J. Bookwalter

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J. Bookwalter 2009 Conner Lee Vineyard Conflict Red (Columbia Valley (WA))

Price $55

The Conflict red is a mash-up of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and it’s a crowd-pleaser from the instant the cork is pulled. Dense scents of cherry, roasty-toasty barrel and cracker are inviting. The grapes were sourced entirely from the Conner Lee Vineyard. This effort showcases the winery’s signature style, with notes of black fruits… — P.G. (9/1/2012)

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J. Bookwalter 2007 Conner Lee Vineyard Conflict Red (Columbia Valley (WA))

Editors' Choice

Price $50

This is a revelation. The complex and site-specific aromas suggest wild herb, lavender, lemon verbena and black olive. The tannins are supple and ripe, with no green edge at all. The fruit combines mineral-soaked black cherry, sweet raspberry compote, and deep cassis. A marvelous wine, dense, detailed and seductive. — P.G. (9/1/2010)

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J. Bookwalter 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA))

Editors' Choice

Price $32

At first tight and a bit unyielding, it sends up little wafts of scent—cinnamon and spice—before slowly broadening out with classic Bordeaux notes of lead pencil, cedar and graphite. Lean but not mean, this shows the grip and polish of very skillful winemaking, married to superb fruit. Classic black cherry and cassis, with the acidity and lean muscularity that… — P.G. (11/15/2004)

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J. Bookwalter 2007 Foreshadow Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley (WA))

Price $42

This wine’s dense complexity is immediately apparent in the nose; offering hints of Asian spice, cinnamon, cardamom, along with supple layers of purple and black fruits. The tannins are substantial and fine-grained, perfectly ripe, and the threads of black olive, smoke, tar and coffee weave seamlessly into the finish. There is a balance point here—it has not… — P.G. (9/1/2010)

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J. Bookwalter 2009 Protagonist Red (Columbia Valley (WA))

Editors' Choice

Price $55

This is an outstanding Protagonist, 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Ciel du Cheval Syrah. As with other J. Bookwalter reds, it is loaded with an appealing toast scent, and is amply endowed with black cherry and cassis fruit. This is a luscious wine with terrific concentration and length, finishing with perfectly ripe tannins. — P.G. (9/1/2012)

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J. Bookwalter 2003 Johannisberg Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA))

Best Buy

Price $12

This may well be the best Riesling being made in Washington at the moment. Off-dry and very lightly carbonated, it explodes with a bouquet of flower flavors that hit you with lilac, citrus blossom, talcum powder and more. Lively and tight, the flavors gather strength and concentration as they move through a myriad of pretty fruits, finally resolving in a long… — P.G. (11/15/2004)

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J. Bookwalter 2002 Chapter One Meritage (Columbia Valley (WA))

Price $68

The winery’s first Meritage has a hefty bottle but a rather dull, black and white label. It’s layered and complex, quite young with streaks of pencil lead, licorice and charcoal around dense black fruits and sweet tannins. The wine shows a very strong spine on which the tart fruit hangs; that tartness characterizes optimal Washington ripeness. Full and complete, it… — P.G. (12/15/2005)

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J. Bookwalter 2005 Riesling (Columbia Valley (WA))

Price $16

Continuing its string of outstanding Rieslings, J. Bookwalter once again has produced an exceptionally fragrant wine absolutely brimming with scents of sweet blossom, citrus, peach, mango and pear. The mix of fruits is marvelous; equally impressive is the racy acidity that keeps the wine poised, balanced and right on the fence between dry and sweet. — P.G. (12/31/2006)

Most Reviewed Designations

Anecdote Antithesis Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Red Chapter One Chapter Two Red Conner Lee Vineyard Conflict Conner Lee Vineyard Conflict Red Foreshadow Notebook Protagonist Red

Most Reviewed Varietals

Bordeaux-style Red Blend Cabernet Sauvignon Johannisberg Riesling Meritage Merlot Red Blend Riesling

2010 Mira Stanly Ranch

Winemaker Gustavo Gonzalez left Robert Mondavi to do his own thing, and…

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