Today’s Fresh Sheet – reviews of new and recent releases – includes wines from
Andrew Will,
Tulpen Cellars,
Long Shadows,
Boomtown by Dusted Valley,
Auclair Winery,
L’Ecole No 41,
Chateau Ste. Michelle,
Columbia Crest,
Domaine Pouillon,
Stottle Winery,
Buty, and
Cadaretta.
Andrew WillThe 2011 vintage releases from
Andrew Will are among the more fascinating wines to come out of the vintage. Who else in Washington produced red wines with labeled alcohols of 12.5% and 13%? We’re used to hearing about wineries fudging labeled alcohol percentages downward because they are so high. That’s obviously not what’s happening here and I believe that these are honest numbers.
Of course, this is only interesting if the wines are of good quality. They are. The wines are also completely unlike any of their peers I have tasted from this vintage. Many of the red wines from the 2011 vintage are light and elegantly styled at their best, thin and green at their worst. The Andrew Will wines are neither. There is good concentration but without any excess alcoholic fat. The aromas and flavors enter into the savory but rarely into the green. Notably, there is also more acid than I have seen on many of the 2011 wines, presumably because winemaker Chris Camarda picked earlier.
The real stars of the show from Andrew Will’s 2011s are the three Horse Heaven Hills designated wines, particularly the Sorella – which is one of my top wines to come out of this vintage. It’s almost completely impenetrable when first opened, not completely unwinding until about four days in. At this point, many of its peers I have tasted from the 2011 vintage have already gone by the wayside. However, the Andrew Will wines continued to show well for a full week after being open, an extreme rarity for the vintage.
Andrew Will Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley 2012 $25
(Good) Moderately aromatic with notes of stewed cherries and herbs. The palate is medium bodied with a soft, very appealing texture to pair with rich fruit flavors. There’s much to enjoy here but the aromas and the flavors seem disconnected. 95% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Two Blondes Vineyard. Aged 12 months in French oak (35% new). 13.5% alcohol. Sample provided by winery.
Andrew Will Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2012 $25
(Excellent) Moderately aromatic with a unique profile of peanut shells, herbs, tomato leaf, and kimchi. The palate is medium bodied, soft, and velvety with a compelling feel and abundant dark fruit flavors. An unusual wine, not for all comers, but provides as lot of enjoyment. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 12 months in French oak (35% new). 13.5% alcohol. Sample provided by winery.
Andrew Will Two Blondes Vineyard Red Wine Yakima Valley 2011 $52
(Good/Excellent) Moderately aromatic with notes of fresh green herbs, jalapeño, dark fruit, cigar box, and fresh tobacco. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied with well integrated tannins and a low alcohol feel. May be a bit too green for some. 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Franc. Aged 18 months in French oak. 12.5% alcohol. 1,008 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine Red Mountain 2011 $57
(Excellent/Exceptional) Lightly aromatic with notes of savory herbs, brooding dark fruit, barrel spices, and wet stone. The palate is densely flavored with black fruit while maintaining a sense of lightness with an appealing feel, accented by a moderate grip of tannins on the finish. 52% Cabernet Franc, 48% Merlot. 13% alcohol. Aged 18 months in French oak. 790 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Andrew Will Sorella Red Wine Champoux Vineyard Horse Heaven Hills 2011 $70One of the highlights of the 2011 vintage, this wine is near unapproachable when first opened and takes days to fully reveal its charms. Ah but when it does…It brings notes of graphite, dusky spices, herbs, and dark fruit with peppercorn accents. The tannins are firm and tightly wound and the acids are mouthwatering. Unlike many 2011 vintage wines, it also held up well over the course of a week, which should bode well for its longevity. Give at least five years or a 24+ hour decant. 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. 13% alcohol. (
Wine Enthusiast review to be published in an upcoming issue).
Andrew Will May’s Discovery Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills 2011 $45Coming from young (2005) plantings, this 100% varietal wine shows a surprising amount of depth with an unusual profile of savory herbs, nori, graphite, and dark fruit. The acids are lively and there is minimal excess fat to get in the way of the supple, polished feel. Give three to five years or a 12-24 hour decant. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 12.5% alcohol. (
Wine Enthusiast review to be published in an upcoming issue).
Andrew Will Champoux Vineyard Red Wine Horse Heaven Hills 2011 $60This is easily the most immediately accessible of the three 2011 wines from this region with notes of toast, scorched earth, herbs, and dark fruit. It’s densely packed with dark fruit backed by tart acids and tightly coiled tannins. Shows good potential for cellaring. 54% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. 13% alcohol. (
Wine Enthusiast review to be published in an upcoming issue).
Tulpen CellarsTulpen Cellars Coalescence Red Wine Walla Walla Valley 2010 $32
(Exceptional) Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with a whopping 27% Petit Verdot blended in, it starts out locked up aromatically before opening up to reveal pure notes of raspberries and red cherries accented by barrel spices. The palate is seamless and rich, mouth coating with vibrant fruit flavors framed by beautifully balanced acidity capped off by a lingering finish. 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Petit Verdot. Yellowbird (81%) and Tokar vineyards. 14.3% alcohol. 125 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Tulpen Cellars Dry Land Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley 2010 $38(Excellent) Another fascinating example of non-irrigated farming in Washington, it’s locked up tightly when first opened – like many wines from the 2010 vintage - but opens to reveal pure notes of red fruit, savory herbs, and wood spice accents. The palate is supple with soft fruit flavors, tart acids, and well integrated tannins. Lingers on the finish. 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot. Yellowbird (60%) and Tokar vineyards. 14.5% alcohol. 100 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Tulpen Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Tokar Vineyard Walla Walla Valley 2010 $42(Excellent) A very bright, red fruit driven profile of raspberries, red cherries, red licorice, and cigar box. It coats the palate with supple fruit flavors backed by quite tart acids and firm, grainy tannins with a good sense of persistence. Give it time in the cellar to see it shine. 97.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.6% Petit Verdot. 14.1% alcohol. 155 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Long ShadowsLong Shadows has altered its labels, moving from silkscreen to print. The bottles also now have a unifying label at the bottom that reads “From the Long Shadows Vintners Collection.” For those in western Washington, the winery’s (relatively) new tasting room in Woodinville’s Schoolhouse District is well worth a visit. The winery also recently launched a wine club, called the
Key Club.
Long Shadows Poet’s Leap Riesling Columbia Valley 2013 $20(Excellent) A moderately aromatic wine with intriguing notes of lime, white peach, basil, mineral, and allspice. The palate drinks off dry with good richness of flavors and a pleasing interplay between the fruit and acid that leads to a lingering finish. Best after 2014. 100% Riesling. Sonnet Vineyard at The Benches (43%), Phil Church (27%), and Sagemoor vineyards. 1.29 g/100ml Residual Sugar. 12.9% alcohol. 4,125 cases produced.
Long Shadows Saggi Red Wine Columbia Valley 2011 $45(Good/Excellent) Locked up aromatically with notes of smoke, mineral and brooding dark fruit. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied with tart fruit flavors, puckering acidity, chalky tannins, and a warm finish that provides a bit of distraction. 43% Sangiovese, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Syrah. Candy Mountain, Boushey, and Sagemoor vineyards. Aged 18 months in French oak (35% new). 14.9% alcohol. 1,325 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Long Shadows Chester-Kidder Red Wine Columbia Valley 2010 $50(Excellent) Locked up aromatically with notes of blackberry, cherry, smoke, mineral, coffee, Mounds Bar, and barrel spices. The palate is medium plus bodied with rich fruit flavors, chewy, slightly dry tannins and a warm finish. 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Syrah, and 5% Petit Verdot. Candy Mountain, Red Mountain, Dionysus. Aged 30 months in French oak. 15.1% alcohol. 989 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Long Shadows Sequel Syrah Columbia Valley 2011 $50(Excellent/Exceptional) An aromatically compelling wine with notes of smoke, bacon fat, earthy funk, and huckleberry. The fruit flavors are lighter in style, silky soft in feel while carrying some alcoholic richness behind them but with a long, lingering finish. 100% Syrah. 14.8% alcohol. Sample provided by winery.
Boomtown by Dusted ValleyOf note, Dusted Valley’s Boomtown brand has undergone a major label change (see example
here).
Boomtown by Dusted Valley Chardonnay Washington State 2013 $16(Good) A moderately aromatic wine that focuses squarely on the fruit with notes of pear, apple, apricot, and light oak spices. It’s on the lighter side of medium bodied with a fresh, bright, clean feel. 100% Chardonnay. 85% fermented in neutral French oak, 15% in stainless steel. 12.9% alcohol. 2,000 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Boomtown by Dusted Valley Merlot Washington State 2012 $16
(Decent) A moderately aromatic wine with notes of herbs, black currant, and leafy green notes. The palate has a soft, plush feel with some residual sugar sweetening the mocha filled finish. 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Malbec. 14.6% alcohol. 3,700 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Boomtown by Dusted Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Washington State 2012 $16(Good) Lightly aromatic with notes of brambly berries, herbs, whole bell pepper, and spice. The palate is lighter in style with a fresh feel, soft but slightly dry tannins, little noticeable new oak influence, and a fruit filled finish. 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 3% Malbec. 13.9% alcohol. 7,000 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Boomtown by Dusted Valley Syrah Washington State 2012 $16(Good) A moderately aromatic wine with blackberry, plum, dried herbs, vanilla, and mineral notes. The palate is medium bodied with abundant mocha and vanilla tones with the oak carrying through on the finish. The wood plays a big part in the show here. 96% Syrah, 2% Grenache, and 2% Malbec. 14.1% alcohol. 3,600 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Auclair WineryThe latest releases from
Auclair Winery include the high quality 2011 96 Cedars Red Wine. Despite the Columbia Valley label, this is a single vineyard Red Mountain wine – a rarity at this price (outside, of course, of the numerous such offerings from Kiona).
Auclair Winery 96 Cedars White Wine Columbia Valley 2013 $18(Good) A lightly aromatic wine with notes of herbs, a whiff of tropical fruit, and fig. The palate is medium-plus bodied with a creamy, rich texture and sense of weight without becoming overburdened. Loses just a bit of its rhythm toward the finish. 60% Sauvignon Blanc co-fermented with 40% Semillon in 100% used French oak barrels. Artz Vineyard. Sample provided by winery.
Auclair Winery Sauvignon Blanc Red Mountain 2013 $18(Good/Excellent) Very lightly aromatic with notes of wet stone, tropical fruit (passion fruit, guava), and herbs. The palate is full bodied and textured in feel with tart citrus notes that linger on the finish. 82% Sauvignon Blanc co-fermented with 18% Semillon. Artz Vineyard. 33% barrel fermented in neutral French oak. 13.5% alcohol. Sample provided by winery.
Auclair Winery 96 Cedars Red Wine Columbia Valley 2011 $25(Excellent/Exceptional) A Red Mountain wine in Columbia Valley clothing and the first vintage as a Cabernet Franc offering, it’s an immediately appealing, complex wine with laser focused notes of blackberries and raspberries, bittersweet chocolate, cinnamon, floral notes, cocoa, black licorice, mineral and cassis. The fruit flavors are supple and seamless, brightened by well balanced acidity, coating the palate while showing minimal excess alcoholic weight and supported by beautifully integrated tannins with spot on balance throughout. An impressive find at this price that truly speaks to its vintage. 53% Merlot 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc. Artz Vineyard. 14.3% alcohol. Sample provided by winery.
L’Ecole No 41These are good times for
L’Ecole No 41 (and for Washington) with the winery’s inaugural vintage of its Ferguson Estate Red Wine receiving an award from Decanter for ‘Best Bordeaux Varietal over £15.’ Could this be Washington’s own ‘
Judgment of Paris’ moment? With blends among Washington’s greatest strengths, it very well could. Stay tuned.
Read an
article I wrote for Washington Tasting Room Magazine about L’Ecole’s Ferguson Vineyard.
L’Ecole No 41 Old Vines Chenin Blanc Columbia Valley 2013 $14(Good/Excellent) Coming all from 1978 and 1979 plantings, it’s moderately aromatic with notes of red apple, passion fruit, and guava. The palate is medium bodied, very lightly spritzy, textured in feel with good acid balance, just a touch of residual sugar, and a lingering finish. Drinking young. Give it time to open up. 100% Chenin Blanc. Willard Farms, Phil Church, Upland, and Rothrock vineyards. 0.5% Residual Sugar. 13.5% alcohol. 4,220 cases produced.
L’Ecole No 41 Merlot Columbia Valley 2011 $24(Excellent) An aromatically appealing wine with cedar, char, red fruit, high toned floral notes, herbs, game, and mineral. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied with tart, lively acidity and big, chewy tannins. Give three-plus years to see it at its best. 85% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot. Seven Hills, Stone Tree, Candy Mountain, Bacchus, Dionysus, Klipsun, Pepper Bridge, Weinbau, and Ferguson vineyards. Aged 18 months in oak (30% new). 14.5% alcohol. Sample provided by winery.
L’Ecole No 41 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2011 $31(Excellent/Exceptional) One hundred percent varietal, it’s directly appealing with notes of char, mocha, dark chocolate, smoke, berry, leafy green herbs, spice, and dark fruit. It’s on the lighter side of medium bodied, filled with fruit flavors, well-balanced acids and firm tannins that need some time to unwind. A throwback style Cabernet with a long life in front of it. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Candy Mountain, Bacchus & Dionysus, Estate Seven Hills, Klipsun, Stone Tree, Alder, Ridge, Weinbau, and Pepper Bridge vineyards. Aged 22 months in oak (33% new). 14.5% alcohol. 5,260 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
L’Ecole No 41 Syrah Columbia Valley 2011 $24(Excellent) Blended with 20% Grenache with notes of jammy blue and red fruit along with mineral notes, chocolate, and a light meaty note. The palate is full bodied but still lighter in style, packed with full throttle fruit flavors and silky smooth tannins. Candy Mountain, Stone Tree, Estate Seven Hills, Alder Ridge, and Bacchus vineyards. Aged 18 months in mostly neutral French oak. 15.0% alcohol. 2,230 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
L’Ecole No 41 Estate Merlot Walla Walla Valley 2011 $34(Good/Excellent) A moderately aromatic wine with notes of plum, wet stone, coffee, and toast. The palate is light in style, tart and tightly wound with firm, unresolved tannins. There are good things going on here that need some time to come together. Best after 2016. 86% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. Seven Hills (58%) and Ferguson vineyards. Aged 18 months in French oak (40% new). 14.5% alcohol. 990 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
L’Ecole No 41 Estate Cabernet Franc Seven Hills Vineyard Walla Walla Valley 2011 $36(Good) An aromatically reserved wine with vanilla, wet stone, barrel spices, and cherry. The palate is lighter in style, tart with chewy, more grippy tannins than are often seen at this vineyard site. 100% Cabernet Franc. Aged 20 months in French oak (33% new). 14.5% alcohol. 245 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
L’Ecole No 41 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley 2011 $39(Good) One hundred percent varietal, it’s aromatically closed up with notes of dark chocolate, coffee, mineral, and cherry. The palate is elegantly styled with tart fruit flavors and dry, firm tannins. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Seven Hills, Summit View, Loess, Yellow Jacket, and Ferguson vineyards. Aged 22 months in French oak (40% new). 14.5% alcohol. 2,130 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
L’Ecole No 41 Estate Grown Perigee Seven Hills Vineyard Red Wine Walla Walla Valley 2011 $49(Excellent) A moderately aromatic wine with abundant mineral notes along with coffee, char, and an assortment of red and black fruit. The palate has tart fruit flavors and dry, chewy tannins. Give at least two years. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec, and 4% Petit Verdot. Aged 22 months in French oak (50% new). 14.5% alcohol. 1,115 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
L’Ecole No 41 Estate Grown Ferguson Vineyard Red Wine Walla Walla Valley 2011 $59(Excellent) Showing the youthful exuberance of this young vineyard, it’s a more aromatically generous wine than its 2011 peers with notes of dark coffee, dark fruit, leafy herbs, and high toned floral notes. The palate is well constructed with good weight and density to the fruit flavors, tart acidity, and firm, structured, slightly dry tannins and mouthwatering acidity. Best after 2017. 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc. Aged 22 months in French oak (50% new). 845 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
L’Ecole No 41 Estate Syrah Seven Hills Vineyard Walla Walla Valley 2011 $34(Excellent) Pops aromatically with notes of fresh blueberry pie, herbs, and char. The palate is tart, soft and sultry with abundant berry flavors and tannins combed to a fine sheen. 100% Syrah. Aged 18 months in French oak (40% new). 15% alcohol. 1,010 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Chateau Ste MichelleChateau Ste Michelle Ethos Reserve Chardonnay Columbia Valley 2012 $38(Excellent) A moderately aromatic and appealing wine with notes of buttery spices, toast, candy corn, butterscotch, and stone fruit. The palate is full bodied with a creamy, rich feel and a long, lingering finish. Oak driven but pulls it off quite well. 100% Chardonnay. Cold Creek and Canoe Ridge vineyards. Aged sur lie for 10 months in new and one year old French oak. 14.5% alcohol. 1,650 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Chateau Ste Michelle Ethos Reserve Merlot Columbia Valley 2011 $50(Good/Excellent) A lightly aromatic wine with notes of coffee, chocolate, herbs, and dark fruit that seems a bit stewed. The palate is medium bodied, elegant in its styling but still richly flavored with a feel that glides. 86% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon (74% of fruit from Cold Creek Vineyard). Aged 22 months in French Oak (78% new). 14.5% alcohol. 750 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Chateau Ste Michelle Ethos Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2011 $50(Excellent) Aromatically reticent with notes of barrel spices, coffee, wet gravel, and dark fruit. The palate is medium bodied with supple fruit flavors and some grit to the tannins. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cold Creek (85%), Zephyr Ridge (10%), and Kiona vineyards. Aged 22 months in French oak (80% new). 14.5% alcohol. 2,000 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Chateau Ste Michelle Ethos Reserve Syrah Columbia Valley 2011 $35(Excellent) A moderately aromatic wine with notes of blackberry, tire rubber, berry, and spice. The palate is rich, full bodied, and concentrated with abundant dark fruit, coffee, and spice flavors. 100% Syrah. StoneTree (62%) and Cold Creek (38%) vineyards. Aged 20 months in new French and American oak. 14.9% alcohol. Sample provided by winery.
Columbia CrestColumbia Crest Reserve Merlot Columbia Valley 2011 $35(Good) A moderately aromatic wine with generous amounts of milk chocolate, spice, vanilla bean, and dark raspberry. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, elegant in its styling showing a little grittiness to the tannins and seeming a bit disjointed. 100% Merlot. Four Feathers Vineyard Block 08. Aged 18 months in new and used oak. 14.5% alcohol. 300 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Columbia Crest Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Wautoma Springs Vineyard Columbia Valley 2011 $35(Excellent/Exceptional) Coming from the heart of the Cold Creek region, this is a moderately aromatic wine with notes of café au lait, bittersweet chocolate, cherry, herbs, and barrel spices. The palate is medium bodied, supple in feel showing impressive length on the finish. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Block 99. Aged 18 months in French oak (60% new). 50 cases produced. 14.0% alcohol. Sample provided by winery.
Domaine PouillonDomaine Pouillon Black Dot Lot 12 Columbia Valley NV $22(Good) Pale in color. Moderately aromatic with an appealing mix of jammy red fruit, plum, herbs, red currant, chocolate, and tire rubber. The palate is on the lighter side of medium bodied, soft and silky in feel with a very appealing texture and no obvious new oak influence. 36% Zinfandel, 32% Syrah, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Mourvèdre, 6% Dolcetto, and 6% Grenache. 14% alcohol. 680 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Domaine Pouillon Deux White Wine Columbia Valley 2012 $19(Good) Starts out somewhat reduced. It’s moderately aromatic with notes of peach, toasted grape nuts, and flowers. The palate is medium plus bodied with a lightly oily feel and a warm finish. Give it time to open up or decant. 50% Chardonnay, 50% Viognier. 14.0% alcohol. 210 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Domaine Pouillon Savoir-Faire White Wine Boushey Vineyard Yakima Valley 2012 $27(Decent) Starts out quite reduced. The palate is full bodied, rich and creamy in feel with notes of peach and a citrus peel finish. There’s a lot of good things going on here but they struggle to get to the surface with the reduction. 41% Grenache Blanc, 30% Marsanne, 29% Picpoul. 14% alcohol. 14.00% alcohol. 190 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Stottle WineryStottle Winery Merlot Elephant Mountain Vineyard Yakima Valley 2011 $26(Excellent) Barrel notes of vanilla, butterscotch, char, and licorice are at the fore along with coffee, herbs, and red fruit. The palate is medium bodied with light fruit flavors and a very pretty texture that keeps the interest high. Walks the balance beam of light fruit notes, barrel notes, and texture, occasionally teetering but never falling off. 100% Merlot. Aged 19 months in French oak (50% new). 14.4% alcohol. 52 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Stottle Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Elephant Mountain Yakima Valley 2011 $34(Good) Aromatically brooding initially it opens to reveal notes of woodspice, licorice, vanilla, cherry, and abundant herbal notes that lean well into the green. The palate is medium bodied, textured with coffee, cherry, and woodspice flavors. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 19 months in French oak (50% new). 14.4% alcohol. 120 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Stottle Winery Tempranillo Sugarloaf Vineyard Yakima Valley 2011 $29(Good) An aromatic wine with notes of char, roasted coffee bean, and spice with the barrel notes far out front. The palate is medium bodied with abundant coffee flavors, bright acid, and soft tannins. The wood rules the day here but there is still plenty to enjoy. 100% Tempranillo. Aged 19 months in American oak (50% new). 13.8% alcohol. 115 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
ButyButy 62% Semillon, 21% Sauvignon Blanc, and 17% Muscadelle Columbia Valley2012 $25(Good/Excellent) A moderately aromatic wine with appealing notes of peeled tangerine, peach, and tropical notes. The palate is full bodied with a rich, creamy feel, abundant tropical fruit flavors, and a warm, open finish. 62% Semillon, 21% Sauvignon Blanc, and 17% Muscadelle. Rosebud Ranch, Spring Creek Vineyard, and Lonesome Springs Ranch. Aged in barrel (60%, 4% new) and concrete. 75% malolactic fermentation. 14.4% alcohol. 1,420 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Buty Chardonnay Conner Lee Vineyard Columbia Valley 2012 $40(Excellent) A moderately aromatic wine with alluring notes of peach, butterscotch, mineral, and creamy spices. The palate is medium bodied with a fine sense of elegance, grace and texture and a drawn out finish. 100% Chardonnay. Fermented in Burgundy barrels (60%) and concrete. 13.4% alcohol. 390 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
Buty Beast Wildebeest Red Wine Columbia Valley 2011 $25(Good) Moderately aromatic with notes of herbs, green pepper, barnyard, and dark fruit. The palate is medium bodied with an appealing soft feel. 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Syrah, 11% Mourvèdre, 4% Grenache, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Phinny Hill, Rockgarden Estate, and Conner Lee vineyards. Aged 22 months in French oak (5% new). 13.5% alcohol. Sample provided by winery.
OnesiesCadaretta SBS Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon Columbia Valley 2012 $23(Good/Excellent) Light green in color, it’s moderately aromatic with appealing notes of grass, kiwi, pineapple, and citrus. The palate is medium-plus bodied, somewhat fleshy in feel with tart acids and a warm finish. 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Semillon. Frenchman Hills (54%), Angiolina (25%), Southwind (12%) and Rosebud vineyards. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. 14.0% alcohol. 2,604 cases produced. Sample provided by winery.
From the French term that means "the onset of ripening," véraison is the critical point in the growing season when wine grapes change color. While véraison is a signal to vineyard managers and winemakers that harvest is nigh, for resident photographer Richard Duval, it means one thing: color.
