Paul Gregutt

Reviews from Paul Gregutt.

In addition to reviewing Pacific Northwest wines for Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Seattle-based Contributing Editor Paul Gregutt…

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• • 99
  • $125

  Quilceda Creek 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA))

  1. Appellation: Columbia Valley (WA), Columbia Valley, Washington, US
  2. Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

  The flagship wine from Quilceda Creek offers exotic scents of plum, cassis, loam, coffee and pine sap, a rich and evocative blend. The wine delivers all that is promised and more; it is deep and dense with flavor, polished, focused and persistent. Vanilla, espresso, fine tannins, luscious acids and cascading fruits.  — P.G.  (2/1/2012)  — 99
• • 98
  • $50

  Pirouette 2008 Red Wine Bordeaux-style Red Blend (Columbia Valley (WA))

  1. Appellation: Columbia Valley (WA), Columbia Valley, Washington, US
  2. Varietal: Bordeaux-style Red Blend

  A stunning Pirouette—63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 9% Cab Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Full and magnificently rich, it is loaded with dense and thrilling fruit flavors of black cherry and cassis. A streak of iron and a hint of citrus keep the wine evolving through a long, beautifully balanced finish. Retasted after being open for 24 hours, the wine was as fresh and thrilling as on the first day.  — P.G.  (2/1/2012)  — 98
• • 95
  • $50

  Sequel 2008 Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA))

  1. Appellation: Columbia Valley (WA), Columbia Valley, Washington, US
  2. Varietal: Shiraz/Syrah

  Bursting with sweet toast from the barrel aging, this offers ripe and pretty berry fruit, deep and long, with highlights of oolong tea. The alcohol is not intrusive, and the acidity keeps it buoyed and lively.  — P.G.  (2/1/2012)  — 95
• • 95
  • $42

  Nefarious Cellars 2009 Rocky Mother Vineyard Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA))

  1. Appellation: Columbia Valley (WA), Columbia Valley, Washington, US
  2. Varietal: Shiraz/Syrah

  This unique Syrah vineyard is located at the northwestern edge of the Columbia Valley AVA. Exotic, silky and compelling, the aromas and flavors combine gorgeously sleek berry fruit flavors with a foundation of liquid rock (hence the vineyard name). Supple, authoritative and long, it gathers both strength and subtlety as it breathes.  — P.G.  (2/1/2012)  — 95
• • 95
  • $60

  Doyenne 2008 Grand Ciel Vineyard Syrah (Red Mountain)

  1. Appellation: Red Mountain, Columbia Valley, Washington, US
  2. Varietal: Shiraz/Syrah

  Certainly the finest Grand Ciel Syrah to date, this is a full-flavored, complete wine, loaded with pure fruit flavors of berry and cassis. The details pile on—a whiff of stone, a hint of chocolate, suggestions of spice, all in perfect proportion.  — P.G.  (2/1/2012)  — 95
• • 95
  • $98

  Quilceda Creek 2008 Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Mountain)

  1. Appellation: Red Mountain, Columbia Valley, Washington, US
  2. Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

  Quilceda Creek’s single vineyard Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon has the heft and structure for decades of aging; to drink it anytime soon is folly. Massively oaky, spicy and loaded with chunky ripe fruit, it’s full-flavored and big-boned; a young, raw Cab with unlimited potential.  — P.G.  (2/1/2012)  — 95
• • 94
  • $20

  Dunham 2009 Lewis Estate Vineyard Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA))

  1. Appellation: Columbia Valley (WA), Columbia Valley, Washington, US
  2. Varietal: Riesling

  Even by Dunham’s high standards, this is a spectacular Riesling. A little spritz to give it a turbo start, a textural and focused entry, a broad splash of spicy apple, pear, apricot and light tropical fruit, and then a surprising streak of honeyed almonds. This wine just rocks.  — P.G.  (2/1/2012)  — 94
• • 94
  • $55

  Feather 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA))

  1. Appellation: Columbia Valley (WA), Columbia Valley, Washington, US
  2. Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

  Randy Dunn’s Feather has an intriguing floral component, and the aromas are complex and intense, though the wine is wound up tight. Let it breathe and it delivers elegant, focused flavors, precisely defined berry and cassis fruit, with a long and harmonious finish.  — P.G.  (2/1/2012)  — 94
• • 94
  • $55

  Owen Roe 2009 Red Willow Vineyard Chapel Block Syrah (Yakima Valley)

  1. Appellation: Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington, US
  2. Varietal: Shiraz/Syrah

  Considered to be the best block of Syrah in the vineyard, here it shows a generous mix of tart berry, plum and raisin fruit flavors, with a lush middle suggesting blueberry pie and Christmas cake. But there is more—chocolate, cinnamon and on it goes into a riot of holiday pastries. Flat-out yummy.  — P.G.  (2/1/2012)  — 94
• • 93
  • $28

  Dunham 2008 Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA))

  1. Appellation: Columbia Valley (WA), Columbia Valley, Washington, US
  2. Varietal: Shiraz/Syrah

  A delicious Syrah in the classic mold of Columbia Valley fruit. Solid and sappy, it’s a mouthful of bright berry flavors, penetrating into layers of licorice, coffee and chocolate. The liquorous finish is rich and balanced, with a hint of heat.  — P.G.  (2/1/2012)  — 93