Wine of the Month
Columbia Crest Winery
Shiraz Columbia Valley Two Vines 2001
Highway 221, Columbia Crest Drive
Paterson, Washington 99345
(509) 875-2061
Winemaker: Ray Einberger
Comment:
When I was first introduced to Shiraz, I knew nothing about it. Naturally enough, it was an Australian vintage and it was only later that I learned it was the same grape as the French Syrah. The success of Australia in introducing it to America has naturally convinced winemakers to apply their skill and craft to the grape. In this wine, Columbia Crest and Ray Einberger show us how it is done.
This is a wine I see for casual parties, roaming about the house with a glass in one hand and a plate of finger food in the other. Easy on the wallet as well, so you can pour for your friends without counting the cost.
Columbia Crest is one of the most reliable and best of the Washington wineries. From 1997 to 2002, nine of their wines made the annual Wine Spectator Top 100 list. This Shiraz was chosen by the magazine as the "Best Red Wine Value From Around The World" in September. It should be widely available, with a bottling of 50,000 cases.
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