Washington 2018 reds: top-scoring wines from Horse Heaven Hills

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.

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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

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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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