Washington Wines for the Season,
Saturday, December 19th, 2pm
We’re coming home for the Holidays. This Saturday we’re pouring a fine line up of Northwest wines to fit the season. The wines hail from Walla Walla and other sundry parts of Washington, but they have bit of a European inspiration.
2013 Gård Vintners, Freyja White Blend $14
67% Viognier, 33% Roussanne
More Roussanne gives this Rhone inspired white more volume and weight. The Freyja has a mixture of pear, citrus and stone fruit with notes of honeysuckle and white tea.
2010 Helix, Sangiovese $16
This neutral oak aged Sangiovese from Walla Walla winemaker Chuck Reininger is aged and ready to go. “Fresh Raspberry and cranberry erupt from the glass with the first pour then immediately morph into their darker counterparts melded with pepper, allspice and cracked leather. A soft palate with a little more than moderate acidity brings forth pomegranate, black raspberry, and plum with date and black olive, sprinkled with allspice, celery seed, and a hint of black pepper. The acidity hooks into the finish accentuating the black raspberry with a hint of raisin.”
2013 Syncline, Subduction Red $20
31% Mouvedre, 25% Syrah, 21% Grenache, 12% Cinsault 7% Carignan, 4% Guess?
A blend of classic southern French varieties that are unique and expressive on their own; with each contributing to create a harmonious whole. Ripe and hedonistic, this charming wine exhibits flavors of dark berries and black pepper; This blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Counoise, Grenache and Cinsault immediately appeals with its aromas of plum, candied raspberry and garrigue, with no oak influence anywhere in sight. It’s fruit laden, focused and supple,
2012 Reininger, Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon $32
96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot
From Pepper Bridge & Seven Hills Vineyards, Chuck Reininger’s Walla Walla Cab has “spirited aromatics of black cherry, currant, plum, a suggestion of rose buds and a breath of baking spice. Its lively palate plays with road stand fresh red cherries, black raspberries, figs and black currants, with interplaying tell tales of herb, loamy minerals, and graphite. The wine’s vivacious character is perfectly balanced by very fine tannins that extend long into the finish of buoyant cherry fruit.
2008 Stephenson Cellars Syrah $32
Dave Stephenson arrived in Walla Walla in 1999 to work at Waterbrook Winery and was able to hone his skills making wine for both their label and their custom crush clients before starting his own winery. This 100% Syrah opens with a floral-infused perfume on the nose. Rose petal is most pronounced, with a noticeable dose of jasmine and orange blossom that intermingles and awakens the senses immediately. The flavors are powerful red fruits such as currants, cranberry and ripe raspberry with a subtle touch of tannin to anchor the lengthy finish. Classic Syrah elements such as cracked pepper, spice and a hint of smoke and game are noticeable after the glass is put down and the palate clears.
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.