Friday Sips

Just the name of this wine conjures up memories of the timeless classic film “Pulp Fiction” with John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson and their dialogue over Royale with Cheese. Travis Scarborough definitely doesn’t produce McDonald’s Quarter Pounder-inspired wines from Washington, in fact, this young guy can definitely be noted as one of the state’s up and coming players. The Royale is a classic Washington blend based around Bordeaux varietals. 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 29% Merlot and 21% Petit Verdot, this is a full-on, mouthful of wine yet with the spine and evenness of 2010 it maintains freshness, lift and character.

Layered black cherry, plum, violet, and anise are all nicely encapsulated by underlying milk-chocolate coated espresso bean aromas. Mouth-filling and palate-staining, there is such an irresistible quality to this wine now, but don't drink it all up at once, it will age nicely for 10-12 years, too.

We have been featuring Novelty Hill’s wines for several years and consistently they deliver remarkable bang for the buck. Royal Slope Red is a combination of both Bordeaux, Rhone and Tuscan grapes that for 17 bucks engages the senses quite nicely. 37% Merlot, 23% Syrah, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Sangiovese, 4% Cabernet Franc & 3% Grenache.

Sheer deliciousness with good substance and without getting silly with just a bunch of wood, this vivacious Washington red delivers currants, blackberry, fine herbs and spices which dominate the nose while a prominent core of mouth-filling fruit pleases the palate. A perfect wine to serve with grilled ribs or other fare and is one that will please a plethora of varying palates!

There certainly is some merit to all of the chatter occurring over Washington’s Syrahs and Rhone-inspired blends, some deserved, some not-so-deserved. The variance of styles could easily be compared to a Spaghetti Western, one that I would name, “The Good, The Bad and The Robitussin”. Led by Greg Harrington, Gramercy Cellars is definitely in the good camp, in fact, we would probably say the really (insert favorite colorful metaphor here) good camp. Commencing with their initial vintage with the 2005, The Cellar Door have been ardent supporters of what this Walla Walla-based producer has done and continues to put forth. Alas with immense accolades has come demand and the Gramercy wines can be a bit of a challenge to obtain so it is a real thrill to be able to pour one for you today.

A blend of 80% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre, 4% Cinsault & 4% Grenache with the majority of the fruit coming from “The Rocks” in the southern reaches of the Walla Walla Valley this flavorful blend displays aromatic plum with complex, Northern Rhône-inspired scents of woodsmoke, black olive, white pepper, graham, cinnamon and underlying ground pepper and rose petal. A very embracing texture provides lots of coverage and depth in the mouth. Not a hair out of place, this wine isn't overblown and bombastic, just pure Gramercy with gorgeous fruit, depth, backbone and balance. Coffee, earth, mineral and prominent succulence take over on the long, layered and ethereal finish which is both inviting and elusive. No problem to age this magical Washington red for another decade.