This Saturday we’re showing new wines from two Northwest vintners.  We’ll be pouring wines from a long time favorite of ours, Gilbert Cellars, as well as a big red from a new discovery, Pamplin Family Winery.  Stop by and get acquainted.
 
2013 Gilbert Cellars The Grower White  $15
70% Chardonnay, 30% Riesling
An unusual blend of Washington’s two premier white grapes, is made even more mysterious by the fact that there is no mention of the grapes on the label.  Instead there is the story of Curt Gilbert, a fruit grower, who started buying vineyards in 2001.  The two varietals complement each other perfectly showing off the best qualities of both grapes.
 
2013 Gilbert Cellars  Mourvèdre
Rosé  $14
This 100% Mourvèdre from the 24K Vineyard on Wahluke Slope was intentionally fermented cold in order to retain its delicate rose petal aromatics and bright fruit character.  Ripe homegrown strawberries and cream over lightly toasted angel food cake make up the core aromas as the wine is gradually revealed through a veil of lees. The palate is fresh, lean, and focused, with a current of acidity.
 
2012 Gilbert Cellars, the Pilgrim  $15
34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Cabernet Franc, 16% Malbec, 16% Syrah, 5% Dolcetto, 3% Pinot Noir
The Pilgrim like The Grower is an unusual blend that at first glance looks like a kitchen sink blend of leftovers, but tastes like it is by design.  It is 13 months in neutral 225L French Oak barrels and tastes fresh and fruit driven.
 
2011 Gilbert Cellars Alobroges  $20
47% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 18% Mourvedre,
Gilbert’s Rhone-style blend, named for pre-Roman viniculturalists, comes from their Doc Stewart & 24K vineyards, on Wahluke Slope.  It spent 17 months in 25% new oak barrels (90% French & 10% American) and has aromas of blackberry, plum, and Bing Cherry deepen and subtle aromas of sage, smoke, and baking spice.
 
2010 Pamplin Winery JRG Red  $27
74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
Named for the kids, the |R|G Red Wine is dominated by classic Cabernet Sauvignon varietal character. It exhibits a complex montage of cassis, cherry, blue fruits, earth, olive brine and sweet oak spice. On the palate, it is focused and vibrant with a burst of cherry, red raspberry and cassis that echoes through the fine grained, fully-integrated finish. It possesses mouth-coating plushness. The tannins are polished and sugary. This is an elegant wine of subtle nuance that reveals more facets as it evolves in the glass. Decanting will provide worthwhile benefits. Additional cellaring will reward those with patience and it should be in its prime from 2017 to 2025 or just drink it now.