Patterson Cellars Takes Home First Place for White Blends Over $25
Washington wine blends took center stage at BLEND, one of Seattle’s premier tasting events where than 40 Washington wineries pouring 120+ wines; all blends. A panel of esteemed wine judges including Christopher Chan (Rainier Club/Seattle Wine Awards), Jameson Fink (Wine Without Worry), Leslie Kelly (Seattle magazine), Shona Milne (Woodinville Wine Update), Anne Nisbet (International Pinot Noir Celebration), Duane Pemberton (Wine Foot) and Erin Thomas (Sip Northwest Magazine) honored the top wines poured at the event in six categories:
White Blends Under $20:
- 1st Place – Eye of the Needle Harvest White NV, Columbia Valley
- 2nd Place – Maryhill Winemaker’s White 2010, Columbia Valley
- 3rd Place (TIE) – Alexandria Nicole Cellars Shepherds Mark 2011, Destiny Ridge Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills
- 3rd Place (TIE) – Smasne Cellars Konner Ray White 2010, Upland Vineyard, Snipes Mountain
White Blends Over $20
- 1st Place – Patterson Cellars Mélange Blanc 2011, Columbia Valley
- 2nd Place (TIE) – McCrea Cellars Sirocco Blanc 2009, Yakima Valley
- 2nd Place (TIE) – Brian Carter Cellars Oriana 2010, Columbia Valley
Red Proprietary Blend Under $20:
- 1st Place – Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Red Blend 2010, Columbia Valley
- 2nd Place – Waterbrook Mélange Noir 2009, Columbia Valley
- 3rd Place (TIE) – Columbia Crest H3 Les Chevaux 2010, Horse Heaven Hills
- 3rd Place (TIE) – Smasne Cellars Farm Boy Bunk House Red 2010, Columbia Valley
Red Proprietary Blend Over $20:
- 1st Place – Smasne Cellars Gravel Bar Red 2009, Columbia Valley
- 2nd Place – Hedges Family Estate Red Mountain 2009, Red Mountain
- 3rd Place – Walter Dacon Wines Skookum Red 2009, Columbia Valley
Red Bordeaux Blends Over $20:
- 1st Place – Gamache Vintners Nicholas 2008, Columbia Valley
- 2nd Place – Chateau Ste. Michelle Artist Series Meritage Red Blend 2008, Columbia Valley
- 3rd Place (TIE) – Fidelitas Optu Red Wine 2009, Columbia Valley
- 3rd Place (TIE) – Hightower Cellars Red Mountain Red Wine 2008, Red Mountain
Red Rhône Blends Over $20:
- 1st Place – Rôtie Cellars Southern Blend 2010, Washington State
- 2nd Place – Airfield Estates Mustang 2010, Yakima Valley
- 3rd Place – Brian Carter Cellars Byzance 2008, Columbia Valley
Event guests were also given the opportunity to vote for their favorite wine blends of the night. Winners of the “People’s Choice” award went to:
People’s Choice Best White Blend:
- 1st Place (TIE) – Patterson Cellars Forbidden White 2011, Columbia Valley
- 1st Place (TIE) – Alexandria Nicole Cellars Shepards Mark 2011, Destiny Ridge Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills
- 2nd Place – Brian Carter Cellars Oriana 2010, Columbia Valley
People’s Choice Best Red Blend:
- 1st Place – DiStefano Winery Domenica 2008, Columbia Valley
- 2nd Place – Woodward Canyon Estate Reserve 2009, Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley
- 3rd Place – Chateau Ste. Michelle Artist Series Meritage Red Blend 2008, Columbia Valley
