Friday Sips

Angel Vine is a Washington project from Oregon vineyard owner Ed Fus. Already having Pinot Noir planted in the Eola-Amity Hills area, Ed decided to branch out to make Zinfandel and we have been supporters since we first tried and worked with 2008s. From the warm-climate Wahluke Slope region of Washington comes Ed's balls-to-the-wall Stone Tree Vineyard Zinfandel.

Full bodied, chewy and gamey, with dense ripe black fruit, tangy earth, spice and minerals on the nose; hints of tar, cocoa, and subtle toasty oak ride along, too. Broad mouthfilling flavors of ripe blackberries and blueberries abound on the palate followed by a rich yet clean, lingering finish and juicy ripe tannins to frame the fruit. This wine can easily age for 6-8 years but the luscious fruit and approachable tannins make it a tough one to stash away. Spicy barbecue anyone???

Quite unique for Walla Walla, the 2009 Angel Vine Les Collines Zinfandel comes from a superb site in this vaunted area. Owned by the McKibben family who own the famed Pepper Bridge Vineyard, Les Collines sits about 5 miles north of the Oregon/Washington border overlooking the Columbia River and is a very temperate site.

Lacy nose and very spice-driven. Prominent Thai spices and hints of briar and mineral. Lovely finesse here with more and more strawberry tones coming forth. Almost a bit of high-elevation Catalan or Roussillon aspects to this wine both on nose and in mouth. Gorgeously put together and very minimalist in its technique. A sensuous mid-palate with good stuffing; tactile & focused Walla Walla briskness come through. Tangy, tightly packed, scintillating, substantial finish that is full but not a bit heavy at all. This is absolutely brilliant and very exciting! Drink through 2019.

Angel Vine's Columbia Valley is a great jumping off point to dive into what Ed Fus is accomplishing with his wines. Think of any great producer's blend, it is often their work of art to make something that is the sum of many terrific pieces and Ed's is no exception. 90% Zinfandel & 2% Petite Sirah from a blend of Alder Ridge, Stone Tree and Avery vineyards, this savory number entices from the get-go and is an appealing, lush style of Zin that will carry beautifully to the table.

Up-front aromas of ripe blackberries, briar, pepper, sweet herbs and subtle spices lead into a fleshy, succulent texture that nicely fills the mouth. The finish is authoritative, but not so much as it will overpower your food. Drink this outstanding Zin value over the next 3-4 years.

The All-American, Zinfandel grape's lineage traces back to this Southern Italian/Croatian grape. Clonal selections, soil, climate, etc. make Primitivo a bit different than what we know as Zinfandel and after tasting, we highly encourage you to try this full-flavored Washington number and celebrate the differences!

Youthful, exuberant and quite penetrating and meaty with prominent, dense raspberry and balsamic tones. Some coffee-spice comes through, but this seems to be more from the earth and not the oak. Vivid cherry and root tones along with winter fruits. For being quite full-bodied this is fleet of foot and has excellent linear freshness and grip. Not as spice-driven as nose lets on, especially on the pointed, pure and long finish that shows good verve and stiffness. Lovely future in front of this. Drink though 2019.