Washington 2018 reds: vintage overview and top-scoring wines

Washington 2018 red wines overall score

5/5

A highly memorable year, the 2018 vintage was an unabashed success for Washington red wines.

Many Washington State winemakers consider 2018 to be one of the most captivating vintages in the past two decades — if not the best.

Scroll down for the top-scoring Washington 2018 red wines

Unlike 2017, 2018 did not see impact from fires; additionally 2018 was warm without being excessively so, which plagued some red wines made in 2015 and 2016.

The top 2018 red wine bottlings display remarkable poise, texture, flavour density and richness which span all Washington State AVAs.

COMING SOON

Washington 2018 red 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

A brief look at the AVAs

Each Washington State AVA showcases its distinct style in 2018.

Columbia Valley wines typically lean towards rich dark fruits with sage, eucalyptus or underbrush character.

Yakima Valley wines exude good freshness with a prettier, red fruit profile: florals and herbal undertones, rather than the dark fruits of the other AVAs. The higher the elevation in the Yakima Valley, the more red fruits will fill the glass. For those who prefer red wines with more elegance, and more of a Bordelaise feel, look to the Yakima Valley’s top wines.

Conversely, wines from Red Mountain provide more decadence for the hedonistic palate.

They have the darkest profiles with more non-fruit characters such as tar or scorched earth. These are the most intense and massive wines of the vintage that typically need some time in the decanter before being fully open.

Reds from Walla Walla as well as Horse Heaven Hills fall somewhere between Yakima and Red Mountain in terms of overall winemaking profile, although some may argue that they’re closer to the dense dark fruit and non-fruit profiles that you see on Red Mountain. Higher elevation sites on both Red Mountain and Walla Walla AVAs typically showcase a greater degree of acidity and more limited focus on intense dark fruit flavors.

Top winemakers in agreement

‘2018 was a really exceptional vintage,’ said Chris Figgins of Leonetti Cellar, who was impressed with his Walla Walla fruit across varieties — from Sangiovese to Malbec. ‘Reminding me of 2012, it was unremarkable in terms of no weather events or severe heat spikes outside of our long term averages. But with a long, cool and dry harvest season, all vineyards were picked at perfect maturity levels,’ he added.

Todd Alexander produced some sensational 2018s for his Force Majeure winery, and agreed with Figgins: ‘2018 was a terrific year – the best vintage since 2012. I think across the board we were able to fire on all cylinders. I remember how fresh and vibrant the wines were when we put them down to barrel. The wines have fairly big tannin profiles but they are silky and opulent, without being overbearing or losing freshness, energy or balance.’

Quilceda Creek produced the top wine from this report, the scintillating Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Director of winemaking, Paul Golitzin recounts this vintage. ‘2018 was one of the best vintages over the past 40 years of winemaking at Quilceda Creek. The key to our quality in 2018 was intensive crop estimation and thinning. This allowed us to create a concentrated and classic Cabernet Sauvignon that should age gracefully over the next 20-30 years.’

DeLille Cellars’ director of winemaking Jason Gorski was thrilled the the 2018 vintage too. ‘Near perfect harvest conditions aided in the wines having good freshness along with the flavour density developed during the growing season,’ he said . ‘A classic, magical Washington September brought much cooler temperatures. Average temperatures through the end of October, with our traditionally cool evenings, allowed for prolonged hang time, great flavour development and dark colours in red wine.’

Similarly, Kerry Shiels from Yakima Valley producer Cote Bonneville explained: ‘While heat accumulation was about average [compared to recent vintages], the results are exceptional. I love the colour, flavour and balance of the wines. They have great aromatic complexity, coupled with power and concentration. These are delicious now and will cellar beautifully.’

See all Washington 2018 red wine tasting notes and scores

2018 standing tall

In terms of vintage history, there has been a surge in warm vintages in Washington, particularly following unusually cool vintages in 2010 and 2011.

The 2000s brought many warm vintages from 2001 to 2003, and between 2005 and 2009 seasons were generally warm, with 2006 being the warmest, resulting in wines that achieved good ripeness but also good finesse.

In terms of recent vintages, 2018 ranks higher than 2015 and 2016, and more similarly to 2014 – another sublime vintage for Washington red wines.

As many winemakers have suggested, 2018 red wines are more congruent to 2012 in terms of finesse but eclipse 2012 in terms of flavour density and weight. 2018 red wines resemble 2013 in terms of overall depth and concentration, but display better freshness.

Winemaking trends in Washington reds

One trend continues to be a focus: lower oak impact, which generally plateaued in the late 2000s. While many top Cabernet Sauvignons in Washington employ 100% new oak, the wood influence overall is considerably less than it was 10 or more years ago.

Oak influence overall has been dialled back in terms of toast levels on barrels. This is a good trend for consumers as wines made from warmer vintages showcase the fruit and non-fruit characters of the red wine, rather than feeling bogged down by heavy-handed oak treatment in the winery.

Alcohol levels might have been higher in 2018 had the vintage not seen cooler weather around harvest which kept them at bay.

An overall trend in wineries looking to slightly lower their alcohol levels in red wines to under 15% and closer to 14% is welcome. Still, many winemakers mention that what is on the label is not necessarily what is in the bottle.

Morgan Lee of Two Vintners produces a beautiful Zinfandel wine that eclipses 16% alcohol — yet the acidity he is able to capture makes this wine appear more in the 14.5% or 15% range.

Whether you enjoy a greater oak influence or higher alcohol expression in the wine, it is a breath of fresh air to see these impacts reduced a little.

Washington will never produce Bordeaux-like alcohol levels but lower alcohol in Washington reds – even in warm vintages – is a trend both critics and the consumers alike will enjoy.

Washington reds: vintage ratings (out of 5)

2018: 5

2017: 4.5

2016: 4.5

2015: 4

2014: 4.5

2013: 4.5

2012: 5

2011: 3.5

2010: 4

2009: 4.5

Future stars: the Washington producers to watch

Rasa Vineyards

Avennia

Andrew Januik

Force Majeure

Figgins

WT Vintners

Great cellaring potential

2018 will be an exceedingly long-lived vintage for Washington wines.

Many reds recently tasted from the 2010 and 2011 vintages are already declining, but to continue the comparison with 2012 – whose wines are still drinking beautifully – 2018 looks to follow suit and might even be longer lived past the decade mark.

Bordeaux varietal wines by Andrew Will, Leonetti Cellar and Quilceda Creek from the heralded 2005 vintage are still shining brightly and 2018 could emulate them.

Certainly some of the top Cabernet Sauvignon wines produced in 2018 will have an ageing potential of 20 years or more, providing hedonistic, yet well-balanced drinking enjoyment to reward the patient.

Washington 2018 red wines: the top-scorers

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