Looking Ahead to March

We are now working on the March issue of the Review of Washington Wines and there are a lot of exciting new releases to write about. There will be winter releases from the Walla Walla Valley, including Dunham Cellars, Walla Walla Vintners, Patterson Cellars and Canvasback. There are some outstanding 2020 reds from Rotie Cellars. Todd Alexander's outstanding wines from Force Majeure, The Walls and PÁŠXA are also featured, including two 20/20 points Grenache wines. We will be introducing Rocky Pond from Washington's newest AVA, Rocky Reach, located between Chelan and Wenatchee. During the weekend of February 11-12 several wineries will be releasing their 2022 Rosé wines. We can't wait for the March issue to go on line February 24!

New French Wines from Foodscape

In addition to seafood, produce, charcuterie and cheese, Foodscape in Walla Walla offers wines. Carefully picked by Robert Ames, the store has a limited selection, mostly French, but with a smattering of German, Italian and other wines. Here are four that I bought recently.

N.V. Domaine de Nerveux Crémant de Loire Rosé, "La Folie de Loup" ($23.90) - This sparking wine presents a brilliant copper color, streaming bubbles and floral aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, blood orange, pink roses, orange blossoms, meadow flowers and orange incense. The flavors are brisk and well fruited, with notes of grape skins, orange peel and alluvial minerals. The back picks up fraise and cerise liqueurs and is enlivened by the CO2 and bright fruit acids. 18.5/20 points.

2021 Bernard Fouquet Vouvray, "Cuvée de Silex" ($25.90) - Produced from Chenin Blanc, this white shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of pear-apple, white peach, honeydew melon, grapefruit, apple blossoms, honeysuckle, clover and spiced white incense. The flavors are bright and fresh, accented by pear skins, peach stones and silicate minerals ("silex"). The vibrancy continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs, melon rind and grapefruit peel, followed by a well juiced finish. 18.5/20 points.

2021 Régis Minet Pouilly-Fumé, Vieilles Vignes ($29.90) - Pouilly-sur-Loire is across the river from Sancerre. This Sauvignon Blanc offers a straw color an intriguing nose of Anjou pear, gooseberry, Crenshaw melon, lemon, pear tree blossoms, lemongrass, meadow flowers and wet stone. The old vine flavors are brisk, almost laser-like, with white and green fruits that are accented by grape and pear skins and saline minerals. The resonance continues on the back with poire William liqueur, melon rind and lemon zest, followed by a persistently minerally finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Notre Dame de Pallières Lirac ($24.90) - Lirac is located across the Rhone River from Châteauneuf du Pape. Composed of 60% Grenache and 20% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, this shows a brick red color and rich, spicy aromas of raspberry, black currant, red plum, crushed roses, sweet tobacco, olive tapenade and sultry incense. The flavors are generous but substantial, with red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cocoa, black tea and riverside minerals. On the back, the wine fills out with pressed berries, mocha and soft charcoal, followed by a ripe moderate tannin and acid finish. "The price, I can't believe it!" says Lynn, "I love it." 18.5/20 points.