A local Washington State wine has earned the prestigious title of “wine of year” for 2009 by Wine Spectator. The 2005 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Reserve ($27) beat 17,000 wines to become the top wine in 2009.

Every year, Wine Spectator names the Top 100, a list of the best wines of the year from around the world. Criteria for deciding the ranking are a combination of score, value, availability, and excitement. For the first time ever, a Washington State wine has claimed the number one spot and nine Washington wines in total made the Top 100 list.

“Washington State consistently produces high quality wine for great value. Being acknowledged as having the wine of the year by Wine Spectator is a great honor. Seeing more Washington wine on the list than ever before also proves this is no one-hit wonder, but that Washington truly stands out among the wine regions of the world,” said Robin Pollard, executive director of the Washington Wine Commission.

California secured 21 spots on the Top 100 list, beating out France with just 17 spots.

Washington State wines in the Top 100 list:

1. Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon CV Reserve 2005 95pts $27

26. Cayuse Syrah Walla Walla Valley Cailloux Vineyard 2006 95pts $65

33. Novelty Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2006 92pts $25

36. Efeste Syrah Red Mountain Ceidleigh 2006 93pts $29

38. Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet HHH Canoe Ridge Estate 2006 92pts $28

60. Spring Valley Uriah Walla Walla Valley 2006 93pts $50

66. Barnard Griffin Riesling Columbia Valley 2008 90pts $8

72. The Magnificent Wine Company Syrah Columbia Valley 2006 91pts $20

74. Waterbrook Cabernet Sauvignon CV Reserve 2006 91pts $22

For more information on the Washington wine industry, visit www.washingtonwine.org.