More International Wines
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- Written by Rand Sealey
More 2021 Rosés
2021 Lavignone Rosato, Piemonte ($19 - The Thief, Walla Walla) - This Italian Rosé presents a brilliant copper color and attractive aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, tangerine, pink roses and orange lavender. The flavors are light and fresh yet well delineated, with notes of grape skins, cherry stones and pink minerals. The back picks up strawberry and cherry liqueurs, recurring tangerine peel and a bit of frizzante, followed by an agreeable, balanced dry finish. 18+/20 points.
2021 Pierre-Marie Chermette Beaujolais Rosé, "Griottes" ($20 - The Thief) - Made from the Gamay grape, this shows a brilliant pink-tinged copper color and engaging aromas of wild strawberry, pomegranate, red currant, tangerine, pink roses, pink lilac and orange incense. The flavors are deftly extracted, with notes of grape skins, pomegranate seeds and minerals. The appeal continues on the back with fraise and cassis liqueurs and a twist of orange peel on the nicely balanced fruit acid finish. A real charmer. 18.5/20 points.
2021 Le Galantin Bandol Rosé ($28.90 - Foodscape, Walla Walla) - Composed of 60% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache and 15% Cinsault, this displays a brilliant copper-pink color and enticing aromas of strawberry, pomegranate, red currant, pink roses, pink lavender and pink incense. The flavors, as well, are alluring, with delicious pink fruits that are imbued with grape skins, pomegranate seeds and hillside minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with fraise and cassis liqueurs and a twist of tangerine peel on the dry, nicely fruited finish. Compare to the La Bastide Blanche Bandol reviewed last week (see below). 19/20 points.
Other French Wines
2020 Domaine Delaporte Sancerre ($30 - The Thief) - From Chavignol, this is a richer than usual Sauvignon Blanc. It displays a brilliant gold color and floral aromas of Anjou pear, yellow peach, gooseberry, pear blossoms, grapefruit, acacia flowers, honeysuckle and whiffs of white smoke (fumé). The flavors are full and round yet vibrant, with notes of grape skin, peach stone and calcareous minerals. The wine fills out on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and a hint of marzipan on the finely fruited finish, balanced by brisk acidity. 18.5/20 points.
2020 Daniel Bouland Chiroubles, "Chatenay" (($44.90 - Foodscape) - This Cru Beaujolais exhibits a deep purplish-ruby color and a seductive nose of wild fruits - fraises de bois, myrtles, cassis noirs - with scents of wild roses, sweet tobacco, lavender and violet licorics. The flavors, as well, are alluring, yet powerful, with layers of red and black fruits that are infused with licorice, chocolate, French roast and granitic minerals. The vigor continues on the back with pressed berries, roasted nuts, fraise and creme de cassis liqueurs and blueberry preserves, by a lavish yet puissant finish, marked by precise fruit acids. 19/20 points.
Greek Wines
Last week, Lynn hosted a lunch for her Book Club. The book to be discussed was "Café Nana - A Taverna" a novel about three generations of Greek-Egyptian women running a restaurant near the Pyramids, by a Walla Walla author, Mary Griese, who is of Greek-Egyptian ancestry. So the lunch was Greek themed, with Greek chicken salad and Greek wines. Here are the wines served.
2021 Ayramakis Dafini, Psarades Vineyard, Crete ($22 - The Thief) - The white Dafani grape was saved from extinction by the Lyrakis family at their vineyard. This vintage shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of pear, peach, casaba melon, grapefruit, pear blossoms, spring flowers and white incense. The flavors are fresh and lively, with notes of grape and pear skins and minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with pear and peach liqueurs, melon rind and grapefruit peel, followed by a nicely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.
2020 Gaia "Monograph" Assyrtiko White Wine, Peleponese ($19 - The Thief) - Light lemon-gold colored, this possesses intriguing aromas of pear, lemon, gooseberry, pear blossoms, jasmine and wet stone. The flavors are brisk, accented by grape and pear skins and saline minerals. The back picks up pear liqueur and lemon zest, followed by a crisp yet well fruited finish. 18+/20 points.
2019 Gaia "Monograph" Agiorgitko Red Wine, Peleponese ($15 - The Thief) - This red offers a ruby color and rich aromas of raspberry, plum, a bit of fig, sun dried rose petals, Greek tobacco, lavender, olive and brush. The flavors are medium bodied, with ample red fruits that are intermixed with cocoa, roasted coffee beans and earth. The back picks up macerated fruits, roasted nuts, plum preserves and soft charcoal, followed by a chewy moderate tannin and acid finish. 18/20 points.
Sauvignon Blanc Wine of the Week
2021 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($14.99 - Safeway, Regular $19.99) - This is impressive for the price. It shows a greenish-gold color and floral aromas of green pear, gooseberry, lime, a bit of kiwi, pear blossoms, jasmine, wintergreen and wet stone. The flavors are brisk, laser-like, with white and green fruits that are accented by grape and pear skins and saline minerals. On the back, the wine takes a dynamic turn with pear liqueur and lime zest, followed by a crisp, zingy, persistently minerally finish. 18.5/20 points.
Sparkling Rosé of the Week
N.V. Chandon Brut Rosé, California ($24.99 - Safeway, Regular $30) - Brilliant pink-tinged copper colored with streaming bubbles, this emits enticing aromas of strawberries, pomegranates, red currants, pink cherries, tangerine, cherry and orange blossoms and orange incense. The flavors are deliciously mouth encompassing, with red and orange fruits that are intermixed with grape skins, cherry stones, pomegranate seeds and minerals. The appeal continues on the back with fraise and cassis liqueurs and recurring orange peel on the CO2 enlivened Brut finish. Delvers a lot of flavor for the price. 19/20 points.
California Zins
We love Zinfandel. Here are three that we have particularly liked.
2019 Cline "Ancient Vines" Zinfandel, Contra Costa County ($15.99 - Safeway, Regular $19.99) - Deep ruby-crimson colored this emits rich, smoky aromas of raspberries, cherries, plums, black roses, mulberry, pipe tobacco, herb potpourri and spiced incense. The flavors are amole, yet substantial, with considerable old vine character (100+ year-old) marked by licorice, cola, roasted coffee beans and scorched earth. The back picks up roasted berries and nuts, kirsch, plum preserve and charcoal, followed by a warm (14.5% alcohol), spiced ripe moderate tannin finish. Delvers a lot for the price. 18.5/20 points.
2019 Seghisio Zinfandel, Sonoma County ($21.99 - Safeway, Regular $30) - This shows a deep ruby color and rich aromas of raspberry, bayberry, plum, black roses, sweet tobacco, cedar and spiced incense. The flavors are mouth filling, with copious red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, roasted coffee beans and earth. On the back, the wine fills out with macerated berries, roasted nuts, raspberry liqueur and charcoal, followed by a warm, spiced (nutmeg, clove) ripe tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.
2018 Frog's Leap Zinfandel, Napa Valley ($30.99 - Safeway, Regular $36.99) - Blended with 14% Petite Syrah and 4% Carignan, this Zin shows a deep ruby color and an intense nose of blackberry, brambly currant, Damson plum, pope tobacco, garrigue, olive and spiced incense. The flavors are simultaneously robust and refined, with dark fruits that are infused with licorice, cocoa, espresso and black earth. The intensity continues on the back with macerated berries, roasted nuts, creme de cassis, smoked meats, plum preserves and charcoal, followed by a ware, juicy, savory ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.
More Rosés Plus Washington Wine Deals
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- Written by Rand Sealey
More New French Rosé Wines
Recently, we picked up a few more 2021 French Rosés from the Thief in Walla Walla along with some others from Safeway.
2021 Château Pesquie "Le Perdou" Cinsault Rosé Vin de France ($12 - Thief) - This varietal Rosé shows a brilliant pink-tinged copper color (Pantone 163) and attractive aromas of strawberry, pomegranate, tangerine, orange tree blossoms and whiffs of garrigue (lavender and herbs) and orange incense. The flavors are light yet deftly extracted, with pink and orange fruits that are accented by grape skins, pomegranate seeds and minerals. The back picks up fraise liqueur and a twist of orange peel, followed by a finely fruited finish. A steal at $12. 18.5/20 points.
2021 Whispering Angel "The Beach" Côteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé ($16.99 - Safeway) -This presents a light pink-peach color and attractive aromas of strawberry, pink peach, pink grapefruit, pink lavender and pink incense. The flavors are bright and crisp, with pink fruits that are imbued with grape skins, peach stones and hillside minerals. The back picks up fraise and pêche liqueurs and grapefruit peel on the way to a bright fruit acid finish. For those liking a brisk style, this gets 18.5/20 points.
2021 Whispering Angels Caves d'Esclave Côtes de Provence Rosé ($29.99 - Safeway) - Light copper-pink colored, this emits floral aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, tangerine, cherry and orange blossoms and whiffs of lavender and orange incense. On the palate, the flavors are exquisitely balanced, with pink and orange fruits that are intermixed with grape skins, cherry stones and Provençal hillside minerals. The resonance continues on the back with gently pressed fruits, fraise and cerise liqueurs and a twist of orange peel on the lingering lightly spiced finish. 19/20 points.
2021 Domaine Charvin Côtes du Rhône Rosé ($20 - The Thief) - This offers a brilliant pink-copper color and intriguing aromas of white strawberry, pink cherry, tangerine, cherry and orange blossoms, garrigue and pink incense. The flavors are fresh and sprightly, with pink and orange fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stones and Pays d'Orange minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with fraise and cerise liqueurs and recurring orange peel, followed by a nicely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.
2021 La Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé ($28 - The Thief) - Bandol is located east of Marseille and we have liked previous vintages from this property. It shows a brilliant pink-tinged copper color and intense aromas of raspberry, red currant, pomegranate, blood orange, lavender, orange blossoms, and orange incense. The flavors, as well, are attention-getting, with pink and orange fruits that are accented by grape skins, pomegranate seeds and slopeside minerals. The vigor continues on the back with framboise and cassis liqueurs and recurring orange peel, followed by a long, long finish. Lynn: 3 of 3 stars. 19/20 points.
Washington Wine Month Deals at Esquin
In this month's Hot Sheet, Esquin Wine Merchants has some great buys that are not to be missed.
2021 The Walls "Cruel Summer" Rosé ($22.99 - Regular $28) - Made in a Provençal style, this shows a light pink color and aromas of strawberry, cherry, pink grapefruit, summer flowers and a mélange of deliciously bright fruits that finish dry and well fruited. Reviewed in the April issue. 19/20 points.
2020 Kiona Lemberger, Red Mountain ($10.99 - Regular $18) - Kiona has been growing Lemberger for over four decades. This vintage shows a brick red color and intriguing aromas of Boysenberry, plum and bayberry with scents of semi-dried roses, orange peel and applewood smoke. The flavors are medium bodied but substantial, with macerated fruits, roasted nuts and Red Mountain scorched earth. The back picks up orange peel and stick charcoal, followed by s slightly grainy soft tannin finish tat is lifted by bright fruit acids. Super buy. 18+/20 points.
2019 Newsprint Syrah, Columbia Valley ($15.99 - Regular $25) - From Guardian Cellars, this is slated for the September issue of the Review of Washington Wines. It shows a deep ruby-crimson color and rich aromas if blackberry, blueberry, black currant, black roses, pipe tobacco, olive tapenade and spiced incense. The flavors are generous and direct with copious black and blue fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cola, black tea and earth. On the back, the wine fills out with pressed berries, roasted nuts, creme de cassis and blueberry preserves, followed by a pleasingly ripe, juicy, spiced (nutmeg, clove) moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.
2020 L'Ecole No 41 "Frenchtown Red," Columbia Valley ($19.99 - Regular $25) - This is an amiable 80% "BDX" 20% "Rhone" blend with generous flavors, brimming with red fruits. Reviewed August. 18/20 points.
2019 Walla Walla Vintners Red Blend, Columbia Valley ($19.99 - Regular $25) - This is an attractively-styled blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Syrah, 20% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. The aromas are engaging and the flavors generous, yet focused. Reviewed March. 18.5/20 points.
Looking Ahead to September & More New Wines
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- Written by Rand Sealey
Now that the August issue is on line, I have already started working on the September issue. In Walla Walla, we have visited Guardian Cellars, a Woodinville Winery that has opened a tasting room on Main Street, and Kerloo Cellars which used to be in Walla Walla and has recently opened a tasting room, also on Main Street. On Saturday, we will drive to the Columbia Gorge to visit COR Cellars, Syncline and Domaine Pouillon on the hill above Lyle, Washington. We have also picked up samples from other wineries that will also be included in the September issue.
New Wines Recently Tasted
2021 Freewater Winery Rosé, Walla Walla Valley ($26) - Located in Milton-Freewater, this winery has turned out a nice Rosé of Grenache, Counoise and Cinsault. Copper-pink colored it possesses intriguing aromas and deftly extracted fruits and a bit of spritz on the crisp finish. 18.5/20 points. Full review to be in the September issue of the Review ion Washington Wines.
2021 Guardian Cellars Rosé, Columbia Valley ($25) - This 40% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 30% Syrah combination offers a light pink-copper color and attractive aromas and fresh, sprightly flavors, with a nicely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points. Full review in September.
2021 Willamette Valley Vineyards "Whole Cluster" Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley ($25) - Brilliant copper-tinged pink, this emits lovely aromas of bright fruits - strawberry, cherry, watermelon - and flowers and deftly extracted flavors that show exquisite balance. Lynn: 3 of 3 Stars .Purchased for $21.99. 18.5+/20 points. Full review in September.
2021 Woffler Estate Vineyards "Summer in a Glass" Côtes de Provence Rosé ($25 - The Thief, Walla Walla) - This is an attractive Rosé. It shows a brilliant light copper-pink color and enticing aromas of strawberry, red currant, Mandarin orange, summer flowers (like those on the label) and pink lavender and incense. The flavors are fresh and lively, marked by light grape skins and Provençal hillside minerals. The back picks up fraise and cassis liqueurs and a twist of orange peel on the nicely juiced finish. 18.5/20 points.
2019 Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Bourgogne, "Les Grandes Terres" ($37 - The Thief) - This offers a deep brick red color and enticing aromas of fraises de bois, cherries, black currants, crushed roses, pipe tobacco, violets and sweet incense. The flavors show true Burgundian Pinot Noir character, with ample yet deep and focused dark red fruits that are underlain with licorice, cocoa, French roast and minerals. On the back, the wine fills out with fraise and crème de cassis liqueurs, followed by a ripe, sweetish tannin finish. 18.5+/20 points.
2019 Dobbes Family Estate "Grand Assemblage" Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley ($47) - This is an impressive Oregon Pinot. It shows a brick red color and enticing aromas of strawberry, cherry, black currant, crushed roses, mulberry and stick incense. The flavors are generous and mouth filling, yet deep and focused, with red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, roasted coffee beans and earth. On the back, the wine fills out with fraise and cerise liqueurs and crème de cassis, followed by a vigorous ripe tannin and acid finish. Purchased for $ 37.99 at Safeway. 18.5+/20 points.
2020 La Crema Chardonnay, Russian River Valley ($35) - From a prime AVA for Burgundian varieties, this shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of pear-apple, white peach, citrus, apple blossoms, acacia flowers, wisteria, vanillin and white incense. The flavors are vibrant, with notes of grape and pear skins, peach stones and alluvial minerals. On the back, the wine strikes a balance between crispness and richness, with pear and peach liqueurs, roasted hazelnuts and a touch of butterscotch, counterpointed by lemon zest and fruit acids on the lingering finish. Purchased for $26.99 at Safeway. 18.5+/20 points.
2019 La Crema Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast ($35) - Brick red colored, this possesses a rich, smoky nose of strawberry, cherry, red currant, red roses, mulberry, tobacco, sage and stick incense. The flavors are generous yet focused, with red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, black tea and coastal minerals. On the back, the wine turns chewy textured with macerated berries, roasted nuts, kirsch and fraise liqueurs and crème de cassis, followed by a savory ripe tannin finish. Purchased for $24.99. 18.5/20 points.
A Tribute to Doug Roskelley / More New Rosés
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- Written by Rand Sealey
Friends Pay Tribute to Doug Roskelley
On Wednesday, July 13 we attended a Life Celebration for Doug Roskelley, who died July 16, 2020 of a heart attack. Due to COVID-19, a live celebration was not held. Instead, there was a virtual tribute on Zoom. Finally, two years later, there was a real participatory tribute to Doug, whose legacy was "bigger than life," as I put it in my Review Blog posting of 25 July, 2020. We estimate that there were about 75 people attending the event. Here's what Lynn had to say:
"People who loved Doug Roskelley and Tero Estates came from near and far (Iowa, Colorado, Nevada & Seattle) to pay tribute to a full and special life well lived. Jan, son Kyle, along with several friends, produced a fine supermoon evening with seemingly limitless food dishes and the music of DavePaul5 (Paul Gregutt's band)."
Not only was there plenty of food, there was plenty of wine, not only Doug's Tero Estates bottlings, but numerous ones from other wineries in Washington, California,tedFrance and Italy. And there were cigars (which I supplied) as well, as a tribute to a guy who liked a good smoke along with a good Scotch.
Doug will still be missed, but never forgotten.
More New Rosés
Over the past week, we had some more new 2021 Rosé wines that we enjoyed.
2021 Château Thivin Beaujolais-Villages Rosé ($22.99 - wine.com) - This is a charming Rosé made from the Gamay grape. It shows a light copper-pink color and attractive aromas mod strawberry, red currant, pink grapefruit, pink roses and pink incense. The flavors are bright and fresh, with pink fruits that are accented by grape skins and granitic minerals. The appeal continues on the back with fraise and cassis liqueurs and a twist of grapefruit peel, followed by a pleasingly fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.
2021 Halter Ranch Rosé, Paso Robles, Adeladia District ($29.99 - wine.com) - Composed of 74% Grenache, 22% Picpoul Blanc and 7% Mourvèdre, this offers a brilliant copper-pink color and enticing aromas of strawberry, watermelon, Mandarin orange, pink lavender and pink incense. The flavors are fresh and brisk, with pink and orange fruits that are accented by grape skins and saline minerals. The back picks up fraise and Cointreau liqueurs and melon rind, followed by a lingering dry, juicy finish. 18.5+/20 points.
2021 Tablas Creek "Patelin de Tablas" Rosé, Paso Robles ($27.99 - wine.com) - This is 79% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and 6% Counoise. It displays a pink-tinged copper color and aromas of fraises de bois, pink currant, pink grapefruit, pink lilac, pink lavender and pink incense. The flavors are bright and juicy, with notes of grape skins and hillside minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with fraise and cassis liqueurs and grapefruit peel, followed by a lingering, finely fruited finish. Lynn: 3 of 3 stars. 19/20 points.
2021 Bodegas Muga Rioja Rosé ($16.99 - Esquin) - This Spanish Rosé is composed of Garnacha and Viura. It shows a brilliant copper-pink color and attractive aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, Mandarin orange, pink roses, pink lavender and pink incense. The flavors are deftly extracted, with notes of pink fruits, cherry stones and minerals. The back picks up strawberry and cherry liqueurs, hazelnuts and orange peel, followed by a crisp, finely fruited finish. Terrific value. 18.5/20 points.
We also reordered the 2021 Domaine du Bagnol Cassis Rosé which I reviewed in the Blog posting below of 30 June. We found to be the best French Rosé tasted so far (19+/20 points). We had it last night with seared Ahi tuna and it paired beautifully.
A Visit to Red Mountain
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- Written by Rand Sealey
Yesterday, July 7th, we drove over to Red Mountain to check on what's new there. We had appointments lined up at Avennia, Fidelitas and Frichette. Here's what we did.
Our first stop was at Avennia's new tasting room at the end of Sunset Road. Early last year the Avennia Winery in Woodinville acquired the Tapteil Vineyard from Larry and Jane Pearson. The property included the Tapteil Winery tasting room and Avennia turned it into its Red Mountain tasting room. It was remodeled into a modern, spacious facility, mirroring Avennia's one in Woodinville. With Eli Traverse, we tasted a beautiful 2021 "L'Egerie" Rosé, produced from 75% Grenache and 25% Mourvèdre. The 2020 "La Perle" 65% Roussanne, 35% Marsanne also was delicious as well as the 2029 "Justine" GSM Red: 62% Grenache, 23% Mourvèdre and 15% Syrah. For the "BDX" blends, the 2019 Valery Merlot/Cab Franc, 2019 Sestina and 2018 Red Willow Cabernet Sauvignon were outstanding.
Then we went back down Sunset Road to Fidelitas where we tasted some 2019 reds along with charcuterie. We got a preview of the Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and two single block clonal Cabernets and a Merlot to be released in Fall. The recently released 2019 Malbec and 2019 Optu BDX Red were knockouts. The 2021 Artz Vineyard Semillon is an outstanding example of what can be done with this underrated variety on Red Mountain.
Our last stop was at Greg and Shae Frichette's winery near the beginning of Sunset Road. There, the lineup included another outstanding 2021 Artz Semillon and a striking 2021 Merlot "Sashay Rosé." A bevy of 2019 reds were tasted, including a tasty Malbec, Cabernets and a powerful Sashay Syrah and an elegant Reserve BDX blend from the Scooteney Flats Vineyard across the road from Frichette.
Then we drove back home to Walla Walla. Full reviews of the wines will be in the August issue of the Review of Washington which will go on line July 25.
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