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Wines from Oregon and Washington Archive
July 21, 2008
BEAUX FRÈRES Pinot Noir "The Upper Terrace-Ribbon Ridge"
2006 ($90) is very ripe and quite un-Oregon-like. Classicists best stay away as this wine offers up dark jammy fruits, coffee, glycerine, toasty barrel, large mouth presence and great robustness (what do you mean that's not a word?). The sales manager for Beaux Frères is an old friend, and we seem to be in agreement: not a classic Beaux Frères Pinot, and not of the style the winery most prefers. But boy it sure is good right now! Good to have a super-showy vintage like this every so often.
March 9, 2008
The Sparkling Wines of Gruet are back. Classic Methode Champenoise bubbles from New Mexico. If you haven't had the Gruet sparklings before, it's understandable that you think this a stretch. If yoiu have enjoyed these wines, you know. GRUET Sparkling Wine Brut Rosé ($16) is my favorite. Rosy hued and the essence of raspberry and cranberry, it is pretty, smooth. GRUET Sparkling Wine Brut ($16) has a sherried note that comes from more time on the lees in the bottle. It's nice for the style that it is. I prefer the freshness of the pink and the next one. GRUET Sparkling Wine Demi-Sec ($16) is super-delicious. Barely off dry, if it was called Brut I'd believe it. Yummy fresh peaches and pears distinguishes the Demi Sec. To me, this is the best house sparkling wine you can find in the world.
December 20, 2007 (By Ryan Graham)
BROOKS Riesling Willamette Valley 2005 ($16) we find to be lip smackin' good. Crafted from old vines in the Willamette Valley, the wine has complex aromas of minerals, wet stones, honey, citrus, and white flowers. With air, more complex aromas of slate, lime, quince, chestnuts and white peaches emerge. The mouth watering acidity really quenches the palate, and this is definitely another wine that pairs well with food, as well as being enjoyable all on its own. Classic Riesling food matches come to mind here; spicy foods, exotic foods, and white fish. 493 cases produced.
January 14, 2008
CADMUS Pinot Noir Oregon 2006 ($33) by Quercus Wines. It's a gem: fruity and pretty and so nicely balanced in flavor and texture. Quercus wines are owned and made by Michael Beckley, a gentleman I have not met but seems very cool to me. Learning by living, he took to wine in Sonoma County before moving to the Willamette Valley in the 1980's. With years of winemaking experience under his belt, he started his own brand, Quercus (which is the species of oak used to make wine barrels). The Cadmus Pinot Noir is his top-of-the line.
We tasted this wine last week and immediately took to it. Cherry preserves, raspberry coulis and subtle red rose notes, all packed into a nicely fleshy wine, makes for a delicious Pinot Noir that is ready to enjoy now (surprising for such a young Willamette Valley Pinot...and yes it's all Willamette, even though the bottle says Oregon). Tomato dishes, pork roasts and lighter beef dishes are recommended here along with the duck and salmon of course.
October 16, 2007
It's a real pleasure to have two Cabs from Woodward Canyon Winery in stock now.
WOODWARD CANYON Cabernet Sauvignon "Artist Series #13" Columbia Valley 2004 ($42) truly does combine richness and complexity like very few. Many declare this, few achieve. This does. Dark fruits, chocolate/mocha, luxurious oak (a good % is new, and is all French), pipe tobacco, black olive, very concentrated, delicious now. This Cab takes the cake for great quality for price.
March 10, 2007
LEONETTI MERLOT Columbia Valley 2005 ($85/bottle net.) Haven't had it, maybe never will. Getting six bottles, and they're up for grabs. Stellar vintage in Oregon/Washington, so should be mighty fine.
October 16, 2007
WOODWARD CANYON Cabernet Sauvignon "Old Vines" Columbia Valley 2004 ($70) can gainfully compete with any high end Cab on the market. Old Vines for Washington means 25-35 years as the best vines were first planted in the 70s.
R.P. notes read "opaque purple-colored and delivers a superb perfume of pain grille, scorched earth, espresso, black currants, and blueberries. This is followed by an extracted wine with richly flavored dark fruits, outstanding concentration, and great balance leading to a 60-second, pure finish. Give this powerful wine 4-6 years of additional bottle age and drink it through 2035." It's a wonder this wine is so darn available at the moment.
November 3, 2007
Wine Diary exclusive here. We just got in the rare, special Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs from AUTEUR WINERY.
AUTEUR Pinot Noir "Hyland Vineyard" Willamette Valley 2006 ($45 net) we've had. Wild cherry, exotic red rose and fivespice aromas, perfect tangy acidity and fine balance make for a very special treat of a Pinot Noir. We haven't tried the AUTEUR Pinot Noir "Shea Vineyard" Willamette Valley 2006 ($70 net). This is the wine that everyone and his brother wants. Was the case with the 2005, a really special wine. We'll try it soon. In the meantime, we sell it carefully, spreading it out to as many Pinot-heads as we can.
July 14, 2007
Tasted with new Lemelson Winemaker Anthony King the LEMELSON Pinot Gris "Tikka's Run" Willamette Valley 2006 ($23). Alsace style (meaning it's oily, lush and quite rich...not the very crisp, oft-emasculatedPinot Grigio people profess to enjoy). I taste spicy pears, baked apples, whiff of honeycomb and roast nuts, and a little chocolate on the finish, even. Lemelson has made good wines for a few years now, and they're looking to get much much better. I suggest green curry chicken or pork with this. Buttery, roast halibut steak too. Oh oh oh! Country ham with a savory onion marmalade. Nice!
July 9, 2007
MONKS GATE Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2005 ($29) was a pleasant surprise. We knew zilcho about the winery when the owners' daughter (a local attorney) poured for us. Pinot-crazed wine lovers ought to try this. Fresh, perfumey nose, abundant wild berry & cherry, squeeze of sweet citrus, nicely ripe and tangy both. Really good. Granted, it starts out tight. About ten minutes in a Burgundy glass and it opens up nicely. This charmer is sure to please any Pinot-head.
March 6, 2007
Imagine the SOTER PINOT NOIR “North Valley” Oregon 2005 ($36) in your Burgundy glass. Tony Soter, the founder of Etude Winery, is the mind behind. He just moved to Willamette Valley, and is making top notch Oregon Pinot. Judging by this, he’s on the right track. Isn’t this wine pretty? Bright flavors, oodles of wild cherries, a whiff of vanilla-toast, silky...it would be perfect with duck rillette.
July 1, 2007
SINEANN Cabernet Sauvignon "Baby Poux Vineyard" Columbia Valley, Washington 2005 ($42). Culled from our Washington Wine Tasting (held June 29) recap notes: This was the wine of the night. This is REALLY GOOD CABERNET that if it said Napa Valley on the label we'd sell 20 cases a month at least. (We'll still sell plenty-getting more for the store.) 15.1% alcohol demonstrates the ripeness and richness of the wine. Still, "Baby Poux" has a pleasingly amount of acidity to put the whole wine together. Cab lovers should have some of this laying around. And such a good price for what's in the bottle.
June 26, 2007
ANDREW RICH "Coup d'Etat" Columbia Valley, Washington 2005 ($25) is a Rhone-style blend of mostly Grenache and Mourvedre (with a splash each of Syrah and Counoise) from the arid environs of Washington. Like we say about Cal wines, you can taste the sunshine in this luscious red blend. Very viscous, fleshy, rich, lush and pleasingly strong. As for the spices, get anise, clove, cinnamon. It's yummy, and is a Rhone-style-lovers' dream. We always like Andrew Rich's wines, and we especially love this.
May 10, 2007 (By Ryan Graham)
FRANCIS TANNAHILL GEWURZTRAMINER "Dragonfly" Washington 2004 ($26). The Dragonfly vineyard is located above the Columbia Gorge in White Salmon, Washington, at an elevation of 1600 feet. The vines, planted in 1962, are the oldest Gewurztraminer in the Pacific Northwest, and the vinyard is farmed organically and produces super low yields of 1.25 tons per acre. The nose is an aromatic bouquet of white flowers, lavender, lychee, and spice. The wine is really rich, exotic, and yummy, and starts off with a hint of sweetness, and then finishes long, dry and spicy. 139 cases were produced.
May 15, 2007 (By Ryan Graham)
KUNG FU GIRL RIESLING Washington 2006 ($15) is made by Charles Smith of K Vintners, a man know for making really good wines with crazy names. This wine is super tasty, with just a hint of sweetness. It displays lots of lime, white flower, and white peach, and is nice and crisp. There is a good backbone of minerality and acidity, and it finishes dry. This is a perfect Tuesday night Riesling to enjoy with sushi or spicy foods.
March 24, 2007 (By Ryan Graham)
OWEN ROE SYRAH "Ex Umbris" Columbia Valley Washington 2005 ($25) Owen Roe is know for making rich red wines; 2005 was a first rate Syrah vintage and this exemplifies all the fragrance, texture, and deep plum/gamey characteristics of great Syrah. "Ex Umbris" in Latin means "out of the shadows," and that is a reference to a wildfire that raged near the vineyard. The wine is big and smoky, with a bit of classic Syrah olive and leather, and deep dark fruit. We poured this in our Oregon and Washington wine tasting last night and this was a big hit with our tasters.
May 10, 2007 (By Ryan Graham)
BROOKS PINOT NOIR Willamette Valley 2005 ($21) is a collaboration of many of the best winemakers of the Pacific Northwest, in honor of the legacy of Jimi Brooks. The wine boasts all of the things one would expect from good Oregon Pinot; wild, ripe red cherry, ruby red grapefruit, plum pudding, herbs, and white pepper. This is a great value, and excellent food companion. Serve with grilled duck breast. 800 cases were produced.
April 23, 2007
Just received our small alottment of BEAUX FRÈRES PINOT NOIR "Beaux Frères Vineyard" Willamette Valley 2005 ($75 net). I haven't tried it yet. I'm very curious, for 2005 is reputed to be an excellent vintage for Oregon Pinot, and the '05 Pinots I've tried from Willamette have been very solid. Beaux Frères, however, calls this a "challenging vintage," one where extra-careful winemaking and love were needed to make excellent wine. I'll try it soon and report when I do. In the meantime, it's here, for sale, and I think harder to get this year than in past vintages.
October 26 , 2006
HARMONIA PINOT NOIR OREGON 2005 ($22) is Willamette Valley fruit, although interestingly the bottle says simply "Oregon." We're told Willamette Valley anyway, and it tastes like it. Red fruits, wild berry/cherry, kiss of pie spice, white pepper, dry wild thyme. Juicy and tangy, this is a most excellent food wine. Oregon eats a lot of salmon with their Pinots, and if you try this wine with a nice salmon steak, you'll understand why.
March 6, 2007 (By Ryan Graham)
NELMS ROAD CABERNET SAUVIGNON COLUMBIA VALLEY 2005 ($20) is definitely a contenteder for our favorite "outstanding value" Cab around right now. This is the other label for Woodward Canyon Winery, located in the Walla Walla Valley appellation of Washington State. This is a rich and supple Cab, with flavors of vanilla, dark cherry, blackberry, cocoa, chalk and cinnamon. Its got good concentration, is very food friendly, and certainly can be consumed now, but might be even better with another year of bottle age.
November 10 , 2006
BROADLEY PINOT NOIR "ESTATE" WILLAMETTE VALLEY 2005 ($32) packs considerable punch. A strong nose of dry herb/cassis/spearmint (smells of fermenting with stems, although Broadley states they destem) precedes flavors of blueberry, red currant, ripe plum, and pomegranate. Pretty giving, i.e. it drinks darn well right now. Healthy tannins balance the rich fruit and mouth watering acidity. This strong Pinot will match dishes one would normally reserve for Syrahs and Cabs. I think a veal and wild mushroom dish would be a great match here.
September 7 , 2006
SHERIDAN “L’ORAGE” YAKIMA VALLEY 2003 ($39) You may know what a fan we are of the Sheridan wines, for we special ordered, straight from the winery, previous vintages of “L’Orage” and their less expensive red “Kamiakin.” We tried the 2003 L’Orage just last week, and once again it’s absolutely delicious. Blend is 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 3% Merlot. ¼ new French oak. Smoky, spicy, fruity and supple, the “L’Orage” consistently gives loads of pleasure. Must like new world reds with tons of fruit and some sweet oak to get jazzed on this. I know there are many of you who do.
June 26, 2006
For my money, the ANDREW WILL "SORELLA" COLUMBIA VALLEY, WASHINGTON 2003 ($72) is as good a Cab based blend in the store. This is 50% Cab Sauv from the "Champoux Vineyard," the bees' knees for Washington Cab, then 23% Merlot, 17% Franc and 10% Petite Verdot. First an exotic nose of spice, berries, roses and candied ginger moves to rich fruit, mocha, tobacco and vanilla in the mouth. Truffle thing emerges at the long ending. It's very strong and still very elegant. 2003 is maybe the vintage of the decade in Washington. This is special wine.
September 5 , 2006
OWEN ROE “ABBOT’S TABLE” COLUMBIA VALLEY 2005 ($28) Now here’s a blend. Cab Sauv at 34.5% leads the way. Merlot and Zin and 2 and 3. Ten grapes (all red) used total, including 6% Blaufrankish. You might expect a very show offy wine, and you’d be right. But you know, “Abbot’s Table” does show a little restraint and nice acidity. This boasts ample pie spice and a briary berry flavor for sure – definitely a new world wine. Those who know this wine can’t get enough of it, and at only around 1000 cases made, there’s not nearly enough to go around. If you’ve been digging the hip-cool Cal red blends lately (like The Prisoner), then definitely give this a go.
December 2 , 2006
SOTER Sparkling Wine, Brut Rosé "Beacon Hill" Willamette Valley 2001 ($45) is a real mouthful of a name, and even more of a mouthful of a bubbly. The cuvée is 2/3 Chardonnay and 1/3 Pinot Noir. For killer sparkling wine, this is relatively low in acidity and particularly big boned. I mean, it's RICH. Creamy texture, perfect amount of toast (provided you like toasty bubbles) and brioche here. If Champagne is your fave, this may not be for you. If you like sparkling wines on the bigger side (like a hearty Montagne de Reims) then this is for you.
September 6 , 2006
MATTHEWS CLARET COLUMBIA VALLEY 2003 ($28) Matthews is a pleasing contrast stylistically to the Sheridan. Similar blend to the above at 2/3 Cab Sauv, 1/5 Merlot, 1/10 Cab Franc then Malbec and Petite Verdot. Even though the Matthews posted alcohol is higher (it says 14.5% to L’Orage’s 14.1) the Matthews is much more Bordeaux-esque to me. Lot of fruit on the nose and palate, then some sweet earth, truffle, and a little smack of refreshing acidity. This is the dinner companion, and a lovely conversationalist at that.
Thoughts? E-Mail Us. Order? Try Here. Or call me at 877-322-2576
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