengat Vineyard. Once on the...
2018
Quilceda CreekHorse Heaven Hills
Andrew Will, Champoux, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington, USA, 2018
Turkish coffee with blackcurrant jelly and cigar box tones all fill the nose. Soft and round on the mouth, this is a silky and refined...
2018
Andrew WillHorse Heaven Hills
Andrew Will, Two Blondes, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington, USA, 2018
Exhibits a deep core and is loaded with rich dark fruits alongside tar, anise and sagebrush tones on the palate. Full-bodied and downright delicious to...
2018
Andrew WillHorse Heaven Hills
Columbia Crest, H3 Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington, USA, 2018
An excellent wine for the price. It offers good richness and a soft mouthfeel on the mid-palate. Ripe dark currants, mocha and a bright acidity...
2018
Columbia CrestHorse Heaven Hills
