Details

For Wine, Buy Local

With the challenges retailers and wineries face today, the one thing you can do to help is buy local. Check out the websites of your favorite wineries and buy their wines, this helps keep the winery employees working and keep the wineries going while the tasting rooms are shut down. Many wineries are offering great deals and free shipping. For imported wines, go to your favorite wine shop and buy from them. To help you with this, here is a selection of wines from Esquin Wine Merchants in Seattle and The Thief Wine & Brew Shop in Walla Walla. Both have on line ordering and curbside pickup or shipping available. 

Esquin Wine & Spirits (www.esquin.com)

2017 William Fevre Chablis, "Champs Royaux" ($32.99) - Brilliant lemon-gold colored, this possesses enticing aromas of fresh cut apples, white peach, lemon, quince, lemon, apple blossoms and wet stone. The flavors show considerable Chablis Chardonnay character, with notes of peach stone, crunchy apple skin and calcareous minerals. The resonance continues on the back with sensations of Calvados and pêche liqueurs and lemon zest, followed by a crisp, persistently minerally finish. 18.5/20 points.

2017 Domaine Raphet Chambolle-Musigny, Les Bussières ($91.99) - The small parcel, Les Bussières, adjoins the Premier Crus, Les Sentiers in Chambolle-Musigny and La Bussière in Morey-St. Denis. This vintage exhibits a deep brick red color and intoxicating aromas of raspberries, cherries, black currants, crushed roses, tobacco, truffles, violets and sweet incense. The flavors are supple and velvety (a trait of Chambolle-Musigny), yet forceful, with layers of sweet-dry fruits that are infused with licorice root, Belgian chocolate, French roast and calcareous earth and granitic minerals. On the back, the wine gains complexity with sensations of pressed fruits, toasted pecans, kidskin, lanolin and pencil shavings, all flowing into a lingering chewy yet satiny finish, marked by ripe tannins. 19.5/20 points.

2016 Felsina Chianti Classico, Riserva, "Rancia" $64.99) - This is a powerful Chianti Classico. It exhibits a deep ruby-garnet color and intoxicating aromas of semi-dried cherries, black currants, black plums, crushed roast, pipe tobacco, dried orange peel, sandalwood and incense. The flavors are deep and authoritative, with layers if semi-dried fruits that are infused with black licorice, bittersweet chocolate, Italian roast and hillside earth and minerals. The penetration continues on the back with macerated fruits, roasted hazelnuts, recurring dried cherries and fruit confit, followed by a classic Tuscan sweet-dry tannin finish. 19.5/20 points.

2014 G.D. Vajra Barolo, Ravera ($75.99) - This Nebbiolo straddles the modern and traditional styles. It shows a classic nose of semi-dried fruits - cherries, plums, orange peel - with scents of dried roses, tobacco, road tar (a trait of Nebbiolo) and sweet perfumes of violets and incense. The flavors are bold and mouth filling, with layers of dark fruits, licorice, espresso and dusty earth. The penetration continues on the back with roasted berries and nuts, dried cherries, recurring orange peel and graphite, followed by a classic dryish tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

Valdo Prosseco Brut, Treviso ($13.99) - Lynn picked this out as she loves Prosecco sparkling wine. This is a cut above commercial brands such as La Marca and Ruffino. It shows a bright gold color, frothy bubbles and floral aromas of apple, peach, citrus, apple blossoms, acacia flowers and stone. The flavors are fresh and zesty, with touches of cream and toast on the dry true Brut finish. 18/20 points.

Smith Woodhouse Lodge Reserve Port ($24.99) - This is a fine example of a proprietary Reserve Port. Deep ruby colored, it possesses rich aromas of cherry, plum and currant, with scents of roses and wood smoke. The flavors are generous and mouth filling, yet focused, not too sweet, just right, with a pleasing finish. 18.5/20 points.

Ramos Pinto "RP10" Ten Year Tawny Port ($41.99) - Averaging ten years age, this shows a deep ruby-garnet color and rich aromas of black cherries, plums, fig and wood smoke. The dark fruit flavors are rich and generous, yet focused, with notes of chocolate, hazelnut and graphite, followed by a lingering, sweetish, balanced finish. 19/20 points.

See the 17 March posting below for previous reviews of wines from Esquin and watch for next week's posting for more wines.

The Thief (www.thiefshop.com)

2018 Le Peu de la Moriette Vouvray ($18) - This Loire Valley white offers a brilliant gold color and lovely aromas of pear, peach, honeydew melon, pear tree blossoms, honeysuckle, verbena and spiced white incense. The flavors, as well, are appealing, brimming with white fruits that show considerable Chenin Blanc character, along with pear skin and calcareous minerals. The back picks up poire and pêche liqueurs and melon rind, followed by a lightly honeyed, lightly spiced finish. Super value. 18.5/20 points.

2017 Matrot Bourgogne Chardonnay ($26) - Brilliant lemon-gold colored, this possesses floral aromas of apples, white peaches, grapefruit, apple blossoms, acacia flowers and wet stone. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with lively white fruits that are imbued with grape skin, peach stone and granitic minerals. The back picks up Calvados and pêche liqueurs and a twist of grapefruit peel on the way to a crisp, finely fruited Burgundian finish. 18.5/20 points.

2018 Domaine des Chers Juliénas ($20) - This is a charming Cru Beaujolais. Purplish ruby colored, it emits enticing aromas of strawberries, cherries, red currants, red roses, mulberry and whiffs of incense. The medium bodied flavors are deliciously fruit forward, with bright red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cocoa and granitic minerals. On the back, the wine thickens, with sensations of pressed fruits, roasted pecans, and fraise and cassis, liqueurs, followed by a ripe soft tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2018 Domaine Rochette Morgon, Côte du Py ($27) - This wine received the Medaille d'Or at the Concurs des Grands Vins du Beaujolais. It displays a deep purplish-crimson color and lovely, perfumed aromas of raspberry, cherry, black currant, crushed roses, lavender and sweet incense. The flavors are deliciously alluring with layers of lavish red fruits that are imbued with red licorice, semi-sweet chocolate, medium roast coffee and granitic minerals. On the back, the wine turns velvety yet vigorous, with sensations of pressed fruits, toasted nuts and crème de cassis and No. 2 pencil lead, followed by a lingering ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2017 Equinoxe Crozes-Hermitage ($27) - This is a tasty young Syrah from the North Rhone Valley. It shows a purplish ruby color and ripe aromas of blackberry, black currant and black plum, with scents of crushed roses, lavender and sweet incense. The flavors are generous and direct, with dark fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, coffee beans and riverside earth and minerals. The back picks up pressed berries, roasted nuts, creme de cassis and touches of kidskin and charcoal, followed by a savory moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2016 Domaine Laurent Combier Crozes-Hermitage ($26) - Deeo ruby colored, this wine emits rich aromas of wild raspberries, plums, black currants, crushed black roses, mulberry, tobacco, lavender and spiced incense. The flavors, as well, are attention-getting, with thick black and blue fruits that are intermixed with licorice, bittersweet chocolate, cola, French roast and minerals. The saturation continues on the back with sensations of macerated fruits, framboise and cassis liqueurs and touches of leather and burnt charcoal, followed by a savory moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2016 J.L. Chave Sélection Saint Joseph "Offerus" ($43) - Saint Joseph is situated south of Côte Rotie and across the Rhone river from Hermitage. This Syrah exhibits an opaque ruby color and intoxicating aromas of wild fruits - blackberries, black currants, black plums - with scents of crushed black roses, maduro tobacco, juniper berries, anise, black violets and spiced incense. The flavors are thick and bold, embodying varietal purity, with layers of dark fruits that are infused with licorice root, French roast and hillside minerals. The penetration continues on the back with sensations of macerated fruits, creme de cassis, lanolin ("legs") and ground charcoal, followed by a lengthy, grainy sweet-dry tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2017 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas, Vieilles Vignes ($35) - Composed of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre from vines averaging 40 years old, this South Rhone red offers a deep ruby color and and rich aromas of raspberry, brambly currants and orange peel, tobacco, and spiced incense. The flavors are medium bodied yet thick and savory, marked by red licorice, cocoa, French roast and mas minerals. The back picks up macerated berries, roasted nuts and recurring orange peel, followed by a chewy, spiced ripe tannin finish. 18.5+/20 points.

The Tero Estates Virtual Tasting

On Saturday, April 18 at 2:00, Lynn and I watched Tero Estates' virtual wine tasting on Facebook. The Tero Wine Club manager, Rikki Wescott, did the introduction, with a light touch, telling the Tero story and showing the tasting line-up. Then she put co-owner and winemaker Doug Roskelley on. Doug started off the tasting with the 2019 Charbono Rosé, made from a grape originating in the Savoie region of France. Rikki held a glass of the wine in front of a white card before the camera to show the copper-pink color. Doug also made a pitch for my Review of Washington Wines and Rikki flashed my promotional card before the camera. Then Doug went through the single block Cabernet Sauvignons from the Windrow Vineyards, the 2014 Hill Block, 2016 Plateau Block and 2016 Old Block, describing the characteristics of each block's terroir. All very well done. Kudos to Doug and Rikki for putting on such an informative and entertaining virtual tasting. The tasting can be replayed on Tero Estates' Facebook Page. My reviews of the 2019 Charbono Rosé and 2016 Plateau Block and Old Block Cabernets (along with the Hill Block) are in the May issue of the Review of Washington Wines.

For another virtual tasting - with Sleight of Hand Cellars - go to Facebook on Saturday, April 25 at 5:00. The featured wines will be the 2016 Archimage Red and the 2016 Illusionist Cabernet Sauvignon (both reviewed in the January 2020 issue).

 

Details

I skipped last week's Review Blog because there wasn't much new to report. The routine has been pretty much the same. With all the wine tasting rooms closed, I have been receiving wine deliveries and evaluating the wines for the May issue of the Review of Washington Wines. 

In the next issue of the Review of Washington Wines which goes on line April 24, there will be reports on Walla Walla Valley Spring Releases, including àMaurice Cellars, Tranche Estate, The Walls, Walla Walla Vintners, Gramercy Cellars and others. There also will be reviews of the outstanding 2017 Reds from Clearwater Canyon Cellars in Lewiston. Among the Highly Recommended wines are Tero Estate's 2016 single Block Cabernets, the 2014 21 Grams Red and Woodward Canyon's 2017 Reds. Also in this issue are some more 2019 Rosés. 

Along with the May issue, there will be next week's blog with tasting notes on other wines from around the world. With all the Washington wines we have been drinking at home, there has been little time to try other wines. But now that the May issue of the Review of Washington Wines has been wrapped up and sent to our website manager, we have been able to have wines from France, Italy, Spain, California and Oregon. Also in next week's blog will be a report own a virtual tasting of Tero Estates wines with Doug Roskelley.

Until then, stay healthy and happy.

 

Details

Today was supposed to be the beginning of what has been called Cayuse Weekend in the Walla Walla Valley. But, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Cayuse Vineyards' Release Pickup and Preview tasting events were cancelled. Many other events, as well, have been cancelled. 

So far, there have been only eight confirmed cases of coronavirus in Walla Walla County, which is evidence that social distancing is working here. This is difficult in a Valley where socializing and hugging have been commonplace. But everyone understands the necessity.

Among the events that had been scheduled but cancelled were the openings of new tasting rooms, Vital on Rose Street near the corner of Second, Bergevin Lane on Colville Street next to T Mac's. and Rôtie Cellars on Skyline Road in The Rocks of Milton-Freewater (see the 3 March blog posting below for more about this location). But that's the way it goes.

In place of tasting wine in tasting rooms, some wineries have turned to virtual tastings on line. We watched one a few days ago with Trey Busch, Jerry Solomon, Keith Johnson and the Sleight of Hand crew. On April 18 at 2:00, Doug Roskelley will be conducting a virtual tasting of the newly released Tero Estates single block Cabernets from Windrow Vineyards (to be reviewed in the May issue of the Review of Washington Wines - all 19.5/20 points). For more information, go to TR Wines on Facebook.

In the meantime, I'm continuing to taste wine samples shipped or delivered to me. Coming up in the May issue will be reports on Tranche Estates, Golden Ridge Cellars, Walla Walla Vintners, Gramercy Cellars, Tero Estates and Clearwater Canyon Cellars and more.

 

Details

With wine tasting rooms closed around the state, and wineries turning to curbside and home delivery, much has changed with wine tasting. Many wineries have turned to offering free shipping and taste at home packages. Here's what I've doing to cope with the situation.

Instead of making the rounds of winery tasting rooms, I've been having wines sent to me. I have received deliveries from Balboa, Tero Estates, Waters, Walla Walla Vintners, Valdemar Estates, Golden Ridge Cellars, Gramercy Cellars, and Goose Ridge (Goose Gap proposed AVA) These wines will be reviewed in the May issue of the Review of Washington Wines.

Included in the May issue will be a number of 2016 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignons. That year experienced nearly ideal harvesting conditions for that grape. Having had a sojourn in oak for around 30 months before bottling, the wines are now being released. Scores will be high 90/20 plus, with some 19.5's and a 20/20. 

In accordance with social distancing, Lynn and I have been tasting these wines at home. We have been pretty much homebound except for trips to the grocery. I am writing the May issue on my computer on the dining table. All this gives a new dimension to working at home. 

Details

Amid the Coronavirus pandemic and in between evaluating Washington Wines for the April issue of the Review of Washington Wines, we've been trying some new French wines. Here's what we've had lately.

Burgundy

Louis Bouillot Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé ($22.99 - Safeway) - This sparkling wine offers a copper-pink color, streaming bubbles and aromas of fraises de bois, tangerine, cassis, pink roses and pink incense. The flavors are brisk and lively, with notes of grape skin and stony minerals. The verve continues on the back with crème de cassis and recurring tangerine peel on the way to a finely fruited Brut finish. "This is so much fun," says Lynn. 18+/20 points.

2018 Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon, "Les Charmes" ($22.99 - wine.com) - This Cru Beaujolais is a real charmer. It shows a purplish-ruby color and enticing aromas of strawberries, red currants, cherries, rosebuds, purple lilac and incense. The flavors are medium bodied but vigorous, with copious red fruits that are endowed with red licorice, cocoa, black tea and granitic minerals. The back picks up pressed berries, fraise and cassis liqueurs and semi-dried cherries, followed by a ripe moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2018 Domaine du Prieuré Bourgogne Pinot Noir ($21.99 - Esquin) -Stephen Maurce's Domaine du Prieuré is a respected producer. From a vineyard in Savigny, this wine offers a medium brick red color and attractive aromas of strawberry, red cherry, red currant, rose petals, spring flowers and whiffs of white incense. The medium bodied flavors are charming yet substantial, with notes of red licorice, baker's chocolate and hillside minerals. The back picks up pressed berries, crème de cassis and toast, followed by a soft tannin finish. Quite enjoyable, which gives it a plus. 18+/20 points.

2018 Domaine du Prieuré Bourgogne Hautes Côte de Beaune ($19.99 - Esquin) - The Hautes Côtes de Beaune are the slopes above the Côte de Beaune. Brick red colored, it possesses attractive aromas of strawberry, cherry, currant, rosebuds, pine needles and wood smoke. The flavors are medium bodied and direct but solid, with notes of red licorice, black tea and high elevation earth and minerals. The back picks up fraise and cassis liqueurs and a touch of pencil lead on the way to a nicely juiced soft tannin finish. 18/20 points.

2017 Domaine du Prieuré Savigny-les-Beaune, Les Gollardes ($28.99 - Esquin) - From an 80 acre plot of 40 year-old vines, this wine offers a brick red color and an earthy nose of wild raspberries, cherries, brambly currants, crushed roses, tobacco and wood smoke. The flavors are generous yet focused, with definite Pinot Noir character, marked by cocoa, medium roast coffee beans and hillside earth. On the back, the wine turns chewy textured, with sensations of pressed berries, roasted nuts and creme de cassis, followed by a ripe, slightly grainy moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2017 Domaine du Prieuré Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru, Les Lavières ($43.99 - Esquin) - Brick red colored, this wine possesses rich, earthy aromas of fraises de bois, cherries, cassis, dried rose petals, tobacco, pine needles and wood smoke. The flavors mirror the aromatics with generous red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, medium roast coffee and earth. The chewy character continues on the back with macerated berries, fraise and cerise liqueurs, creme de cassis and pencil shavings, followed by a ripe moderate tannin finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2017 Domaine Saumaise-Michelin Pouilly-Fuissé, "Vignes Blanches" ($38.99 - wine.com) - This is archetypical Pouilly-Fuissé Chardonnay. It displays a brilliant gold color and a beautiful nose of pear, peach, grapefruit, pear tree blossoms, acacia flowers and white incense. The flavors are generous and resonant, with notes of pear skin, peach stone and granitic minerals. The resonance continues on the back with sensations of poire and pêche liqueurs, grapefruit peel and touches of crème fraiche and toast followed by a juicy, lingering finish. 19/20 points.

Rhone Valley

2017 Olivier Dumaine Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, "La Croix du Verre" ($28.99 - Esquin) - This 100% Marsanne shows a brilliant gold color and intriguing aromas of Bosc pear, white peach tangerine, orange blossoms, jasmine and white incense. The flavors are vigorous, with notes of grape and pear skins, sassafras tea and riverside minerals. On the back, the wine turns viscous yet resonant, with poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of crème fraiche and hazelnut, followed by a juicy finish. 18.5/20 points.

2017 Château Fortia Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc ($43.99 - Esquin) - Brilliant gold colored, this emits floral aromas of pear, peach, grapefruit, papaya, melon, pear blossoms, honeysuckle and wet stone. The flavors are vivid and resonant, with notes of pear skin, peach stone and mas minerals. The resonance continues on the back with sensations of poire and pêche liqueurs, orange peel and toasted hazelnuts, followed by a lingering deliciously juicy finish. 19/20 points.

2017 Nôtre Dame des Pallières Lirac ($23.99 - Esquin) - This is a tasty combination of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. It shows a deep ruby color and intense aromas of raspberries, black currants and plums, with scents of crushed roses, lavender and spiced incense. The flavors are thick and generous, with lavish red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cocoa, black tea and mas earth. The back picks up pressed berries, roasted nuts, crème de cassis, framboise and graphite, followed by a grainy yet smooth tannin finish. Great value. 18.5/20 points.

2017 Crous Saint Martin Châteauneuf du Pape, "Hommage à l'an 1879" ($34.99 - Esquin) - Composed of 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, this offers a deep ruby color and an intense nose of raspberry, blueberry, red currant, pomegranate, crushed roses, lavender, sandalwood and spiced incense. The flavors are simultaneously velvety and forceful, with lavish red and blue fruits that are immersed with licorice, cocoa, French roast and mas minerals. The wine invigorates on the back with sensations of macerated berries, roasted nuts, crème de cassis and charcoal followed by a long spiced ripe tannin finish. "This is absolutely delicious," says Lynn. 19/20 points.

2017 Domaine Les Pallières Gigondas, "Les Racines" ($35.99 - wine.com) - This comes from a collaboration of the Brunel and Kermit Lynch Family. Composed of 80% Grenache, 8% Syrah, 7% Cinsault and 5% Clairette, it displays a deep ruby-crimson color and rich, smoky aromas of wild fruits - raspberries, blueberries, brambly currants - with scents of black roses, mulberry, pipe tobacco, cracked pepper and spiced oriental incense. On the palate, the flavors are thick, almost massive (60 - 100 year-old vines) with layers of red and black fruits that are infused with licorice, cocoa, dark roast coffee beans and scorched earth. The saturation continues on the back with macerated berries, roasted nuts, charcoal and baking spices, followed by a long ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2017 Domaine Les Pallières Gigondas, "Terrasse du Diable" ($35.99 - wine.com) - From a terraced vineyard with 50 plus year-old vines, this combination of 90% Grenache and 10% each of Mourvèdre and Clairette offers a deep ruby color and an intoxicating nose of raspberry, cherry, black currant, black roses, bayberry, garrigue (lavender and herbs) and spiced incense. The flavors are mouth encompassing, with red and blue fruits that are intermixed with licorice, dark cocoa, French roast and Montmirial minerals. The saturation continues on the back with macerated berries, roasted nuts, mocha and burnt charcoal, all leading into a lingering, savory ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.

 

  1. Growing White Grapes in the Walla Walla Valley
  2. A Preview Visit to Rotie Cellars in The Rocks
  3. French and California Wines Tasted Recently
  4. Wine Deal Making