Tasting Notes Digest
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Reviews of Pacific Northwest Red Wines
Three
Rivers Winery
Coeur d'Alene Cellars
Portteus
Paul Portteus planted his first acres of Zinfandel in 1984 and now has 5 acres total in production. This wine is a spectacular example of what Zinfandel can be when everything comes together perfectly. The nose is reminiscent of Pinot Noir with Zinfandel notes added in: earthy berry, meaty, black pepper, black cherry and raspberry. The palate is rich and well balanced with peppery notes and loads of berry. The 2005 vintage is equally good, though it shows a slightly more feminine side. (2/07 CH) (Current Vintage 2006)
Solena Cellars This winery is the venture of Laurent Montalieu and Danielle Andrus Montalieu. Laurent was the original winemaker for Bridgeview Vineyards, then supervised the opening of Willakenzie Estate in Yamhill County in 1995. The grapes for this tasty bottling were grown near Grants Pass at Wooldridge Creek Vineyard. The aroma offers tangy blackberry, cinnamon, pepper and jammy notes. The palate is well balanced with ample acidity to make it a delightful food wine. Look for jammy berry flavors with pepper and barrel toast on the finish. (2/07 CH)
Forgeron Cellars This fruit-forward Zin was crafted from grapes grown at Alder Ridge Vineyard (the Zin part) and at Stonetree Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope (the 21% Syrah portion). Both the nose and the palate exhibit a classic synthesis of varietals with jammy blackberry and pepper (Zinfandel) melding with anise and blueberry (Syrah), all wrapped in a toasty swaddling of French and American oak. Brush the snow off the grill and fire it up for flank steak marinated in Zin, EVOO and herbs. Bon Appetit! (2/07 CH)
Howling Wolfe From Dr. Wolfe of Thurston Wolfe comes this juicy and flavorful Zin, his fifth from the Horse Heaven Hills vineyard Zephyr Ridge. It contains 8% Petite Sirah from the same vineyard. Look for rich aromas of jammy berry with notes of pepper, chocolate and barrel spice. The palate is full and well structured offering cherry and berry flavors and a toasty oak finish. (2/07 CH)
Barnard Griffin
Rob
Griffin's Reserve Zin is vinted from grapes grown in the Columbia Gorge
near Maryhill at the vineyard of Gunkle Farms. The nose is redolent with
ripe blackberry and cherry with forward notes of pepper, spice and oak.
In the mouth, the jammy, berry flavors meld with firm acid structure to
create a superb food wine.
Rancho Zabaco This flavorful wine is vinted from grapes grown in and near the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County. The 20% to 30% whole berry fermentation increased the bright raspberry and strawberry aromas and flavors leading to a more complex wine. Blending with Petite Sirah, Tempranillo and Syrah created a rich palate with a soft mouthfeel and a lingering finish of plum and cherry. (2/07 CH)
Troon Vineyard Low cropping and a blend of 100% Zinfandel create a wine that is rich and spicy with backbone for aging. The nose offers loads of plum and berry with hints of spice and herbs. The flavors are jammy blackberry and plum with an elegant, silky mouthfeel and a finish of cinnamon and black fruits. A special wine for a special occasion. (2/07 CH)
Ravenswood Winemaker Joel Peterson has been making Zinfandel in California for more than 30 years and has adopted the slogan, "No Wimpy Wines" to state his credo. Zins from the Lodi area benefit from mature vineyards and low yields, creating intensely flavored wines with length and seductive staying power. Look for bright fruit aromas of cherry and raspberry leading to a voluptuous palate of earthy berry, toasty oak and lingering spices. Great with food, but also a nice aperitif for red wine lovers. (2/07 CH)
Maryhill Winery Maryhill Winery has an awesome site in the Columbia Gorge and produces rich and flavorful wines from grapes grown in the area. Their Zinfandel offers spicy and smoky notes in the aroma complementing a base of ripe blackberry and plum. The palate is ripe with jammy berry and finishes with notes of toasty oak. Pair this rich wine with your best efforts from the grill or richly sauced meat dishes. (2/07 CH)
E. B. Foote Winery Rich Higgenbotham and Sherrill Miller vinted this tasty Zin from grapes grown on the Wahluke Slope at Milbrandt Vineyards. Rich aromas of raspberry and cherry lead to a mouth-filling palate of black fruits, vanilla and toasty oak. Look to the grill for inspiration in creating a dish to accompany this hearty bottling. (2/07 CH)
Barnard Griffin This succulent Cab-Merlot blend also contains 12% Cabernet Franc which adds some additional juicy aromas and flavors to the mix. Blackberry, cherry and vanilla dominate the aromas and flavors with a delicate ribbon of toasty oak tied on for interest! (11/06 CH)
DiStefano Winery Here is another superb value wine from Mark Newton of DiStefano. Featuring a pedigree of grapes grown from Walla Walla to the Yakima Valley, the wine shows its 20% portion of Cabernet Franc with bright aromas of currant and berry mingled with a light touch on the oak. The palate is complex and supple, and very food friendly. (11/06 CH)
Forgeron Cellars Equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot - with 18% Syrah blended in - were sourced from some of the Columbia Valley's finest vineyards to craft this reserve-style wine. Look for ripe cherry, cassis and toasty oak on the nose. The palate bursts with ripe fruit flavors framed by a sturdy structure of oak and tannin. Serve with your richest meats and hearty sauces. (1/07 CH)
Foris Vineyards Almost equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc combine to make a superb Meritage-style wine with complexity and structure. Notes of cassis, mineral, cedar, blueberry, plums and cherry are complemented by smoky-toasty oak and an elegant, balanced palate. Great with a wide variety of meats and rich sauces. Lamb from the grill was a hit at my table. (11/06 CH)
Three Rivers Winery
This delicious wine includes all five of the classic red Bordeaux varietals (CS, CF, ME, PV, MB) and offers great complexity and finesse. Selection of fruit was predominantly from the highly respected Champoux and Conner Lee Vineyards. Our tasters found tangy aromas of cassis, cherry, raspberry and vanilla, with hints of coffee and tobacco. The palate offers bright fruit flavors with lingering notes of berry and cedar. This is a wine for drinking this year but will improve over the next five years. (11/06 CH)
Whidbey
Island Winery Winemaker Greg Osenbach crafts wines from vineyards in both western and eastern Washington. This Meritage-style blend is rich in both aroma and flavor highlighting blueberry, cassis, cherry, leather, coffee and vanilla. You can visit the winery on Whidbey Island Wednesday through Sunday, Noon to 5 PM. Also available at selected Western Washington retailers. Great value! (11/06 CH) Go to WHITE Northwest wine reviews
Copyright © 2000 - 2008 Susan R. O'Hara. All rights reserved. Last revised: 03/07/2008 |
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