Gems in My Glass . . . November 2014
The recent 2014 The Great Northwest Wine Invitational Wine Competition unveiled numerous Gold and Double Gold Medal winning gems. High points of judging blind include uncovering beautifully crafted wines that may have previously been outside of one's radar, and also discovering some great values. Here are a few favorites that my panel of judges scored G or GG at this year's competition:Chateau St. Michelle NV Brut Rose; Columbia Valley, Washington: Enticing fruity aromatics with hints of freshly baked bread are fully engaging. Flavors of fresh strawberries, cherries, a touch of earth and citrus accents swirl on the palate. Beautiful acidity and a lively bead persist through the finish. SRP: $13 www.ste-michelle.com Chateau St. Michelle 2011 Cold Creek Merlot; Columbia Valley, Washington: Lovely floral scents make way for delectable dark berry, cherry and tobacco spice building intensely on the palate and finishing long. This dense, pure and marvelously structured Merlot shows both elegance and impressive depth. SRP: $30 www.ste-michelle.comSeven Falls Cellars 2012 Chardonnay; Wahluke Slope, Washington: Aged in American and French oak barrels, buttered toast and oak notes fill the nose with this plush Chardonnay. Flavors of creamy pears and spiced apple pie notes entwine with the toasty oak saturating the palate. Finishes clean with a nice lift. SRP: $15 www.sevenfallscellars.comAmbassador Vineyard 2010 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon; Red Mountain, Washington: The captivating aromas are wildly expressive, luring you into the glass. This Cab is complex and richly flavored with cassis, dark berry, tobacco spice and hints of cedar interlacing deliciously on the palate and persisting on the lengthy finish. SRP: $35 www.ambassadorwinery.comNorthwest Cellars 2011 Madrigal; Columbia Valley, Washington: This blend of 62% Mourvedre, 24% Grenache, and 14% Syrah showcases fresh black and red raspberries on the nose. The berries persist through the delicious palate, joining flavors of cranberry chutney and freshly cracked black pepper spice. The texture is silky smooth and the acids are energetic, nicely offsetting the juicy fruit. SRP: $24 www.northwestcellars.comFunnel Family Cellar 2008 Lia; Columbia Valley, Washington: Aromas of fragrant violets lift from the glass with this blend of 42% Mourvedre, 32% Grenache 18% Counoise, and 8% Syrah. The entry is resplendent with bright fruit and dynamic acidity. Flavors of olallieberries, blackberries and spice-accented wild berries continue to unfold deliciously in the mouth. The tannins are refined and the finish is long-lasting. SRP: $36 www.bunnellfamilycellar.comChateau Ste. Michelle 2013 Dry Riesling; Columbia Valley, Washington: Aromas of a fresh bouquet of white flowers fill the nose with this vivacious Dry Riesling. Pure and refreshing from entry through the bright finish with flavors of peaches and nectarines taking center stage, laced with minerally highlights and a trace of fresh cut herbs. SRP ~$10 www.ste-michelle.comWalter Dacon Wines 2009 C’est Syrah Beaux; Columbia Valley, Washington: Aromas of ripe berries and a hint of bacon fat open the door to a dense, fruit packed Syrah with powerful tannins. Rich and intensely built with black cherries, blackberries and savory spice broadening fully on the palate through the bold finish. SRP: $38 www.walterdaconwines.comAbacela Vineyards and Winery 2010 Estate Syrah; Umpqua Valley, Southern Oregon: This elegant Syrah showcases aromas and flavors of sizzling bacon, ripe red cherries, raspberries and plums entwined with meaty notes and fresh ground multi-colored peppercorns. It is perfectly balanced with exceptional purity and a finish lasting well beyond the last sip. SRP: $32 www.abacela.comColene Clemens Vineyards 2012 Margo Pinot Noir; Chehalem Mountains, Oregon: Forest floor and dried cranberry aromas are reminiscent of a fine red Burgundy. Ethereal and irresistible on the palate with layers of red raspberry, cherry, licorice and coriander spice filling the mouth. This elegant quaff is well-defined and the finish is striking. SRP: $36 www.coleneclemens.comColene Clemens Vineyards 2011 Margo Pinot Noir; Chehalem Mountains, Oregon: Here’s woodsy, dramatic Pinot Noir showcasing red cherry, strawberry and cranberry chutney elements highlighted with hints of smoke, allspice and subtle underlying oak. A fine vein of acidity streams across the palate through pleasing aftertaste. SRP: $27.20 www.coleneclemens.comAbacela 2012 Garnacha; Umpqua Valley, Southern Oregon: Gorgeous floral aromas draw you in, and the juicy red spice-accented raspberries, blueberries and huckleberries bursting out on the palate will keep you fully enchanted. The texture is velvety smooth, the balance is steadfast, and the tannins are refined. SRP: $29 www.abacela.comTwo Vintners 2012 Stone Tree Vineyards Zinfandel; Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington: This high-toned Zinfandel screams out jammy fruit on the nose. Juicy purple plums and ripe blackberries are lush and pure on the palate, melding with a generous dusting of black pepper spice, and the lively acidity keeps the wine vivacious. SRP: $28 www.twovintners.comTo view all the results of this well executed competition, visit www.greatnorthwestwine.com. To further engage with this highly acclaimed wine region, plan a fall or winter adventure, and experience the scents and tastes of the Great Northwest for yourself; there is plenty to discover here!
