Vintages

2000 Washington State Vintage

Veterans called it one of the coolest growing seasons in two decades, then a warm, dry fall pushed picking into late October and gave dark, concentrated reds.

Decanter's vintage guide records 2000 as one of the coolest Washington growing seasons in two decades, with harvest weather that turned unusually warm and dry. A sorely needed September warm spell lifted sugar levels, the warmth held until a mid-October rain that Decanter called a blessing for reviving battered fruit, and picking extended into late October. Cabernet Sauvignon came in with unusually small clusters and berries, which contributed to concentrated flavors and strong tannins. The Washington State Wine Commission recorded 84,500 tons and describes ideal hang time that let grape flavor maturity catch up with sugar accumulation, producing dark, concentrated reds and fresh, balanced whites. It was also the first year Washington harvested more red varieties than white.

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Growing season

Decanter's Washington vintage guide records that veterans described 2000 as one of the coolest growing seasons in two decades. Harvest weather went the other way, turning unusually warm and dry. A sorely needed warm spell in September allowed sugar levels to perk up, and that warmth ran on until a mid-October rain. Decanter called the rain a blessing, because it revived fruit that was looking battered by the warm spell. Picking extended into late October, and the Washington State Wine Commission's account of the year describes hang time as ideal, allowing grape flavor maturity to catch up with sugar accumulation. The statewide crop came in at 84,500 tons. No source consulted compares that figure to a trailing five-year average, and none records the winter, spring or bloom.

Veterans quoted by Decanter described the growing season as one of the coolest in two decades
Harvest weather was unusually warm and dry, with a September warm spell lifting sugar levels
The warm spell ran until a mid-October rain, which Decanter called a blessing for reviving battered fruit
Picking extended into late October, with hang time the Wine Commission describes as ideal
The statewide crop was 84,500 tons

Key Facts

Decanter's vintage guide reports that veterans described 2000 as one of the coolest Washington growing seasons in two decades
A sorely needed warm spell in September allowed sugar levels to perk up, and the warm, dry weather held until a mid-October rain
Decanter called that mid-October rain a blessing, because it revived fruit that was looking battered by the warm spell
Picking extended into late October, and the Washington State Wine Commission describes hang time as ideal, allowing grape flavor maturity to catch up with sugar accumulation
Cabernet Sauvignon had unusually small clusters and berries, which contributed to concentrated flavors and strong tannins
The statewide crop was 84,500 tons
2000 was the first year more red varieties were harvested in Washington than white
Decanter rated the vintage 3 out of 5 and named Ste. Michelle, Canoe Ridge, Columbia Winery, L'Ecole #41 and Leonetti as the stars of the year

The wines

Cabernet Sauvignon had unusually small clusters and berries in 2000, and Decanter credits that for the vintage's concentrated flavors and strong tannins. The Wine Commission's summary of the year points the same direction, describing dark, concentrated reds alongside fresh, balanced whites, with ideal hang time letting flavor maturity catch up to sugar. Decanter rated the vintage 3 out of 5 and marked it as one to keep.

Small clusters and berries in Cabernet Sauvignon drove concentrated flavors and strong tannins
The Wine Commission describes dark, concentrated reds alongside fresh, balanced whites
Decanter rated the vintage 3 out of 5 and marked it as one to keep
Decanter named Ste. Michelle, Canoe Ridge, Columbia Winery, L'Ecole #41 and Leonetti as the stars of the year

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Why 2000 matters

2000 was the first year in which Washington harvested more red varieties than white, a milestone both Decanter and the Washington State Wine Commission record. The season is also a clean lesson in how much late-season weather decides a Washington vintage. A cool summer left sugar accumulation lagging, and a warm, dry fall, with one well-timed mid-October rain, brought the fruit home.

First Washington vintage in which red variety tonnage exceeded white
A cool summer left sugars behind, and the fall weather made the difference
The mid-October rain refreshed fruit rather than damaging it

Exam Study NotesWSET / CMS

2000 was one of the coolest Washington growing seasons in two decades per Decanter, rescued by a September warm spell and an unusually warm, dry harvest that extended picking into late October.
A mid-October rain arrived after the extended warm spell and revived fruit that was looking battered, which Decanter called a blessing rather than a disease risk.
Cabernet Sauvignon had unusually small clusters and berries, contributing to concentrated flavors and strong tannins.
The statewide crop was 84,500 tons, and 2000 was the first year Washington harvested more red varieties than white.
Decanter rated the vintage 3 out of 5 and named Ste. Michelle, Canoe Ridge, Columbia Winery, L'Ecole #41 and Leonetti as its stars.

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