Washington State Tasting at Wine Watch

Bring water, bring wine, boy! Bring flowering garlands to me! Yes, bring them, so that I may try a bout with love. ~Anacreon

We have a lot of Washington State wines to try this Friday night here at the store with over 30 wines on the table this evening for our annual visit to one of the United States top wine growing region the Columbia Valley.

The first people who planted grapes in Washington were the German and Italian immigrants and that was around 1825.

Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington state’s Founding Winery, with some of the oldest and most acclaimed vineyards in the Columbia Valley.

Built on the 1912 estate owned by Seattle lumber baron Frederick Stimson, the winery’s roots date back to the Repeal of Prohibition, when the Pommerelle Wine Company and the National Wine Company were formed.  They merged in 1954 to form American Wine Growers. In 1967, American Wine Growers began a new line of premium vinifera wines called “Ste. Michelle Vintners” under the direction of legendary California winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff.

Ste. Michelle Vintners planted its first vines at Cold Creek Vineyard in Eastern Washington in 1972. Cold Creek remains one of the oldest and most renowned vineyards in the state. Ste. Michelle Vintners now own more than 3,500 prime vineyard acres in the Columbia Valley.

Some of the other founding fathers of the Washington state wine industry are- Leonetti Cellars, Woodward Canyon and Quilceda Creek.  These three producers are the first “cult wines” from Washington state and basically the second round of producers to move in.

Leonetti Cellar, which was bonded in 1977 by Founders Gary and Nancy Figgins, started as Gary’s vision to make world-class wines in Walla Walla has turned out to be a true American success story. Today, Leonetti Cellar produces some of the most sought after wines not onlyfrom Washington state but in the world.

Woodward Canyon Winery was one of the first two wineries to help put the Walla Walla Valley on Washington State's wine map.  From its first powerful 1981 cabernet sauvignon to the new releases today they have been among this state's top producers and we have actually have some of these wines in our tasting tonight!

Founded in 1979, Quilceda Creek has had an unbroken string of highly-rated vintages that has led Robert Parker Jr. to name it Washington State’s premier Cabernet Sauvignon producer with five vintages receiving (100 points) from Robert Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, this is the mosxt sought after collectible.  Although we are not showing any Quilceda Creek this evening we do have several vintages available for sale after the notice of this tasting we have a list of all the Washington state wines in the store.

The industry and been expanding rapidly, Washington is the second largest wine producing state with just over 500 wineries in 2007.  Just a few short years later, today there are over 700 with the giant Chateau St. Michelle leading the way in terms of size.  The proliferation of small producers is incredible and we found a few new ones this evening with over 30 wines on the table this is a crash course in Washington State wine!

Join us as we taste through over 30 wines from Washington State along with some tasty treats prepared by Wine Watch Catering Chef Toni Lampasone.  The fee for this tasting is $35 per person call 954-523-9463 to make reservations.

Washington State Wine Tasting at Wine Watch
Friday, May 28th
7pm

King Estate Winery

North by Northwest Riesling Horse Heaven Hills 2013                     
Price: $10.50       Sale $9.24            Case $108

Bright acid helps maintain the fresh fruit and bright floral notes of this dry Riesling. The wine is very well balanced from beginning to end, with a long finish.

North by Northwest Chardonnay Horse Heaven Hills  2013       
Price: $15.00       Sale $13.20          Case $153

Our Chardonnay is grown on a dry, silty-loam site with deep soils. The cool winds that blow off the glacial meltwaters of the Columbia River nightly create conditions of acid preservation in the grapes that ultimately help lift these aromatics out of your glass, in the spirit of the breeze itself.

North by Northwest Cabernet  Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2012
Price: $28.25       Sale $24.86          Case $289

The 2012 vintage is comprised of fruit from several different vineyards, predominately The Benches, Alder Ridge, Seven Hills, and Les Collines. The addition of Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot contributed to the blend’s full body and firm tannins.

North by Northwest Walla Walla Cabernet  Sauvignon 2012
Price: $42.00       Sale $36.96          Case $429

Our Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon, produced with grapes from Les Collines and Seven Hills Vineyards, possesses ample, muscular tannins that balance well with the rich, soft fruits and earth tones, making it an elegant wine for any palate to appreciate.

North by Northwest Syrah Columbia Valley      
Price: $33.00       Sale $29.04          Case $337

Fruit for our 2012 Columbia Valley Syrah came from two vineyards, The Benches (61%) and Les Collines (39%). The growing conditions make for ample tannins and concentrated flavors while getting fully ripe, but also keeping a fresh acid profile for structure.

North by Northwest Walla Walla Syrah 2011              
Price: $42.00       Sale $36.96          Case $429

The 2011 vintage begins with a robust entrance richly complex, full of fruit and earth. Tannins are perfectly balanced and notes of black cherry, prune, ground pepper, mushroom, leather, and nutmeg lead into a long and generous finish. Enjoy now through 2022.

North by Northwest Dessert Riesling 2011 (375ml)
Price: $15.75       Sale $13.86          Case $161

PRODUCTION METHOD: This wine is made in the style of an ice wine using ripe, frozen grapes. Pressing the frozen grapes produces a sweet juice, while leaving the frozen water crystals and grape skins behind. The resulting juice is very concentrated in aromas and flavors and demonstrates intense varietal character. Fermentation occurs slowly and is stopped before the wine is dry.

Bulletproof wines

Seven Hills Winery Dry Rose 2014
Price: $16.50       Sale $14.52          Case $169

In the tradition of the classic French Rosés, ours is delicate and refreshing, pale in color, and bone-dry. Primarily Cabernet Franc, with small amounts of Petit Verdot for additional structure and Malbec for expressive fruitfulness, this wine exhibits flavors of peach, grapefruit, and papaya along with fresh herbs, white flowers, and a hint of spice.

Seven Hills Winery Oregon Pinot Gris 2013
Price: $15.75       Sale $13.86          Case $161

Very fresh style with green apple fruit, wet stone like minerality.with notes of white flowers. Fresh and light on the tongue with a dry finish, short but clean. Finish 25 Very Good

Seven Hills Winery  Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Price: $25.50       Sale $22.44          Case $261

(90 points)  the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley is a rock-solid value that gives up plenty of lead pencil, new leather, black currants and subtle herbal notes to go with a firm, structured, medium-bodied profile on the palate. A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot and the balance Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec that spent 16 months in 25% new oak, it too will have over a decade of longevity.  Wine Advocate #213 Jun 2014

Seven Hills Winery  Ciel du Cheval Vineyards 2012
Price: $42.00       Sale $36.96          Case $429

This wine is our 12th vintage from the famed Ciel du Cheval Vineyard on Red Mountain, one of the oldest and most proven vineyards in the Northwest. Each varietal was picked and vinified separately, though blended very early during the winter succeeding harvest. The wine goes back to barrel for an additional year and half before bottling. We believe that this early assemblage allows for the wine to be less a composed wine of its varietal parts and more a singular representation of place. The wine is a deep violet color, transitioning through purple to magenta around the edges. The nose is heavy and brooding, displaying fresh baked cherry pie with hints of musk, pine, and toast. The palate is full and clean, with well delineated fruit, tannin, and acid components. The dusty tannins are substantial, but well integrated and sufficiently balanced with rich flavors of baked cherry, coffee, graham, white pepper, and a hint clay-like earth tone. As with all our reds from the 2012 vintage, it is delicious now and it will cellar well for an additional 5-7 years from release

Seven Hills Winery Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Price: $42.00       Sale $36.96          Case $429

This wine is drawn from the original Cabernet Sauvignon blocks at Seven Hills Vineyard, planted by my father in 1980. This vintage marks the 25th year I have been making Cabernet Sauvignon from these same, precious old vines.  After two very cool vintages, 2012 was a more “normal” vintage, pleasantly warm with heat accumulation spread through the growing season.  This old vine Cabernet has a dark garnet gem color and a broad nose of ripe plum, raspberry, marzipan, toffee, forest floor, roasted meat, and thyme notes.  The palate is plush and mouth-filling, yet framed with firm, dusty, fine-grained tannins and lifting acidity. The palate is filled with black cherry, ripe plum, mocha, dried herbs, cedar bark, and spices.  This wine will improve significantly with cellaring over the first five years from vintage date and will hold nicely and continue to develop for 10 to 15 years

Buty Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc/Muscadelle 2011
Price: $26.25       Sale $23.10          Case $268

Zelma Long is the consulting winemaker here and this is partially estate fruit from Horse heaven Hills but they do purchase fruit for this label also. They make around 3000 cases total production. This wine has a pretty bouquet of melon and fig with notes fo orange peel citrus and a note of honey and pretty floral notes. nice richenss on the tongue with melon and peach like fruit, orange/tangerine like citrus and a nice freshness on the finish, leaves the tongue salivating for food. finish 40+ Excellent

Buty Conner Lee Vineyard Chardonnay 2013 (Columbia Valley)
Price: $42.00       Sale $36.96          Case $429

This single vineyard Chardonnay sees 5% new oak, a good amount of lemon and green apple fruit on the nose with hints of white flower and just a note of oak spice. A clean and fresh style of Chardonnay with lemon drop candy citrus and just a note of lightly toasted oak spice, nicely balanced here with a clean finish. Finish 40+ Very Good +

Buty Beast Wildebeest 2011 (Columbia Valley)
Price: $26.25       Sale $23.10          Case $268

This is a unique and whimsical blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Petite Verdot and is released every year on Halloween. A very pretty nose with exotic spices and wild floral highlights, minty notes a very cool year and a host of berry fruit on the nose. Black raspberry, cherry and currant berry fruit on the tongue with a host of that spice and floral nuance from the nose coming through on the finish along with a firm hand of acidity holding things together. Finish 40+ Very Good +

Premier Beverage

CANOE RIDGE CHARDONNAY RESERVE  HORSE HEAVEN HILLS  2012           
Price: $24.75       Sale $21.78          Case $253

Located along the broadest stretch of the Columbia River, our vineyards enjoy a wonderful climate, with warm days and cool nights yielding high quality grapes. The slope of shallow, low nutrients sandy loam soils over volcanic rock yields grape clusters and berries that are small and very concentrated in flavor and color.

Deliciously ripe with a buttery nose, flavors of spice-roasted pear and pineapple mingle with a finish of toasted coconut.

CANOE RIDGE CHERRY STREET RED BLEND RESERVE  HORSE HEAVEN HILLS  2012      
Price: $24.75       Sale $21.78          Case $253

With the broadest palate of varieties available to our winemaker within this vast growing area of the Columbia Valley, carefully selected vineyards-including our own Horse Heaven Hills estate vineyard along the broadest part of the Columbia River-have been curated to illustrate the depth of flavor and quality of Cherry Street Red Blend's Bordeaux and Rhone red varieties. With the benefit of a rain shadow from the Cascade Mountains, these shallow-depth, sandy loam soils over volcanic rock foster hardy vines whose grapes produce thicker skins for firm tannins and balanced flavors that express ripe, bright red fruit.

Offering a rich mix of ripe plums and blackberry notes. Hints of vanilla toffee spice run into a long smooth fruit finish. The blended varietals harmonize to one smooth satin-like wine.

PENDULUM RED BLEND COLUMBIA VALLEY  2012            
Price: $20.25       Sale $17.82          Case $207

Fresh tobacco and leathery aromatics introduce fruit flavors of raspberry and cherry. On the finish, a round mouth feel of silky smooth tannins, lingering oak and whisky lactones make it an ideal food-paired wine.

CANOE RIDGE MERLOT RESERVE HORSE HEAVEN HILLS  2012            
Price: $24.75       Sale $21.78          Case $253

Concentrated aromas and flavors of cherry, raspberry and chocolate are layered with notes of cinnamon and vanilla on the mid palate. The subtle and soft finish lingers with toasted oak. This is a perfect example of our classic Horse Heaven Hills Merlot.

ALDER RIDGE CABERNET SAUVIGNON HORSE HEAVEN HILLS 2012          
Price: $32.75       Sale $28.82          Case $335

Dark ruby and garnet core with a crimson rim. Concentrated and intense; nuances cocoa, forest floor, truffles and red currant back up dark cherry and kirsch. A slight capsicum note gives this wine its varietal thumbprint without being overbearing. Round and generous with great flavor intensity and a persistent finish, this wine is seductive and polished.

CHOCOLATE SHOP RED WINE WALLA WALLA 2012             
Price: $12.75       Sale $11.22          Case $131.00

Inviting aromas of black cherry and dark chocolate entwine and continue on the palate surrounded by hints of cocoa powder. Nuances of red wine and residual sugar linger on the smooth finish.

Stacole

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L’Ecole No. 41 Chenin Blanc 2013                                        
Price: $18.00       Sale $15.84          Case $184

This fresh and vibrant Chenin Blanc shows abundant expressive aromatics of jasmine, passion fruit, and orange blossom with flavors of star fruit and apple on a balanced, crisp mineral finish.

Milbrandt “Evergreen Estate” Chardonnay 2013         
Price: $19.50       Sale $17.16          Case $199

Butch and Jerry Milbrandt planted their first vineyard in 1997. In the ensuing decade, Milbrandt Vineyards earned a reputation for growing some of Washington State's finest grapes. These grapes have found their way into many of Washington's most sought-after wines and the Milbrandt name and vineyards are featured on many prestigious labels.
In 2006, under the talented direction of winemaker Gordon Hill, they began crafting signature wines using selected grapes from their reputable vineyards. Milbrandt's first wines were released in June 2007. The tradition for excellence established in their vineyards is inherent in every bottle of Milbrandt Vineyards wine.

Gordon Estate Merlot 2012                                                 
Price: $19.50       Sale $17.16          Case $199

Aromas of lightly toasted marshmallow followed by blackberry jam with “Herbs de Provence” lingering in the background greet the nose. The first sip is luscious and brooding flavors of a mixed berry compote blend seamlessly with the wine’s supple tannins. The wine finishes with a brisk cleansing finish.

Dusted Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011                                                
Price: $43.50       Sale $38.28          Case $444

Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and a touch of Malbec in the blend, this was a cooler vintage with dark spices, earth and a minty note to the currant and black raspberry like fruit, with dark spices and bittersweet coco notes. A very elegant style wine on the tongue with a long and fresh finish, lots of earth, spice and a very distinct, a big wine but still fresh and a long layered finish even better on the second day. Finish 45+ Excellent +

Andrew Will “Ciel du Cheval” 2011                                        
Price: $71.00       Sale $62.48          Case $725

(93 Points)  One of the top wines in the vintage, the 2011 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard (52% Cabernet Franc and 48% Merlot that spent 21 months in 35% new French oak) offers thrilling amounts of fruit and texture, with full-bodied richness, excellent mid-palate depth and sweet tannin. Loaded with both red and black currant fruit, dried flowers, damp earth and hints of meatiness, it can be consumed anytime over the coming 10-12 years.  The Wine Advocate

Barnard Griffin Syrah Port 2013                                             
Price: $17.00       Sale $14.96          Case $174

A fortified wine made from Syrah.  Aromatically exciting and fragrant. The palate is luscious, with a beautiful expression of cherry, orange, dark chocolate and rock candy flavors backed by a twinge of sweet spice on the finish. Shows impressive structure with plenty of elegance.

RNDC

2013 Substance Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
Price: $19.50       Sale $17.16          Case $199

(90-93 Points) Another stunner from the team at Charles Smith, the 2013 Substance is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominated blend that comes from the higher elevation vineyards of Goose Ridge and Frenchman Hills. Harvested in early November and aged in 40-50% new French oak, it sports gorgeous aromas and flavors of cassis, violets, pencil shavings and tobacco/herbs to go with a medium to full-bodied, layered, rich and beautifully balanced profile on the palate. Scheduled to be bottled in December, it tastes like a wine that taste 3-4 times what this is going for. It is a knockout value. It should be purchased by the case and consumed over the coming 7-8 years, if not longer  -Jeb Dunnuck, , Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate

2013 Charles Smith Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
Price: $20.25       Sale $17.82          Case $207

A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot and 1% Malbec.  Romatic, classic, refined Cabernet Sauvignon. Graphite, cassis and pencil shavings at its core that gives way to a long satisfying finish.  Chateau Smith indeed!

2011 K Vintners Clifton Hill Syrah
Price: $45.00       Sale $39.60          Case $459

(93 points)  The 2011 Syrah Clifton Vineyard gives up loads of wood smoke, tobacco, olive and black currant, as well as medium to full-bodied richness, solid mid-palate depth and sweet tannin that emerges on the finish. It still has some oak to integrate, so give it a year in the cellar and enjoy bottles over the following 7 to 8 years. One of the highlight (and largest) tastings for this report, the team at K Vintners consists of wild man himself, Charles Smith, and Andrew Latta and Brennon Leighton. Despite the rock star persona, when it comes to the wines, these guys are dead serious, source grapes from some of the top sites, and simply get out of the way once they’re in the winery. All of the single vineyard Syrahs are fermented with native yeasts and 100% whole cluster, and see an extended time in mostly neutral French oak puncheons. Starting with the 2013s, I was able to taste a few from barrel, and they showed plenty of fruit, with ripe, textured personalities. This was a hot vintage, and the style is closer to the 2012s than the 2011s. Moving to the 2012s, these were all still in barrel at the time of this tasting. As with most producers, these are a step up over the 2011s and possesses gorgeous richness while still showing the purity and freshness that’s common in the vintage. The 2011s, which were all tasted out of bottle, come from a cooler, more difficult vintage, yet show solid ripeness and good textures. (JD)   Robert Parker's Wine Advocate  (6/2014)

Pacific Rim Spring Creek Gruner Veltinger
Price: $13.75       Sale $12.10          Case $141

Our Grüner Veltliner is sourced from the cool Yakima Valley at our Spring Creek Vineyard. The grapes are picked at 22.5 Brix and fermented with native yeasts at cold temperatures. The wine is then aged on lees in old German wood casks and the lees are stirred for 5 to 6 months. No malolactic fermentation is used.

Three Rivers Red       
Price: $15.25       Sale $13.42          Case $156

This year's Rivers Red is a wine for food and friends. The dominance of Merlot creates a soft and supple wine, while the Sangiovese and Syrah add balanced structure, complexity and savory notes to this blend. this approachable wine has fruit forward notes of berry, strawberry pie, ripe cherry, cola, and spice with a smooth finish and well-rounded tannins.

A blend of 44% Merlot, 33% Sangiovese, 16% Syrah, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Lemberger (Blaufränkisch).

Vine Craft

Januik Cabernet Sauvignon Stone Cairn Red Mountain 2012
Price: $46.50       Sale $40.92          Case $475

The bright and edgy aromas of spice and raspberries jump out of the glass. The dark fruit on the front of the palate, stretches into a well-structured and balanced mid-palate and finish. You will be left with lingering pepper, soft tannins, and conspicuous notes of vanilla resulting from high-end French Oak. With generous texture and length, this will continue to improve for 10-14 years.

Januik Chardonnay Cold Creek 2011
Price: $36.75       Sale $32.34          Case $375

A good amount of tropical fruit on the nose, apples, pears, peaches with pretty floral highlights, notes of vanilla spice. A good amount of juicy fruit on the tongue with a touch of lightly toasted oak spice on the finish and some mineral notes leaving the tongue refreshed balancing out the juicy fruit leaving the palate refreshed leading into a very clean finish. Finish 35+ Excellent

Januik Red Wine 2012
Price: $23.00       Sale $20.24          Case $235

A blend of 39% Malbec, 18% Syrah, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc.  This wine is made from a short list of vineyards we consider to be among the best in the state. The fruit for the 2012 Columbia Valley Red Wine is sourced from Ciel du Cheval, Champoux, Alder Ridge, and Weinbau vineyards. The nose is brimming with blackberries, currants, and rich dark chocolate. Medium full on the palate with an elegant, lively mouth-feel and a long finish packed with fresh berry and cherry flavors. 

Novelty Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2011
Price: $29.25       Sale $25.74          Case $299

A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Malbec.    Expressive and polished, this full-bodied Cabernet offers layers of ripe dark fruit, including blackberry, cherry and currant. Rich and full-bodied on the palate, with a finish that lasts.

Novelty Hill Chardonnay Stillwater Creek 2012
Price: $21.75       Sale $19.14          Case $222

Smooth and creamy, with lively fresh pear, crisp apple and juicy pineapple aromas and flavors that blend seamlessly across a rich mid-palate and lead into a graceful finish that lasts.

Novelty Hill Stillwater Creek Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Price: $20.25       Sale $17.82          Case $207

An elegant, fragrant Sauvignon Blanc offering delicious aromas of honey and fresh melon. Generous, bright acidity on the palate, with vibrant notes of tropical fruit and citrus that linger on the finish.

Menu

Wild Mushroom , Mascarpone & Lemon Zest Flat Bread

Hoisin Spiced Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Crispy Pork Belly Bites Drizzled with Truffled Honey

Salmon & Tuna Sushi Rolls wrapped in Knori with Avocado, Scallion & Daikon.

Yes! We are opening all of the wines on the list above this Friday night!