Hot Sheets

I tasted this offering from a Napa Valley legend last and was quite impressed with it although it seems to be shrouded in mystery. The mystery is I tasted it alongside the estate’s “Karia” Chardonnay which sells in the low $30 range and it wasn’t all too dissimilar. Declassified? Maybe. An alternate label for restaurants? Possibly. Either way, what’s in the bottle for 14 bucks should no doubt be selling for more and we’re gonna take advantage, at least until we get caught ;-)

Established in 1970 and one of the winners of the Judgment of Paris, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is Napa influence supremacy. If not for this place well, you get the picture. Buttery yet balanced, there are some rather upscale traits going on here. Orange creamsicle, almond croissant, tangerine, buttered popcorn and vanilla aromas abound. Generous, unapologetic Cali-Chardonnay with plenty of toast and creamy flavors that are kept in balance with a hint of uplifting, ripe citrus flavors. One to enjoy over the next 3 years with roasted poultry, creamy pasta preps or on its own.

Claar Cellars, located in the White Bluffs area of the Columbia Valley in Zillah, is definitely a producer to be on the lookout for now and in the future. Plenty of bang for the buck has been emerging from these cellars and once again they have pleasantly won me over.

Claar’s full-flavored 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon offers up a classic varietal Cabernet profile. This lushly structured and integrated wine shows dark fruit, blackberry, cassis and leather aromas with flavors of ripe plum, bittersweet chocolate, and black cherry on an earthy, spicy finish. Very enjoyable now and over the next 4-5 years.

Ridge has been making Zin from Benito Dusi's Ranch in Paso Robles since 1967 from vines that were planted in 1924. Not only do the old vines make this wine special, limestone soils bring about energy and complexity to go along with the mighty core of fruit.

100% Zinfandel and loaded with large-scaled, rich, round plum and black cherry notes. Briar, smoke and Asian spice back up the full fruit. Impacting, ripe and generous flavors coat the palate then finish with lots of power, depth and vibrancy. This wine leaves an unmistakable impression that will enable one to release up any pent up hedonism that may be lurking below the surface! Drink through 2019+.

Walter Scott is the production of husband and wife team Ken Pahlow and Erica Landon, two of the good eggs in the Oregon Wine Industry. As we have always said, it is a thrill to sell fantastic wines, but it is a bigger thrill when it’s one from super-nice people.

Passion for Pinot Blanc has no shortage with these two and their newly released 2012 reveals forward and insanely vibrant aromas of lime blossom, mandarin and mineral which plow from the glass. On the palate this intense, yet elegant, unoaked white is completely dry with mouth tickling acidity and great freshness. Fleshy citrus is joined by white peach for a long and uplifting finish. A perfect white for grilled salmon, grilled marinated whole trout, and will hold its own with Asian food. Only 295 cases of this delicious white were produced so do take advantage of living in our fine region because things this limited from our state usually don't make it too far from home.

From a historical as well as pleasure perspective, the Santa Cruz Mountain-situated Mount Eden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays rank among the best in California. Their second label is Domaine Eden and like most second labels, there's incredible value to be had. If this were done in Napa, one could expect to drop 50 for it, not 30.

“Even sexier than the 2008, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon comes across as considerably more lush and rounder than its older sibling. Layers of expressive fruit linger on the radiant, juicy finish. This is an especially open and expressive Cabernet Sauvignon. The sweet tannins should allow it to drink beautifully upon release. The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. – 91 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE

Chris Dowsett is a Washington winemaker with an excellent track record. Lately he has been forming the wines of Buty as well as formerly being the house winemaker at Artifex. Chris makes a small amount of wines under his Dowsett Family label and they are flat-out yummy, yet quite serious.

This is DRY Gewurztraminer!!! If anyone buys this and thinks it's sweet, I'll take it back! Celilo is one of Washington's oldest and most important vineyard sites. The Gewurztraminer that Chris uses was planted in 1984 and is fermented in older barrels to bring about palate-staining texture. Unyielding rose, citron, grapefruit and underlying tropical tones vault from the glass. Building spice as it unfolds while in the mouth, this is all about texture. Thrusting and bursting, yet with loads of depth and persistence. Absolutely marvelous, it'll make you hungry for Asian fare if you drink it alone. Also perfect for chicken, salmon or pork dishes, too. One can opt for traditional preparations, but if you have a little bit of Chinese 5-spice, go ahead and add it to your recipe!

Located in Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley, Folin Cellars are quickly becoming known as one of the fine producers in an area known for provincial attitudes and frankly, too much settling for mediocrity. Known for mid-range, 20-40 dollar wines, Folin has created the “Passive Aggressive” line of wines that represent terrific value and deliver heaps of flavor for under 15 bucks.

Relaxed strawberry, spice, licorice and grenadine scents but it also has some dusty and cool tones which never allow it to become syrupy or overblown. This fresh, lively and friendly red is a wonderful and affordable way to taste something cool from our state that is a diversion from the Pinot Noir world

There seems to be a lot of opinions on Oregon's 2011 vintage. One thing we know for sure is that it is a true Pinot Noir lover's vintage that reveals the varietal's classic, finesseful, delicate seductive side. 2011 is a vintage where Steve Doerner from Cristom excels. Many folks like to pound their chests and proclaim who is the best producer in a given region. Here in Oregon, one would have to include the wines of Cristom as challengers to the mythical title. Steve Doerner is one of America's most influential tacticians of Pinot Noir, and year in and year out, his creations are ones that lovers of this varietal flock to as reference points.

The newly released 2011 is an excellent expression of Oregon Pinot Noir. The nose is extremely becoming and laden with currant, violet and cinnamon notes along with a kiss of black pepper tones to add dimension. Enticingly aromatic, but the mouth is even more impressive! Excellent ripeness with seductive flavors that crawl throughout the mouth, it is impeccably refined with very deceiving structure, length and backbone. Real Pinot lovers should not miss this one! Drink now through 2019.

Angel Vine, formerly known as Three Angels, 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, Primitivo and Petite Sirah. These are full-on, power wines, however they maintain excellent freshness and never become burdensome. The 2010 Petite Sirah is from the Stone Tree Vineyard in Washington’s Wahluke Slope region. The Wahluke Slope is an area that has ample heat units to ripen thick-skinned varietals such as this. Normally seen in California and with only 100 cases produced, this truly is an anomaly for Washington, yet is very terrific.

Full bodied, chewy and savory, with dense ripe black fruit, tangy earth on the nose as well as hints of spice, cocoa, and subtle toasty oak. 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 five years but the luscious fruit and approachable tannins make it a tough one to stash away. The sun is out, get the chef hat on and uncover the Weber grill, it's time.

95 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE
It’s been over 2 years since we’ve been able to feature one of Walla Walla’s blazing-hot producers’ Syrahs on one of our sheets. Accolades have come and now much of Gramercy Cellars’ wines are sold via the mailing list these days. Fortunately we are able to score some of one of my favorite wines in all of Washington. Don’t think Australia or California, Greg Harrington’s mission is to relate the French influences of Cote-Rotie or Hermitage but done in Washington soil. One last thing, this also has a huge review, translation, if you want the best of the best from Washington, e-mail me quickly!

“More rich, full and voluptuous, while still not losing the house style, the 2010 Syrah Lagniappe is a knockout Syrah that easily matches the brilliant 2009. Perfumed, intense and complex, with Northern Rhone-like aromas of wild berry fruit, smoked bacon, lavender and black pepper, it flows onto the palate with a classically constructed, firm mouthfeel that carries vibrant acidity, beautiful richness and a great finish. A 100% Syrah from Red Willow, Minick and SJR vineyards that spent 23 months in 14% new French oak, it builds brilliantly in the glass and will thrill for 10-12 years. Drink now-2022. – 95 POINTS – THE WINE ADVOCATE”