At the 2018 Wine Blogger’s Conference in Walla Walla, Washington the wine flowed freely and it wasn’t the cheap stuff. Wineries want to show their best and tell their stories to people who will, after all, be writing about them. So we were treated to four days of the best the Pacific Northwest had to offer—and it was considerable. Washington State has found the mother lode of quality with their Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. I obviously could not taste everything but here are the wines that stood out. It’s not surprising that one of my favorites was an Oregon Pinot Noir. But the big surprise was a really big surprise. See below.

Force Majeur SJR Vineyard Syrah Rocks District 2016 

For me the best wine of the conference, complex, intensely fragrant and elegant. Every Syrah I tasted from the Rocks District had a distinctive mineral note, instantly identifiable, with blue and black fruit, bacon fat, dried herbs and black olive.

Fullerton Vineyards Bella Vida Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2016

Beautiful, classic red fruit and subtle earth notes, a silky mouthfeel with lots of finesse. A real gem from native yeasts, 100% destemmed, 25% French oak

Dama Wines Collage Walla Walla 2014

A blend of Merlot (59%) Cabernet Sauvignon and a bit of Cab Franc, this is ripe and luscious but savory with intriguing herbal notes and well structured fine tannins. 40% new French oak on the Cabernet.

J. Buckwalter Winery volume five Cabernet Sauvignon Dionysius Vineyard Columbia Valley 2015

Dark Cherry and savory notes with a beautiful seam of graphite, creamy and lush in the mouth with an elegant evolution finishing with beautifully chiseled tannins despite its relative youth. From old vines, aged in new French oak.

Kiona Vineyards Estate Old Block Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain 2014

In a blind tasting of 8 high end Red Mountain Cabs, this was the one that stood out. From 40 year old vines, the oldest on Red Mountain, rich blackberry but earthy and meat notes as well. On the palate it’s harmony in a glass.

Stone Hill Winery Chambourcin Hermann, Missouri 2015

Certainly the surprise of the conference at $12 per bottle. I’ve tasted many Chambourcin, a French American hybrid grown in the Midwest and East. It’s usually undistinguished and often undrinkable. But this version from Stone Hill is one of the best I’ve had. Jammy black fruit, floral and caramel notes, and black pepper,  this is silky smooth on the palate with soft tannins.

Cross-posted on Edible Arts on 10/19/2018.