Barrel Tasting at Sleight of Hand Cellars

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Written by Rand Sealey

Published: 15 April 2010

Barrel Tasting at Sleight of Hand Cellars

 

Trey Busch is one of the Walla Walla Valley's most talented winemakers. His winery, Sleight of Hand Cellars, was picked by Seattle Magazine as one of the "Next Cult Wineries of Washington State." Little wonder, as Trey and partners, Jerry and Sandy Solomon have been turning out some head turning wines. Sleight of Hand's 2007 reds are outstanding. I rated the Illusionist 19/20 points, the Archimage, 19+/20 points (both in the November 2009 issue) and the Levitation Syrah 19/20 points (September 2009). On March 23rd, I went down to Saviah Cellars (where Trey makes his wines) and tasted these highly promising 2008's from the barrels. Here are my notes.

 

2009 Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, French Creek Vineyard

Before going to the reds, we sampled this wine from Jon Martinez's (Maison Bleue Winery) vineyard which has a small block of 30 year old Wente Clone Chardonnay vines. It showed a crisp, fresh apple and pear nose with apple blossom and acacia scents. The flavors were crisp and applely with authentic varietal character, quite a contrast from tropical California Chardonnays. 18.5/20 points.

 

2008 "Levitation" Syrah, Columbia Valley

Composed of 54% Les Collines (Walla Walla Valley) and 46% Lewis Vineyard (Yakima Valley), this wine showed a purplish color with an enticing nose of wild blackberries, currants, lavender, sage and a hint of violets. The ripe berry and cassis flavors initially showed more Les Collines than Lewis character. Then on the back, the wine shifted to a dark dried berry character and blueberry background, followed by an opulent licorice, chocolate and coffee finish. 19/20 points.

 

2008 "The Archimage" Red, Columbia Valley

Aged in 40% new oak (enough to give it a presence without being obtrusive) this 50% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Franc and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon combination showed a deep ruby color, and an exotic nose of wild berries, incense, crushed roses and sandalwood. It was thick and saturated on the palate, laced with licorice, cola, coffee grounds, graphite and minerals. The deep, almost meaty background led into a roasted berry and fine grained tannin finish. Sources: Double River Ranch and Va Piano Merlot; Frenchtown Cabernet Franc; Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. 19+/20 points.

 

2008 "The Illusionist," Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley

This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is composed of approximately one-third each of Red Mountain, Blue Mountain (Walla Walla Valley) and Phinny Hill (Horse Heaven Hills) vineyards, aged in 50% new oak. It exhibited a deep purplish color and terrific aromatics of crushed blueberries, cherries, cassis, roses, lavender, incense and even violets. On the palate the saturated fruits were amazingly opulent, marked by minerals, pencil lead and French roast, all culminating on a back palate of roasted berries, orange peel and toasted oak. The finish lasted two minutes. 19.5/20 points.

 

Next Week: A Preview of Walla Walla Valley Spring Release Weekend

Taste Washington - A Report

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Written by Rand Sealey

Published: 07 April 2010

Taste Washington - A Report

 

Taste Washington is the Washington Wine Commission's biggest event of the year. Held on March 27th this year, it featured over 200 wineries, 800 wines, and over 75 restaurants. The event was so big, it was overwhelming. For the most part, I could only focus on wineries I was not familiar with and hope to make some discoveries. Here are some of my finds.

 

Animale - This ultra boutique winery poured a fine 2007 Petit Verdot (44 cases) and Syrah (45 cases). I will check this out.

Stomani Cellars - This small winery in Seattle's SODO district has some nice chewy Italian varietals, especially Sangiovese, and blends. I will visit the winery and find out more.

Walter Dacon - This Shelton winery had a fine line-up of '07 Syrahs - C'est Belle, C'est Beaux, Magnifique. Will make an appointment to retaste.

College Cellars of Walla Walla Community College - Under the tutelage of Billo Naravane (Rasa Vineyards) who was at the table, the College's students have turned out a nice '08 Semillon and '07 Scholarship Red.

Cedergreen Cellars - Kevin Cedergreen had some nice whites, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, and reds, Thuja, Merlot, Cabernet. I re-tasted later with Kevin and will report on the wines in June.

Irlandes - I tasted a nice '07 Syrah and '07 Merlot. They have a tasting room in Woodinville, so I will check it out later.

 

The Taste Washingon Seminar: Common Ground - Boushey Vineyard

 

The day before the Grand Tasting (see above) Taste Washington conducted a series of Seminars. Lynn and I attended one of them which focused on Dick Boushey's vineyard near Prosser, in the foothills of the Rattlesnake Mountains. It was moderated by Bob Betz, owner-winemaker of Betz Family Winery. The panel consisted of Dick Boushey, Joshua Greene (Wine & Spirits magazine) Kevin Pogue (Professor of Geology, Whitman College) and Sara Schneider (Sunset magazine).

 

Bob Betz kicked off the discussion by stating the seminar's purpose as exploring the "sensory consequence of site specific wines." Seven wines were poured, six of them from wineries using Boushey Vineyard fruit:

2007 JM Cellars, Syrah, Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard

2007 Bunnell Family Cellar Syrah, Yakima Valley, Boushey-McPherson Vineyard

2007 Sparkman Cellars Syrah, Yakima Valley, "The Darkness," Boushey-McPherson Vineyard

2008 Forgeron Cellars Syrah, Yakima Valley, "La Serenne Block" (Barrel sample)

2008 Maison Bleue Syrah, "Liberte," Yakima Valley, Boushey Vineyard

2008 Betz Family Winery Syrah, "La Serenne," Yakima Valley

The seventh wine was not from Boushey Vineyard, but from Red Mountain:

2008 Betz Family Winery, "La Cote Rousse," Red Mountain

 

Winemakers were also present: Chris Sparkman, Ron Bunnell, Marie-Eve Gilla (Forgeron) and Jon Martinez (Maison Bleue). The discussion initially focused on the soil characteristics of the various blocks: Goldenview (Maison Bleue, JM Cellars) on silty loam over basalt, where roots grow deep; Boushey-McPherson (Bunnell, Sparkman) on high elevation with shallow silt loam over basalt; La Serenne-County Line (Forgeron, Betz) on deep silt over Misoula Flood sediments. The similarities of these parings could be detected in tasting them. Dick Boushey commented that small clusters of small berries is what he looks for in grape growing. Kevin Pogue pointed out that hydrologic properties is perhaps the most important factor in terroir. Marie-Eve Gilla commented that with Dick Boushey's grapes, "you don't have to fight with the fruit, just let it do its work." The wine writers had interesting comments. Sara Schneider said California Syrahs tend to be fruitier, unlike the brooding, savory characteristics of Washington Syrahs which are often rejected in California. Joshua Greene also sensed a "backlash" against Washington Syrahs which come from "redder fruits." The last wine, the Betz "La Cote Rousse," stood out from the Boushey Vineyard wines in its darker, spicier fruit characteristics. In summing up, Bob Betz echoed the "sensory consequence of site specific wines." The seminar was a revealing exercise in discovering how terroir as well as winemaking technique can have a profound effect on a wine's characteristics.

 

The Wine O'clock Wine Bar in Prosser

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Written by Rand Sealey

Published: 02 April 2010

The Wine O'clock Wine Bar in Prosser

 

When in Prosser, you definitely should visit the Wine O'clock Wine Bar in the Vintner's Village (which also includes several winery tasting rooms). Run by Susan Bunnell, wife of Bunnell Family Cellar and RiverAerie winemaker Ron Bunnell, it is a delightful place to taste the family's wines and to have a delicious meal.

 

Lynn and I visited Wine O'clock on February 26 and were seated at an attractively appointed table. The restaurant pours the the Bunnell Family and RiverAerie wines at retail prices and also offers three glass flights. We ordered one of the artisan pizzas (baked in a wood fired oven) along with two flights: the '07 "Lia," "a Pic," and "Vif" for Lynn and three '06 Syrahs, Boushey, Clifton Hill and Horse Heaven for me. We also shared each other's flights. The pizza was delicious as were the wines. Susan Bunnell also poured us some samples of the soon to be released '07's. The action there was lively. A local couple was seated next to us and said they came regularly. Winemakers, writers and consultants also were around.

 

Wine O'clock also offers daily specials: bistro-style dishes created by chef Laurie Kennedy. Every effort is made to source its menu locally and sustainably, and to produce its dishes from scratch by hand. The retail and tasting hours are daily from noon to 5 p.m. The dining room is open Friday and Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday and Monday, noon to 5 p.m. Reservations are encouraged (509 786-2197). Wine O'clock is located at 548 Cabernet Court. To get there, take exit 80 off Interstate 82, turn south, left at the rest stop onto Merlot Drive. Drive 1.5 miles, right on Port, right on Cabernet Court.

 

Wine O'clock is highly recommended. Kudos to Susan Bunnell who has done a remarkable job of launching this venture.

 

Rasa Vineyards: A Correction

 

In my blog of last week, I incorrectly described the Riesling I tasted as being from the Mackey Vineyard. I had tasted a couple of Syrahs from that winery, and miswrote the Riesling as being from Mackey. It is actually from Rasa Vineyards (Billo and Pinto Naravane's own winery). The correct name of the wine is:

 

2009 Rasa Vineyards Riesling, "The Composer," Columbia Valley, Sagemoor Vineyards

This is composed of 50% Dionysus Vineyard, Block 17 and 50% Bacchus Vineyard, Blocks 1b and 1c. It came on as being more integrated than most Washington Rieslings. The typical apple, peach and grapefruit aromas were evident, along with wet stone minerals and spices. The fruit-acid-sugar balance was near perfect. 18.5+/20 points.

 

Barrel Tasting at Rasa Vineyards

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Written by Rand Sealey

Published: 24 March 2010

Barrel Tasting at Rasa Vineyards

 

On March 9th, I met with Billo Naravane of Rasa Vineyards at the Artifex facility in Walla Walla where his and his brother Pinto's wines are made (see the January issue of the Review of Washington Wines). First, we tasted some 2009's from the barrels. (Here, pluses indicate the potential for the wines' scores to go higher as they develop.)

 

2009 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Les Collines Vineyard

Co-fermented with 3% Viognier, this had just finished malolactic fermentation, but was already showing exciting aromatics (berries, pepper, violets) and well-packed dark fruit flavors. 18.5+/20 points.

 

2009 Syrah, Yakima Valley, Bacchus Vineyard

This showed an inky color and black cherry and black currant aromas with the blackness persisting on the palate with a deep penetration. Strikingly rich and thick, yet focused. 19+/20 points.

 

2009 Cabernet Franc, Wahluke Slope, Weinbau Vineyard

With this, I picked up smoky berry aromas with exotic scents. The flavors were deep and focused with plenty of extract and a persistence from beginning to end. 18.5+/20 points.

 

2008 QED Syrah, Walla Walla Valley

Tasted from the tank, this Syrah was sensational. With barrel aging, it had accumulated intense berry, incense, crushed rose and lavender aromas, with deep, saturated flavors that encompassed the palate, Underlain with plenty of licorice, chocolate, vanilla bean and loamy, earth, it is sure to be a compelling wine. See the January issue of the Review for the previous tasting of this wine.  19+/20 points.

 

Then we tasted two 2008's that had recently been bottled.

 

2008 "Vox Populi" Mourvedre, Yakima Valley, Minick Vineyard ($36 before May release - direct orders only, not on website)

This was originally intended to be blended with the QED, but turned out to be so compelling that it had to be bottled on its own. It is an exotic, aromatic wine with a rich, chewy character that floats into a gorgeous back palate and finish. Watch for the April issue of the Review for a detailed review. 19/20 points.

 

2008 Red Blend, Yakima Valley, Du Brul Vineyard (Release December)

I tasted the DuBrul Cabernet Sauvignon in December and found it highly impressive. Since then the brothers decided to blend it with one-third DuBrul Merlot, making it an even more stunning wine. It shows an exotic character that is unusual for a "Bordeaux" blend, and is loaded with an array of complex aromas and flavors. Read more about it in the April issue. 19.5+/20 points.

 

After we tasted the above wines, Billo then took me back to the barrel room to taste some wines from the MacKey Vineyard for which he is a consulting winemaker. They were very promising wines.

 

2008 MacKey Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley

From a cool climate site on the south fork of the Walla Walla Rver, this was a North Rhone Syrah look-alike. Wild berry aromas, and brooding character, expressing the essence of the Syrah grape. 18.5+/20 points.

 

2009 MacKey Vineyard Riesling, Yakima Valley Dionysus Vineyard

This came on as being more integrated than most Washington Rieslings. The typical, apple, peach and grapefruit aromas were evident, along with wet stone minerals and spices. The fruit-acid-sugar balance was near perfect. 18.5+/20 points.