Washington Wine Trip

Tasted Friday, June 15, 2012 - Tuesday, June 19, 2012 by drrobvino with 775 views

Introduction

Stayed at Eason Estates B&B (425.488.7923) in Bothell, WA. Proprieters Shawn and Beth were very gracious hosts. They made all our dining recommendations, as well as organizing the Betz visit.

Flight 1 - Relax. (3 Notes)

In the beautiful gardens at Eason Estates. Shawn served the Church Viognier as a gift.

  • NV Philipponnat Champagne Royale Réserve Brut 92 Points

    France, Champagne

    (6/15/2012)

    Gorgeous, fine mousse, with green apple and toast points on the nose, a little yeasty quality. Has a delicious Granny Smith apple and bread dough quality on the palate, with a superb acid cut on the medium length, mineral infused finish. This Champagne is fabulous, what a nice wftm. Went so nicely with smoked salmon appetizer, as well as aged Cheddar and Blue cheeses on this perfect 65 degree Washington afternoon.

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  • 2008 Charles Baker Riesling Picone Vineyard 91 Points

    Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Vinemount Ridge VQA

    (6/15/2012)

    Very light straw color, similar to previous tasting note, off-dry with enough residual sugar to make you smile.

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  • 2011 William Church Viognier 88 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (6/15/2012)

    Light straw color, this highly perfumed nose is among the most floral I've experienced; like sticking your nose into a bouquet of fresh flowers, laced with pears and apricots. On the palate, slatey minerality with slightly sweet pears and peaches, a nice short+ finish, very nice Wash state Viognier.

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Flight 2 - Dinner at Russell's (2 Notes)

  • 2006 Ramey Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

    (6/16/2012)

    Don't get me wrong- Ramey single vineyard Chards are among my favorite hi end Chards from Calif. I have come to expect great things from these wines. Enjoyed this particular wine with seared scallops at Russell's in Bothell, WA. It was really good, but did not have me in awe like I have become accustomed.
    Medium yellow in color, sporting 14.5% abv. On the nose, a sweeter tropical fruit profile that seemed almost extracted and overdone on this bottle. Some nice wet rocks and very floral. On the palate, this dry wine came across almost slightly sweet, with notes of pineapple, peaches and guava. The finish is medium+, with very tart acid and a petroleum quality that is mildly distracting. Perhaps this bottle was a bit off?

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  • 2008 DuMOL Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 89 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    (6/15/2012)

    Medium ruby in color. On the nose, there are ripe, dark fruits and a bit of tar and minerality. Slight heat on the nose, very ripe fruit profile. On the palate, medium bodied, black cherry liqueur and tar, ripe and full tannins, very tasty and representative of a stereotypical Cali Pinot...but a bit too ripe and masculine for what I look for nowadays in a Pinot. Paired quite nicely with leg of lamb at dinner this evening.

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Flight 3 - A day at the tasting rooms. (23 Notes)

I did not take formal notes at several of the wineries, as we tasted 50-60 wines this day.

Flight 4 - Eating out (3 Notes)

Enjoyed Palmina Nebbiolo at a Picnic at Pike Place Market, overlooking Puget Sound.
Seavey Caravina was enjoyed at the Barking Frog restaurant over a late, much needed lunch.
The Carlisle Syrah was consumed at dinner at Italianissimo's.

  • 2005 Palmina Nebbiolo Sisquoc Vineyard 89 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

    (6/17/2012)

    Enjoyed on a picnic with friends, while overlooking the water from Seattle (Pike's Place). PnP, served maybe a little warm. Jostled around while walking to the picnic as well.
    When opened, a bit closed on the nose, reticent black fruit, and asphalt. On the palate, initially noticed an off-putting spritz, which thankfully dissipated over 15 mins. On the palate, a more tart, red fruit profile came through, along with charcoal embers, and a nice acid level that made the wine fresh and precise on the palate. I've certainly never had a 7 year old Calif Nebbiolo before, but this wine could have gone another 4 years easily, and was quite tasty with meats and cheeses this warm and blustery afternoon.

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  • 2006 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Caravina 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (6/18/2012)

    Enjoyed this bottle over lunch at a local Woodinville, WA restaurant, the Barking Frog. PnP, deep garnet in color, 14.5% abv.
    Deep dark fruits on the nose, ripe black cherry and plum, a bit of licorice and tobacco on the nose. Offers up black currant / cassis on the palate, a bit of a pruney quality, some tar and minerality on the palate. The tannins are softer and very soft at this point, and the wine is drinking beautifully. Should last another 5-7 years or so.

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  • 2007 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block 88 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    (6/18/2012)

    Deep purple in color, 15.0% abv. Nose of plums and blueberries, with notes of olives, charcoal and asphalt. On the palate, this wine is so huge, way bigger than I tend to like these days out of a Syrah. The fruit extraction is very big and in a way overdone, with blueberry compote and black cherry liqueur, followed by olive pit and charcoal, a bit of smoke, with a long finish full of chewy, teeth staining tannins, leading into a med+ mineral-driven finish.

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Flight 5 - Dinner at the HerbFarm (5 Notes)

The single finest meal I have ever experienced.

  • NV Treveri Cellars Gewürztraminer Demi-Sec 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

    (6/17/2012)

    An off-dry Sparkling Gewurtztraminer from WA state. Tiny bubbles on the quickly dissipating mousse, gorgeous medium-yellow in color. Aromatically, this wine explodes with all the spicy and floral characteristics that Gewürztraminer lovers know and love, but it was served with a leaf of fresh lemon verbena in the glass, so my glass had an intense citrusy quality as well. On the palate, refreshingly precise due to the bubbles and gorgeous acid profile, yet perfectly smile-inducing due to the bit of residual sugar, that pushes through into a tight and focused fruit-driven med+ finish. I would serve this sparkling wine in my home anytime an off-dry sparkler was called for, it is delicious. (The servers tell us it was recently served at the White House).
    This was served with 3 tiny appetizers: marble onion risotto with Arctic Char roe; coriander-crusted Albacore tuna with beets and wild ginger vinaigrette; and caraway-soy caramel with wild Morel mushroom sabayon. Perfection.

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  • 2010 Trust Riesling 88 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (6/17/2012)

    Very light straw in color, showing precise yet open aromatics of a steel-fermented Riesling, including citrus and light tropical nuances. A bit of wet gravel lurks playfully in the background. Flavors closely follow the nose, with the tension I found in the bouquet being slightly muted on the palate, to the point I thought this wine may have been matured in some neutral oak (the Sommelier said it had not). beautifully delineated lemon-lime and perhaps pineapple flavors are tart, focused and bright, leading into a medium length finish that allows this wine to pair so nicely with a wide variety of food. Should drink well for 2-3 years to come, although the bright fruit is so tasty right now.
    Paired this evening with a gorgeous slow-smoked Salmon with a sorrel aioli, alongside nori potatoes rolled in sea-grass, adorned with radish and dill. Absolutely perfect pairing.

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  • 2009 Dunham Cellars Late Harvest Riesling Lewis Vineyard 87 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (6/17/2012)

    A deeper amber color, looks more like honey than wine (in both color and consistency). Has a quite floral bouquet of lillies, laid across a freshly cut apricot and peach dish, drizzled in honey. Rich, rich, rich. On the palate, the wine has a full mouthfeel, yet the acid is such that the wine is never cloying or out of balance, as the pear, peach and apricot fruit flavors are followed by a hint of rocks or chalk on the sweet, med+ finish. A delightful sweet wine that should drink well for several more years to come.
    Paired this evening with an equally rich dish of roasted Boletus mushrooms alongside handmade cheese dumplings, all covered in a sauce made of Sea Spot Prawns. Over the top in every way, yet a perfect match of wine and food this evening.

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  • 2008 Brian Carter Cellars Byzance 91 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (6/17/2012)

    Medium garnet in color, offering a Rhone-like nose of rock-infused dark blueberry and blackberry fruit, with a very noticeable cigar-box spiciness and a hint of garrigue. Mmmmm. On the palate, flavors are tightly knit and fresh, showing off blackberry and raspberry notes, alongside a firm spicy profile that reminds me of Indian curry (perhaps nutmeg or cardamom), that is simply delicious, leading into a medium length, nicely balanced finish that pairs quite nicely with flavorful or moderately spicy foods. This wine will drink well for another 5-7 years, in my opinion.
    Paired this evening with an incredibly flavorful preparation of pork belly, adorned with carmelized fennel, snap peas, fresh mint and mustard seeds. Oooh laa laaah.

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  • 2002 Long Shadows Wineries Chester-Kidder 94 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (6/17/2012)

    Decanted for approximately 6 hours by our servers, prior to dinner. My first experience with a properly cellared and aged Washington state Cabernet blend. Shows a beautifully mature deep garnet color, which lightens to medium brown at the rim. The nose of this wine is one of sweet fig, ripe black currant, and plum, all drizzled in balsamic vinegar, and just the slightest hint of clove and licorice in the upper register. On the palate, this wine is expansive and complex, showing off ripe dark fruit characteristics that have now been reigned in by the bottle age, allowing the licorice and clove component to play alongside the prune and cassis flavors, all supported by a perfectly balanced acidity and velvety, well-integrated tannins that lead into a long, mineral-infused, ripe cassis finish. On a perfect drinking plateau now, I hesitate to guess how long this wine will continue to drink so well (maybe 8-10 more years?), but it is so gorgeous now, it would be hard not to drink these up.
    Paired this evening alongside 2 different preparations of lamb (braised shoulder vs wood-grilled loin) with oregano-cumin panisse, grilled garlic, young carrots, buttered favas, and saffron jus. The flavors and background spice of this dish were matched so perfectly with that of the wine, I would say it was the most stunning wine and food pairing I have ever experienced. The pinnacle course of a perfect meal.

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Flight 6 - Day 2 at the tasting rooms. (12 Notes)

We did a little warming up at a few wineries prior to visiting Betz Family Winery (whose wine is all sold via mailing list, and they are closed to the public).

  • 2010 Januik Chardonnay Cold Creek Vineyard 88 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (6/18/2012)

    Tasting room pour. This Chard is sourced from Chateau St Michelle's estate vineyard. Pear and green apple on the nose. Steely notes of pear and green apple are echoed on the palate, with bright mineral notes and light toasty notes noticeable on the med finish. Very nice.

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  • 2009 Januik Cabernet Sauvignon Champoux Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills

    (6/18/2012)

    Tasting room pour. From the H3 AVA. Blueberry, black currant, tar and rocks on the nose. Rich, ripe blueberries on the palate (a bit jammy), along with charcoal and chocolate. Full bodied, long finish, drying tannins.

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  • 2009 Januik Petit Verdot Ciel du Cheval Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain

    (6/18/2012)

    Tasting room pour. Black in color. Blackberry fruit, tart dark fruits on the nose, with smoke and a black pepper nuance in the upper register. On the palate, blackberry fruit leads into black cherry pit, with a wonderful tense tartness, meat, and charcoal. Huge mouthfeel, tightly wound tannins, med+ finish. Very nice. Drink in 2 years, over the next 8+.

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  • 2009 Januik Syrah Ciel du Cheval Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain

    (6/18/2012)

    Tasting room pour. Medium garnet color. Plums and black currant fruit on the nose, with a tense spiciness and minerality. Blueberry and spice/garrigue flavors, with a more tart fruit profile, superb minerality, and a long, earthy finish. Very nice.

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  • 2009 Januik Red Wine Reserve 94 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (6/18/2012)

    Tasting room pour. Medium garnet in color. Restrained black currant and cassis fruit on the nose, you have to work for it at this point. A nice minerality noted as well, but the bouquet is reserved and held tight to the chest, anticipating what will come in years ahead. In the mouth, there is a tart black cherry fruit profile, with gorgeous licorice and minerality, wonderful length and balance, leading into a long finish showing mocha notes, supported by already supple tannins that will further round out in 1-2 years, and drink well for another 7-10 years+. Super wine, with great potential.

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  • 2010 William Church Viognier 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (6/18/2012)

    Tasting room pour. The 2011 Viognier was already open, and the winemaker came in and popped the 2010 to compare (thanks Mark!). Less intensely floral nose than the 2011, showing peach and apricot fruit flavors and a hint of chalk in the upper register. Flavorful expression of gorgeous stone fruits, very lush and deeper on the palate than the 2011, putting on significant weight with another year of bottle age. Drink over the next 2 years.

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  • 2008 William Church Cabernet Sauvignon 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (6/18/2012)

    Tasting room pour. This blend includes 22% Petit Verdot, 30-40% new oak. Light blackberry and black cherry notes on the nose. Flavors of black cherry, smoke, and charcoal on the medium length finish.

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  • 2009 William Church Malbec Gamache Vineyard 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (6/18/2012)

    Tasting room pour. Approx 50% new oak on this Malbec. Blueberry and wet stones on the nose, also some smokey notes. On the palate, black cherry pit and charcoal notes initially, leading into a higher acid, fresher Malbec than I am used to from the limited Washington producers who even bottle this varietal. The tannins are very tight at this point, delivering a precise and mineral-infused med+ finish. Very nice, and I assume this will improve over the next 1-2 years and drink well for 4-6+ years thereafter. Bravo.

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  • 2008 William Church Syrah 90 Points

    USA, Washington

    (6/18/2012)

    Tasting room pour. Syrah from 3 different sites, blended and fermented in 30-35% new oak. Meaty/bacon characteristic initially on the nose, black cherry fruit, anise. Yum yum. Flavors of red cherry pit, plum, garrigue/spice, flinty medium+ finish, nice!

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  • 2007 William Church 2 Spires 88 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (6/18/2012)

    Tasting room pour. I think it was opened accidentally (tasting sheet said 2008), but I wasn't complaining. 50% new oak, 60% Syrah, 40% Cab. Raspberry and bing cherry on the nose, seems bright and fresh. This leads into flavors of blueberry and black currant fruit, with tense tannins that may not fully resolve (a bit green?), showing notes of mocha on the medium finish. Drink now for 4-5 more years.

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  • 2008 William Church 2 Spires 89 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (6/18/2012)

    Tasting room pour. Approx 70% Syrah, 30% Cab. Bouquet offers up deep, dark plum and red cherry fruit, with a bit of minerality. Then flavorful notes of beautiful red cherry fruit, spice/black pepper, with a tense and tight tannic mouthfeel. Currently 89 points, potential 92. Drink in 1-2 years, over the next 5-8yrs.

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  • 2009 Betz Family Clos de Betz 93 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    (6/18/2012)

    Tasting room pour (Ha! There is no tasting room, but we scored a personal visit). Stood around with Steve Griessel (current owner, nicest guy ever), Bob Betz (previous owner, current consultant), and Tyson (asst winemaker), and tasted a teeth-staining barrel sample from the lovely 2011 Syrahs. We then chatted about this newly released wine (they served it blind and asked us to guess). I was thinking this was a Bordeaux blend, but I wasn't getting enough from the Cab Sauv to make me sure, and I was afraid to "guess wrong outloud" in front of all these wine gurus. My pal, Chris, steps into the middle of the tasting circle and boldly says, "It is a Bordeaux blend, mostly Merlot." After getting high-fives from all the Masters, they unveiled the 2009 Clos de Betz, their Merlot-heavy Bordeaux blend. At the end of this awesome tasting experience, Chris walked to the car humming "I'm sexy and I know it.". Damn him.

    Deep purple/garnet in color. On the nose, black cherry fruit and notes of mocha and licorice come through, with a flint/mineral characteristic in the upper register. The wine is full bodied yet restrained on the palate, showing black cherry pit, plum, and black currant flavors, very controlled and precise, so fresh and brilliant due to laborious fruit selection and proper ripeness at harvest. Interesting to hear from Bob Betz how much thought and effort goes into getting this end result, but so worth it when you taste the final product. Not in the least bit overdone, this wine will drink well in two more years, and should go for 10-15+ years with no problem whatsoever. Brilliant.

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Closing

Learned alot about what I do like (elegant Syrahs and Cabs with restrained yet ripened fruit and minerality) and what I don't like (over-extraction of fruit and massive new oak manipulation) in Washington state wines. Will repeat this trip, but maybe stay in Walla Walla next time. Great memories with great friends.

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