Wines of
the Week

By Chuck Hill

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Chuck's Wine Reviews
of Northwest Wines
Organized by varietal

Wines of the Week
Published:  July 9, 2008

New Wines from Old Friends
By Chuck Hill

Some new releases have taken place recently that promise excellent wine drinking at your summer get-togethers.

Bergevin Lane Vineyards
2007 Calico White
$16.00

This refreshing wine is a blend of 39% Chardonnay (stainless fermented) with barrel-fermented portions of Viognier (30%) and Roussanne (31%). The blend creates a mouthfilling wine that offers aromas and flavors of pear, melon and white peach with hints of mineral and herb. A great companion to seafood, whether prepared simply or augmented with a flavorful sauce.

Woodward Canyon
2007 Dolcetto
Estate Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley
$19.00

"Dolcetto" means "sweet little one" in Italian. Though this version is not particularly little and not sweet to the taste, it offers ripe berry and cherry fruit and a complex palate that will complement your favorite grilled meats and vegetables.

DiStefano
2007 Sauvignon Blanc
Columbia Valley
$16.00

Shuck the oysters, steam the clams and put another shrimp on the barbie!  DiStefano's delightful Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect accompaniment to our bounty of Northwest shellfish and snow white Alaskan halibut. Aromas of citrus, dusty apple and delicate grassy herbs are complemented by floral notes and hints of stone fruits. The palate is citrusy and crisp, perfect for summer sipping with seafood.

DiStefano
2004 Domenica
Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
$28.00

When you have finished the seafood course and polished off the Calico White or Sauvignon Blanc, you might want to reach for this beauty as the steaks arrive from the grill. An indulgent bounty of juicy red fruits, dried cherries, coffee, cocoa, leather and spice, Domenica answers the question, "What's accompanying dinner?"

Substance RS and CH
(Riesling and Chardonnay)
$18.00

These affordable white wines are from the new winery assembled by successful Walla Walla wine entrepreneurs Jamie Brown, Greg Harrington and Jason Huntley. Cleverness in the label design, tongue-in-cheek commentary on the spec sheets, and solid quality in the bottle promise success for this lighthearted brand. The wines remind me of some of the best white wines of Washington's fledgling era - peachy, apricoty, citrusy Riesling and toasty, apple-y Chardonnay with a bit of Twinkie(r) finish. Great fun and great sipping for your summer celebrations and light meals.

Three Rivers Winery
2007 Estate Rose
Walla Walla Valley
$10.00

This pleasing Rose made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc offers aromas of herbs and star fruit with floral notes and hints of ripe berry. The palate is crisp with rose and light berry flavors. Great sipper, and perhaps the only Walla Walla appellation wine you'll find for ten bucks!

Three Rivers Winery
2006 Tempranillo
Columbia Valley
$29.00

This Spanish varietal is on the rise in Washington State, and winemaker Holly Turner has entered game with a charming winner of a wine. Look for bright berry aromas with earthy and floral notes - plus an ample dose of toasty oak. Ripe raspberry and plum flavors - plus toasty oak - make this a great wine for hearty meats from the grill.

Three Rivers Winery
2006 Cabernet Franc
Columbia Valley
$39.00

The grapes for this wine came from the Weinbau Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA. Offering a nose of dusty red currant, blueberry, earth and spice, the palate is long and rich with cherry and berry flavors lightly tinted with toasty oak and cocoa.
 

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