Thursday, December 16^th

5:30-7:30pm

With maker Steven Westby

Witness Tree Vineyard is a 100-acre estate in the Eola Hills of the Willamette Valley named for an ancient oak which towers over the vineyard. Steven Westby is the winemaker and vineyard manager for Witness Tree and can often be found on a tractor or out walking the vineyard, checking on the crop. His use of low yields in the vineyard and minimal handling in the winery create wines of depth, elegance, concentration, and character. Come give them a sip.

2010 Witness Tree Pinot Blanc $15
Pinot Blanc is grown in very small quantities in the Willamette Valley. Witness tree has two and a half acres in production. This limited bottling offers delightful fruit flavors reminiscent of apple and pear, balanced beautifully by a crisp refreshing acidity.

2010 Witness Tree Chardonnay $15
The Witness Tree Chardonnay is a blend of estate-grown Davis 108 clone, coupled with a bit of Dijon clone fruit farmed at the Stand Sure Vineyard. Upon opening the wine brings intense aromas of pineapples, mangos and other juicy tropical fruits. As it is a cooler vintage, the acidity is a bit higher-toned, yet in complete balance with fruit and alcohol content. In the mouth the wine shows exceedingly vibrant acidity balanced by a rich, very full mouth-feel of more tropical fruit, butterscotch and a kiss of toasted French oak.

2010 Witness Tree Estate Pinot Noir $25
Deep garnet in color, the Witness Tree Estate Pinot Noir is powerful and yet full of grace with aromas of dark, primary fruits with intense perfume and spice driven qualities. On the palate the wine is round, full and satiny with notes of black cherries, rhubarb, dried herbs and baking spices. The finish is fresh and clean with well-integrated tannins and acid. Though drinking well in its youth, it will definitely reward the patient cellarer.

2012 Witness Tree Dolcetto Remari $20
The Dolcetto comes from a 1.6 acre site exhibiting big grapey, sassy flavors! Its considerable “slurpy factor” makes it a wonderful cocktail wine, while its natural acidity gives it the power to pair exceptionally well with all kinds of cuisine. It is an interesting twist on the Piedmonte varietal. Only 48 cases were made.

Effervescence, everyone needs some, especially around the holidays. This Saturday we’ll have plenty of it. We’ll be pouring a versatile selection of sparkling wines from around the world from everyday quaffers to sophisticated cuvees. They hail from Spain, Italy, the Loire, Burgundy and of course Champagne. Come effervesce.

 
Dibon Brut Reserva Cava $10
 45% Macabeo, 25% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada
This Catalan sparkling wine is made in the Traditional or Champagne method from organic grapes. It has received Best Buy and Good Value ratings from Wine Enthusiast & Wine & Spirits Magazine, and with good reason. It is a good fruity cava with notes of pear and apricot that drinks above its price.

 De Chanceney, Brut Rosé $15
Cabernet Franc
This dark and dry fruited Rosé from the Loire comes from 20- to 30-year-old vines. It is aged for 18 months in the traditional Champagne method. It has lively aromas of red fruit and citrus and fine and persistent bubbles.
 
Maison Louis Picamelot, Cremant de Bourgogne $15
62% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 13% Aligote
Son of a cooper and winegrower, Louis Picamelot was among the very first Rully’s inhabitants to launch the production of “Bourgogne Mousseux. This Cremant ages for at least 9 months on its lees.
The wine has fruity, toasty aromas with a mouthful of flavors lemon, honey, grapefruit rind, and a chalky minerality.
 
2008 Primosic, Sparkling Ribollanoir $20
89% Ribolla Gialla, 11% Pinot Nero
Ribolla Gialla is an indigenous varietal in Friuli from the Northeast of Italy and Pinot Nero is the local strain of Pinot Noir. This full bodied bubblier is made using the charmant method. The blend is refermented (prise de mousse) at a very low temperature in order to preserve the primary aromatic components. The Ribollanoir keeps the flamboyant characteristics of Ribolla united with the gentle aromatics of Pinot Noir. It’s a delightful combination.
 
Champagne Moutard, Brut Grande Cuvée $38
Pinot Noir
Moutard’s vineyard is situated on the sunny slopes of the Côte des Bar in the southern part of the Champagne Region where the family has lived since the 17^th century. They started making their own wine in the beginning of the 20^th century.   The vineyard soils are made up of clays and limestone, lending to rich, fruity aromas and good minerality. The Grande Cuvee is aged for at least three years. The wine is complex and nuanced, with fine, intense bubbles. It has a seductive bouquet of pears, grilled almonds, mineral notes and apple pie followed by rich flavors of ripe stone fruits, honey and buttered toast and a remarkably long, delicate finish.

We still have a few spots for our Grower Champagne Tasting this afternoon at 5:30pm.

$20 per person (plus tax). $15 (plus tax) for Wine Club Members and one guest. AND any wine ordered or purchased during the tasting is 10% off.

Here is what we will be tasting this afternoon:

Champagne is a world ruled by the big houses that buy juice from a lot of different growers and blend it to make consistent wines that vary little from year to year. Grower Champagnes or Farmer Fizz on the other hand are wines made by small estates that grow their own grapes, make the wine themselves and blend out of their own stocks. The wines are more distinct, personal, and surprisingly delicious.

Sunday evening, we’ll be pouring a selection of these special wines. Champagne lover and aficionado, Leanne Beane will be with us to share her knowledge and enthusiasm. We’ll also have light appetizers to accompany the wines. We’ll also be offering 10% off all wines purchased that evening. It’s a great start to the holidays.

R. H Coutier Brut Tradition Grand Cru — $45
Ambonnay, Montagne de Reims
60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Organic
Produced entirely from Grand Cru grapes the Brut Tradition shows rich, leesy fruit obtained through extended bottle aging prior to disgorging. Quite vinous in texture, it is full and long with crisp apple fruit notes on the finish and showing some toasty notes in the nose.

Etienne Chére, Brut Traditions — $48
Valee de la Marne
40% Chardonnay, 30 % Pinot Noir , 30% Meunier
Etienne Chéré vineyards have been passed down in the family since the late 1800’s. Their Brut Tradition, mainly from the 2006 harvest, is a good, well-structured Champagne is very expressive with a full body, and notes of vanilla and wiffs of smoky brulee.

José Michel & Fils Brut Tradition — $40
Moussy, Côtes des Blancs
60% Pinot Meunier, 40% Chardonnay
Michel’s Brut is composed of reserve wines that are 5 or 6 years old. The wine has great toast on the nose, along with ripe but crisp lemon and some orange zest followed by a full bodied mouthfeel and a long finish.

Alain Bailly Grande Reserve Brut Holiday Special Pricing — $30
Serzy-et-Prin Marne
60% Pinot Meunier, 25% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay
Sixth generation growers, Bailly’s estate consists of 12 hectares composed of eighty vineyard plots. The Grande Reserve has a golden tint, fine mousse, very full bouquet mingles toast, figs, fresh bread, and structured vinous aromas full of richness and freshness.

Colin, 2004 Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru — $60
Colin is a family run Estate with a total of 30 acres. The grapes from the 2004 Blanc de Blanc come from Grand cru vineyards in Cramant and Oiry. This vintage has a pale gold colour and a light and subtle nose, with white fruits and flowers flavour. It seduces with its fresh and fruity palate. A pleasant champagne, sagely measured. –Hachett Guide

Saturday

Darby

Saturday, December 1^st

2pm

This Saturday we’ll be showing off the wines from Darby Winery. Darby started in the basement of an old farmhouse which he quickly out grew and moved Woodinville’s now-saturated warehouse district where he now makes his wines. The grapes come from some of the states’ top vineyards —Stonetree, Connor Lee, Stillwater Creek, Discovery, Dineen. Darby’s winemaking approach is minimalist including native fermentation. Each vintage and varietal it treated differently, adapting fermentation and barrel choices to the fruit in hand, oaking each wine to match its character. Most of the reds see 18-20 months in barrel. The whites get partial barrel fermentation and are then aged in stainless. The wines are big and playful without being bludgeoning.

2011 Livewire Marsanne $20
This wine from Boushey vineyard, one of the greatest vineyards in the state, has a great mouth-feel with seamless lushness and notes of orange peel, honey and fresh citrus . A great food wine with crisp acidity.

2011 Le Deuce $24
65% Viognier, 35% Roussanne
The Viognier comes from Stonetree Vineyard and the Roussanne comes from Stillwater Creek Vineyard, both in the Wahluke Slope AVA. Fresh and floral with beautiful notes of white peach, dried apricot and smoky minerality. Fermentation in French oak puncheons for 14 days gives this wine a great texture and spice component.

2010 Livewire Cabernet Franc $28
The Cabernet Franc is elegant and deftly balanced with pretty red berry and raspberry fruit against dusky herbs, white pepper and cedar notes. The fruit comes from Stonetree Vineyard and a small amount from Stillwater Creek Vineyard. 30% new French oak which adds a spicy complexity.

2010 Chaos $32
45% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petite Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Fresh, clean, complex flavors of currant, blackberry, roasted plum and cedar lead to a full bodied elegant wine. Shows great structure and focus and should age nicely over the next 3-5 years.

Sunday

Champagne Tasting $20 — 5:30pm

Come try a fine assortment of Grower Champagnes without pulling the corks yourself. Five wines and tasty appetizers to go with. Start the evening and start the holidays off right.

Space is limited so call or email us to reserve a spot.

Champagne is a world ruled by the big houses that buy juice from a lot of different growers and blend it to make consistent wines that vary little from year to year. Grower Champagnes or Farmer Fizz on the other hand are wines made by small estates that grow their own grapes, make the wine themselves and blend out of their own stocks. The wines are more distinct, personal, and surprisingly delicious.
Sunday evening, we’ll be pouring a selection of these special wines. Champagne lover and aficionado, Leanne Beane will be with us to share her knowledge and enthusiasm. We’ll also have light appetizers to accompany the wines. We’ll also be offering 10% off all wines purchased that evening. It’s a great start to the holidays.

Space is limited so please call or email us to save you a spot.

R. H Coutier Brut Tradition Grand Cru — $45
Ambonnay, Montagne de Reims
60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Organic
Produced entirely from Grand Cru grapes the Brut Tradition shows rich, leesy fruit obtained through extended bottle aging prior to disgorging. Quite vinous in texture, it is full and long with crisp apple fruit notes on the finish and showing some toasty notes in the nose.

Etienne Chére, Brut Traditions — $48
Valee de la Marne
40% Chardonney, 30 % Pinot Noir , 30% Meunier
Etienne Chéré vineyards have been passed down in the family since the late 1800’s. Their Brut Tradition, mainly from the 2006 harvest, is a good, well structured Champagne is very expressive with a full body, and notes of vanilla and wiffs of smoky brulee.

José Michel & Fils Brut Tradition — $40
Moussy, Côtes des Blancs
60% Pinot Meunier, 40% Chardonnay
Michel’s Brut is composed of reserve wines that are 5 or 6 years old. The wine has great toast on the nose, along with ripe but crisp lemon and some orange zest followed by a full bodied mouthfeel and a long finish.

Alain Bailly Grande Reserve Brut Holiday Special Pricing — $30
Serzy-et-Prin Marne
60% Pinot Meunier, 25% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay
Sixth generation growers, Bailly’s estate consists of 12 hectares composed of eighty vineyard plots. The Grande Reserve has a golden tint, fine mousse, very full bouquet mingles toast, figs, fresh bread, and structured vinous aromas full of richness and freshness.

Colin, 2004 Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru — $60
Colin is a family run Estate with a total of 30 acres. The grapes from the 2004 Blanc de Blanc come from Grand cru vineyards in Cramant and Oiry. This vintage has a pale gold colour and a light and subtle nose, with white fruits and flowers flavour. It seduces with its fresh and fruity palate. A pleasant champagne, sagely measured. —Hachett Guide

Piedmont is best known for the stellar regions of Barolo and Barbaresco and rightfully so. But travel to the northeast of there and you can find some great DOCs that have a different approach to Nebbiolo. This Saturday we’ll be tasting wines from Lessona, Bramaterra and Gattinara — lesser known regions but with great character just waiting to be discovered. Escape Black Friday and Holiday Craziness and taste the wines of Tenuta Sella and their 350 years of tradition.
 
2010 Nervi, Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG $17
Nervi is a long running winery in Gattinara that was recently revamped by one of the owners of Isole e Olena.   Their Erbaluce is a distinct crisp white with a lot of character.
 
2011 Il Chiosso, Rossomarconi, Vino di Travolta $10
100% Nebbiolo
Il Chiosso is run by a young winemaking duo who tapped their families’ vineyards in Gattinara, Ghemme and Fara to provide the backbone to their start up endeavor. There non-DOC Nebbiolo just shows off the fruit. Light and easy with lots of rose petal, light cherry and a little snap.
 
2011 Cà Montebello, Custiò $15
Barbera, Croatina (Bonarda)
A little to the east of Piedmonte, just over the border in Lombardy, is Oltrepo Pavese where ‘Cà Montebello stretches across the lower hills with its flourishing vineyards on an imposing landscape. Their single vineyard Custiò is a unique blend of Barbera and Croatina. Its floral and spicy notes, along with black cherry and plum set off its dry and full structure.

2007 Tenuta Sella, Bramaterra DOC $30
70% Nebbiolo, 20% Croatina (Bonarda), 10% Vespolina
The Sella family has had vineyards in Lessona since 1671. Their Bramaterra is youngster of the family which they have only been making for a mere century. This unique blend expresses the full-flavored mineral quality of the porphyry where it grows. It is aged for 28 months in large barrel before release. The Bramaterra has a full big structure with layers of minerals and dried cherry.
 
2006 Tenuta Sella, Lessona DOC $35
80% Nebbiolo, 20% Vespolina
Tenuta Sella has been making this wine for more than three centuries. The ancient marine sand of Lessona and the floral Vespolina enriches the noble Nebbiolo. The wine ages for 24 months in large Slavonia oak casks. The lesson is smooth and voluptuous, with a layer of jammy silk over its serious structure.

Thanksgiving dinner is a wonderful meal filled with a whole cornucopia of flavors. And each year it raises the question of what to drink with it. This Saturday we have lined up a number of answers, some classic like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and others a bit more unexpected like Washington Tempranillo, all of them guaranteed to enliven the big meal. We’ve stuck close to home as all the wines are from the Northwest. Come see what suits your dinner. If you’ve already got the wine for the big day figured out, come anyway. These wines are good year round.
 
2011 Tori Mor, Pinot Gris $14
From Dundee, Oregon this lower alcohol Pinot Gris has a forward aroma of succulent peaches, licorice, and flowers. Its crisp acidity nicely accents hints of green apple and lush blossoms emphasizing a distinct mineral quality. The finish is long and lean, with spiciness throughout. It should cut the cranberries quite nicely.
 
2010 Forgeron, Chardonnay $25
96% Chardonnay, 4% Grenache Blanc
From her winery in Walla Walla, imported winemaker Marie-Eve turns out this tasty Columbia Valley Chardonnay. Peach and pear take center stage with gentle hints of oak, caramel apple, and floral perfume, it is balanced with the pretty acids of apricot, star fruit and ruby red grapefruit flavors. Its richness is balanced by good acidity and light minerality and can stand up to the stuffing and gravy.
 
2010 Cristom, Mt. Jefferson Cuvée, Pinot Noir $30
Outside of Salem Oregon, Cristom turns out some classic Pinots that get rave reviews. “Light, bright red. Red berry and floral scents are complemented by cinnamon and black tea. Racy and light on its feet, offering vibrant redcurrant and strawberry flavors and a touch of bitter herbs. Finishes tangy and lucid, leaving spice and floral notes behind.” –Steven Tanzer
 
2010 Idillico, Tempranillo $20
Idillico is Spanish Native and Washington resident Javier Alfonso’s lable that focuses of Spanish varrietals. Washington may be Tempranillo’s home away from home. The wine shows dark fruits, herbs and soy followed by a long and smooth pass over the tounge. Only 120 cases produced, but that should last through dinner.
 
2008 Forgeron, Merlot $30
86% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon
A rich meal deserves a rich wine. The Forgeron Merlot has abundant aromas of clove, boysenberry, lilac & brown sugar. It has an amazing mix of concentrated ripe fruit, spicy notes of mineral & earth combined with lively acids. Forgeron only made 122 cases of the Merlot. Pass the gravy.