The Wine Knows

Lots of interesting comments here! I think that, overall, Paul did a great job on the book. I loved the information about different vineyards, the most influential winemakers in Washington wine history, and the backgrounds of the wineries.

For people wondering about why some wineries didn't get much coverage, I think you need to review the ratings system. The book wasn't about a singular wine or vintage. Points were given for consistency, style, their contribution to the Washington wine industry, and for the length of time the winery has been in business (track record). Thus, if a winery is truly producing outstanding wines, but has only been around for 5 years, it wouldn't earn a score high enough to be mentioned in the same chapter as "the big boys".

The example that jumped out to me was Fielding Hills. If you look at the high praise and ratings Paul has given them, and the number of "Editor's Choice" designations he has awarded them, you would think they would have a much higher "score". The fact that their first tiny vintage was in 2000 penalized them in the scoring system. None the less, if Paul were to update the book in 5 years, I think you would see them much higher up the list. But, they are one of the best producers in the state, and Paul rightly gave them space in the book.

The second thing to consider is the palette of the writer! It is obvious that Paul doesn't like wines that are too "oaky". He likes a more fruit driven wine, and that is certainly his choice! He has probably forgotten more about wine than most of us will ever know. That obviously affected the "house style" points awarded in his book.

Understanding what particular writers/reviewers like helps you to interpret, and scale to your own personal tastes, their scores. I have found that I like wines that Paul rates in the 89 to 92 point range when he mentions anything about being a little "oaky". I like wines with a bit of oak shining through! His higher scores are almost always for a more fruit driven wine. Robert Parker loves huge, massive wines. Cult wines, if you will. Maybe he has killed too many taste buds...... However, knowing that, I know that if he gives one of my beloved zinfandels a 93 point rating, that wine will probably blow my mind. Harvey Steiman from Wine Spectator usually rates Washington wines 2 to 3 points lower than Paul does. I appreciate his notes, however, and I know that a 90 point rating from him is actually quite high praise. And honestly, the ratings from Wine Press Northwest I usually ignore! I have bought several of the bottles that received "Double Gold" and "Outstanding" ratings and have wondered how many of the judges had been swallowing..... while other bottles I thought were incredible, and ones that had earned very high praise from other reviewers and publications, received much lower marks from WPN. But, the magazine has tons of great info about Pacific Northwest wines, and I truly appreciate their efforts in producing a very fine magazine. We sure don't get much local info in the national publications!

Cheers!

My wife gave me his recent book as a stocking stuffer for Christmas this year and I read it during the holidays. A truly great read. Those of us who like/drink a large amount of WA wine will appreciate the work he has put into the book.
We all have a wine or winery we appreciate more than others as we are all different and have different palate’s; wine is chemistry!
While I did agree with many of the marks given in the book on various producers, I also questioned some others, not to mention looking for a winery or two to get a bit larger part.
This certainly reminds us of how large our wine industry is here in WA and it is made up of mostly small pieces. I look forward to future updates of this book.

Paul,

Why do we have to bring the french into every conversation? Could we leave my people alone sometimes?

Just kidding. You are a wine critic and you are entitled to your opinion, this is why we love and we hate the press. Welcome to a free country where you can express yourself.

Go Paul!

NicoRiesling

Paul,

I love your book! Very helpful. It's obvious that some selection needed to be done, yet still include something useful about as many wineries and vineyards as possible. You've hit (whether they get 2 pages or only 2 paragraphs) on the wineries I think are important and up and coming. Plus, you've introduced me to many others.

I'm taking the long view, that is, with each new edition (every 3 year please!) we'll have a more complete record of the significant wineries in Washington.

I recommend it to all my wine friends.

Keith Webb
Bellevue via Singapore

Gents,
I do appreciate any and all feedback and discussion, and will take these comments into consideration when updating the book. In my original design I was working very hard to create a unique ratings framework that would spark discussions such as this. I realized, of course, that there would inevitably be some disagreements, since any ratings system is subjective. This on represents my best attempt to organize, evaluate and categorize the state's many producers... while writing an entertaining book that people might actually read! Disagree with it? Great! Let's face it, after 150 years the French are still arguing about the classified growths of Bordeaux. Suffice it to say that I am a long time admirer of Rob Griffin's wines and work, and have said so on many, many occasions. Although Steve Lessard is a proven and accomplished winemaker, I have never found that Whitman wines rise above the middle of the pack in terms of style/quality/value.

Yes snowed up and in as in up here! No papers are being delivered up here. So I go online and I came accross this site on the local paper link. Traveling through Tri-Cities and friend recomended this B&B called 360 Cellars in Kennewick. Holy cow what a view from way up here! This has got to be the highest tasting room in the Columbia Valley, not much to see today but all snow it feels like being at a ski resort. Just my luck they have some very wonderful wines made by Victor Cruz of Canyon de Sol winery. The 2005 Syrah and 2005 Meritage are my favorites. I guess I'll just have to come back when I run out wine. Thanks folks see you next visit.

Okay, I'm glad that I didn't slam the book, then!

I was glad to see Paul heap praise upon Rulo, where, on a tour last spring, we found ourselves glad to find a $20 (or less) bottle of Syrah that would have been $30 at many other Walla Walla tasting rooms, if not all.

According to the book, the pop in the Rulo mom and pop op is a practicing M.D., which would explain his excitement to show me his new Zeiss microscope, after I told him that I am a practicing microbiologist.

Paul comes onto the site here regularly, so this is a perfect way to get some of those questions answered. In fact, I was at a dinner last night, and similar questions came up at the table I was at, particularly as they related to Barnard Griffin.