2005 Washington State Vintage

A mild winter and a warm spring opened 2005 and led to a relatively early and heavy fruit set. The hot summer that followed rapidly accelerated ripening, and winemakers sweating out that heat worried their grapes would ripen without fully developed flavors. They caught a break when temperatures cooled significantly in September and October, allowing extended hang time and flavor development. Doug Gore, who oversees winemaking for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, said that cooling "really saved our bacon, particularly for the white varieties." On volume the record is not clean. The Washington State Wine Commission's 30-year overview lists 110,000 tons and cites 116,760 tons harvested within the same entry, while Wine Spectator, writing in December 2005, described the overall crop as slightly smaller than the previous year's.

• A mild winter and warm spring produced a relatively early and heavy fruit set
• A hot summer rapidly accelerated ripening and had winemakers worried their grapes would ripen without fully developed flavors
• September and October cooled significantly, allowing extended hang time and flavor development
• The Wine Commission's overview lists 110,000 tons and also cites 116,760 tons harvested; Wine Spectator called the crop slightly smaller than the previous year's

Doug Gore called Chardonnay dynamite, said the floral whites, Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Chenin Blanc, were very good, and said Sauvignon Blanc was looking pretty good so far. Among the reds he was encouraged by Syrah and Merlot, but noted that Cabernet grown in cool regions may not have received the late-season heat needed to reach full maturity. DeLille Cellars winemaker Chris Upchurch, who harvests much of his fruit from the Red Mountain appellation in Yakima Valley, said red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot may rival the highly regarded 1994 vintage, and described "really concentrated and extracted fruit."

• Gore called Chardonnay dynamite, with Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Chenin Blanc very good and Sauvignon Blanc pretty good so far
• Gore was encouraged by Syrah and Merlot, and noted Cabernet from cool regions may not have received the late-season heat needed for full maturity
• Chris Upchurch of DeLille Cellars said Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot may rival the highly regarded 1994 vintage

The Washington State Wine Commission describes the 2005 vintage as producing highly concentrated and intensely colored red wines, along with ripe yet expressive white wines. Wine Spectator graded Washington B for 2005 and said the year turned out to be good for all of the state's key wine appellations.

• Highly concentrated, intensely colored reds alongside ripe yet expressive whites
• Wine Spectator graded the vintage B and said the year turned out to be good for all of Washington's key wine appellations