This Week’s Wine Tasting
A Variety from Washington, California and France
Waterbrook “Founded in 1984 as Walla Walla’s fourth founded winery, Waterbrook is known for fruit-forward, food-friendly wines–primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. With more than 150 combined best buys and critical scores of 90 points or higher, Winemaker John Freeman works with our outstanding vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley and throughout the greater Columbia Valley. Whether touring Washington Wine Country or opening a bottle of Waterbrook wine, as Freeman says, “This is what Washington tastes like.””
Waterbrook Chardonnay 2012
Columbia Valley, Washington. Vineyards: Canyon Ranch, Wallula, Sagemoor, Willard. Oak: 23% New American and Hungarian oak, balance to neutral white wine barrels; aged for 10 months. A blend of 98% Chardonnay, 2% Viognier. “Buttery aromatics layered with Golden Delicious apples unfold into fresh flavors of winter pear and honeydew melon. Finishes with light toasty notes and crisp acidity. Pair with: Roast Chicken, Grilled Seafood, Pasta with Cream Sauce.” 90 Wine Spectator, Smart Buys: “Vibrant and expressive, balancing complex pear, quince and clotted cream flavors on a pinpoint of bright acidity, with a harmonious finish. Drink now through 2017. 4,846 cases made.” $12.99
Wild Meadows
“Wild horses explore our expansive vineyards, bringing a natural magnificence to the region. Wild Meadows is a marriage of that free spirit and refined winemaking. Our winemaker selects from the most expressive fruit to create wine that is well-rounded and easy drinking. Open a bottle and enjoy the untamed beauty of Wild Meadows. Founded in 2003, Precept Wine is the largest privately owned wine company in the Northwest. We’re seamlessly integrated to run our own vineyards, wineries, sales and marketing, world-class tasting rooms and hospitality.”
Wild Meadows Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Columbia Valley, Washington. Vineyards: 9 Canyon, Wallula, Willard, Frenchman Hills, Oasis, A&R. A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 11% Syrah, 1% Tempranillo. “Layered aromatics of black pepper, cherry and saddle leather swirl in the glass. Notes of plum and smoke marry together on the palate followed by a firm tannin structure and cocoa on the finish.” $11.99
Canoe Ridge Vineyard “focuses primarily on Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The estate vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA was first planted in 1989, followed by the opening of its Walla Walla winery, established in 1994. The name comes from the vineyard site on the eastern side of Washington adjacent to the Columbia River. Famed explorers Lewis & Clark named this crest of land; they thought the ridge looked like an overturned canoe. In its two decades of winemaking, Canoe Ridge Vineyard has earned more than twenty-five scores of 90 points or better.”
Canoe Ridge Reserve Cherry Street Red Blend 2010
Columbia Valley, Washington. Vineyards: Canyon Vineyard Ranch, Canoe Ridge Vineyard. 54% Syrah, 30% Malbec, 16% Grenache. ” Offering a rich mix of cassis, blackberry, mocha with subtle cedar notes, the blended varietals harmonize to one smooth, satin-like wine. A powerful style, without being overbearing.” 88 Wine Spectator: “A fresh, vivid style, offering blackberry and rare roast beef flavors on a lean, lithe frame. Syrah, Malbec and Grenache. Drink now through 2017. 3,500 cases made.” $19.99
Hecht & Bannier “Formed in 2002, Maison Hecht et Bannier produces wines that are reference points for the Languedoc, Roussillon and Provence, France’s largest and most confounding winemaking region. Founders Gregory Hecht and François Bannier: “To conserve the typical Mediterranean strength in our wines while preserving balance and crispness, this is our mantra for all the appellations we produce.” This cutting edge firm is one of the south’s most exciting projects in recent memory, and promises to be a formidable player with dramatic impact in the region.”
Hecht & Bannier Rose 2013
Languedoc, France. A blend of 40% Syrah, 35% Cinsault and 25% Grenache. “Grapes are sourced from vineyards with soils rich in limestone and clay that border the Etang of Thau, and from schist-rich vineyards from the area around Saint Chinian. Syrah for this Rosé is picked slightly earlier than the rest in order to retain a higher acidity level. The ripe grapes are pressed and vinified exclusively in neutral concrete vats.” “Our Languedoc Rosé is a fresh bunch of fruits; its blend is composed around of the floral Syrah of the altitude vineyards of Saint Chinian area, completed by the Grenache curve. Fresh Cinsault from the Gard district, with some gooseberry and Morello cherry, also gives vividness and finesse.” -Gregory Hecht. $12.99
Big House Winery “in Soledad, CA (Monterey County) is a mere ankle iron’s toss from the Soledad State Correctional Facility, a.k.a. “the Big House,” “The Clink,” “The Slammer,” which explains the recurring prison theme depicted on the labels. The brand’s cornerstone is a rebellious New World winemaking style blending Mediterranean varieties. Big House wines unshackle consumers from ball and chain wine choices and rules, creating criminally exhilarating everyday wines.”
Big House Birdman Pinot Grigio 2012
California. A blend of 79% Pinot Grigio, 12% Viognier, 4% Chardonnay, 4% Sauvignon Blanc. “It was another long and cool year in California and we were forced to wait patiently until these grapes were ready to pick. All this has guaranteed that The Birdman is once again a plump avian, round and full and quite unlike his Italian kin. Its depth shown through a long and full nose of citrus fruits, a round, soft palate replete with grapefruit, honeydew and melon and a touch of acidity on the finish that leaves one quenched.” $8.99
Big House Cardinal Zinfandel 2012
California. 98.9% Zinfandel. “The wine underwent a barrel regimen to give it hints of toasty deliciousness. Grown from Beastly Old Vines from stately, yet sometimes forgotten vineyards throughout California. This wine elicits fervent, fecund and frenzied tongue enveloping pleasures. A wine of substance, it’s a Cardinal Zin not to drink at the altar of this decadent, spicy zinfandel. This is a refined pleasure, with intense flavors of blackberry mingling with soft creamy touches of oak, vanilla and dry herbs. It’s full on the palate, but not heavy and the fruit is constant from the first sip to the end of the finish.” $8.99