Dunham 2005 Trutina

This brilliant ruby colored Washington wine, with a clear rim, is from the Dunham Cellars lineup. This Dunham wine is a Bordeaux Blend from the Columbia Valley.  The 2005 blend is made up of 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 13% Syrah, and 5% Cabernet Franc.
The wine initially releases some tobacco on the nose, then opens [...]

Walter Dacon 2007 C’est Syrah Magnifique: French or American Oak?

A couple of weekends ago, the hubby and I finally had the pleasure of tasting some of the much lauded Walter Dacon Wines. Part of the fun of tasting these Washington wines was that we sampled two of the Walter Dacon Syrahs side by side – the 2007 C’est Syrah Beaux, and the 2007 C’est [...]

Walter Dacon 2008 Roussanne

I first tried the Walter Dacon 2008 Roussanne a week ago and must here and now acknowledge Vivian’s thorough understanding of my not-so-hidden wine desires (note to self: bring drool towel at next event).  This Washington Roussanne was paired with a fantastic dish that would go well with a Riesling,  Gewurztraminer or other white wine [...]

Lullaby 2007 Rosé

The Lullaby Winery 2007 Rosé is a classic see-thru light red rosé from Walla Walla, in an unusual sized bottle, 500 ml.  Although most rosé wines benefit from being served well chilled, that is not true for this Grenache based rosé.   Initially the wine was too cold, obliterating the nose of this rosé.  After the wine warmed [...]

Northstar Merlot 2003 Walla Walla Valley

Every time we open up a bottle of wine from Northstar Winery, it takes me back to each joyous visit we’ve made to the winery’s tasting room. If you haven’t yet met the nice people of Northstar, do so the next time you are in Walla Walla. While there, sign up for the wine club [...]

2008 Rulo Birch Creek Chardonnay

Rulo Chardonnay

Rulo Birch Creek Chardonnay is a light lemon colored wine. This Chardonnay releases aromas of yeast and banana bread on the nose. Flavors of butter, pineapple, pear, and oak are present. The finish lingers with a touch of caramel corn. This is a great example of  Washington Chardonnay with enough oak to add complexity, but [...]

Gamache Vintners 2004 Estate Syrah

Gamache Vintners 2004 Estate Syrah is deep ruby colored wine, produced with grapes from Washington’s Columbia Valley. When we first opened the wine bottle on Friday night, I initially sensed spice on the nose with blackberry on the palate. The tannins are approachable, and the wine opens up with smoky notes.
I paired this wine with [...]

Gamache Vintners 2006 Boulder Red

If you are looking for a food friendly red table wine, Gamache Vintners Boulder Red is a great one to include in your stash. The grapes for this brilliant garnet red blend come from the Columbia Valley. The nose on this fruit forward wine offers aromas of raspberry, vanilla, and pomegranate. The tannins are velvety. [...]

Columbia Crest Grand Estates 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Each month, Sean Sullivan of the Washington Wine Report, hosts a virtual tasting. Tonight I am tasting January’s selection the Columbia Crest Grand Estates 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon.  It was Columbia Crest 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Reserve that came in first of Wine Spectator’s Top 100 wines for 2009. This is definitely a different label and [...]

Icicle Ridge 2007 Merlot

This Washington state Merlot, from Icicle Ridge Winery, is a pleasing deep garnet color. My plans to visit Icicle Ridge Winery over the weekend fell through, so I opened a bottle of the Icicle Ridge 2007 Merlot to ease my sorrows.
The aromas of this wine tantalize with dried cherry, blackberry and red plums and [...]