The release of the Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2015 happened last week to all the usual fan fare and debate one would expect. This is one of many year-end lists that attempt to classify and quantify the top wine winners of the year. While many in the wine world are sceptical of the true utility and validity odf these lists, no one can deny that The Wine Spectator Top 100 garners a lot of attention from American wine consumers.

I found this year's list to be one of the more intriguing in my almost 15 years of observing the process. It was in-part "off the beaten path" (especially at the top), but was also dotted with old favorites and familiar names. If anything, i think this year's list was a little more eye opening than its predecessors for one reason: This list was deemed as a "coming out party" for Oregon and Washington wines.

Truth be told, I find that term a bit ridiculous. Anyone who has really been paying attention and tasting a lot over the last 5-10 vintages is well aware of the prowess being established in the pacific northwest. California has laways been the leader in our nation's wine business, but it is clear they need to make some room at the top for their cousins up north.

Perhaps my passion for Oregon and Washington stems from the ten days i spent there in March of this year. It was my first visit to the great regions there and what I saw and tasted made a lasting impression on me. The Wine Spectator proudly proclaimed the 2012 vintage in Willamette Valley to be historic and precedent setting, and I tend to agree. Similar succes was achieved in the Columbia  and Walla Walla Valleys that year.

This year's list included five wines from both Oregon and Washington, which means the pacific noirthwest accounted for 10% of this year's "top wines". I would argue that their presence could have been a little stronger.

I was really surprised that no 2012 Willamette Chardonnay's hit this list, especially when you consider that Evening Land's 2012 La Source Chardonnay received a huge rating from the publication. I visited Evening Land as part of my trip and tasted their wines in the vineyard. The 2012 La Source is the best Cahrdonnay I tasted from anwhere in the world this year. 

While Willaemtte Pinot Noir was well represented on the list, I was shocked to learn that the 2012 Beaux Freres Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir didn't make the cut. There were several others that deserved more recognition from the 2012 Vintage. Evening Land's 2012 La Source Pinot Noir did finish at the #3 spot, making it the highest placing Oregon wine in the hsitory of the list.

Washington claimed the #2 wine of the year with Quilceda Creek's 2012 Cabernet Columbia Valley. I was pleased to see Washington Syrah on the list, especially the 2012 Gramercy Syrah Walla Walla Valley, which I tasted as part of my journey through Walla Walla. If you love wine and haven't had the chance to visit the city of Walla Walla, make sure you do it soon.

I also visitied Charles Smith during my time in Walla Wallla and was really happy to see that 2012 K "The Creator" Walla Walla Valley Syrah hit the list at #31. Walla Walla has established iteself as a real forward moving wine community and it's great to see them getting much deserved recognition. The 2014 list included the 2011 Amavi Cellars Cabernet, which i have tasted and it is outstanding. I think both the Amavi 2012 Cabernet and Syrah could have easily made the 2015 list.

Overall, i'm sure my friends in Oregon and Washington are happy to be so well represented on this year's list. i just can't help but wonder if they shouldn't have found room for a few more from the incredible 2012 vintage?