Washington 2018 reds: top-scoring wines from Royal Slope and other AVAs
After tasting 100 red wines from across Washington State, Dr Owen Bargreen reviews those from the lesser-known AVAs, including the newly-created Royal Slope, and suggests a couple of 2018 red wines to try.
Showing some good promise is the newly created (in 2020) Royal Slope AVA which produces wines from some top vineyards including Stoneridge and Stillwater Creek.
A very large range of varieties can perform well here but Syrah might stand tallest.
Scroll down to see the top-scoring ‘other AVA’ 2018 red wines
At roughly 60,702 hectares, about 90% of the AVA is planted with vines on gentle to somewhat steeply south-facing slopes.
It is slightly warmer than the Ancient Lakes AVA (more known for ripe yet crisp Riesling and Chardonnay) but a touch cooler than the Wahluke Slope AVA (known for Bordeaux varietals).
The Wahluke Slope, with its very dry climate, has 3,754 hectares of vineyards which is nearly 15% of the total wine grape plantings in the state.
In this region reds perform the best, and the appellation sits on a large alluvial fan delta created by repeated flooding, making the soils notably uniform and displaying wind-blown sand topsoil.
Washington 2018 red wines: full report and top-scoring wines
Individual analysis by AVA:
Columbia Valley | Horse Heaven Hills | Red Mountain | Walla Walla Valley | Yakima Valley
Plus: Top-value Washington 2018 reds – the best to buy
The new Candy Mountain AVA sits adjacent to Red Mountain and also offers a similar scorched earth and generous dark fruit profile for its Bordeaux varieties. It also shows promise for concentrated, smoky Syrahs.
The Puget Sound AVA shows limited promise for red wines due to its rainy climate, although some German and Alsatian white varietals fare better.
More enticing is the emergence of the Columbia Gorge AVA, particularly over the past 10 years, as this wind-swept AVA delivers not only good potential for Chardonnay and sparkling wines but also a host of Rhône varietals with its cooler climate and strong wind influence.
A highly diverse AVA, it is known for its many micro-climates perfect for growing grapes of almost every variety though whites (64%) are dominant. Soils here are also diverse, from old volcanic mudstone to fragments of basalt rock.
Top producers:
- Gard Vintners
- Januik
- Novelty Hill
- Upsidedown Wine
- San Juan Island Vineyards
The top-scoring ‘other’ AVA 2018 red wines
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House of Smith, K Vintners, Milbrandt Syrah, Washington, USA, 2018
The nose offers generous kirsch and dark raspberry tones with sandalwood and dried herbal undertones. The sense of finesse and weight on the mid-palate really...
2018
House of Smith
House of Smith, Substance Vineyard, Stoneridge Merlot, Washington, USA, 2018
This offers straightforward medium-bodied black plum and red cherry flavours with a light dusting of cocoa powder. Enjoy in the short-term.
2018
House of Smith
