Here are some local selections that have won various acclaim and awards from around the country for being great wines. Look into these the next time you're in search for a new bottle of wine.

Winery: Tamarack Cellars
Location: Walla Walla, WA
Wine: 2004 Firehouse Red
Region: Columbia Valley
Price: $20.00

Awards/Accolades:
92 Points - Wine & Spirits
88 Points - The Wine Advocate
"Pick of the Week" - Seattle Times

Industry Comments:
Loads of chocolate-laced blackberries and spices make up the aromatic a flavor profiles of the 2004 Firehouse Red, a kitchen-sink blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Syrah, 15% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 2% Sangiovese and 1%Carmenere. This fine value is highly expressive, bursting with flavor, and supple. Drink it over the next 2 years.

Winery: Owen Roe
Location: Newberg, OR
Wine: 2003 DuBrul Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Yakima Valley
Price: $60.00

Awards/Accolades:
94 Points - Wine Spectator

Industry Comments:
Big, broad-shouldered style has gobs of ripe plum cherry and currant fruit mingling with subtle, sweet spices and hints of tomato and barbecue smoke as the finish sails on and on. Despite its undeniable size, this has tremendous grace, finishing with delectable harmony. Best from 2008 through 2015. 630 cases made.

Winery: Chateau Ste. Michelle
Location: Woodinville, WA
Wine: 2003 Ethos Syrah
Region: Columbia Valley
Price: $29.00

Awards/Accolades:
90 Points - Wine Spectator
94 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Best of Show - Central WA Wine Competition
Best Syrah - Central WA Wine Competition

Industry Comments:
This very limited (600 cases) companion to the winery’s Ethos Chardonnay marks a turnaround for Ste. Michelle’s red wine program, as Bob Bertheau came on board just before the 2003 crush. The style is seductive, sharp and spicy; the tart fruits tumble out in a pile of mixed berry and cherry. Chocolate and baking spices add more flavors; the wine is seamless, smooth and long; the oak beautifully integrated.

Winery: Stevens Winery
Location: Woodinville, WA
Wine: 2002 Big Easy Cabernet
Region: Columbia Valley
Price: $27.00

Awards/Accolades:
91 Points - Wine Enthusiast

Industry Comments:
This is a tart, racy, exciting wine, showing just a hint of brett, but as a viable accent note. Plenty of acid wrapped around concentrated, juicy red fruits; still tight and in need of airing out, but packed with clean fruit flavor.

Winery: Robert Karl Cellars
Location: Spokane, WA
Wine: 2003 Claret
Region: Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills
Price: $19.00

Awards/Accolades:
Gold - San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Exceptional - Northwest Palate

Industry Comments:
Beautiful, inviting aromas of ripe red fruits with wafts of mint and toast. In the mouth, the wine delivers intense layers of juicy red and black fruit, light spice and pepper, and plenty of furry tannins. Seamless, integrated, and smooth, this could be cellared for future enjoyment, or pair now with rabbit stewed with aromatic vegetables. Excellent value.

Winery: Saint Laurent Winery
Location: Wenatchee, WA
Wine: 2003 Syrah
Region: Columbia Valley
Price: $20.00

Awards/Accolades:
89 Points - Wine Spectator
Gold - San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Silver Medal Winner - Seattle Wine Society, 2005

Industry Comments:
Ripe, supple and generous, with a meaty character to the blueberry, plum and green olive flavors, finishing with fine tannins and impressive length. Drink now through 2010.

Winery: Boudreaux Cellars
Location: Leavenworth, WA
Wine: 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia & Walla Walla Valleys
Price: $40.00

Awards/Accolades:
Best Northwest Cabernet - Wine Press Northwest

Industry Comments:
omplexity in the nose includes black cherries, plums, a string of caramel and a whiff of oak. Cherries and plums are the focus of its elegant and rich, beveled structure. There’s lots of acidity and a long complex finish of black cherries.

Winery: Barnard Griffin Winery
Location: Richland, WA
Wine: 2003 Merlot
Region: Columbia Valley
Price: $17.00

Awards/Accolades:
Wine Spectator - 91 points ("Smart Buy")
Wine Spectator - #95 Top 100 Wines of 2005

Industry Comments:
Fresh, generous and appealing for its pretty currant and blueberry aromas and flavors, remaining polished and juicy through the extended, gently spicy finish.

Winery: Three Rivers Winery
Location: Walla Walla, WA
Wine: 2002 Columbia Valley Syrah
Region: Columbia Valley
Price: $24.00

Awards/Accolades:
Double Gold-Wine Press NW 'Best of the Best' 2005
89-Wine Enthusiast, June 2005
89-Wine & Spirits Magazine, June 2005

Industry Comments:
Holly Turner's mainstream Syrah is a delicious red with aromas and flavors of blackberry jam and fresh black cherries with hints of spices. A well-structured and balanced wine rich intensity.

Winery: L'Ecole Nº 41
Location: Walla Walla, WA
Wine: 2003 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Merlot
Region: Walla Walla Valley - Seven Hills Vineyard
Price: $36.00

Awards/Accolades:
Wine Spectator - 91 points
Bronze Medal, NorthWest Wine Summit

Industry Comments:
Our Estate Seven Hills Vineyard Merlot shows its characteristic cedary, silky black cherry fruit, with cool mint and floral aromas and a gripping, yet elegant mix of blueberry, blackberry, cocoa, and sweet tannins on a long lingering finish.

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