Christina Kelly Avalon Staff writer and indefatigable Walla Walla wine tour-er- Without her energy and organization, we would never have gotten around to all the wineries! Thanks Christina!

Walla Walla Wines
to Drink and Enjoy!

Can't get those hot Walla Walla wines outa my mind.....
could be a song, eh?

Walla Walla area wines are full bodied, complex, round,
deeply colored and bountiously flavored wines that
BIG REDS lovers will immediately enjoy.

Got back from Walla Walla two weeks ago, but I still keep thinking about those wines and wineries we visited. Maybe the 100 degree heat here reminds me of the 110 degree heat there? Whatever the reason, some of the wines were so memorable, I wanted to list them here and let you know what's really drinking well right now....
And of course, try to sell you a few,
gotta keep the store going!

Walla Walla Wows:

Walla Walla Vintner's Gordon Venneri and Myles Anderson

Walla Walla Vintners
2000 Merlot $26.99
ORDER HERE
Just a lush, plush, affordable intense wine, very viscous and mouthwatering, big but balanced tannins and a very true- to-the-grape flavor. Nothing is hidden or disguised here, just wonderful NW flavor and that nice deep, leather, chocolate, coffee finish. Have with steak on the grill, grilled lamb chops, spicy meats.

We were very impressed with their wines, and interestingly, they seem to be a local Walla Walla fav too, with lots of residents stocking up on the guys' little known reds. Almost all of their wines are sold locally- keeping the best for themselves?

Walla Walla Vintners
1999 Cabernet Sauvignon $37.50
ORDER HERE
There's been some wonderful reviews of this wine, and with good reason. We are fortunate to still have a little in stock.
Wine Spectator says: " Firm and nicely focused, shining its blackberry and currant flavors through a broad frame, echoing with hints of pepper and dark chocolate on the round finish. Drink now through 2006. 724 cases made. (HS)"Rating 89 points.

Also found the Walla Walla Vintner's Sangiovese 2000 and 99 Cab Franc to be lovely-- everything we tried from them was delicious and reasonably priced.

Marty Clubb and our staff writer Christina Kelly in the L'Ecole tasting room

L'Ecole #41 Voila Walla! $12.99
ORDER HERE
What a delicious and affordable summer sipper! Normally only sold at the tasting room, where it compliments the intense heat perfectly, this Chenin blanc is reminiscent of a good Vouvray at a really reasonable price. Vibrantly fruity, with enough citrus and acid to keep it light and refreshing, while the mouth feel is rich and viscous, with flavors of apricot and orange blossom. There's hints of pink grapefruit, passion fruit, and apple. A superb summer sipper.

L'Ecole #41
Syrah 2000
$39.99
CALL TO ORDER
541-752-7418
Very very limited, the last vintage received 93 points in Wine Spectator and was one of the fastest wines to sell out in our shop. Only 200 some cases made, this wine is a selection for our BIG REDS CLUB.

The wine is one of the best examples of American Syrah today. It is dark, intensely opulent, and much more complex that most New World Syrahs. The nose is redolent of black cherry, bittersweet chocolate, and briar. The flavors are hedonistic, with grilled meat, char, vanilla, cocoa, pepper, and intense dried cherry in the blend. The finish is long and unusual.

Tamarack Cellars
Cabernet Sauvignon 99
$36.99
ORDER HERE
Wine Spectator rating 91 points
Rich, with ripe plum, cassis, and berry flavors, hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and exotic spices, that wonderful dark, huge NW finish, and layers and layers of chocoate and coffee and leather on the finish. We were so impressed with the deep, rich flavors of this wine, it just never stops!

Tamarack Cellars
Merlot 99
$25.99
ORDER HERE
When we tried this Merlot at the Washington Wine Commision trade tasting, Ann said "this is for Leonetti fans who can't get Leonetti!" With vineyards located next door to Leonetti's, this Merlot is strongly reminiscent of Figgin's famous wine. With a price tag 1/3 of the Leonetti, this wine is well worth a try. We retasted in Walla Walla last month and it was drinking even better. Very very good value.

Spring Valley Winery 3 Generations

Spring Valley
"Uriah" 2000
$39.99
ORDER HERE
Wine Spectator rating 91 points for 99 vintage
We liked the 2000 even better than the 99. The family has been in the Walla Walla Valley since the 1870's, and Uriah (shown on the label) was the first settler. The family is in the enviable position of owning their vineyards, and are able to carefully control the quality of the fruit.
Read more about them here.

The wine is a blend of 60% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc & 6% Petit Verdot. This wine has it all but the grilled steak. A most elegant wine, the nose gives plenty of sweet fruit, floral notes and even a hint of cotton candy. As it swirls in your mouth, look for earthy mineral qualities, big black cherry, a hint of mint and a touch of smokiness.

More Walla Walla Wonders next time!

Bacchus, the Roman God of Wine, recently visited Portland as part of his 2002 World Vineyards Tour. He took a few moments out of his schedule to talk with us about the changing role of viticultural divinity in modern society and Oregon.

Q: Mr. Bacchus what's it like being the God of Wine in the 21st Century?

A. Well I'll tell you Cole-may I call you Cole?-its no picnic anymore! Time was when folks held revelries in my honor two, maybe three times a day-those Romans, boy could they party!-but now . . . now I can barely get the average Joe or Jane winemaker to acknowledge my existence. This God of Wine gig just doesn't go as far as it used to.

Q. Why do you think things have changed so much?

continued......

Brooks & Westrey take on Gantenbein & Dr. Loosen
July 25th, Benson Hotel, Portland OR
call 503-646-2985 to order a ticket!
And please tell then we sent you!
Old World and New World collide headlong at the Steiger Haus in
McMinnville for a no-holds-barred, tag-team food and wine extravaganza.

In the New World corner will be Jimi Brooks, creator of knock-out wines like Brooks Riesling and Janus Pinot Noir. He’s teamed up with the dynamic Westrey duo, David Autrey and Amy Wesselman, with their
body-slamming Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. From the Old World, two IPNC newcomers: Daniel “Big G” Gantenbein, who’s been knocking them dead in Switzerland for years; and the unstoppable Ernie “Hair Doktor” Loosen, fresh from his triumph in the German Riesling Rumble (2001 Winemaker of the Year). Chef Serge Selbe, formerly of Fish Tales and now executive sous chef at the Benson Hotel, will set the stage with a ravishing feast to accompany the wines. $125 per person.

2nd Annual IPNC Winemaker's Dinner
Thursday July 25, 2002
At Winters Hill Winery
Call 503-864-4610 to order a ticket
Horse drawn wagons will again take you to Winter's Hill Vineyard from the Wine Country B&B, traveling across open fields with spectacular views along the way. We'll have appetizers with wine served under towering firs at the edge of the vineyard before returning by wagon to have dinner on the beautiful grounds of the B&B. [For you veterans of last year's fest, the horses this year are working horses, guaranteed to pull!] Chef John Gorham of the Tuscany Grill, one of Portland's finest restaurants, will be our host. Chef Gorham will roast a whole organically raised pig from Laughing Stock Farms and prepare a wonderful dinner with a wide selections of organic Oregon foods. Eola Hills Wine Cellars will be represented by Steve Anderson, their talented winemaker, who has been making wine for more than 20 years. Peter and Emily Gladhart of Winter's Hill Vineyard, Joan Davenport of Wine Country Farm, John Gorham and Steve invite you to join us for a relaxing evening in the wine country.

Don't miss this very special evening! $80 per person - call the winery to make reservations: 503-864-4610.

Northwest Wines
We Can't Believe
are Still Available

The economy is slow,
people are drinking their cellars
rather than buying new wines,
whatever the reason, there are
a number of hard to get
trophy wines still available.
Here's the ones we think are worth
the money and cellaring time:

Andrew Will
Sorella- Meritage Blend
$58.99
ORDER HERE
92-94 points Robert Parker
"A wine of gorgeous definition"
Our favorite of winemaker Chris Camarda's wines, The 99 Sorella is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 15% Cab Franc. The wine carries a mark of fullness and a complex palate arising from the blending of the different varieties. Drink 2005-2012.

Beaux Freres
Pinot Noir 99
$59.99
ORDER HERE
94 points in Wine Spectator
#60 in Top 100 Wines of the World 2001
Wine Spectator says: "Bright, supple and open-textured, offering disarmingly pure currant and blackberry flavors that linger elegantly on the extra-long finish. Not a blockbuster; it's just yummy and refined. Tannins aren't intrusive, making this tempting to drink already. Drink now through 2009. 3,100 cases made.

We say- we can't believe we still have some of this- it is such a wonderfully priced wine for cellaring. This will be the gem you pull out in 5 or 6 years and show your friends what Oregon Pinot noir is all about! But it is drinking incredibly well now if you want to indulge.

Hamacher
Pinot Noir 99
$39.99
Parker 93 points!
ORDER HERE
Parker says: "... he will produce some of the most compelling Pinots on Earth. Drink this wine over the next 10 years." This is a beautiful, beautiful wine, subtle, complex, nervy, yet relatively big. Very French in style, will benefit from cellaring 2008-2012.

Gordon Brothers
"Tradition"
$49.99
ORDER HERE
Wine Spectator 91 points!
A blend of Cabernet and Merlot, this wine has dark brooding fruit flavors and beautiful aromas of coffee, spice with a whiff of violet. The wine shows solid prune and black currant flavors at the core, shaded by hints of chocolate and toast. The density of fruit, extract, and structure enables this wine to be the best enjoyed after a few years in the cellar. Cellar till 2006-2015.

Domaine Serene
Pinot Noir
Grace Vineyard 99
$69.99
ORDER HERE
Wine Spectator 92 points
Parker 90 points
The black cherry and fresh herb-scented 1999 Pinot Noir Grace Vineyard has an opulent, lush, medium to full-bodied character. This feminine, silky-textured wine is loaded with soft, sweet cherries, raspberries, and strawberries. This seamless wine has outstanding focus, depth of fruit, and harmony. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2012.

Ponzi
Pinot Noir Reserve 99
$50.00
ORDER HERE
92 points Wine Spectator
Wine Spectator says: "Bright and juicy, with fine-grained tannins around lively currant, raspberry and plum flavors, shaded with floral notes. Rife with acidity, but the intense flavors explode on the finish, suggesting this just needs a bit of cellaring to settle down. Best from 2003 through 2007." 92 Points. Harvey Steiman.

What do you think are the best trophy wines of the last vintage? Email us and we'll see if there's still some left!

Check out OSU's
Viticulture Newsletter-
Focus on
Mineral Nutrients
This is the first of what looks to be an ongoing source for Oregon viticultural info- check it out! We'll post links to each new issue here and on oregon-wine.com

We've started a new website with information for winemakers, grape growers and people interested in the Oregon wine industry.
Check it out-
www.oregon-wine.com