This Sunday we will be tasting two lovely wine from wine importer (and now blender) Kermit Lynch.

Kermit Lynch was born and raised in California. From his youth he remembers that his father and uncle worked for a winery, but he has no memory of anyone in his family drinking wine. The Lynch family was rich in preachers, too, but at communion they served Welch’s grape juice, even though, as Kermit points out, Jesus turned water into wine, not grape juice.

In 1972 he opened a retail wine shop and later began importing and distributing nationally. In 2000 he was named Wine Professional of the Year by the James Beard Foundation, in 1998 the French government presented him with the Ordre de Mérite Agricole award, and in 2005 named him Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur. In 1988 he planted his little terraced hillside near Bandol with Mourvèdre vines. The juice now goes into Domaine Tempier’s famous La Migoua cuvée. In 1998 he purchased the historic Domaine Les Pallières in Gigondas in partnership with his friends the Bruniers of Vieux Télégraphe.

2012 Kermit Lynch Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Blanc        ($12)
50% Chardonnay, 50% Viognier
Made by Domaine Durban and blended by Kermit the Blanc is full and tasty and non traditional. Round-bodied texture, yet tart, stony crispness and a knockout aroma of pear, sun-baked apples, and spicy hints of anise.-Limited production.

2012 Kermit Lynch Vaucluse                        ($11)
55% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Merlot, 10% Marselan
With this VDP, Kermit steps out of his importer role and takes on blending his own cuvee. The wine is made by Domaine de Durban, harvested by hand and ferment by carbonic maceration, then aged for 8 months before being bottled unfiltered. In the blending Kermit goes wild breaking all the rules, but comes up with a tasty wine.

As much as we love the complexity and tradition of the wines from France and Italy, it is nice to find tasty wine a little closer to home. This Saturday we’ll be pouring wines from four Washington wine makers who don’t get as much attention as they deserve. These winers are winners. Stop in and get a taste of local flavor.

2010 Upland, Sauvignon Blanc $13
Upland vineyard in Snipes Mountain is the reclaimed site of Washington’s first winery east of the cascades (Bridgeman). Their food-friendly Sauvignon Blanc is barrel fermented in neutral oak barrels and aged sur lees for 7 months. The wine is lush up front, loaded with tropical fruit, hints of citrus, lemon grass and fig that is balanced around bright acidity and a crisp dry finish. 

2010 Sun River, Chenin Blanc $13
A relatively new kids on the block, Sun River Vintners in Kennewick is making some interesting and reasonably priced wines like this Columbia Valley Chenin. Chenin Blanc usually goes one way or another – sweet or dry – and this Chenin took the dry route which meant it would not be just a summer wine. In fact, this lemon, citrus inspired flavor profile is the perfect partner for the sea. 

2009 Corfini Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon $12
Corfini is best known for their delivery trucks that run all over town every day distributing gourmet meats and cheeses to local restaurants. This great value Cab was made for them by an unnamed Washington wine maker on Waluke Slope   

2008 Cedergreen, Thuja $21
80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon 
A smooth and supple Bordeaux blend put together from some prestigious vineyard sources (Conner Lee, Klipsun, Chandler Reach, & Clifton Hills). Deep, dark, and luscious with black cherry, clove and peppery pizzazz! The aroma of this blend entices the nose, deep and unctuous on the palate with a lifting finish that demands another glass.

2009 Uplands, Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon $30
Planted in 1973 on the south slopes of Snipes Mountain by Alfred Newhouse, the fruit from this Cabernet Sauvignon block has the refined but definite tannins. The wine was aged in new American oak for 22 months. The Cabernet Sauvignon shows dried berry fruits, herbal spice and chocolate caramel. Its refined tannins are backed by well integrated oak flavors that build around its depth, concentration and full bodied finish. Only 96 cases were produced and only a few of those are left before it rolls into 2010.

This Sunday we will be tasting two lovely Washington wines. A moderately priced Walla Walla rosé and Columbia Valley Tempranillo.

The Hence cellars winery is located on the south side of Walla Walla on shared grounds with the Orchards personal residence. The estate vineyards provide the landscape between the two. Current production sits plus or minus 1,200 cases a year, with 90% of the fruit grown and managed Henderson, and my father Willis “Papa” Orchard. The focus is on quality control, from the grape to the “Juice”. We take the fruit and extracts a concentrated delightful blend of fruit with 100% new oak, which is a mix of French, American, and a “sprinkle” of Hungarian Oak. The process is not one of speed, considering the wines avg. 24-28 months in barrel, which is critical in order to get that balance of fruit and barrel flavors.

2012 Hence Cellars Walla Walla Rosé        ($11)
40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Mourvedre, 15% Merlot, 15% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec
Another wheat farmer turned wine maker, Hence Cellars producers small lot estate wine from their Wall Walla properties.  This on has a little bit of the whole vineyard in it.  It is bold and fruity, but has enough acid to hold it all togeher.

Kana is a native word for the spirit or the fire within a mountain, in reference to the perceived supernatural power of volcanic activity. The Yakima and Columbia Valleys are awash with volcanic soil influences, providing terroir from the millennia of “Kana” escaping from nearby volcanic mountains, to lay resting as soil for our world-class vineyards.

2008 Kana Tempranillo($15)
Sourced from Stone Tree (60%) and Elephant Mountain (40%) Vineyards and aged 3 years in French and American oak, 1/3 new, Kana’s Tempranillo shows beautifully intense aromatics and flavors of black cherry, raspberry and caramel almonds wrapped with chalky tannins and finishes long with a compact fruit finish and balanced acids.

We start tasting at 11am until the bottles run out – stop by early to make sure you get to taste these two lovelies.

As August runs itself out into Labor Day weekend, everyone deserves a last break.  So this Saturday we corralled a few discount deals that will see you into September.  We have three crisp wines from the Loire and two expansive Spanish reds that should fill out the holiday weekend.  Come wet your whistle.

Paul Buisse, Prestige, Tourane Brut Rosé  $15
Pineau  d’Aunis
A crisp and lightly fruity Rosé sparkler. 
Was $20 now $15

2012 Paul Buisse, Les Domaniales  $9
Cabernet Franc, Gamay, and Pineau d’Anuis
A very crisp Rosé with aromas of fresh strawberries, raspberries and a slight herbal note.
Was $12 now $9

2012 Couronne & Lions, Sancerre Blanc  $15
Sauvignon Blanc
More grassy and citrus heavy than mineral packed, but a good deal at the price which puts it down where it can out preform NZ.  
Was $20 now $15

2008 Almanseñas, La Huella de Adaras  $9
60% Garnacha , 30% Monastrell, 10% Syrah
From the town of Almansa in south east Spain.  The La Huella is from 30 year old vines fermented in stainless. “An enticing nose of smoke, underbrush, and blue fruits leading to a supple, mouth-filling, savory wine with excellent depth and length”  WA —
Was $12 now $9

2011 Casa Castaño, Monastrell  $10
From Yecla, just south of Almansa, Castano makes this Monestrell from 31 year old vines.  A full, ripe red fruited Monastrell that has a lot of concentration for the price.  Silky mouth with a good structure, balanced.
Was $12 now $10

This Sunday we will be tasting two lovely Italian wines.

2010 Botromagno Gravina    ($11)

60% Grecco, 40% Malvasia
Gravina is one of the oldest viticultural zones in Puglia; that the Botromagno co-op is the only producer in this long-recognized DOC is testament to the quality of their wines. Botromagno Gravina is a dry, delicate white composed of 60% Greco and 40% Malvasia. Abundant aromas of peach, white currant, and fresh wildflowers introduce a similarly generous palate. Enjoy with oysters, shellfish, and a wide array of Asian cuisines.

2011 Erste + Nueu Kaltereresee Leuchternburg    ($13)
Schiava (Vernatch)
A light bodied red with lots of cherry flavors and soft tannins from the german speaking part of the Tyrolian Alps.
This is a single vineyard wine made from Venatsch (Schiava) the smaller berried cousin to the Edelvenatch.

This Saturday we’re pouring some wines from the sunny French countryside that fit perfectly with our lingering summer.  The wines are fresh and expansive and are quite suitable to the other seasons as well.  Come have a taste. 

2012 Joseph Drouhin, Macon Villages  $12
Chardonnay
Joseph Drouhin is so renowned for their Cru Burgundies that it is easy to forget that they make some delicious everyday wines as well.  The Macon Village is lightly floral and fruity.  “Very straightforward and direct on the palate, as if biting into a grape. Fresh and light, with a very pleasant aftertaste”.

2012 D’or et de Gueules Les Cimels Rosé $13 
34% Cinsaut, 33% Grenache, 33% Mourvedre
From the South of France, the Les Cimels is a dry and elegantly full blend with flavors of strawberry, mineral, and sweet herbs.  It is complex enough to drink year round.

2010 Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais Villages  $12
Gamay
A truly convivial wine, with great charm, owing to the careful blending of various terroirs. The nose is both refined and intense, with notes of violet, peony and red fruit syrup. As you drink it, it feels fresh and silky. Both freshness and fruit remain for quite a long time on the palate”.

2010 Domaine de Piaugier, Sablet $15
75% Grenache, 25% Syrah 
Domaine de Piaugier is located in the village of Sablet, in the southern Rhône valley. Jean-Marc Autran, whose father and grandfather before him were wine growers, and his wife, Sophie, cultivate 30 hectares of vines. The wine has lots of dark fruit, notes of smoked meats and herbs and a good tannic finish.

2009 Lyonnat Lussac Saint-Emilion $24
85% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc. 
A long standing family estate in this satellite of St. Emillion Lyonnat is a classic right bank Bordeaux.  It has a nose of spice cake, licorice and red fruit.  The palate is powerful and smooth, with very elegant and blended tannins.

This Sunday we will be tasting two lovely French wines.

2010 Routas Wild Boar                        $10
64% Viognier, 36% Chardonnay
Straight from our Coteaux Varois estate vineyards of clay and limestone soils. And named for the wild boars residing in the enormous forests of Aleppo pine and oak that bracket our Routas vineyards. A crisp and fruity, summery white.

2011 Château La Croix du Duc Bordeaux            $10
80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
A nice minerally entry Bordeaux, this is a fruity, supple and soft wine with nice red fruit aromas intertwined with light toasted notes and soft tannins. Drink with red meats and cheese. 12.5% alcohol per volume.

Lopez de Heredia, founded in 1877, is one of the oldest wineries in Rioja and still makes their wine in the traditional manner, from their own vineyards. Fermentation takes place in their 72 large oak vats, some of which are 139 years old. After fermentation, the wines are ready to be aged, in 14,000 hand-made American oak barrels. The wines remain in the underground cellars, stored at perfect temperature and tranquility.  This Saturday we’ll be pouring some of their wines long with a couple of upstarts.  Come compare the difference. 

2011 Buil & Gine, Nosis, Rueda $17
Xavier Buil and his wife Anna own vineyards in Priorat, Montsant, Toro and Rueda.  Their motto is “passion for fruit, appreciation of wood and respect for the soil.”  The Nosis is 100% Verdejo from 35 year old vines in the Fuente la Miel vineyard. The vines grow in sandy and rocky soils with a foundation of clay. It has zesty citrus aromas with a peach and spice notes.

2003 Lopez de Heredia, Gravonia  $26
100% Viura 
Gravonia wines come from the Viña Zaconia vineyard, all of which is 45 year old Viura vines.  The south-facing slopes are poor and stony, and roots are forced to go deep – hence grapes have balanced biological composition and ripen with complex flavors. The Gravonia ages for 4 years in barrel, being racked twice a year before release.  The wine is complex and developed with notes of flowers, stone fruit, spice, and nutty character.

2007 Sabor Real Crianza  $13
Tempranillo
Sabor started in 2003 by a group of grape growers from the Zamorana de Toro area, who wanted to pool together to create something special. The vineyards are all over 40 years old, with a significant amount hitting 100 years of age. The Sabor has tamed the tannic, wild side of Tinto de Toro and enhance the concentrated fruit and power of these old vines.  The wine over-delivers big-time with blackberry, cherry and tobacco flavors fill the palate with a big, rich finish. 

2005 Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo  $25
65% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacho, 10% Mazuelo & Graciano
From the vineyard Viña Cubillas, whose vines average 40 years of age.  The soil is from the tertiary age and is a mixture of clay and limestone. The wine ages for three years, being racked twice per year before release. It is fresh and slight aroma to licorice with consistent texture and persistent aroma. 

Buil & Gine Vermut $25 
This artisan made vermouth is made from Macabeo and Garnacha Blanc and infused with more than 110 different plants for several years in a wooden barrels. It has powerful flavors of a Mediterranean forest (rosemary, eucalyptus, thyme, fennel, tobacco leaf) along with tones of old wood floor after a rain, truffle, honey, artichoke, thyme and fennel.

This Sunday we will be tasting two lovely French wines from Château De Flaugergues. The Château is situated in one of the twelve terroirs found in the Côteaux du Languedoc known as ‘La Mejanelle’.

The Romans cultivated vines and olives here over 2000 years ago. The monks of Grand Mont maintained this tradition, and after them the ancestors of the current owners have continued to do so from 1696 until today.

This exceptional terroir is made up of rounded pebbles calles ‘les Grés’ (from deposits in the Rhone delta) and thrives in the area’s Mediterranean climate with its strong maritime influence.

The 75 acre vineyard is dominated by early-ripening grapes; it is the harmonious combination of different vines which allows for the creation of such a rich range of fine aromatic wines.

2012 Château De Flaugergues Les Comtes Rosé    ($14)
60% Grencache, 40% Syrah
Languedoc
A dry and herbal Rosé from the the Languedoc.

2011 Château De Flaugergues Les Comtes        ($14)
50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre
Languedoc
A dark and spicy Southern French with lots of spice and fruit. Very nice rich and complex nose with notes of spices and red berries.