Happy Hour Featuring Washington State Wines

 

Bring water, bring wine, boy! Bring flowering garlands to me! Yes, bring them, so that I may try a bout with love. ~Anacreon

 

The first people who planted grapes in Washington were the German and Italian immigrants and that was around 1825.

 

Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington state’s Founding Winery, with some of the oldest and most acclaimed vineyards in the Columbia Valley.

 

Built on the 1912 estate owned by Seattle lumber baron Frederick Stimson, the winery’s roots date back to the Repeal of Prohibition, when the Pommerelle Wine Company and the National Wine Company were formed.  They merged in 1954 to form American Wine Growers. In 1967, American Wine Growers began a new line of premium vinifera wines called “Ste. Michelle Vintners” under the direction of legendary California winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff.

 

Ste. Michelle Vintners planted its first vines at Cold Creek Vineyard in Eastern Washington in 1972. Cold Creek remains one of the oldest and most renowned vineyards in the state. Ste. Michelle Vintners now own more than 3,500 prime vineyard acres in the Columbia Valley.

 

Some of the other founding fathers of the Washington state wine industry are- Leonetti Cellars, Woodward Canyon and Quilceda Creek.  These three producers are the first “cult wines” from Washington state and basically the second round of producers to move in.

 

Leonetti Cellar, which was bonded in 1977 by Founders Gary and Nancy Figgins, started as Gary’s vision to make world-class wines in Walla Walla has turned out to be a true American success story. Today, Leonetti Cellar produces some of the most sought after wines not onlyfrom Washington state but in the world.

 

Woodward Canyon Winery was one of the first two wineries to help put the Walla Walla Valley on Washington State's wine map.  From its first powerful 1981 cabernet sauvignon to the new releases today they have been among this state's top producers and we have actually have some of these wines in our tasting tonight!

 

Founded in 1979, Quilceda Creek has had an unbroken string of highly-rated vintages that has led Robert Parker Jr. to name it Washington State’s premier Cabernet Sauvignon producer with five vintages receiving (100 points) from Robert Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, this is the mosxt sought after collectible.  Although we are not showing any Quilceda Creek this evening we do have several vintages available for sale after the notice of this tasting we have a list of all the Washington state wines in the store.

 

The industry and been expanding rapidly, Washington is the second largest wine producing state with just over 500 wineries in 2007.  Just a few short years later, today there are over 700 with the giant Chateau St. Michelle leading the way in terms of size.

 

Join us as we take you on a tour of Washington State wines here at the Wine Watch Wine Bar.  We have a great selection of wines to discover and chef Toni will be making some tasty treats to accompany the wines.  The fee for this tasting is $95 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com. 

 

 

Happy Hour Wine Tasting Featuring the Wines of Washington State

Thursday, August 27^th

6pm

 

 

2020 J. BOOKWALTER WINERY READERS CHARDONNAY COLUMBIA VALLEY

Price: $15.75                     Your Price: $13.86

Pouring the 2020 Readers Chardonnay in your glass, you are met with hues of fleshy white pear and honeysuckle. The aromatics on this wine are bright and fruity that transports you to thoughts of a tropical summer. Notes of pear, starfruit, pineapple, mango, and white flowers delight your senses as you prepare to take your first sip. On the palate, this wine has tropical fruit, citrus, and crisp Asian pear. The finish on this wine is bright and light, leaving you refreshed and wanting more.

Blend: 77% Chardonnay, 23% Viognier

 

 

 

2019 WOODWARD CANYON OLD VINES CABERNET SAUVIGNON, COLUMBIA VALLEY, USA

Price: $115.00                   Your Price: $101.20                Quantity in Stock: 28

(94 Points) Made with 4% each of Malbec and Petit Verdot, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines is lush and rich and exudes power and finesse without being overdone. Gobs of dark red and black fruit tones sway with delightful complexity, dried herbs and oak essence from the 100% new French oak barrels. Full-bodied, the wine is precise, focused and impeccably balanced with a long textured finish that begs me back for another sip. The wine rested for 22 months in all-new French oak. 6.960 bottles were made. Bravo! Wine Advocate

 

 

 

2021 J. BOOKWALTER NOTEBOOK 16NV COLUMBIA VALLEY

Price: $16.50                     Your Price: $14.52                Quantity in Stock: 16

This edition of the Notebook is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Mourvedre.  Aromatically rich and delicious to quaff, this dry wine is ready to drink from summer barbeque through to winter meals. There's heaps of youthful red fruits like black cherries, plums, red currants and figs wrapped with cedar, caramel and chocolate. Succulent smooth fruit begins, with flavors of bakers chocolate, black cherry, blackberry, toast, dried herbs, tobacco and cola finish. The combination of long-aged powerful Cabernet Sauvignon and fresh fruity young Syrah from Washington's ripest vintage fill this deliciously affordable wine.

 

 

2020 J Bookwalter Winery 'Conflict' Red Blend Columbia Valley

Price: $59.75                                     Your Price: $53.78                                Quantity in Stock: 9

(90 points) "This blend is a tannic beast that needs decanting or time to tame. Aged for 20 months in French oak, 70% new, its leathery texture and grippy tannins are like a vinous version of a Spartan battle tunic. Aromas and flavors of boysenberries, blackberries, black tea and lilacs. Only brave hearts need approach." Wine Enthusiast.

 

 

2017 J Bookwalter Winery Volume Seven, Columbia Valley, USA

Price: $125.00                                                   Your Price: $112.50

In the heart of the Columbia Valley, Dionysus Block 18 enjoys breathtaking views alongside the Columbia River. Its southwest facing slopes of sand over deep gravel beds are ideal soils for exacting irrigation. Block 18 was planted in 2000 to clone #8 Cabernet Sauvignon on Dionysus’ SW hillside, 1,000 yards from the Columbia River. We designed this reserve cuvée to show off Dionysus Vineyard’s character through Cabernet Sauvignon’s singular best expression. This bottling is among our most powerful and age worthy red wines. Concentrated and filled with ripe fruit it will deliver pleasure   decades to all who pursue Cabernet’s special gifts.

VINTAGE

The 2017 is another stunning vintage at Bookwalter. Despite smoke haze during harvest, because of careful testing our wines’ natural character was preserved and classic flavor extraction to ideal reserve proportions was achieved. 2017 yielded an average crop which ripened early in the season. We lowered our yields and by harvest the vintage was measuring abundant color and tannin. Our vintage portfolio carries a volume an weight that matched our house style of rich and smooth age worthy reds. Spring’s early budbreak and flowering in June at Dionysus Vineyard was followed by a warm month of heat creating small cluster yields. Summer temperatures were hotter than average again with many July and August days over 100°F. Verasion began in early August and completed quickly, a hallmark of great vintages. Our well managed vineyard blocks had fruit shaded by a few west side leaves keeping fruit from sunburn. We picked our fruit perfectly ripe at 125 days of ripening.

 

 

 

WINEMAKING

 

 

 

The Dionysus 18 block Cabernet Sauvignon was picked in clear weather and rescued from the difficult smoke haze of early harvest. Rigorous lab testing of all fruit revealed summer smoke haze had not damaged this vineyard by great fortune. Hand sorted in the vineyard then picked by Pellenc Selectiv at perfect timing in the last weeks of September for merlot and first weeks of October for Cabernets. We mixed by pump over and punch down for 22 days two tanks which we felt were the best of the vineyard and showing the best of the harvest tanks. The vintage was measured for anthocyanins and tannins daily allowing us a perfect balance of extractables to build into these two special reserves. Fermentation completed in new GAMBA French oak puncheons. We aged on lees reductively developing savory tones complimentary to the powerful fruit. After 20 months, we selected each puncheon for this reserve bottling. We then blended and filtered for purity and aging stability. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon the wine describes Cabernet at its most gorgeous and pure vintage expression. This rich wine will age for a decade or two, enjoyable with a host of foods throughout those seasons.

CASES PRODUCED 576 6-pack cases/750mL

TECHNICAL DATA Bottled: August 7, 2019 • Alcohol: 14.8% by volume • pH: 3.95 • TA: 6.0 • RS: 0.2%

 

 

2022 Passing Time Chardonnay Columbia valley

Price: $54.00                                     Your Price: $48.60

(95 Points) "The 2022 ‘Columbia Valley’ by Passing Time comes from some pretty esteemed sites including Connor Lee and Celilo Vineyards. The wine is seamless and soft on the mouth with incredible elegance and great underlying verve. Brioche and creme brûlée notes combine with marzipan and shades of Meyer lemon curd. Showing a fabulous combination of finesse and texture, with outstanding length, this full-bodied beauty is one of the great Chardonnays made in Washington State. Enjoy now and at least for another eight to ten years. Drink 2023-2031"  Owen Bargreen

Vineyards: 29% Celilo, 28% Conner Lee, 28% Andrews, 15% Boushey

Aging: 100% Barrel Aged (60% New French oak and 40% neutral French oak)

 

 

 

 

2022 Passing Time Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills

Price: $108.00                                   Your Price: $97.20                                Quantity in Stock: 46

(96-98 Points) "It has a Bordeaux-like nose of darker currants, lead pencil, damp earth, violets, and leafy tobacco. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated Cabernet with ultra-fine tannins, beautiful overall purity and balance, and enough structure and depth. It reminds me of a touch of Château Montrose in Saint-Estèphe." - Jeb Dunnuck

 

 

2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle Block 9 Merlot Wahluke Slope Columbia Valley

Price: $55.00                                     Sale Price: $22.50                                Quantity in Stock: 142

This limited production merlot (1403 cases) is from the Wahluke Slope from the famous Block 9 is an unreserved expression of Washington State Merlot from winemaker Tristan Butterfield.    A good amount of red plum, cherry and black raspberry fruit with hints of milk chocolate and sweet baking spices showing on the nose.  Smooth and silky tannins on the tongue and a good amount of fresh berry fruit, still quite fresh and a good hand of acidity holding things firmly in place here and although drinking nicely at 9 years of age this wine should age for another 5-8 years easily.  Finish 45+  Wine Watch Review:  Excellent

 

2019 Chateau Ste. Michelle Block 9 Merlot Wahluke Slope Columbia Valley

Price: $55.00                                     Sale Price: $22.50                                Quantity in Stock: 98

This limited production merlot (1277 cases) is from the Wahluke Slope from the famous Block 9 is an unreserved expression of Washington State Merlot from winemaker Tristan Butterfield.    A good amount of red plum, cherry and black raspberry fruit with hints of fresh flowers and sweet tobacco spice showing on the nose.  Still has some dry tannins on the tongue but has plenty of ripe berry fruit to match, still quite youthful and may need another couple of years to be drinking at or near its peak.    Finish 50+  Wine Watch Review:  Exellent +

 

 

2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle 'The Nod' Limited Release Merlot Columbia Valley

Price: $45.00                                     Sale Price: $22.50                                Quantity in Stock: 35

Only 403 cases of the Nod Merlot was produced in 2017 by winemaker Brian Mackey.  A good amount of fresh dusty earth on the nose with dried tobacco spice and plum and cherry berry fruit coming out more as the wine opens.  A light and elegant wine on the tongue with soft tannins and a touch of vanilla spice on the finish, drinking beautifully right now!  Finish 40+  Very Good +

 

2018 Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Estate Limited Release Red Blend Horse Heaven Hills

Price: $55.00                                     Sale Price: $25.00                                Quantity in Stock: 359

Only 397 cases of this Horse Heaven Hills blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec and 10% Syrah from the famous Canoe Ridge Vineyard was produced by winemaker Brian Mackey.  A deep and intense bouquet of currant, dark cherry and blackberry fruit on the nose with a full complement of cedar, graphite and dark mocha nuance more and more coming out as the wine opens up.  Big and chewy on the tongue with an abundance of rich ripe fruit, a good amount of ripe tannins and a long layered finish echoing all that nuance from the nose through the finish.  Wow, a blockbuster and the

 

2016 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Limited Release Red Blend Columbia Valley

Price: $55.00                                     Sale Price: $25.00                                Quantity in Stock: 425

Only 987 cases of this blend of 76% Merlot and 24% Malbec were produced by winemaker Bob Bertheau from the famous Cold Creek Vineyard.  This is the biggest of the wines from this tasting and for one of the oldest wines here it has the most structure and tannins on the tongue with an array of blackberry, black plum and black cherry fruit with highlights of espresso, bitter coco and dark earth with more nuance coming out as the wine opens up.  This wine is a little monster and is still very young with another 10 years in the cellar at least ahead of it.  Finish 50+  Most Excellent

 

2013 Chateau Ste. Michelle Artist Series Red Columbia Valley, Washington

 Price: $65.00                                    Your Price: $52.00                                Quantity in Stock: 81

The 2013 Artist Series is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc and this was a hot vintage so it was a challenge sourcing grapes for this wine from coller regions of the Columbia Valley and the wine has matured beautifully at 13 years of age showing cigar box spice, fresh earth and still a good amount of red plum and cherry berry fruit on the nose.  This wine has silky smooth tannins on the tongue with a good amount of juicy fruit and a fresh finish echoing the nunace from the nose through the finish, this wine will continue to age for another decade or more and is drinking beautifully right now.  Finish 50+  Most Excellent 

 

This limited-production, Bordeaux-style blend is an annual tradition built on an award-winning heritage. A bold and complex, yet highly refined red wine – its layers of dark fruit, herbs, and baking spices are balanced with depth and structure that make it very age-worthy. A true work of art.

 

Menu

Avocado Salsa with Parmesan Crisps
King Salmon in Wonton Crisp with Hoisin BBQ
Goat Cheese with Greens Pizza
All American Beef Slider
Baked Truffle Fries
Charcuterie Pizza

 

The fee for this Happy Hour Wine Tasting is $95 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.