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Jay Miller, the Washington State reviewer for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, just published his annual tasting report. He says: "Most of the wines tasted for this report are from the outstanding 2005 vintage" He continues : "...in the context of the world market, Washington wines offer sensational value".

Andrew Will Champoux Vineyard Red 05 $53.95/59.95
94 points from Wine Advocate (Parker) 7/08. They said: "The 2005 Champoux Vineyard is made up of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. Purple-colored, it delivers an alluring perfume of pain grille, spice box, and violets. On the palate, it is layered, intense, and powerful. Its impeccable balance should allow it to evolve for up to a decade and drink well through 2030."

Also received 94 Points from Wine Spectator (7-31-08)

Reininger Ash Hollow Syrah 05 $35.96/$39.95
94 points from Wine Advocate (Parker) 7/08. This seductive syrah has all the classic varietal trappings including the smoke! Ripe, u-pick blueberries surrounded by a garden of violets and lavender on a damp early morning where the warmth of mother earth rises to embrace the lingering smoke of an extinguished wood-fire stove ingratiating the palate with alluring, velvety tannins. - the winery

Long Shadows Sequel 05 $49.50/$55.00
94 points from Wine Advocate (Parker) 7/08. They said: "The 2005 Sequel is made by John Duval, former winemaker of Penfolds Grange. The wine is 96% Syrah and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 16 months in mostly French oak. Aromas of cedar, smoke, game, bacon, and violets are alluring while leading to a round, layered, smooth-textured, full-bodied wine with several years of aging potential. This hedonistic effort will be at its best from 2012 to 2020."

Long Shadows Pedestal 05 $52.16/$57.95
94 points from Wine Advocate (Parker) 7/08. They said: "The 2005 Pedestal features the peripatetic Michel Rolland. His wine is 80% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Cabernet Franc aged for 22 months in 85% new French oak. Deep crimson-colored, it offers an enticing perfume of toasty new oak, pencil lead, spice box, clove, allspice, red currants and black cherry. Seamless on the palate, the wine has gobs of ripe, savory flavors, well-concealed tannin, excellent aging potential, and a long, pure finish. It will provide much pleasure between 2012 and 2025."

Long Shadows Chester Kidder 04 $46.76/$51.95
93+ points from Wine Advocate (Parker) 7/08. They said: "The 2004 Chester Kidder Red Wine is made by Gilles Nicault who is also the winemaker in residence at Long Shadows. It is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. It was aged for 28 months in 90% new, mostly French oak. Opaque purple-colored, it reveals an alluring nose of cedar, leather, pencil lead, espresso, blueberry, and blackberry. Round and ripe on the palate, it borders on opulence while concealing enough tannin to support another 5-7 years of cellaring. The sweet, savory fruit carries through into the lengthy finish. Drink this superb effort from 2013 to 2030."

Cadence Bel Canto 05 $53.95/$59.95
94 points from Wine Advocate (Parker) 7/08. They said: "Cadence's version of the legendary Cheval Blanc is the 2005 Bel Canto, a blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 42% Merlot, and 8% Petit Verdot, a selection of the best barrels of these grape varieties in the cellar. Saturated crimson in color, it presents an expressive bouquet of pain grille, pencil lead, espresso roast, black cherry, and plum. This is followed by a wine with superb grip, a smooth palate-feel, layers of ripe fruit, and a 45-second finish. Give it 5-7 years of further bottle age and drink it through 2030."

L'Ecole No 41 Apogee 05 $44.95/$49.95
93 points from Wine Advocate (Parker) 7/08. They said: "The 2005 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 7% Malbec, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Saturated purple colored, it has a slightly brooding nose of pain grille, pencil lead, spice box, and assorted black fruits. It is the most structured of the L'Ecole reds with darker fruit and greater aging potential. Drink this superb effort between 2015 and 2030."

Cadence Tapteil Red 05 $43.16/$47.95
93 points from Wine Advocate (Parker) 7/08. They said: "There are only 250 cases of the 2005 Taptiel Vineyard, sourced from a site planted in 1985, and which yielded only 1.2 tons of fruit per acre in this superb vintage. The wine is made up of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Franc. Purple-colored, it exhibits an enticing perfume of wood smoke, tobacco, clove, cinnamon, and black currants. This leads to a full-bodied wine with layers of spicy flavors, a sense of elegance, and a long, pure, fruit-filled finish. It should deliver peak drinking between 2012 and 2025."

Andrew Will Two Blondes Red 05 $46.76/$51.95
92 points from Wine Advocate (Parker) 7/08. They said: "The 2005 Two Blondes, located a stone's throw from the Sheridan Vineyard, is a blend of 36% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 29% Merlot. Its personality is remarkably similar to its sister vineyard with expressive red and black fruit aromas, spice box, and smooth-textured, sweet fruit. It is a lengthy, elegant effort for drinking from 2012 to 2025."

Fall Line Cabernet Sauvignon 05 $28.75/$31.95
90 points from Wine Advocate (Parker) 7/08. They said: "The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from three vineyards and is 100% varietal. Opaque purple, it has an excellent nose of wood smoke, scorched earth, espresso, plum, and blackberry. It is the densest of the three 2005s but retains its elegance and balance. The fruit is sweet and the flavors spicy and already revealing some complexity. This lengthy wine will evolve for 3-4 years and offer prime drinking from 2012 to 2025."

Quilceda Creek Merlot 05 $140.00
95 points from Wine Advocate (Parker) 7/08. They said: "The 2005 Merlot is deep crimson-colored with alluring aromas of pain grille, spice box, cranberry, red currant, and black currant. This leads to an opulent Merlot with gobs of spicy red and black fruits, silky tannins that will support 4-6 years of further evolution, superb balance, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. It will provide prime-time drinking from 2012 to 2025."

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