Trentadue Winery 2006 Old Patch Red...

   Summer has finally hit the Pacific Northwest, and it is time to think about a wine that will be the perfect match for the outdoor BBQ. This zinfandel based kitchen sink blend fits the bill perfectly. Hedonistic without going over-the-top this wine displays a nose of dusty ripe blackberries. On the palate you get ripe (Not overripe) blackberries all day. Silky tannins that glide across the palate into a medium to long finish. This wine tastes like a zin with a touch of culture. A great match for anything with BBQ sauce and perfect for enjoying with friends and family all by itself I can't think of a better way to spend twelve bucks this season. Cheers! Stan the Wine Man

P.S.

   I tried this wine over a three day period, and I have to tell you it did not deteriorate at all, and I thought it was a little better the second day. Not bad for a wine in this price range!

   I really look forward to the annual local wineries tasting for the simple fact that I get to taste what they are doing or revisit a wine that I have already tried. We are fortunate to have four outstanding wineries within fifty miles of the San Juan Islands. San Juan Vineyards, Lopez Island Vineyards, Whidbey Island Winery and Mount Baker Vineyards. There are other wineries developing a reputation in the Skagit Valley and I will be keeping an eye on them and their wines along with wineries in Concrete. Next year we will include some of these venues in the Local tasting. For now we stuck with the four first mentioned along with beer from Skagit Brewery which is located in Mount Vernon. The selection of wines brought to the tasting was outstanding and the tasters had a chance to compare similar varietals produced by each winery. Siegerrebe, Madeleine Angevine and Rose’ were among the wines that each winery brought a sample of. Here is a review of the wines tasted and some insight into how the tasters felt about them.

Appropriately, table one showcased wines from San Juan Vineyards the winery located in our very own backyard.

2009 Siegerrebe Estate Grown...

Chris Primus is incredibly consistent in his production of this varietal always making an outstanding wine from this grape that they grow out at the vineyards on San Juan Island. I still think they should bottle this wine and sell it as a perfume. A few squirts behind the ears and on the neck and folks would be clamoring for a bottle of this stuff. Very fragrant on the nose with notes of banana, apple, lemon and a splash of various tropical fruit tones. I could actually just smell this wine and feel like I got my monies worth. Hold on though because drinking it is an outstanding experience also. Red delicious apples, mango and papaya dance across the palate with a wonderful freshness, good acidity and dry enough to make this a wonderful match with shellfish. The yin and yang of white wines, it smells sweet and fragrant but is dry in the mouth begging for some food. This is one of those wines you do not mind drinking solo but pairs nicely with seafood. 92 points

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2008 Madeleine Angevine Estate Grown...

Sauvignon blanc on steroids is the way I describe this wine to my customers. It really does have the characteristics of a sauv. blanc. Lemon custard and melon on the nose. The palate is intense with notes of lemons and grapefruit. The wine tightens up on the finish with almost a Sancerre like finish of herbs and mineral components. For those expecting a light fruity wine you are in for a surprise. This baby is dry and delicious with everything in it you need for oysters or clams. This wine really does need food. I drink it solo but that is just the way I roll! 89 points

2008 Chardonnay Yakima Valley

This vintage the winery decided to skip producing a reserve chard and chose instead to blend the reserve that they had in with the regular chard and only have one version for the vintage. At this stage I feel like the wine needs just a little more time in bottle. Slightly awkward the nose is closed down somewhat with slight notes of toast, apples and melon. On the palate the wine is slightly fragmented with hits of lemon, apple, toast and melon that hit you throughout the experience in no particular order. I believe that this wine will settle down over the next six months and I will re-taste in then. As of now, this wine is O.K. but not close to what they have done in the past. 86 points

2008 Riesling Yakima Valley

Definitely a drier style Riesling with a .6 % residual sugar. Showing wonderful notes of grapefruit and apricots with a nice minerality not seen in many Washington State Riesling. This wine just received a number of outstanding awards and I have to say that it is one of the more popular wines in the store. 88 points

2009 Afterglow (Rose) Washington State

Chris Primus has a knack for making some very good rose’. He prefers the Provence style, one that has what we call a bone dry finish. This vintage is certainly not as dry as the last but a delicious effort nonetheless. Pretty cherry and raspberry notes on the nose with just a touch of candied fruit coming through. Lots of strawberry comes through on the palate with a nice fullness on the mid-palate going into a refreshing dry finish. This rose has great balance and will be a nice match with seafood or a on a deck in the warm summer evenings. 89-90 points

2006 Merlot Yakima Valley

This wine has so many medals around it’s neck I swear the glass is going to break. For those who have given up on Merlot for some unknown reason, this wine should give you a reason to come back to reality. Merlot is a great varietal and done right is as enjoyable as any red can be. This merlot is growing on me more and more each time I taste it. Cherries and vanilla notes come through on the nose with hints of herbs. Sweet tannins on the palate with notes of mixed berries, ripe cherries and hints of green bell pepper. The wine fills the mid-palate and evolves into a fairly long and pleasing finish. Very polished yet shows elements of earth and herbs. A very well made wine. 90 points

2007 Cab-Merlot Yakima Valley

This wine came across very herbaceous on the nose with notes of green bell peppers, fennel and dill components with splashes of cherries. Toasty blackberries came through on the front and mid-palate with notes of dark plums and hits of vanilla, mocha and chocolate at the end of the mid-palate. The green notes came through on the finish with black pepper, green bell pepper followed by a nice freshness on the finish. This wine is bound to get better as it ages in the bottle, it has the potential. 87 points

2007 Cabernet-Franc Yakima Valley

Cab Franc is sputtering a bit in the wine world. Sometimes I think it is going to take off like a rocket then sales get really quiet. I think peeps are still unsure as to what to expect from this wine. I love it when it is done right especially when it has a kiss of oak on it. This wine doesn’t have as much oak as I personally like but it is very well done. I believe that if Yvonne could brush her teeth with this wine, have it in the morning in place of orange juice and have it as a night cap every evening she would. Aromas of toasty cherries come through on the nose. When it hits your mouth, notes of green bell peppers , white pepper, red currants and red cherries come through building through the mid-palate with a slight grip of tannins on the back end. This wine screams for grilled meats and should be an excellent compliment to your summer BBQ. 89 points

　

2008 Sangiovese Yakima Valley

This wine was bottled not too long before this tasting so it was still fresh in the bottle. Notes of smoked cherries and currants came through on the nose. Smokey plums, black currants and spice on sweet tannins filled the palate into a decently long finish. Like all sangiovese the mouth feel was a little lighter but this wine shows great potential and should show a lot better in about 3-6 months. 88 points

Table #2: Lopez Island Vineyards

2008 Madeleine Angevine Estate Grown (Organically Grown)

This nose on this wine was incredibly aromatic. Blind, I might guess this to be a Siegerrebe, it had similar aromas. Lean on the front of the palate with some lemon zest notes on the mid-palate followed by a light clean fresh finish. A lighter style white with an interesting nose. 87 points

2007 Chardonnay Yakima Valley

I have to say that this is the most interesting chardonnay I have put to my lips. When I smelled this wine I was taken back to my grandmothers house smelling her warm home-made apple sauce. You know the kind, with the big chunks of apples blended with cinnamon. That is exactly what this chard smelled liked to me. Not necessarily what I want out of a chard but not offensive. This same theme came through on the palate with notes of spicy baked apples, toast and hits of bitter lemon on the back end. This chard was a little awkward on the palate and the finish was weak. I like Brent a lot and hate to say this, but I did not like this effort. 86 points

Wave Crest Ruby Blend Yakima Valley

Blended from sangiovese, Riesling and chasselas dore’ this wine is a ten in the delicious category. The nose was slightly closed probably because it was chilled a little too much. I did get notes of red plums. The palate gets hit with a blast of fruit up front, sweet cherries, ripe red plums and a touch of cane sugar. The wine coats the palate but dries up on the finish. If you are expecting a dry rose this is not going to do it for you. However, the wine is so delicious it grows on you and I swear I could drink this stuff all day. 88 points

2007 Cab-Merlot Yakima Valley

I believe this wine best expresses the winemakers personal approach to wine. Over the years of tasting Brent’s wines I appreciate that he takes a very "French" approach to the wines. This wine is very Bordeaux-like in style. Very subtle on the nose with notes of leather soaked in cherry juice. On the palate there are notes of asparagus, tobacco, black tea and herbs. If you are a Bordeaux fan, you will love this wine and appreciate the winemakers approach. 88 points

　

Table #3: Whidbey Island Winery

2009 Island White Estate Grown

A blend of madeleine angevine and madeleine sylvaner this white is always a crowd pleaser although less this year then last. Very floral on the nose with notes of white flowers, papaya and mangoes. Low in acid with flavors of peaches and apricots followed by a clean, dry finish. Not flabby by any means but not alive on the palate. 87 points

2008 Siegerrebe Estate Grown

Like most of the siegs I have tried this wine shows off a wonderful nose of peaches, melon, apricots and white flowers. A tiny hit of sprits hits the palate at the start followed by notes of apricots, peaches and hints of minerality which I found quite intriguing. This wine is pretty round on the mid-palate but never gets into the "Heavy" category. Nice finish of roasted peaches and very clean. 90 points

2009 Madeleine Angevine Estate Grown

Honey and white flowers on the nose with whiffs of green apple. Sweetness hits the palate immediately followed by notes of red delicious apples that finishes drier then expected and a touch thin. A slightly one dimensional effort. 86 points

2007 Sangiovese Yakima Valley

This red had an almost Valpolicella Ripassa flavor profile to it with a nose of spicy raisin, plum and black currants. Bright on the front of the palate as a sangiovese should be followed by notes of black currants and spicy cedar. The tannins are sweet yet have a grip to them and the finish is fairly long. Right up there with a mid-priced Chianti. 88 points

2008 Lemberger Yakima Valley

How stupid is that; I forgot to put my review for this wine... Here goes. There is not a lot of this varietal available out there. Shooting Star does a Washington grown version along with a couple of others from the state. This wine has a very interesting cinnamon toast and cherry nose although slightly challenged. Spicy pepper on the palate along with notes of rose pedal , black cherry and mixed berries. There is a tannic grip on the back end lending this wine towards a grilled steak. Not a bad effort and certainly one to consider to have along with your BBQ this summer.  88 points

2008 Dolcetto Yakima Valley

This is a varietal you do not see a lot of outside of Northern Italy. However, Whidbey Island Winery does a very nice job with it. Spice comes through on the nose with notes of lilacs, plum and currants. Rounder dark fruit on the front of the palate showing good structure, solid tannins that hit the sides of the mouth followed by leather and spice on the finish. It is hard to believe that a Washington winery came bring a little of Italy in the bottle. A very good wine with the "Old World" kiss. 89 points

Table #4: Mount Baker Vineyards

2007 Rosetta Blanc

This wine had the strangest bouquet I have experienced in awhile. To help me get my bearings I went to Chris Primus to see what he thought. He only confirmed what I feared. This white smelled of pickle juice blended with sugar. Of course as you know, I never let the nose be the judge and jury of a wine. The palate was quite different showing notes of ripe melons, pear and apples with a hit of sweetness on the finish. If you can get past the nose, this wine isn’t half bad. Randy tells me this is one of his top sellers at the tasting room. My suggestion to him is keep it there! Kidding aside, this was on the bottom of my list of favorites and I give it a pazzzz. 86 points

　

Pinot Gris Washington State

This wine was one of the best deals at the show. The style of this wine is between pinot gris and pinot grigio. Rounder on the palate but with less viscosity then you find in a lot of pinot gris. Nice apple tones with hints of melon. Fresh on the palate lending it as a match to shellfish which makes it a perfect Northwest white. It has enough body to also make it a nice match for seafood such as halibut or crab. This baby goes for around eight bucks making it a great guest wine or everyday sipper. 87 points

Rosetta Rose Yakima Valley

Randy and crew always do a nice job with their rose. On the dry side showing notes of strawberries and cherries. This is more traditional rose and one that I am quite fond of. It was really nice to see three of the four wineries bring a rose’ to the table. This is the summer to "Think Pink" and realize that this is not a version of white zinfandel. Rose is very versatile matching up nicely with several foods and is perfectly fine solo. 87 points

2007 Zinfandel Yakima Valley

I have to tell you right now that zinfandel is one of my favorite wines and one that I am most critical of. I have enjoyed a vast array of zins from Turley to Gamba, from Biale to Ridge. This effort from Mount Baker Vineyards can be mentioned among this group, I kid you not. Very, very powerful on the nose and palate. Black fruit including dark cherries, strawberries, brambleberries tossed with black pepper and anise come through in layers. The wine is deep and rich and hard to break down in one effort. This wine will grow hair on your chest and at the same time make you feel like you just got kissed by the sexiest person you know.! This wine is seductive and powerful and worth every penny the winery is asking for it. If you love big powerful zins that do not even get close to the pretty side, this is for you, and make sure you are cooking some juicy ribs, or a blue cheese steak to accompany this bottle of juice. 94 points

The tasters were all over the board at this event but the feel I got was that many folks loved the zinfandel from Mount Baker Vineyards and also the cab-merlot from Lopez Island Vineyards. On the white side, I would have to say that the hands down favorite was the Siegerrebe from Lopez Island Vineyards and their Madeleine Angevine followed by the Riesling from San Juan Vineyards. Honorable mention needs to go to the Dolcetto from Whidbey Island Winery. Many folks came back for seconds on this baby!

I would like to thank everyone for their support during the 2009-2010 tasting season and I look forward to another successful year. Cheers! Stan The Wine Man

I normally would not review a "gimmick" wine like this one seems to be. The Marilyn wines have a bit of a cult following ever since the beginning of the Marilyn Merlot wines caught on fire. People still talk about how disappointed they are that they did not buy the first release of this series, myself included. They started a series of eight bottles in the 1.5 liter format that would have each of the eight Playboy poses that Marilyn did... (at least I believe it was eight). The series abruptly came to a halt when there was a dispute over ownership of the photos. Now they have Norma Jean Merlot and this sauvignon blanc. I bought a bottle to see what kind of juice they were dishing out for fifteen dollars. I am writing about this simply because I was pleasantly surprised. The nose brings sweet pineapple and grapefruit notes along with light hints of Granny Smith apples. The initial hit on the palate is rounder then I expected with notes of pineapple, and grapefruit along with some notes of cane sugar and honey. The wine is dry enough to compliment shellfish but has a light sweetness that makes it a nice solo white. I'm quite serious when I say that although you may shy away from this because of the label, thinking it is not a serious effort, this wine is quite nice and I did not feel bad spending fifteen bucks on it. Some may buy it for collection purposes, but I say but it to drink... you'll like it!     88 points

It was an eye opening evening for many folks who came to the "Old World vs. New World" wine tasting held at the Mullis Center May 13. Listening to the comments I found that many believed they liked a certain style of wine only to find out they really preferred the other. The wines were well chosen and gave everyone a good insight into the different styles of wine making. We use the term Old World to describe the style that is prominent in places like Bordeaux France, Piedmont and Tuscany Italy and Rioja Spain. Earthy style wines with emphasis on terrior and tannins. Wines meant to age with a little more rustic edge that shows in the wines youth. Many times Old World style wines show finesse and elegance in their youth, restrained wines that will flourish as they grow older. Old World whites focus more on the fruit rather then manipulation with oak barrels often times showing generous amounts of minerality and acidity.

New World wines on the other hand reflect the wine making style of such new comers as California, Washington, and Australia. The style of New World wine is bigger and bolder showing off the ripeness of the fruit. Fruit forward, spicy and powerful. They can also be silky smooth and elegant but seldom restrained. A side note to this is the fact that some wine makers out of California and Washington prefer the Old World style and do their best to build their wines around this concept. Many have succeeded but they are few and far between. It is safe to say that most who attended the tasting event walked away with a better understanding of their palate preference and a clearer picture of the terms "Old World" and "New World". Here is a brief review of the wines that were presented.

2008 Lange Pinot Gris ... Dundee, Oregon (New World)

One of my personal favorite Oregon Pinot Noir is the Lange Reserve. I was excited to try this Pinot Gris since it had been awhile since I had tasted it. The nose was luscious with notes of honey, melon and mangos. The wine filled the palate with a slight spritz. Notes of sweet peas, celery, peaches and apricots. A really nice effort by this outstanding winery. 90 points

2009 Lucien Albrecht Romanus Pinot Gris ... Alsace, France (Old World)

A very nice bouquet of creamy honey and melons. The creaminess carries through on the palate with elegant notes of apricots and mangos. The fruit is dynamic on the mid-palate yet the wine finishes nice and clean. A wonderful example of what pinot gris can be. 91 points

2008 Cadaretta Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc... Walla Walla, Washington (New World)

I am a big fan of white blends out of Washington State, but like I mentioned to Ted I believe they price them too high. This little gem goes for around $23.00 which would be worth it if it wasn’t for the fact you kind find something of similar quality out of Europe for thirty percent less. That being said, this wine was very nice. Sweet fruit on the nose with notes of lemon, honey and sugar cane. This is a mouthful of wine that is elegant yet powerful. Notes of melon, kiwi and lime come through from beginning to finish. I loved this wine, I just don’t like the price. 90 points

2007 Domaine Barons de Rothschild Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc... Pauillac, France (Old World)

You get the sense of old world right off the bat on the nose. I got raisin bread pudding aromas with hints of Pinesol, (Yes, the kitchen cleaner!) which is not always a bad thing, just a descriptor. As you might expect, the palate feel was a lot leaner with notes of lemon, ginger and pine. Very curious wine with interesting flavors on the palate. This wine is quite delicious and I liked it. For those who want to break into white Bordeaux this would not be the place to start. For the wine geeks out there looking for a good "Old World" style white, this will do the trick. 88 points

2008 Fess Parker Chardonnay... Santa Barbara, California (New World)

This was a tough one, because I felt this wine leaned closer to White Burgundy more then I have ever experienced from this label before. Very subdued on the nose with tropical fruit notes and true chardonnay aromas, which meant it wasn’t dominated by a lot of oak. The flavors were elegant and creamy with notes of fig and white peaches. Very balanced and well made, this chardonnay could be mistaken for old world with a hint of California sunshine. 89 points

2009 Yalumba "Y" series Unwooded Chardonnay... South Australia (Old World)

Ted brought this wine in from Australia as Old World because it is unoaked which is more common in Old World style wines and rarely if ever seen in the New World approach. I was impressed with this wine simply for the fact that it did not show that "Fat" fruit that is so common in Australian wines. This chardonnay had a very clean and crisp nose which seemed to beg for shellfish. The palate was a little restrained showing notes of banana, papaya and mango. This chard had good acid and a clean finish. Slightly thin on the mid-palate and finish but this did not take away too much from this well made chardonnay that WAS done in and Old World style. 89 points

2007 Grochau Cellars Pinot Noir... Willamette Valley, Oregon (New World)

This was certainly a nice surprise, and a good example of New World style pinot noir without the addition of syrah. I know that many Oregon pinot producers shoot for the Burgundian style of pinot and some do reach that although it is nearly impossible without the terrior of France. This pinot was a little bigger nose with notes of Asian spice and toast. Spicy cherry, anise and sweet vanilla notes filled the palate from start to finish with hints of green herbs on the back end. This wine had an amazingly long and pleasing finish. 92 points

2007 Domaine du Prieure Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune... Burgundy, France (Old World)

This pinot had what I call Old World stink and earth on the nose. This is not as unpleasant as it may sound, and is a profile that I look for in many wines from the Old World. This wine had a bouquet of earthy cherry, hints of burnt match and forest floor but fresh, like standing in the forest after a rainfall and the breeze is blowing through the trees. Good acid on the palate which is typical of Old World style pinot noir. Notes of tart raspberries, sour cherries hints of spice on the back side. For those who love Old World Burgundy this is the bomb, and the price tag is crazy good rolling in at about eighteen bucks. 88-89 points

　

Pedator "Old Vines" Lodi Fruit Zinfandel... St. Helena, California (New World)

This is everything you would expect from a New World style zinfandel. Big, powerful and lots of fruit. This wine smelled just like beef jerky marinated in black raspberry juice. The wine filled the palate with huge ripe notes of raspberries and strawberries. Nice black pepper hits throughout the palate with dashes of black licorice. This zin coated the palate and had some nice honied beef jerky notes on the finish. Not my personal favorite style but this is one that many will like. 89 points

2007 Cantele Primitivo... Apulia, Italy (Old World)

I am sure that most of you know this, Primitivo is closely linked genetically to zinfandel if they are not one and the same. Many times the only give-away is the intensity of fruit, other then that the styles of wine making and terrior have a definite affect on the outcome.

Showing restrained oak and cherry tones on the nose which follow through on the palate. Much fuller in the mouth then on the nose this wine has dark sexy fruit notes with over-tones of cedar. This wine has a lot to offer with layers of flavor that come out only after evaluation. Unlike it’s New World counterpart that slaps you in the face and says "Hey, pay attention I’m talking here!" this wine seduces you and before you know it your begging for more. 90 points

Torbreck "WoodCutters" Shiraz... Barossa Valley, Australia (New World)

I was impressed with this effort because it had self control. Many a shiraz that come out of Barossa are big jammy over-the-top wines. These have a place and I enjoy them but it is not often that you find one from this area that is as balanced as the Torbreck "WoodCutters". When I smelled this wine it was a dead ringer for minestrone soup broth. Nice balance, luring you into a taste of wine that is simply quite amazing. It is sad to see a decline in Australian wine sales nationwide when you put your lips to this wine knowing that many will over-look it. Folks, this is not Yellow Tail or anything close. Intense dark fruit notes that never get out of control. Nice acidity and hints of mocha and dark fruits backed by traces of spice and dusted with bittersweet chocolate. The finish just does not quit. 91 points

Chateau Val Joanis Syrah... Cotes du Luberon, France (Old World)

A nice example of Old World syrah with a soft edge. This wine is made to be consumed over the next couple of years. A nose of plums and black currants leading into a silky smooth effort that shows hints of garrigue and black plum with dashes of spice. This wine reminded me in a lot of ways of a well made Washington State syrah with some of that earthiness you get from this region of France. 89 points

Baer Winery "Ursa"’... Woodinville, Washington (New World)

Smooth, polished and a touch decadent might be the best way to start a description of this wine. Hints of herbs and red fruits on the nose, the wine hits your palate with a statement. Currants, plum and white pepper notes penetrate the palate on a beam of nicely woven acidity that carries the fruit to the finish that is long and balanced. 50% merlot, 24% cabernet franc, 17% cabernet sauvignon, 7% malbec and 2% petit verdot. A Washington Bordeaux blend that will blow you out of the water but get ready to spend a little, it goes for around forty bucks. 92 points

Chateau Guiraud Cheval-Blanc Cotes du Borg... Bordeaux, France (Old World)

This is a "No Kidding" Old World Bordeaux rouge. Not influence by Robert Parker Jr. at all! Delicate on the palate with notes of leather, plums, light cherry notes along with some earthy mushroom tones. This wine has a lot of finesse and is not for the person looking for a big style red. The tannins are light and the finish is a little longer then you might expect. 87 points

Vistalba Corte C Malbec/Merlot ... Mendoza, Argentina (Transition)

We labeled this a transition wine, because we felt it was halfway between "Old World" and "New World". Like an "Old World" wine this one had a little whiff of stink on the nose mixed with raspberries and cherries. Big ripe fruit on the palate, dark fruit notes blended with hits of pepper. The fruit carries through nicely on the mid-palate with sweet tannins and what seemed like hits of bittersweet chocolate and a pleasing long finish. I have to say that this was a fantastic wine especially for the price. 90 points

Everyone likes to know which wines were the most popular with the tasters and at this event the top three were...............

Top White: The Yalumba Unwooded Chardonnay was the crowd favorite. I happen to agree on this one. It had been awhile since I had tried this wine and I thought it is showing very nicely.

Top Red: Vistalba Corte C Malbec/Merlot. I have to admit that this was one of my favorites. A very nice surprise since the last vintage I tried was not so good. I am going with this one at the store so that more folks get a crack at it.

Honorable mention goes to the Predator Zinfandel. The crowd loved this wine! This is where I was surprised and not surprised. This is a big jammy zin with some interesting beef jerky notes. Not my style, but I could see why some would like it. So, I was surprised and not surprised. A lot of peeps jumped on the great price being offered and it is a wine I will give serious consideration to for the store.

There you go. I want to apologize for posting this so late, but I have been a little disorganized this week for some reason, leaving my tasting notes at work, then leaving my list of wines and prices at work, then forgetting to write down vintages. (You may notice that couple were left out because I couldn’t wait any longer to post this.) All in all it was another great tasting and a good theme, giving me some ideas for future tasting events. I was happy to see so many attend the event and I look forward to the tasting season finale in June.

Like all wine geeks, I drink riesling from time to time and enjoy it very much. It certainly has it's place with Asian and other spicy foods. I also like it with sushi. However, I rarely get as excited about riesling as I have with this Seven Hills Winery version. More often then not, domestic riesling is simply light and sweet without a lot going on. If you want to get interesting riesling you usually have to go with wines from Alsace, Germany or Australian. This riesling from Seven Hills shows the elements that you might find in any riesling from the aforementioned countries.... No kidding! Vibrant acidity penetrates the nose with nice hints of petroleum and honey. Don't let that throw you off, some of the finest riesling in the world is described as having petroleum or hints of rubber boots on the nose. On the palate the beam of acidity is incredible driving the flavors to a crescendo into the finish. Notes of grapefruit mixed with green apples and kiwi go wild on the mid-palate with notes of cane sugar evolving on a pleasingly long and memorable finish. Seriously, I could drink this riesling all day. Wine geeks beware, this stuff is addictive and I see no flaws in this wine except when it is an empty bottle.   98 points

Wines from around the world was the theme for our tasting in April. I decided to mix it up a bit and do the first forty-five minutes of the event in a blind format. Those who braved this part of the tasting were handed a sheet identifying the wines that were at the tasting and that was it. Their job was to try and figure out which wine was which. I had decided that if anyone got seven or more correct, they would receive a free bottle of their favorite wine from the tasting. As it turned out, two tasters got five correct which was very good. Marc got all the wines correct on the first table and I thought for sure he was going to do it. The second table did him in. It was a tough challenge but fun. I was glad to see about thirty brave souls come early to see how they could do. I will definitely plan another blind format for a future event. The wines selected were a good representation of wines from different countries. Two of the whites were incredible and the reds were very unique, especially the red in a one liter bottle with a bottle cap instead of a cork from Austria.

I had hernia surgery the week before so I was on light duty and my son Micah helped with all the heavy lifting. Thanks Son! That being said, I was not on my "A" game so my tasting notes are very limited. It was a fun event and everyone enjoyed the selections. Here is what we tasted and the crowds general reaction...

Whites:

2008 Weingut Schwarzbock Gruner Veltliner (Weinviertel, Austria)

This was a big hit with the tasters. Many had never tried a Gruner before and this was a nice surprise. Excellent acidity with notes of kiwi, lemon and lime. Very fresh and lively and only 12% alcohol.

Chateau de Saint Cosme Little James Basket Press Blanc

A blend of 60% Viognier and 40% Sauvignon blanc this was a very subtle white with notes of banana, ripe lemons and vanilla. This is one of those wines that you either like or hate. There were mixed reviews and like I said, they liked it or they didn’t. I personally like the understated nature of these wines and find that they are a great match with crab or roasted chicken.

Colterenzio Pinot Bianco (Alto Adige, Italy)

Another very interesting white that had good acidity and a nice minerality. This white reminded me of a pinot grigio with character. It was the least favorite as far as orders go but I heard a lot of positive comments. I think that the Gruner just stole the show from the other whites.

Reds:

Chateau La Roque Tradition Rouge... (Pic Saint Loup, France)

You just have to love wines from the Languedoc region of France. They are such good values and in most cases they are outstanding wines. This was one of my personal favorites. The nose was quite smokey leading me to believe that it was primarily syrah. I found out that it was mostly Grenache and then syrah. As we all know, syrah can be a very powerful influence on the nose so this wine showed a very smokey dark fruit bouquet. The palate had notes of dark fruits with a toasty edge. A very smooth wine with substantial but soft tannins. There was also a nice minerality to this red showing the terroir of the land. The tasters were with me on this one and even though it was not the least expensive of the bunch, many took advantage of the price offered.

Weingut E&M Berger Blauer Zweigelt (Kremstal, Austria)

What a mouthful! As with many wines from Austria, you have to understand a few grape varietals that are unique to this area. One of them is Zweigelt. This is a hybrid cross of Blaufrankisch (limberger) and Saint Laurent, one of the most widely planted red grapes in Austria. This wine piqued the interest of many as it was so unusual. Very light on the palate showing hints of cherry and anise. This is a wine that goes down easy and is only 12.5 % alcohol making it a nice one to have around. One person mentioned that they like to put a little ice in it during the summer month and just sit out on the deck or in the hot tub and sip it. Whatever strums your chord. I think this is an ideal wine for pizza or burgers. I was pleasantly surprised to see many come back for more, expanding their palate knowledge.

Martingborough Vineyards Russian Jack Pinot Noir (Martinborough, New Zealand)

I specifically requested this wine be added to the tasting list simply because I think it is one of the best pinot noir I have tasted for under twenty bucks. In a blind format I believe you would have a hard time telling this apart from a Burgundy from the Beaune region of the Cote-D’Or. Very intense on the palate with notes of raspberry and strawberries coated with a light dose of asian spices. The wine has muscle and finesse all at the same time. For those who have tried wines from Beaune you will know exactly what I am talking about. This wine shows almost perfect balance between fruit and acid. Having a stelvin closure may throw some off but do not let it stop you from giving it a try, you will not be disappointed. The tasters concurred.

Tres Ojos Old vines Granache (Calatayud, Spain)

If any country has mastered Grenache other then southern Rhone, it has to be Spain. I love many of the Spanish Grenache, especially ones that display that warm spice edge that can so easily be displayed in this varietal. This wine had a very earthy nose, almost a little "poopy" which I liked. The palate was the exact opposite showing generous fruit notes of plum, dark cherry and boysenberries. The tannins were plush and easy on the palate. This wine was neither heavy or thin just a nice easy to drink red, and a seven in the delicious factor. The crowd was quite impressed with this red from Spain.

Weather Report Cabernet Sauvignon (Prosser, Washington)

This cab threw many off in the blind tasting. It is not your typical style and is a little lighter then many might expect. The nose actually shows some interesting aspects. I got a little Lawry’s seasoning salt and cherries on the nose. There was a roundness to the fruit on the palate with notes of plum, boysenberry and asparagus. The finish was a little thin but not bad especially considering the price of only eight bucks ( only seven bucks at the tasting). There were a lot of folks who liked this wine, not only for the price but because it was a very pleasant and interesting wine.

Once Wines Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, California)

This is one I did not get a chance to take any notes on. It is from Napa and the price was under twenty bucks. I got a lot of positive feedback from the group and I know that when I did taste it, it definitely had the Napa cab profile. Good structure with cedar and cherry notes on the palate. Any time you can get a Napa Cab for twenty bucks, it is worth trying.

Fattoria di Felsina Chianti Classico ( Tuscany, Italy)

I do remember this one because it stood out as a classic Chianti (No pun intended). It had the traditional "Old World" style of bright cherries, minerality and hints of leather. The acid was well integrated with the fruit giving it a nice mouth feel and good easy flow across the palate. This wine screams for food as it should. Match this baby up with lamb or a hearty pasta dish with red sauce, and you will understand what Italian wine is all about. This was the most expensive wine of the bunch rolling in at around twenty-five bucks, so many skipped ordering it. The economy is tough and springing for a wine of this caliber can be a hard decision. For those who love this style, they could not resist.

Well, that was the line-up! Sorry I didn’t score the wines but because of my situation I wasn’t able to give them the attention I normally do.

I would like to thank everyone for their support in April, it is always a tough month with Spring breaks and taxes. I am already working on next month with the theme..... "Old World vs. New World Wines." Make plans to be there for this educational and fun event. Stan The Wine Man.

What I love about Randy Finley is his daring approach to wine making. He does not hold back. Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Dolcetto, Chasselas Dore, Rousssanne, and a Washington Zinfandel. This guy is full of surprises and the nice part is, they are good ones. Take for example the 2007 Petit Verdot. The appellation is Yakima Valley and to tell you the truth, I was not aware anyone was growing this varietal in Washington but it does not surprise me. This wine is slightly challenged on the nose with very subtle nuances of blackberries and dusty cherries. In the mouth the wine displays pleasant spice box notes which surround dusty dark cherry notes blended nicely with bramble berry and vanilla  that come through on the back end. The oak and fruit balance is well done and the tannins are soft but present on the finish. This is a very unusual but excellent wine. Randy and his current winemaker have a winner. For only twenty bucks I would recommend that you give it a try... You will be pleasantly surprised and you will be able to boast to your wine geek friends... "I had a Petit Verdot last night, what did you have?". 89 points

I have tried a few malbec from both Washington and California (Mostly Washington) and they have all been a little disappointing. I mean how do you compete with Argentina in this category? Not only do they produce outstanding Malbec, they also bring it to us at ridiculously low prices. This is the first Malbec from Washington that delivers the goods for a reasonable price! This baby has some gusto on the palate. A nose of green bell peppers, black pepper, anise and blackberries. The wine is subtle at first on the palate but comes to life as it approaches the mid-palate showing vibrant blackberry, cassis, and black licorice notes. Hints of caramel hit you on the back end with a nice charcoal toast on the finish that is obviously from the oak but is not a dominate flavor. This is a well balanced wine with a decent to long finish. This wine is both complex and delicious with good acid for food pairing. The price is right and the wine is delicious even showing some nice minerality which is very similar to many good Argentinian Malbecs. A very good effort for this boutique Washington winery.

It was a night to show the love for the great wines from our very own state. Yes, March is Washington Wine Month so the tasting focused on three Washington wineries... Barnard Griffin, O Wines and Delille Cellars. Actually it was about a year ago that I was at a dinner with Karen Nelson and company where I met Greg and Stacy Lill. I mentioned that I had a monthly tasting and they said they would love to be part of it. Greg and Stacy own Delille Cellars and Stacy has her own project with a business partner known as "O" Wines, the O standing for opportunity. The purpose behind the project is to donate a portion of the profits to help underprivileged women get scholarships for a higher education. They have had great success and have helped many young ladies go on to bigger and better things. Quite a lofty purpose and a good reason to support these wines. Delille Cellars is a "Top Shop" in Washington and produces some very premium wines that are always in high demand. I thought it would be a good idea to incorporate another winery with wines in the value range. When it comes to consistent quality and great values out of Washington, Barnard Griffin always comes to mind. Now, all the pieces were in place for a terrific tasting, and terrific it was. The crowd was huge, the wines were outstanding and everyone had a great time. Here is a brief summary of the wines tasted at the event.

Let’s start with Barnard Griffin Winery...

2008 Barnard Griffin Riesling... Columbia Valley

This was the only wine at the tasting that made the "Top 100" wines in the Wine Spectator for 2009. It certainly was worthy. Very fragrant on the nose with notes of white flowers, apricots and peaches. The wine is fresh on the palate with wonderful fruit notes of apricots, mangos and papaya. This is a drier style riesling so it was not cloying at all. Alsace comes to mind when you put this wine to your lips. A lot of folks who do not normally like riesling enjoyed this one. Certainly a crowd favorite. 91 points

2008 Barnard Griffin Reserve Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley ... $13.99

This is a new one for this winery and as much as I lament the continuing popularity of this varietal I have to say this was a nice effort. Not your typical pinot gris, there was not a lot of viscosity on the palate. Fresher and drier in style with notes of green apples and citrus. Very clean on the finish yet it had some substance. This was not boring at all and I could see myself indulging in this wine with some roasted chicken, freshly cooked crab or even some sushi. This wine had mixed reviews with the crowd and most liked it. 87 points

2008 Barnard Griffin Tulip Label Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ... $9.99

I have been a fan of this chard for many, many years, so I have to say that I am a little prejudice. Barnard Griffin distinguishes their value line of wines by the term "Tulip Label" referring to the picture of tulips on the label (Of course). The chardonnay is understated and elegant displaying nuances of tropical fruits and hints of light toast. This is a chardonnay you could drink everyday and all day if it did not have alcohol ( In never encourage over-indulgence)! For ten bucks you would be hard pressed to find a better chardonnay 89 points

2009 Barnard Griffin Rose’ of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley... $10.99

This is far and away my top selling rose in the ten to fifteen dollar range. I was quite happy that it was released in time for our tasting. Because it is produced from the sangiovese grape it displays some interesting qualities. Good acid, dark in color with notes of strawberries and rhubarb with some interesting red plum notes. The wine feels big on the palate but is very refreshing with a pleasing, lingering finish. This wine makes us beg for a sunny day out on the lawn sipping rose. The crowd loved it and took advantage of the great price being offered. 88 points

2007 Barnard Griffin Reserve Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ... $19.99

This was a last minute addition to the tasting, and I am glad we did it. A little different in style then the Tulip Label sister wine which means just a little more wood on the palate. However, this is far from over-oaked. Nice baked apple notes nested on hints of pear and lemon-lime. This chard has a nice minerality reminiscent of chardonnay from the Beaune. I believe it is the spice from the wood and the minerality that set it apart from the other chardonnay. The winery certainly offers two styles, both of them excellent and made for different occasions and personal tastes. I for my part love them both and depending on the stock market will make my choice. 90 points

Barnard Griffin non-vintage Cabernet-Merlot, Columbia Valley ... $9.99

Rob Griffin has for years produced a cab-merlot that is non-vintage. As a consumer, the only clue you have that it has changed is the percentages of cab, merlot and cab franc you read on the front label. That being said, most of us do not pay close attention to this unless you are a wine guy like myself. This particular batch has 11% cabernet franc, and I have to tell you it is one of my favorites. The cab franc adds some herbal notes to the wine that haven’t been present in past blends. Very smooth with a challenged bouquet that takes a little while to open up. Notes of vanilla, dark cherries, plum and hints of celery and anise. This wine is very versatile and a real nice everyday red. Great with burgers, pizza or mac & cheese. I would be tempted to stock up on a few of these because I am thinking that this baby will be good over the next couple of years. At the price it is being offered... c’mon! 89 points

2008 Barnard Griffin Tulip Label Syrah, Columbia Valley... $13.99

This syrah has all the elements that you look for in this varietal without the pizzaz. Plum and boysenberry notes with slight hints of smoke and blueberries. I love syrah, especially when it shows off the blueberry and bacon fat notes that Washington syrah can. This syrah will offend no one. It’s good... but not great. 87 points.

2007 Barnard Griffin Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley... $13.99

Very classic cabernet sauvignon. Cherry on the nose with hints of cedar. The palate shows off smooth tannins with dark cherry, mint and cedar tones. Very well made with nice balance. This baby is not made to age but is drinking pretty darn good right now. If you are a cab afficionado and want something good for under twenty bucks, this is well worth it. 88 points

2007 Barnard Griffin Reserve Merlot, Columbia Valley... $24.99

This wine showed some muscle! Big, bold and delicious this wine had some excellent tannic grip, dusty cherry notes on a bed of herbs and cedar notes that filled your palate integrated nicely with the tannins into a pleasing long finish. Yes, you can drink it now but I would suggest you have it with some food. Give this another three to five years and WOW! I believe this one will flesh out as nicely as the Reserve 2005 Barbera did that we opened latter that night at dinner. Great wine that needs just a little time. 91 points

2009 Barnard Griffin Syrah Port.... $14.99

How can you score a port or dessert wine? They are all good, so I will not score it. Rather, I will rate it on the delicious factor. This syrah port tipped the scale to a TEN on the delicious factor! This effort by Barnard Griffin never misses. Every time I show it at a tasting the crowd loves it. This night was no exception. Just about everyone took advantage of the special price being offered at the event.

Now let’s move on to the "O" Wines table with Stacy Lill...

2008 O Wines Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ... $13.99

I have to say that I am glad they have sold out of the Yakima Valley version of this chard. I was not as fond of that one as I am this version. Actually I thought this rivaled Barnard Griffins Tulip Label chard which is one of my favorite everyday whites. Very elegant on the nose with nice tropical fruit notes that are not oak influenced. Good weight in the mouth with wonderful notes of pineapple, pear, red delicious apple and a dash of butterscotch. This chard is both refreshing and delicious. I would have this with shellfish or poultry and be perfectly happy. I have to tell you it is hard to find a chardonnay that is this versatile. From the looks of the orders the tasters agreed with me on this one. 89 points

2007 O Wines Red, Columbia Valley ... $14.99

This wine was a very pleasant surprise! I knew last year that they were working on a red blend, and what a way to start. A blend of syrah, merlot, cabernet franc and sangiovese this wine is a definite over-achiever. Very mysterious and sexy on the nose with deep dark fruit that is very enticing. The palate is intense with notes of dark cherries, leather, spice and a wonderful hit of dusted cocoa on the back end that is quite alluring. I have to tell you that a couple of folks came up to me and talked about what a serious red this was. Will it lay down? Absolutely. Very approachable now, but will definitely improve over the next five years. What’s hard to believe is you get all of this for only fifteen bucks. CRAZY! 94 points

Now on to the Big Boy of the tasting... Delille Cellars With Greg Lill

I say "Big Boy", because Delille Cellars has always been considered a top shop in Washington right up there with Quilceda Creek and Leonetti. The prices reflect the high quality of these wines and I was honored to have both Stacy and Greg come up to pour their wines. Many of the tasters hanged out at Greg’s table to get just one extra taste of these terrific wines.

2007 Chaleur Estate Blanc ... $34.99

I believe this is about as close as you can get to a quality white Bordeaux without being french! I was blown away by the intensity of this white. This is not a glug, glug, glug white. 62% sauvignon blanc and 38% semillon this wine got serious right from the start. Intense viscosity on the palate with obvious oak influence. The oak is not overbearing and is balanced out nicely by the powerful fruit notes of gooseberries, grapefruit and figs. The mid-palate is enormous with layers and layers of flavors that intensify through into the finish. On the backside there are some interesting roasted nut flavors along with hints of honey and toast. Not for the person looking for an easy to drink pinot grigio. This wine will lay down nicely over the next ten to fifteen years which will mellow out the oak influence. If your portfolio has experienced a recent surge in value it would be worth the investment to put a few bottles away. Try to find a white Bordeaux of this quality and you will be spending three to four times as much. 95 points

2007 Doyenne "Signature" Syrah ... $36.99

This was the first time I had tried this wine and it will not be the last. As I said earlier, I am a syrah nut and this one dips into the syrah nerve. A little pricier then I like but it is well worth it. Wonderful nose of dark berries, smoke and lavender. Tremendous intensity on the palate right from the start with toasty boysenberry notes, black plum, black raspberries, bacon fat and white pepper. The wine’s intensity never stops and neither does the finish. I could taste this wine for at least two or three minutes after I swallowed. I also enjoyed the earth tones that came through which to me was reminiscent of many of the wines from the Rhone Valley. The crowd went nuts over this wine and ordered a fair amount. 94 points

2006 Delille Cellars Chaleur Estate ... $77.99

Imagine a silk chocolate pie made only from the finest chocolate in the world drizzled with a decadent boysenberry and plum sauce. Add some alcohol liquify it, bottle it, and call it wine. That is Chaleur Estate. This stuff is incredible and the flagship wine of Delille’s Portfolio. The first time I tried this wine I was blown away by it’s intensity and elegance all at the same time. Vibrancy of dark fruit wrapped in a silk blanket. This wine makes you think, and I love wines that make you think. Complex, with layers of flavors that take time to pull out and contemplate. Blah, Blah, Blah I think you get the picture that I love this wine! So did everyone else. 94 points

I have to say that I like to score higher priced wines a little lower since many times they do not deliver the quality you would expect for the price. Delille Cellars is an exception. Yes, the Chaleur is a little more then we like to spend but for a special occasion it is a good value. The "Signature" syrah is both affordable and could demand a higher price for the quality. In my opinion it blows Shafer Relentless out of the water, which is twice the price. The Chaleur Blanc is a super value when compared to white Bordeaux of similar quality. However, my personal pick for the night was the O Wines Red. Check it out, it is a great bang for the buck and a wine that will improve with age. The crowds pick of the night was the Barnard Griffin non-vintage cab-merlot. Always and excellent value and one of the best Washington reds you’ll find for ten bucks.

There you go! I want to thank everyone who shows up and supports the tasting. It is a fun and educational event the exposes everyone to wines they may not try on their own. See you at the next one! Stan

From all reports, it is going to be worth every effort to get your hands on as much 2008 pinot out of Oregon that you can. The vintage is outstanding and many of the wines although young are showing nicely. I have to say that this is the first pinot I have tried under fifteen bucks from the Willamette Valley. You do not find many in this price range so I was a little cautious in my approach. No need for caution, this wine is exceptional for this price or more. That being said, this pinot is not for everyone. It has that nice burgundian flavor profile that I love so much in pinot noir. Raspberry and tart cherries on the nose with just tiny hints of stink and earth. The palate shows bright cherry and raspberry tones with pleasant hits of Asian spice and cinnamon notes. There is a brightness to the acidity with some hits of earth and forest floor on the back end. The finish is tart and bright begging for some fatty salmon or some smoked ham. This is a food pinot for sure but I thoroughly enjoyed it solo. That fact that a twelve dollar pinot can show so well is testament to the 2008 vintage. Montinore is a great producer and I have been happy with the past three vintages. Drink over the next 2-4 years.  88 points

The line-up was awesome and the crowd huge for the second annual "Fifteen Under Fifteen in February" wine tasting held at the Mullis Community Center February 11, 2010. Three wine reps had the challenge of bringing five of their best wines from their portfolio under fifteen dollars. Karen Nelson from Columbia Distributing took table #1, Pete Stephenson, Noble Wines table #2 and Jonathan Sindleman from Cascade Trade, table #3. Each brought one white and four reds. There were wines from France, Argentina, California, Washington, Spain and Italy. They all did an excellent job picking out the wines and the crowd was impressed. I will now go around the room from table 1 to table 3 with my thoughts on the wines along with the consensus of the tasters.

Table #1... Karen Nelson, Columbia Distributing

2007 Sartarelli Classico Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi

Grown in The Marches located in East-Central Italy this white gave notes of honey and minerality on the nose. Crisp and refreshing with wonderful acidity this white had excellent minerality with notes of crushed rocks, vanilla bean and lemon-lime. It had a nice little grip on the finish which begged for shellfish. Good balance I can see this being a regular for me this summer as a sit on the deck enjoying oysters or clams. 89 points

The crowd loved this wine and I had to caution Karen not to pour too much of it too soon so she wouldn’t run out before 7. I believe I will have to bring this one into the store for the Spring and Summer.

2008 Bodega Norton Malbec, Argentina

Malbec is still all the rage in the wine world right now. It seems as if people can’t get enough of it. There is a good reason for this. The malbecs out of Argentina are some of the best values in the world. There are a ton of awesome wines for around ten bucks, and let me tell you that in this economy that is a very good thing. The Norton malbec is a hot ticket at our store. It is probably up there in the top three selling malbecs in the Argentinian category. Cherries and blackberries come through nicely on round yet structured tannins. This malbec is fresh and young but very approachable now. For the price, this is one of the best values in any store. 87 points

I think that everyone was familiar with this wine so orders were not an indicator of theappreciation for the juice. From my experience this wine is a crowd pleaser, and everyone expressed how much they liked it.

2007 Duck Pond Red Blend, Wahluke Slope Columbia Valley Washington

40% merlot, 30% syrah and 22% cabernet sauvignon, this is what we call a Washington Bordeaux blend. We say this because of the syrah. In Bordeaux syrah is not allowed but in Washington they have found that it works very well with merlot and cab. This wine really shows off how well this combination works. I think that I’ve found my pick for March since not only is it a stellar effort, it is made in Washington and it is "Washington Wine Month". I was amazed at how good this wine is for only eight bucks. Spicy bouquet of blackberries and cherry on the nose with slight hits of cedar. Nice chalky tannins on the palate which was a pleasant surprise. Black currants, vanilla and cherry notes came through nicely on a very balance wine. Good mix of fruit and acidity being slightly thin but still excellent. This wine packed a lot in the bottle for such a low price. 88 points

The crowd went nuts over this wine and I have to say that it was hands down the favorite of the evening. Verne even got into the fray and poured some for his friends.

2006 Elio Grasso Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont Italy

Dolcetto is an everyday red for the Italian tables in Northern Italy. Known for being softer and more approachable at an earlier age than it’s cousin the nebbiolo grape which is used in Barbarescos and Barolos. I was impressed with this effort when I first tried it and chose it as my pick for this month. Red currant and spice on the nose with slight hits of earth. Restrained somewhat on the palate showing notes of blueberries, cranberries and white pepper notes on the sides of the mouth. Nice hits of black currants on the back end with a slight tannic grip that says, "This wine is serious". Even though at 14.5% alcohol, it did not come across as hot at all. This wine opens up nicely and becomes a powerful little wine. 90 points

Everyone seemed to enjoy this wine but did not go as crazy over it as I did. That is what I love about the wine world. Different strokes.

2006 Abadia Retuerta Rivola Tinto, Spain.

This tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon blend was exactly what you would expect from an "Old World" style Spanish red. A sweetness on the nose with hints of black currants, cherries, roses and violets... A really wonderful bouquet for sure. On the palate it showed it’s true colors with notes of leather, forest floor, spice, dark cherries, raisin and pleasant notes of brown sugar. Although "Old World" in many ways, some "New World" notes came through nicely. This wine should please a wide sector of people. 89 points.

I’m not entirely sure how everyone felt about this wine. Karen said that a lot of folks came back for more and expressed how much they liked it. The price was slightly higher then the other wines just barely squeaking in under the fifteen dollar amount.

　

Table #2... Pete Stephenson, Noble Wines

2008 Colome Torrontes, Argentina

Recently it has been discovered that torrontes is genetically linked to the white grape Malvasia used widely in Italy and Spain. Malvasia is known for it’s aromatics which makes sense since torrontes is definitely an aromatic wine. This wine was a prime example of that showing luscious notes of banana, peaches and fig on the nose. The palate was quite viscous showing peaches, mangos and a pleasant nuttiness on the middle and finish that lingers for some time reminding me of toasted almonds blended with white peaches. A very intense white that begs for roast chicken or a pasta in a cream sauce. 89 points

A lot of folks loved this wine and this was their first experience with the varietal. It was a big hit and opened up a new world for many tasters.

2007 Laurel Glen Terra Rosa Old Vines Malbec, Argentina

The nose reminded me of cherries blended with a mint sauce... very intriguing. The wine burst on the palate with wonderful round fruit that came close to being too much but held back. Notes of cassis, black currants and dark fruit notes. Very balanced with good acid, fresh tannins and a clean pleasing finish. This baby is an over-achiever and I was very pleasantly surprised. I have not tried this one in awhile and I have been missing out. 90 points

I was disappointed that more did not take advantage of the great price on this wine. Under ten bucks for a wine of this quality is unheard of. There were a lot of great wines however, and it was a tough choice. That being said, most everyone loved this wine.

2008 Hedges Winery CMS Red, Columbia Valley Washington

The moniker CMS stands for cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah. A bouquet of blackberries, burnt match and sweet tannins. There is a big hit of fruit up front, sweet tannins, currants and cherries. Bright acidity nice balance and a mouth watering finish. 88 points

Everyone said they were a big fan of this wine already. I know this is true because I sell out every week at the store.

2005 Sanguineti Super Tuscan, Italy

This baby smelled like roast beef marinated in cherry juice. Bright cherry notes on the palate blended with sweet tannins and hints of raisin mixed with brown sugar. This puppy could pass for a baby Amarone. The finish had a slight tannic grip wit hints of herbs and greens on the finish. 88 points

A few really loved this wine but most passed on it. This wine is for the eclectic crowd that loves Amarone.

　

Table #3... Jonathan Sindleman, Cascade Trade

2008 Domaine de Martinolles Chardonnay, Languedoc France

For those of you who have not tried a chardonnay in awhile because it is the IN thing to say, "I don’t like chardonnay anymore" this could turn you around. The nose reminded me of the home-made applesauce my grandmother used to make. You know the kind with the big chunks of apple in it and a slight cinnamon flavor. The palate displayed crushed rocks wet stone and a beautiful lemon-lime hit blended with notes of granny smith apple. This chard has excellent minerality and acidity with a clean, pleasingly long finish. I was blown away by this chardonnay that runs for a mere thirteen bucks. Hard to beat this one for qpr. 91 points

The crowd agreed with me about this wine and it was the biggest hit in the white wine category. We may have converted some tasters back over to the chardonnay side. We can only hope.

2008 Croix Belle Garingole, Languedoc France

A blend of grenache, carignan and syrah this wine had a nose that reminded me of roasted marshmallows that are blackened slightly, ( Do you remember toasting your marshmallows until they were just a little black? Yum!) and light hits of cherry. The palate was lush yet restrained, showing notes of dark cherries and garigue. Very soft yet well balanced with a wonderful finish that is longer then you might expect. 88 points

The tasters loved this wine a lot more than I did although I understood why it was so popular. At ten bucks it is a steal, and at the tasting it was offered at a substantial savings.

2008 Tenuta Curezza "Nerosso", Apulia Italy

I got a lot of mixed berries on the nose. The palate exploded with ripe fruit flavors of boysenberries, caramel and some herbal notes. Good balance, light tannins that had a little bit of a grip on the sides of the palate. This wine thins a little in the mid-palate, but came on strong in the finish that lingered for some time. It took me a couple of times to really appreciate what was in my glass. 90 points

Another crowd pleaser, and even though it was a little more expensive pushing the envelope on the fifteen dollar side that did not stop folks from putting it on their order sheet.

2005 McKinley Springs Syrah, Columbia Valley Washington

There was a huge price reduction on this wine, so we thought it would be a good idea to present it at the tasting. I am glad we did. This is a classic syrah with a nose of boysenberries, dark plums, anise and hints of mint. A very deep feel on the palate showing black olives, plum, spice and pepper on the back side. Excellent weight and mouthfeel with hints of toast and bacon fat on the finish. This baby is a monster and I brought a few extra cases in the store if you want a chance to get your hands on some. 92 points

What can I say, the crowd loved it.

2007 Sean Minor Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley California

To get your hands on a Napa cab of this quality for under fifteen bucks is hard to do. A very curious nose that reminded me of Lawry’s Seasoning salt and dashes of dill and mint. This wine is powerful on the palate letting you know that you are in for a serious dose of Napa cab. Cherries and plums come through with loads of herbs from start to finish. Lavender, dill, rosemary and thyme. The dark fruit lingers for some time on the finish with sweet tannins and a little grip on the back end. 90 points

Another favorite with the tasters. Good Job Jonathan!

　

I was very happy with the wines brought and we had a great time learning about and tasting new and interesting wines. The crowd keeps getting bigger and bigger. I love it!

March is Washington Wine Month and we have three different wineries lined up to show off their stuff. Make plans to be there so you don’t miss out. Stan "The Wine Man".

Australian wines have dropped off the map sales wise recently. It would be safe to say that sales have dropped at least 40% at the store. I have shrunk the section down quite a bit over the past year. This does not mean that I myself have changed my opinion about these wines. When you get a well made Aussie wine there is hardly a better experience. Extracted and rich they are hedonistic yet balanced. It is true that there are a lot of Coca Cola style shiraz out there that are good but very simple and I believe a lot of folks are just getting tired of them. I emplore those who have backed away from Australian reds to give this Cimicky a try. Well made with rich dark fruit flavors backed by vanilla and mocha tones that are not over-done. You can taste the oak influence but it is well structured and not over the top. This wine is like a comfortable blanket that gives you warmth but does not get you too hot. This wine is the perfect match for steak, stew or simply solo with blue cheese and popcorn while you are watching your favorite series on television. A great value at this price and should not be passed up. 

I had a good feeling about this event as it approached. "Best wines with Pizza" sounded fun and educational. Dave from Kings Deli and my son put their heads together and made some outstanding pizza for the event. I am not sure if it was the wine or the pizza that was most popular... I believe it was the pizza! The wines that were selected by Ted Seifert of Unique Wines turned out to be both excellent in quality and value. They also matched up nicely with the food, which of course was the purpose. A shout out to Tanya who helped serve the wine for the second month in a row. Thank You very much. The crowd was the largest to date and we all had a good time. Here is my review of the wines served and some insight as to what was the favorite of the tasters at the event.

Colosi Bianco Sicilia... Sicily, Italy 2008 $9.99

A blend of 90% Inzolia and 10% Catarotto this was a brilliant, refreshing little white that totally caught me off guard. I was expecting a bone dry almost boring white that would be a nice little quafer for someone while they were cooking the pizza. Wow was I wrong. This had a load of gooseberry on the palate with refreshing hints of grapefruit. I found this white both delicious and versatile. Great by itself but certainly capable of matching up with seafood or sushi. 90 points

The crowd as a whole liked this wine and it came in second over-all as far as orders go for the whites.

Oak Grove Viognier .... Central Coast, California 2008 $7.99

I have always been a fan of the Oak Grove line of wines but especially this viognier. It shows that incredible floral and fruity nose that is so common for this varietal. It strikes a nice balance of fruit and acidity not going over-the-top. Lots of peach and apricot on the palate with nice viscosity that is not heavy. This is a very well made white for next to nothing. If you haven’t tried viognier and would like to, this would be a good place to start. 88 points

I believe most of those in attendance were impressed with the quality of this wine for the price, a great qpr. All of the whites were well received and many took advantage of the great price offered on this wine.

Capestrano Passerina... Abbruzzo, Italy 2008 $9.99

This obscure grape variety was new to me, and I was impressed. All I could think of when I tried this white was Bananas Foster. No kidding, that is what it tasted like at least to me. So if you like that flavor profile, this is the wine for you. I liked it myself and I thought it was well balanced with a pleasing finish. 88 points

This was the biggest hit with the tasters and I got a lot of good feedback from everyone. Both the Colossi and the Passerina will be a fixture in the store this summer. I already carry the Oak Grove viognier and it is quite popular.

Cartlidge & Browne Zinfandel... Amador County, California $11.99

Cartlidge & Browne produces some outstanding values so I was looking forward to trying the zinfandel for the first time. I am a zinfandel nut, I love the stuff and think that it is a nice match for a diversity of dishes from the Thanksgiving meal to... well, PIZZA! I liked this wine but not as much as those that attended. It had some nice raspberry and black licorice notes but was a little too hot (alcohol) for me. I also felt it lacked in the spice department which is one of the elements I look for in a good zin. (That is a good zin for my palate). Like I mentioned, the crowd liked it overall and many took advantage of the great price offered. 87 points

Capestrano Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo ... Abruzzo, Italy $10.99

I personally was blown away by this wine! A bunch of the wines that I have tasted from this region have been delicious and I was expecting a nice little quafer. This wine delivered quite a few interesting taste profiles. The nose exhibited some soft dark fruit notes. On the palate there was wonderful dark fruit notes... boysenberries and dark cherries with some black currant undertones that were intermingled with some wonderful dusted milk and dark chocolate tones wound in silky soft tannins that were far from flabby. This wine is well integrated and finishes very nicely and lingers a lot longer then you might expect. A wonderful value and a great experience. 91 points.

All the tasters raved about this wine with only a couple of dissenters. You will see this one at Kings on a regular basis.

Oak Grove Shiraz... Arroyo Seco, California $8.99

This was a nice surprise and one that Paul Gregott of the Seattle Times gave a nice rating. I am not always in agreement with Paul but this time he was spot on. A very nice syrah with blueberry and plum notes backed by hints of bacon fat. The tannins were soft but there was enough acidity to make this wine match up well with food. 88 points

The tasters liked it over-all and I think some were a little suspicious of the price. Trust me when I say this is a great Q.P.R. wine.

San Felice, Perolla... Tuscany-Chianti, Italy $10.99

When it comes to pizza, this wine was all over it. Green bell peppers and bright cherry tones dominated this sangiovese, merlot blend. This wine had good acid and a slight tannic grip on the finish. I loved this wine and thought it was a refreshing change from many of the fruit bombs that are served up on a daily basis. 88 points

That being said, it was not a huge hit with the group although many did come to me to tell me they were impressed with the wine.

Barahonda Carro Tinto... Yecla, Spain $11.99

I love Spanish reds or whites and I was looking forward to this one. I have had this one in the past and was impressed by it. This one did not do a whole lot for me however. It had a earthy, funky nose that got me kind of excited. The palate was unimpressive with cola-cherry flavors dominating the palate. The finish was a little funky and thin. 86 points

A lot of the tasters loved this wine which simply proves the point I am always trying to make; the wine is all about the individual. What is good to you is good wine. My job is simply to tell you what I think and help you find a wine that I believe you will like.

Bodegas Roqueta-Manresa Terracita Tempranillo... Catalunya, Spain $7.99

I thought this was a nice little red. Very simple but effective. Unoaked, this wine showed some nice bright cherry and cedar tones. The tannins were fresh and vibrant and the wine was youthful and exuberant . For the price, I thought this would make the perfect pizza, burger or spaghetti red. 88 points

This wine got mixed reviews from the crowd. Some loved it, and others were not impressed. Such is the world of wine.

Buried Cane Winery Syrah... Prosser, Washington $12.99

Every once in awhile you run into a wine that simply blows you away. This wine was a mind blower. Very rich and fat on the palate without being over-the-top fruit. Nice smoke and plum notes on silky tannins with bacon fat notes laced throughout the wine. The tannins were sweet and well balanced. Do not get me wrong, this wine is not sweet but very hedonistic. Some people may be turned off by this wine but I loved it. 89 points

This wine was a big hit, period! No surprise here.

Chateau Bolchet... Costiere de Nimes, France $10.99

I was looking forward to trying this wine from southern Rhone simply because it was an ‘07 which is the vintage that is getting all the press. A blend of grenache, syrah and mouvedre this wine had some nice earth tones with plum, boysenberry and spice notes. I felt it was just a tad to generic for a wine from this region so I was not so excited by it. Soft and easy to drink there was no flaws, but there was also no pizzaz! 87 points.

Many of the tasters found this wine to be very good. I agree that it is a user friendly wine and would be great to serve to guests. No one would be offended by it and it is a perfect time to talk about the great ‘07 vintage that Southern Rhone experienced.

Damilano Barbera d’ Asti... Piedmont, Italy $14.99

I personally requested that this wine be served at this event. I love this wine and felt that it would be a great match with pizza. Very robust yet approachable. Nice dusty tannins with serious cherry and cedar tones that explode on the palate and vibrate on the excellent acidity that will make this wine good for the cellar for the next five years. This is ‘Old World" wine with a "New World" edge. 91 points

The crowd loved this wine for all the reasons I did. Many asked what my favorite wine was for the event and I was tossed between this one and the Buried Cane Syrah. The Damilano won by and edge.

Clayhouse Adobe Red... Paso Robles, California $14.99

This kitchen sink red, being primarily zinfandel was quite impressive. Jammy yet restrained, it showed boysenberry, black currant, black raspberry and black pepper notes. The wine was rich without being too ripe. I was truly impressed with this wine and it was in my top three of favorite wines at the tasting. 89 points

This was the most popular wine at the event. Many came back for up to a third time to give it another taste.

All in All it was a very successful night and everyone had a great time. Next month is the second annual... "Fifteen Wines Under Fifteen Bucks in February." I believe this will be just as successful and educational. Till the next one, happy tasting. Stan

　

　

　

　

　

　

No disrespect to Harvey Steiman, but I would have never considered putting this wine in the top 100 for 2009 in the Wine Spectator. Kudos to Charlie Smith for being a great promoter and projecting an image of his wines that puts them above their quality. I have tasted great wines from K Vintners and a few quality wines from the Magnificent Wine Company both from wine maker Charles Smith. Charles sold the Magnificent Wine Company but stayed on as wine maker. The 2006 Syrah mentioned above falls in the average category. I read Harvey's review of the juice and was looking forward to a hedonistic experience. The nose was promising but restrained with some earthy stink and hints of blackberry, smoke and plum. The palate was what you would expect from a syrah, smoke, boysenberries and cassis. Some toastiness but it did not get to that fat plummy, spicy berries and bacon fat flavors that can make syrah a religious experience. The finish was good but not the length you would expect from a top notch effort. This is good juice but not even close to above average and I am not sure if it should go for more then thirteen bucks. Certainly not nineteen.  86 points

The Holiday Tasting #2 2009 focused on an array of wines that would go well with the meals and celebrations to come in December. Christmas ham, turkey, prime rib, seafood platters, holiday sweets and of course bubbles for the New Years celebration and just for having around the house in general for the holidays. Fifteen wines in all were offered for tasting at the event. This is quite a few but it gave all of us a nice range of wines to compare and a nice range of pricing. For those who read the entire e-mail that was sent prior to the tasting there was a special treat to try with the port. I was impressed with how many came up to me with the secret word of the month... Good Job! This tasting held true to what I figured would be the most popular wines at the event. Here are my tasting notes and scores, along with what turned out to be the most popular wines with the crowd.

　

　

Bisol Jeio Prosecco, Veneto Italy...

I believe that Prosecco has gotten a little out of hand as far as price goes in the last year. I sold this wine at my shop for eleven bucks everyday, two years ago. Now it goes for seventeen bucks on deal. I love Prosecco for its clean, refreshing presentation. Good bubbles and nice citrus notes on the nose. The front of the palate with this Prosecco is nice and big with some toasty notes backed by granny smith apples and good acid. The finish is fairly persistent. I like this wine and only wished that it still went for eleven bucks. I guess it is what it is... 88 points.

The crowd really liked these bubbles as I knew they would and the price offered on it was quite reasonable. This wine ranked about fourth in favorites of the night.

　

Lucien Albrecht Cremant, N/V Brut Rose, Alsace France...

I love rose, whether it is still or sparkling. Unfortunately the stigma of pink wine still sticks with many folks who can only think of white zinfandel or Andre pink. I asked a participant latter after the tasting if they liked the rose’ and they said they didn’t even try it for the very reason I just mentioned. I will continue my efforts to try and get folks to understand just how awesome rose’ is! This sparkling rose’ from Alsace which is one of the best producers of sparkling wine outside of Champagne lived up to my expectations. A wonderful nose of watermelon and cherries on the palate the flavors of sweet cherries exploded on the palate with excellent acidity giving it a nice refreshing dry finish. There was also a hint of watermelon hard candy (Remember that delicious confection?) on the back end leading into a pleasant and long finish. 91 points

This one did not go over as well for the attendants. It could of been the higher price which wasn’t that bad $17.90 or as I believe is the case, many passed it up because it was pink.

　

Le Ja Ja de Jau Sauvignon Blanc, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

I wrote about this sauvignon blanc on my blog a couple of months ago because I felt is was a tremendous value and excellent wine. Very racy with excellent fruit notes of lemon and lime. Good balance and a pleasing finish. I feel that good sauvignon blancs from the States are hard to find, but from France and New Zealand, not so hard. New Zealand can get carried away with the grapefruit character from time to time. Sancerre is the best expression of this grape, followed by New Zealand and Bordeaux, in my humble opinion. This effort is outstanding and a pleasant surprise, especially at the price point of eight bucks. 90 points

The crowd was with me on this one, it came in second as far as orders went. I am sure the price was a factor, but I know my tasters and the juice has to be good!

　

Nugan Chardonnay Visions, Riverina, Australia

Australian wines are taking a nose-dive these days in popularity. Known for there big, fat buttery chards it was nice to try one that had a different profile. This chard had a nose of toast and yeast with whiffs of caramel. Very round on the palate without being hedonistic it showed notes of toasty vanilla, caramel and nice lemon drop tones. The finish was seamless and did not diminish too quickly. 89 points

I got mixed reviews from the tasters on this one, half liked it and half gave it a wave.

　

Rutherford Wine Company Lander-Jenkins Chardonnay 2007, Monterey California

Now this baby screamed California Chardonnay! Big buttery nose, reminded me of going into a movie theater. Big juicy palate with a wonderful underlying creaminess. Butter and oak came through big on the palate, but I felt that it was balanced and well made. Seamless from the start to the finish with some nice tropical notes showing and a little grip on the finish. This chard might not be for everyone, but it you are in the mood for a hedonistic effort, this is the one I would pick. The price is right and the quality is there. 89 - 90 points.

This was the favorite chard of the two for the participants, and I agree.

　

2008 Montoya Pinot Noir, Monterey County California

I have been touting the virtues of this pinot since the 2006 vintage. For fourteen bucks, I would dare anyone to find a better quality pinot noir. This 2008 version shows just a touch more "New World" then the past two vintages but it is still delicious and shows all the qualities that a good pinot should bring to the table. A wonderful nose of strawberries and cherries, on the palate this pinot shows ripe cherries and strawberries on silky yet structured tannins. There is good acid on this wine making it a great compliment to foods. Very outstanding. 90 points

The crowd agreed with me on this one and it was by far the most popular red at the tasting and got the most orders. No surprise here.

　

Bodegas Goulart Malbec Clasico 2008. Lujan de Cuyo Mendoza Argentina

The popularity of Malbec keeps growing and growing. Of course, when you run across a malbec like this for only ten bucks, you begin to understand why. Vibrant dark fruit on the palate with well balanced acidity that drives the fruit flavors to a crescendo into a long and pleasing finish. For ten bucks, it does not get much better then this. 92 points

The tasters were as excited about this wine as I am. It did not beat out the Montoya, but came close. It was the second most popular red that evening.

　

Writer’s Block Grenache, Lake County California

This wine would have been one of my top choices for best wines with pizza. Very well made but still very youthful (2007). Cherry and cedar on the nose with some hints of mint and chocolate. Blackberry and plum notes on the palate with hints of wood. Good tannic grip on the back end with bright acidity. This wine screams for food, especially pasta with red sauce, pizza, barbequed ribs, steak or hamburgers. Without food it might be just a little too tight for the average palate. This wine also has great ageing potential and will soften up over the next four to five years. 89 points

The crowd really got into this wine and I believe it is because they were thinking "Prime Rib", yum!

　

Chateau de Vaugelas Corbieres "Le Prieure". Corbieres, France

A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan this was the surprise star of the show for me.

I knew what I was getting with the Montoya and Goulart, but had no idea with this one. A pleasing nose of smoked bacon cured with brown sugar and hints of brambleberries. On the palate it showed nice spice, dark berries and anise backed by balanced acidity and structured tannins. The finish was smooth and earthy. This is everything I look for in a well made wine from southern France. 89 points

This was well received by the attendants and it was very close in popularity with the Montoya pinot noir and the Goulart Malbec.

Domaine Baron de Rothschild Bordeaux Rouge Reserve 2006. Pauillac, France

Minty cherry on nose, borderline eucalyptus. Very herbacious on the palate. It reminded me of a tossed salad with chopped green peppers. The green vegetable effect stuck to the sides of my mouth for some time. The finish was somewhat weaker then I had hoped for. I like this style of wine from time to time but I felt that it could have used just a touch more fruit for ageing purposes. 88 points

The tasters were not into this wine at all, which does not surprise me. Even my tried and true Francophile did not like it. Not for everyone, but there were a couple of folks like myself who enjoyed it.

　

Buried Cane Winery Cabernet Sauvignon. Columbia Valley, Washington

I had never heard of this winery, but I was impressed with this effort. Smoky on the nose, almost syrah like with nice notes of cherry. Rich dark berries on the palate with notes of cedar, anise and chocolate on firm yet smooth tannins. The finish was excellent and long. 90 points

Just about everyone loved this cab and were surprised that they have not heard of it before either, since many of them had traveled to Eastern Washington recently. It turned out to be #4 in popularity for reds.

　

Montoya Cabernet Sauvignon. Napa, California

It is not hard to find a good Napa Valley Cab, but it is hard to find a good one for under twenty bucks. This cab is actually pretty good for only sixteen bucks. The nose shows eucalyptus and dark fruit. The wine fills the palate with dark fruits that are not super rich but well structured. This cab has a pleasing finish that is decently long. All said this is a super good value. There are no flaws and it shows good fruit with tiny hints of tannic grip. The wine is meant to drink now and over the next couple of years. 87 points

This cab caught the interest of the crowd because it is a very good value in Napa cab and it is a good quality wine.

　

Terra Valentine Cabernet Sauvignon. Spring Mountain (Napa Valley) California

We threw this one in the mix to give everyone a chance to taste a premium cab from Napa Valley in comparison to the lesser expensive Montoya. Even though the Montoya cab is a great value, this wine showed it’s pedigree. Very rich and silky with dark cherry tones, hints of spice box and chocolate on deep sexy tannins and seamless from start to finish. The finish was quite lengthy and elegant. A very well made wine. 91 points

All the tasters came back for seconds on this one. I believe that this was the top wine of the bunch, but with the economy the way it is not too many wanted to spring on the price.

　

Quady Starboard Ruby Port... Madera California

This is a port, it is not from Portugal so it had to be named something else, so why not Starboard. Ruby style ports are very rich and this one lived up to expectations. I find it hard to rate sweet wines, because I have a sweet tooth and I love port. This one is exceptional and if you are a ruby port fan this one should fit the bill. Rich, intense and sweet, what else needs to be said? 90 points

The crowd loved this one and of the two sticky’s this was the most popular.

　

Royal Oporto Tawny Port... Douro, Portugal

Unlike the Ruby port, this one had a lot more of the caramel aspect to it that is so common with the tawny style. Very yummy of course and it was well received. I am a big fan of this producer and especially this lower priced version. 89 points

All in all, it was a very successful night and everyone had a good time. I am looking forward to next year as we continue to taste and educate ourselves about the wine world. Happy New Year. Stan

　

　

　

We have all heard by now the rave reviews of the 2007 vintage in southern Rhone. Robert Parke Jr. declares it the best vintage in this area of his 30 year career. I have been searching for some deals out of Chateauneuf -du-Pape from the 2007 vintage. Now I know that thirty-six bucks does not sound like a deal, but let me tell you that anything under fifty bucks IS a deal from this region. I had this wine with my Thanksgiving meal, and it did not let me down. This wine was a big boy with loads of black pepper and dark fruit on the nose. The wine filled the palate with black pepper, cassis, forest floor notes and hints of mushroom. There was some nice black tea and leather notes on the back end which told me that this wine could sit in your cellar for the next ten years and it will only get better. If you do not have the patience for that, it is a great experience now but if you are in to putting wine away and would like a bargain for your cellar... This is the ticket. 92 points.

Stephenson Cellars syrah is certainly David's benchmark wine. Year in and year out the quality is outstanding. This vintage is no exception. Excellent nose of dark berries and toast. The palate is fresh and alive with an excellent balance of acidity and fruit. Notes of bacon fat, boysenberries and blueberry with a nice toasty edge on the back of the palate, and a wonderful finish that lingers for some time. This wine drinks very nicely now, but shows potential to improve over the next 5 to 10 years. This syrah ranks up there with some of the best out of Washington for under forty bucks.  91 points 

I had a feeling that when I came up with the idea of presenting ten wines under ten bucks it was going to be a hit. It was, as over ninety wine enthusiasts showed up to sample the choices. I new that I would have to have a personal hand in selecting the wines. Fortunately for me, Dickerson Distributing has a great catalog of wines to choose from in this price range. They also carry Cline Cellars and they were having a super good promotion on their California Collection wines. Michael Ginder, regional sales rep for Cline was more then willing to come up and show off their outstanding wines for under ten bucks which included a pinot gris, viognier, zinfandel, syrah and two blends, Oakley Red and White. Here are the wines that we tasted and my impressions...


Cline Cellars Pinot Gris
   Pinot Gris is the hot ticket right now and it seems like you can’t keep enough of it in the store, especially on a warm summer day. This pinot gris had a nice dry mouthfeel with apple and hints of toast on the palate. This wine would match up nicely with either chicken or seafood. A very versatile wine that seemed to be a favorite of many at the tasting.   86 points

Cline Cellars Viognier
   This wine had a most excellent nose of flowers and fruit salad. I swear to you that I could just sniff this wine for minutes on end. It was a delicious white with notes of banana, mango and tangerine. Viognier is having a hard time getting a grip on the market but I love this white and am working hard to get it into peoples hands. This was not the favorite of the night but I think that many were impressed with the quality of this wine.   89 points

Cline Cellars Oakley White
   This was the surprising big hit of the night. Everyone seemed to love this white. This is what makes wine so interesting. Something I do not necessarily like turns out to be the crowd favorite. This was the least favorite of the whites for me personally but I did find it very interesting. It had good fruit on the palate but the nose reminded me of brand new rubber boots. Do not get me wrong on this, that nose is not a bad thing and many people do not pick that up. A lot of the folks described it differently to me. I did not think this wine had many flaws, it was just not my favorite.     87 points

Cline Cellars Oakley Red
   This was a nice surprise! I had never had this wine before tonight and it was fantastic. Very rustic in style but smooth at the same time. A kitchen sink red that had some merlot, malbec, and a host of other red grapes. We weren’t sure about the blend until Michael finally got it online. This was a big hit and many loved this red. A perfect match for stew, grilled meats and smooth enough to go solo. Lots of brambleberry on the palate, solid tannins and a little toasty edge on the finish. An overachiever for sure.      88 points

Cline Zinfandel
   Cline is known for it’s Ancient Vines Zin. This is their California series Zin that is just a little lighter but just as delicious. Raspberries come through on the nose with hints of black licorice. Very light on the palate with sweet tannins and red raspberry on the mid-palate and finish. The finish doesn’t hang around long but is quite pleasant. For the price, this is an excellent value.   87 points

Cline Syrah
   I believe that this was one of the best values of the night. I love their Cool Climate Syrah that goes for about four bucks a bottle more, and I had a hard time believing that this was not the same juice. Silky smooth on the palate with notes of black plum and boysenberry. The only thing this was missing was that bacon fat that I love in syrah but that did not matter. This juice had the weight of a much more expensive bottle of wine and the finish to back it up. This was a winner in my book and an excellent QPR. (Quality to Price Ratio)    90 points

Acacia Red Blend
   I am a nut for this wine. A Rhone style blend that really does take you to the Rhone region. Spicy on the palate with black pepper, blackberries and currants. This wine has incredible weight on the palate and a richness that you would not expect from a wine at this price. I kept going back to this wine and continued to be impressed. I was surprised at how few took advantage of the outstanding price offered for this wine.    91 points

Arancio Nero D’Avola
   This was a hot topic at the tasting as everyone wanted to know what Nero D’Avola was. Of course by the end of the night everyone knew that this was the name of a grape grown in Sicily, Italy. Fast becoming a big hit in the wine world, this wine is dark in color and shows a lot of depth. Dark fruits dominate the nose and palate getting close to a fruit bomb but never quite getting there. Spicy cedar on the nose, sweet tannins, ripe plums and blackberry notes on the front and mid-palate. Good tannin structure and a pleasing finish.   88 points

Arancio Syrah
   This was a pleasant little syrah. Nothing offensive just clean and solid. I thought it was slightly thin but that is because it had syrah on the label and sometimes that can prejudice your mind. This wine showed some plum notes with light cherry tones. I am not sure I was a big fan of this wine but many liked it.     86 points

Sawtooth Winery Syrah
   This was a 2004 which was kind of weird and an indicator that it is hard to move. To be honest, I picked this wine because I have been a long time fan. I personally feel that this is the ugliest label on the market next to Totem Cellars... Sorry Mike’s wife. Label aside, this is a classic syrah. Very stinky on the nose (Which I like) with loads of smoke and bacon fat on the palate with underlying plum and boysenberry notes. Soft tannins that give it structure but do not get in the way. The wine lingers on the palate for over a minute. This is a wine for syrah geeks and is not a crowd pleaser. If you are looking for a country syrah and do not want to spend fifteen bucks on a good Cotes-Du-Rhone look for this wine... you know it’s under ten bucks.   90 points

Firestone Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
   I chose this wine because I wanted an “Old World” style cab in the mix. I wasn’t sure if many would like it but hey.... it was well received. Very structured with solid tannins, oak tones and cherry notes on the palate. This is a throwback to the cabs of the eighties. This baby will age over the next five years and would be a cheap investment for anyone who wants to test their patience on their cellar.  A lot of the tasters agreed with me and this was the surprise hit of the night for me.   89 points

SnapDragon Red
   I saved the best for last. People went absolutely nuts over this wine! I discovered this one about a year ago and thought it would be a real crowd pleaser.  Predominately Zinfandel this wine is big and juicy. I thought it had a load of ripe plums with hints of brown sugar on soft tannins and a finish that would not go away. I believe that this wine set a record for single wine sales at one of these events. I think that over 50% of the tasters took advantage of the price offered.         87 points

That was the line-up and you can be assured that we will again offer “Ten Wines Under Ten Bucks in October” next year. I am looking forward to the tasting in November entitled “Holiday Tasting #1" which will be wines best suited for the upcoming holiday meal. Hope to see you there!   Stan

Karen Nelson, wine rep for Columbia Wine Distributors headed up the first tasting of the new season Thursday, September 10 at the Mullis Community Center. The theme of the tasting was "Screaming Deals in September". Karen searched her portfolio carefully to find some gems that were also good values. She did an excellent job and the tasters appreciated the line-up. We also introduced a beer line-up for those who wanted to try some nice micro-brews. Deschutes was presented by Lance Mitchell, regional rep for the company. I am a big fan of Deschutes and it was nice to have this variation at the tasting. By the reaction from the crowd, they liked it too. Here is a brief review of the wines presented.

　

2008 Masked Rider Pinot Noir... This was one of the favorites of the night especially considering the price it was offered at. Lighter in style it had some nice cherry and strawberry tones with soft tannins and perhaps a dash of syrah? Whatever the case this wine tasted like it was a pinot for under ten bucks; that is hard to find. 86 points

2008 Masked Rider Gunsmoke Red... Again, this was a popular wine at the event. Under ten bucks and it showed nicely. Believe it or not, this wine needed a little decanting and it opened up nicely. Dark berries and some black pepper on the front and mid-palate, this wine jumped around the mouth a little and even had a little earthy funk to it which was quite interesting and I liked it. This wine was not my personal favorite but it got a lot of attention from the tasters. 84 points

N/V Villa Sandi Prosecco... Prosecco is a category that is growing rapidly. Many like the freshness that this sparkler shows and it matches up nicely with seafood. This prosecco showed some nice vanilla and orange peel on the nose. This sparkler was soft and fresh with good acidity and lots of perfume, orange, lemon on the palate. The finish was a touch shallow but over-all this wine is an excellent value and very tasty. 88 points

2008 Crios Torrontes... I am a big fan of Torrontes and would like to get as many as possible to try it. This was an excellent example of the varietal with it’s banana, orange, mango and honey bouquet. Creamy on the palate with notes of papaya, toast and vanilla with a good hit of acidity and tangerine on a pleasing finish that was fairly long. 89 points

2008 " The Crusher " Viognier .... Another great varietal that deserves a little more attention and seems to be growing in popularity. This viognier showed incredible richness on the nose with hints of honey, papaya and apricot. Round and viscous on the palate with notes of kiwi, peach, melons and white flowers. The finish reminded me of watermelon marinated in honey with a hit of toasted peach pits on the finish. This baby came dangerously close to a Condrieu... Amazing! 90 points

St. Francis Red... Sorry, I missed the vintage on this in my notes. This was the crowd favorite. I have always been a fan of this wine and it was nice to revisit it. This had a nose of mint, anise and cherry. A very intense palate of dark berries, black olive, oak and blackberries. A beautiful finish of dark cherries, plum and cedar tones. This little red is a lot more serious then the inexpensive price tag might suggest. An excellent value. 89 points

2007 "The Show" Cabernet Sauvignon... This cab had a splash of petite sirah giving it a unique edge. Violets and cherry pie on the nose with whiffs of herbaciousness. Cherry and ripe blackberries resting on sweet tannins with hints of black pepper on the back of the mid-palate. Soft and plush with a slight grip on the finish. Even though I was not sold on this wine, it was the came in second to the St. Francis as far as the tasters were concerned. 86 points

2006 Windmill Zinfandel by Michael David Winery... The nose was most intriguing with wonderful smokey black cherry notes. In a blind tasting I might have guessed this a syrah. Solid core of ripe cherries and black raspberries on the palate with some candied fruit on the back end. The smokiness on this wine persisted through to the finish. I loved this wine a lot more then the crowd and was convinced that they had accidently put syrah in the bottle instead of zin. An excellent value. 88 points

2007 Pillar Box Red... This wine generally receives excellent scores by the critics. I have had some mixed feelings about it in the past so I approached this wine tentatively. This wine had a wild bouquet with hits of alcohol mixed with fruit jam and a little menthol. Meaty on the palate with dark fruit notes, cassis and dark raspberries. Excellent balance of acidity and fruit. This wine wants to be over-the-top but never quite gets there. Very plush and decadent. A fabulous wine. 92 points.

EarthQuake Petite Sirah by Michael David Winery... A big powerful wine with mint, dark cherries and cassis on the nose. The nose almost reminded me of lamb with mint sauce. The palate showed mint, black pepper, candied blackberries and hints of maple syrup. The finish persisted and was very fat. The crowd was blown away by this wine. By far the most expensive wine presented and I was surprised at how many ordered this wine. It was a "Big Boy" wine. 88 points.

I would like to thank everyone who showed up for the first tasting of the new season and I look forward to the next one ... "Ten Wines Under Ten Bucks In October" along with Stone Brewery. Hope to see you there. Stan

Robert Parker Jr. calls the 2007 vintage in Southern Rhone the vintage of his lifetime. This peaked my attention. If you recall, Parker was a huge fan of the '82 Bordeaux vintage. There were many critics who disagreed with him. It turned out that the '82 vintage became a highly sought after Bordeaux putting Parker on the map. He has proved over time that his palate and judgment is quite accurate. This is not to say that you have to agree with all of his scores. Many times I find that a wine that he gave a huge score to is quite average. So before you go out and invest in a wine, like a doctor I suggest that you get a second or third opinion, especially if it is an expensive wine. I recently tried this wine while I was watching the second game of the Lakers Houston series in the playoffs. I was disgusted with the play of both teams as they showed very poor sportsmanship. My mood was sour but not this wine. It was exceptional! At first it was a little closed, but as it opened up it became a wine to put away or enjoy immensely now. A very beefy, smokey nose with hints of flowers and pepper. Very full in the palate with dark berries, olives, lavender and some charcoal tones. Good acidity and freshness with a hint of mint on the backside from beginning to end. The wine coats the palate with a finish that lingers long after the last swallow. The NBA may be full of players that do not appreciate the rules of the game, and the privilege of playing in the league but the 2007 vintage of Southern Rhone is right on and is to be appreciated with some of the best wines that have ever come out of France. Like the '61 Bordeaux vintage, I miss the class of Michael Jordan.   Stan

It had been awhile since I had focused on Spanish wines and I was looking forward to not only the wines but the new venue for the tasting group. Due to complications with the Grange, I decided to move the tasting event to the Mullis Community Senior Center on Nash St. I have to say that I was quite impressed with the facility, especially the abundance of parking and the easy access.
The new arrangements did not slow down the group as close to sixty showed up to give the Spanish wines a try. Pete Stephenson, wine salesman for Noble Wines and Western United States Sales Rep. for WineBow, David Bronleewe were on hand to educate folks about Spanish wines and show off their choices for the tasting. This is David’s fifth time being a part of my tasting events and he always does an outstanding job. A couple of more times and he will be considered an islander
We tried to pull wines from the many different regions of Spain so everyone could taste the grand diversity of wines from this outstanding wine producing country. Wines from Rias Biaxas, Campo de Borja, La Mancha, Navarra, Rioja, Penedes, Jumilla, Navarra, Ribera del Duero and the Island of Mallorca were all there. How did they show?

2007 Licia Albarino (Rias Biaxas) ...... 16.99

This has to be one of the most vibrant Albarino’s I’ve tried in recent memory. David informed me that many of this varietal from Spain are blended whereas this is 100% Albarino. The nose showed soft lemon and banana flavors which did not prepare you for the blast of fruit that you got on the palate. Intense green apple (Granny Smith) and lemon grass tones with excellent minerality and perfect acidity that made the fruit dance a wild tango in the mouth and lead to a long vibrant finish. I cannot remember a better Spanish wine for oysters.   92 points


2007 Can Feixes Blanc (Penedes) .... 16.99

Very full on the nose with nice Lemon Meringue pie tones backed by good minerality. I guess it is hard to explain minerality on the nose but it is like smelling the sea air without the seaweed?  This is a balanced dry style white, mineral qualities with green pear and lemon grass tones followed by a clean and lasting finish.  A blend of panellada, macabeo, chardonnay and a splash of malvasia de sitges.     88 points


2007 Almira Los Dos ( Campo de Borja) ...8.99

A blend of syrah and grenache this wine is bright red cherry in color. The nose exhibits dark cherry and wood tones. Black cherry on the palate wood tones and a touch of green bell pepper. Nice clean finish with nice little hints of cassis . 100% stainless steel fermentation. For the price, this wine is a steal. (No pun intended)    87 points


2007 Fontana Mesta ( La Mancha ) ...  8.99

Another red that is fermented in stainless steel, this wine undergoes no ageing before release. 100% tempranillo this wine exhibits the freshness for which it is intended. Currant and anise on the nose with bright cherry and cassis tones on the palate. Firm tannins and good acidity make this an excellent food wine. This is a red wine drinkers red.   88 points


2007 Monjardin Tintico ( Navarra ) ... 9.99

Yet another tempranillo that has seen no wood. This was the first red that showed a little stink on the nose. This is not a bad thing, and many times I have tasted wines with a little barnyard on the nose that were quite excellent! This wine did not live up to excellent but was not bad. Soft cherry and cassis tones that finished with bright cherry skin and some rubber band tones. This wine needs a little stinky cheese...    84 points


2004 Rioja Vega Rioja Crianza ( Rioja ) .... 14.99

Predominately tempranillo with some graciano and mazuelo. Aged for 24 months in a combination of french and American oak this wine shows all the signs you expect in a Rioja. This is the only winery that can use Rioja in the name since it was established before regulations were set in place restricting this. Very french in style with musky tones of cherry, oak, wet leather and tobacco on the nose. A little thinner then I prefer on the palate with predominate flavors of cherry and toasty charcoal tones. Not my favorite Rioja, but many of the tasters liked this wine. I would match this wine up with some spaghetti or pizza.   85 points




2006 Anima Negra AN/2 ( Island of Mallorca ) ...  24.99

From the largest island of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea this wine is produced from some obscure grape varietals. Callet, mantonegre-fogoneu and syrah. I do not know about you, but I have never heard of the first two varietals until this tasting. Three guys started this venture feeling like they could make some good wine from the grapes indigenous to this area. Boy were they right. This wine had a nice old world feel to it. The nose had a little maple cherry syrup with a hint of oak. The palate showed cassis, dark cherry and some black currant with interesting spice tones that blended into a very nice dry long finish. A very classy wine that would be the perfect match with grilled meats or a nice stew.   89 points


2007 Carchello Monastrell (Jumilla) ...  11.99

This little red has always been a standby of mine. This vintage showed cherry cola on the nose. On the palate there was sweet cherry, green bell pepper and asparagus notes that finished with good acidity and a touch of anise. Excellent pizza and burger wine.    86 points


2005 Guelbenzu Azul (Navarra) ...  18.99

A blend of tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot this wine was aged in two year old French oak. This wine displayed a wonderful smokey cherry nose reminiscent of syrah. On the palate there is a touch of anise with toasty cherry notes, some olive characters and a hint of fennel. A classic Spanish wine that is going for a price that is well below what I feel it is worth. This wine stood out in the crowd.      90 points

2006 Torres Celeste Red (Ribera del Duero) ...  15.99

This wine had a very interesting nose... A-1 steak sauce mixed with cherry. It offered lots of cherry, herbs and a hint of mint on the front of the palate developing into oregano, sage and cherry on the mid-palate into the finish giving it a little hay action that was not unpleasant.    88 points



2003 Dehesa La Granja (Ribera del Duero) ...  22.99

100% tempranillo this wine had a nice mint cherry nose. On the palate it had a little celery action with some dusty cherry notes followed by some bright cherry green anise and cassis with some nice blueberry notes on the finish. I felt the qpr was a little low for this wine.   87 points


2001 Marquis de Caceres Red ( Rioja) ...  16.99

I believe that this is the first Rioja I ever set my lips to and it has never let me down. Very classic french style wine with dusty grape kool-aid on the nose, and deep dark cherry and wood flavors on the front of the palate. The mid-palate shows some leather and mushroom notes with good tannins fruit and leather on the finish. This wine has always been and continues to be an excellent value from Spain.  89 points

There you go! And just for your information, the most popular wine at this tasting, was the Licia Albarino. This is the first time a white was the hit of the show. Thanks go to David Bronleewe and Pete Stephenson for doing an excellent job in picking out some outstanding wines from all over Spain. See you at the next event.  Stan

P.S.  I want to apologize for posting this article so late. I got married this last month and as you would expect, it was a busy time.

88 points.....

A very well balanced chardonnay with the right amount of oak and fruit. The nose is slightly closed with hints of lemon and apple peal. The front of the palate displayed nice pear and spice tones with some red delicious apple tones. The mid-palate brought out the oak tones but they were balanced and not over-bearing. The finish was very nice with some toasty spice and pear. For the price I believe this is a very good value and an excellent choice for roasted chicken or crab.