Hogue may be Washington’s best-known winery. We checked out four bottles from the producer, including two from Hogue’s second-label Genesis. Prices are about the same between the two brands.

2008 Genesis Chardonnay Columbia Valley – A fresh, young, and alive Chardonnay. Why is it so fresh? Because it’s completely unoaked, letting the wine highlight a fresh apple, orange-infused core. Nice and simple, a good little pre-dinner wine. A- / $13

2008 Hogue Riesling Columbia Valley – The wine that Hogue is known for. Its Riesling is intense and perfumed, an apricot-laden white with honey overtones. Riesling can be a powerful wine, and here it’s at its boldest. B+ / $11

2008 Hogue Red Table Wine Columbia Valley – A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (41%), Merlot (38%), and Syrah (21%), this wine doesn’t have a whole lot of character, coming across as a bit rough and tumble. Overwhelming and unbalanced. C / $10

2007 Genesis Meritage Columbia Valley – The only wine in this roundup with a cork in it; the rest are screw-capped. Features Merlot (49%), Cabernet Sauvignon (44%), Malbec (6%), and Cabernet Franc (1%). Heavy on the wood, but it opens up with some time in the glass. Sadly, not a ton of character here, with herbal notes up front and some rather vegetal flavors on the back end. B- / $15

hoguecellars.com

2008 Hogue Riesling Columbia Valley

$11

8.5

Rating

8.5/10

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