Ginkgo Forest’s vineyard and winery are located on the Wahluke Slope one of Washington’s great AVAs. The winery is named for the ginkgo trees that millions of years ago covered that area of eastern Washington. Now grapes thrive where there once was forest. Stop by this Saturday as we pour a line up their intriguing wines. You can imagine the breeze through the trees while you taste the vines. These wines seem to clean up the medals at the local taste offs.
2013 Ginkgo Botanical Series White Blend, Estate, Wahluke Slope $18
33% Viognier, 33% Riesling, 33% Gewuztraminer
Wonderful floral notes on the nose bringing your senses to a cleaver zing of spices and pleasing acidity. Clean stone fruit and honeydew melon flow into a ripe pineapple experience. Try it with salads, shrimp, shellfish of all sorts, sturgeon or any white fish. BRONZE – North Central Washington Wine Awards
2010 Sangiovese, Estate, Wahluke Slope $15
Aroma and flavors of plum, pomegranate, cranberry, and spice. BEST BUY OF ITALIAN REDS – Wine Press NW, 2013 • BRONZE – Great Northwest Wines, 2013
2012 Malbec, Estate, Wahluke Slope $20
Aromas of blueberry, plum and violets. Fabulous balance of fruit, tannin and acidity. The flavors roll from blackberries and dark plums to a floral/herbal note of violets and lavender. The well-heeled mouth feel brings a light note of vanilla to the finish. Try this versatile wine with grilled (or plumb) duck, steak, pasta Bolognese, roast turkey, Mexican style chicken mole. GOLD – North Central Washington Wine awards.
2011 Coalesce Red, Estate, Wahluke Slope $26
34% Grenache, 33% Mourvèdre, 33% Syrah
A delightful Rhone Blend. Grenache dominant with soft spiced berry flavors. Mourvèdre adds earthy notes and deep color. Syrah brings structure with black pepper and olives. GOLD – North Central Wine Awards, 2014
2013 Melange de la Forêt Red Blend $24
42% Carmenere, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc
A carnival of fruit with floral notes on the nose. Flavors of Rubrum Lilly, hibiscus, spices and a light cocoa afterglow. Pleasant, smooth tannins holding on just enough to reach the lovely finish. Wonderful as an aperitif wine or enjoy with Filet Mignon, Osso Bucco, or a nice pot roast. SILVER – North Central Washington Wine Awards
Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5.