Washington State Tasting at Wine Watch

"It ends with a finish that's long overdue and I think this would go well with a gun." - Brad Zimmerman, comedian

This is your last chance to get 20% off tickets for our big charity event this Tuesday, June 17th at the Lowes Hotel. 

Join us for an elegant evening of gourmet food and wine. Taste of the Nation South Florida features chefs and gourmet cuisine from 50 of the area’s top restaurants, wine tastings, and live entertainment along with live and silent auctions.

SPECIAL DISCOUNT OFFER Enter code TOTNSFLFF to get 20% off the ticket price www.TasteoftheNation.org

 

We have a great line-up of events for next week with a double header at Café Maxx with one of the most important producers in Barolo, Valentina Abbona from Marchesi di Barolo will be with us on Wednesday night and then we have Chef Oliver Saucy hosting a cooking class on Thursday night featuring Mediterranean Greek Cuisine. 

And we are working for the week-end so we finish things up at here at Progresso Plaza with our annual Washington State tasting!!

Washington State is one of the most exciting wine regions in the U.S. today.  The state has grown from 300 producers in 2007 to over 700 today and many of Washington's best wines are still not available in the state of Florida.  Wine Watch has been traveling to the Wine Auction the last few years to see firsthand what is happening here and things are progressing at a very rapid pace and the best wines from Washington are on par with the best made anywhere in the world today.

Join us as we taste through some of the best wines from Washington State that are available in the state of Florida.  There will be 25-30 different wines on the table and Wine Watch Catering's Toni Lampasone will be making a few tasty treats to accompany the tasting wines.  The fee for this event is $45 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

 

Washington State Tasting at Wine WatchFriday, June 20th7pm

 

Seven Hills Winery

Seven Hills Columbia Valley Riesling 2011                    

Price: $14.25  Sale $12.54  Case $146

It’s a delight to offer our very successful off-dry style Riesling from the cool 2011 vintage. The very low alcohol and fresh crisp finish are very showy this year. We continue to source from two old sites in the Yakima Valley, with their depth and complexity, with a cooler northern vineyard adding freshness and minerality. Light straw yellow in color, the nose opens with fresh Fuji apple, guanabana, lime, grapefruit, with a hint of vanillin and cardamom. The palate is lightly citrus-sweet up front, moving through smooth lychee to a crisp, grapefruit mineral finish. The wine will develop more roundness and richness as the acid integrates, but I find it vibrant irresistible now, alone or paired with scallops, Dungeness crab, or other light fare. A very versatile style suitable for a wide variety of occasions.

 

Seven Hils Malbec Walla Walla 2012 

Price: $25.50       Sale $22.44          Case $261

 We have been producing Malbec for over a decade now, and were the first to do so in the Walla Walla Valley. We have since come to believe that southern edge of the Walla Walla Valley is one of the rare places in the world where Malbec reaches its full potential, with sufficient heat for ripening, but with cool nights preserving a bit of structure.

After careful vinification in small, open top fermenters, the wine was aged for 16 months in primarily Hungarian oak contributing a unique pungency and firmness that works particularly well with Malbec’s character . The wine is dark and brooding with intense color and warm, sweet fruit. There is an intense concentration of blackberry jam, fig, date, and black cherry fruits complimented by white pepper and desert herbs that linger through an long, persistent finish. This wine should reward cellaring of 3-5 years from vintage date, yet is capable of cellaring for up to 8 years.

 

Seven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla 2011

Price: $42.00    Sale $36.96    Case $429.00

Blackberry, red plum, cedar bark, spice, mineral, marzipan, licorice.  Ripe black and red fruits, velvety mid-palate with firm and bright structure through a lengthy finish.  Only 923 cases produced.

 

Seven Hills Merlot Walla Walla 2012

Price: $33.00       Sale $29.04          Case $337

This wine is drawn from the original Merlot block at Seven Hills Vineyard that I planted with my father in the summer of 1982. This vintage marks the 25th year I have been making Merlot from these same vines.

The wine exhibits a beautiful, dense, ruby color and pungent, enticing aromas of plum chutney, cinnamon, marzipan, mocha, and a hint of iron-ore minerality. The palate is supple and generous with loads of rich red plum, currant, vanilla cream, baking spice, desert herbs, and dusty tannins. The finish is lush and lingering with a lovely balance and well integrated but firm tannins, ripe red fruits, and spice. 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 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Vintage Red 2011

Price: $42.00  Sale $36.96  Case $429

This wine is Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc in equal parts with a bit of Petite Verdot in the mix. This 2011 vintage was the coldest since 1999, this wine has a lot of dark earth, very distinct mineral notes to the dark currant berry fruit cigar box spice, very complex bouquet of aromas. A very fresh wine on the tongue with black raspberry and currant berry fruit, zesty spice and a long finish, fresh earth and some floral notes, espresso. Finish 45+ Excellent +

 

Seven Hills Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011      

Price: $25.50  Sale $22.44  Case $261

Lush characteristics of a carefully tended cooler vintage reveal a charming follow up to the very popular 2010 Columbia Valley Cabernet release. We used the full spectrum of Bordeaux red varietals to create a complex, layered and balanced wine. It’s vibrant and darkly colored, with aromas of red currant, lavender, vanillin and red plum. By mouth there are sweet red fruit flavors and a chocolate, halvah-like richness. The red plum finish lingers with sweet spice, brightness and balance.

 

Republic National

Charles Smith Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2012

Price: $19.25    Sale $16.94    Case 197

A blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec.   The 2012 Chateau Smith is a wine long and rich in the mouth. Aromas of black cherry, wet earth, anise and a touch of toasted herbs with flavors and a finish to match.

 

Charles Smith kung fu girl Riesling  

Price: $14.75    Sale $12.98    Case $151

(90 Points)  Kicking off the whites and talking about value, the 2012 Riesling Kung Fu Girl has to be one of the best values in white wine coming out of Washington State; when you see the total production numbers, it’s straight up unbelievable to have a wine of this quality, price and availability. Offering up a gorgeously pure, fresh bouquet of lychee nut, mint, citrus and clean minerality, this beautifully focused Riesling flows onto the palate with a balanced, full mid-palate, only a touch of sweetness and integrated, yet lip smacking acidity that shines on the finish. There’s real Riesling character here (and after tasting loads of Washington State Riesling, trust me, this is not a given) and this beauty should be purchased by the case. Enjoy bottles over the coming year. Drink now-2014.

 

K Vintners Milbrandt Syrah 2012

Price: $31.50    Sale $27.72    Case $322

Complex and brooding. Black cherry, plum, fresh herbs and cool earth completing the plushness with an elegant, long lingering finish that expresses minerality and wet stone.

 

K Vintners river rock Syrah 2011

Price: $50.75    Sale $44.66    Case $518

Sure this Walla Walla fruit came from the rocks, but man, this is different. Lean and mean, a wine for its time. Cured meat, camphor, forest floor, cool stone, and oh soooo refined tannins.

 

K Vintners the boy Grenache 2012

Price: $50.75    Sale $44.66    Case $518

River Rock, Walla Walla Valley; Northridhe, Wahluke Slope.  Wrapped in a velvet robe, this wine shimmers with energy, purity and true life force, not to mention cranberry, blackberry, undergrowth, cured meat and pan grille. Elegant and deep, will age beautifully.

 

K Vintners  Northridge Merlot 2011

Price: $50.75    Sale $44.66    Case $518

(93-95 Points)  Last but not least, and looking just as good as the 2010, the 2011 Merlot Northridge Vineyard presents an inky purple color to go with a knockout nose of creme de cassis, crushed stone-like minerality, violets and graphite. Full-bodied, supple and concentrated, with integrated acidity, sweet fruit and building tannin, it should be reasonably approachable on release and deliver the goods for upwards of a decade. Drink 2014-2021.

 

Southern Wine & Spirits

2011 Chateau Ste Michelle Cold Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley

List: $32.75 Sale: $28.82 Case: $334.05

Cabernet from this iconic 40-year-old vineyard consistently delivers power, structure and rich concentrated black fruit. The wine offers black cherry, chocolate notes with typical Cold Creek weight and user friendly power.  -www.ste-michelle.com

 

2012 Chateau Ste Michelle Canoe Ridge Chardonnay      

List: $22.50 Sale: $19.80 Case: $229.50

The Canoe Ridge Estate Chardonnay is refined and elegant and offers apple and citrus aromas with a clean, refreshing finish. -www.ste-michelle.com

 

2013 Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay    

List: $18.50 Sale: $16.28 Case: $188.70

(90 Points) Vivid, polished and distinctive, with an apricot tinge to the pear and cream flavors, lifted by delicate acidity. Comes together smoothly on the finish. Drink now through 2016. 52,500 cases made. –HS -Wine Spectator Smart Buy Nov 30 2013

 

2012 Chateau Ste Michelle Eroica Washington                               

List: $21.50 Sale: $18.92 Case: $219.30

(90 Points) Light and open-textured, with a touch of sweetness to the apple and green olive flavors, weaving a floral note into the deftly balanced finish. Drink now through 2016. 31,000 cases made. –HS -Wine Spectator Smart Buy Nov 15 2013

 

2013 Chateau Ste Michelle Horse Heaven Sauvignon Blanc    

List: $14.75 Sale: $12.98 Case: $150.45

This Sauvignon Blanc from our Horse Heaven Vineyard is a crisp, racy style of Sauvignon Blanc with citrus characteristics. We use partial stainless steel fermentation to preserve the Sauvignon Blanc’s pure, fresh, vibrant character. -www.ste-michelle.com

 

2012  Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay Columbia Valley

List: $11.00 Sale: $9.68 Case: $112.20

(89 Points) Bright and lively, with juicy pear and grapefruit flavors on a sleek frame, finishing with refreshing acidity and a polished texture. Drink now. 705,000 cases made. –HS  -Wine Spectator Best Value Dec 15 2013

 

2012 Chateau Ste Michelle Merlot Columbia Valley

List: $17.00 Sale: $14.96 Case: $173.40

This wine is crafted to be complex yet approachable Merlot. The wine offers aromas of black cherry, leather and spice with layers of rich dark red fruit flavors and a long, smooth, sweet finish. A touch of Syrah adds a jammy fruit character. I think of this wine as a great “everyday red." -www.ste-michelle.com

 

2012 Chateau Ste Michelle Cabernet Columbia Valley

List: $17.00 Sale: $14.96 Case: $173.40

Columbia Valley Cabernet to highlight concentrated Washington red fruit in an accessible style. This is an inviting Cab with plenty of complexity and structure with silky tannins. It’s also very versatile with food. I like this wine with beef tenderloin and pasta. -www.ste-michelle.com

 

2013 Chateau Ste Michelle Pinot Gris Columbia Valley

List: $11.00 Sale: $9.68 Case: $112.20

Our Pinot Gris style falls between the lighter Italian Pinot Grigio and the richer, rounder Pinot Gris from Alsace. The Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris offers fresh flavors of juicy pear, melon and a hint of spice. -www.ste-michelle.com

 

2008 Col Solare Colombia Valley

List: $75.00 Sale: $49.00

A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and3% Syrah.  Decadent and rich aromas of cassis, dark currant berry fruit with a host of dark coco, fresh plowed black earth some of that typical red mountain soils on the nose but they are still sourcing some fruit for this wine so it is not all from the new estate on red mountain as of yet.  Big and chewy on the tongue with a smooth and silky texture, ripe and round tannins with a good amount of ripe currant berry and black cherry like fruit very refined on the palate with lots of everything, concentrated and rich with incredible depth of flavors lasting all the way to the end.  Finish 50+  Most Excellent -Wine Watch Review

 

2009 Stella Maris Red 

65% Merlot, 12% Syrah, 11% Petite Verdot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6 % Cabernet Franc

(89 Points) Focused, with juicy cherry, lime peel and spice flavors pushing through the firm tannins, lingering effectively. Offers intensity and deftness. Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2015 through 2019. 2,500 cases made. –HS -Wine Spectator Sep 30 2013

 

2009 Northstar Walla Walla Merlot

81% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petite Verdot (92 Points) Broad and supple, with round black cherry, black pepper and roasted meat flavors playing against lightly crunchy tannins, finishing with refinement. Best from 2013 through 2019. 780 cases made. –HS -Wine Spectator Dec 15 2012

 

2010 Northstar Merlot

78% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petite Verdot The 2010 vintage has rich concentrated aromas of black cherry, raspberry and cream that lead into flavors of clove, cinnamon and maple. It is a subtle and soft with a lingering toasted oak finish. -http://www.northstarwinery.com/

 

Menu

Vietnamese duck spring rolls with plum sweet & sour sauce

Salmon Tartar with Pickled Red Bell Pepper Slaw & Lime Aioli on Cucumber Chip

Beef Sliders with Truffle Mushroom Aioi & Gruyere Cheese

Grilled Korean Bulgolgi Pork Sate