Oct. 23, 2002
Columbia Crest honors 'father' of state industry

Walter Clore made a lasting contribution to the state's wine industry in his 91 years, so it was time to give a little back last week when he was immortalized on the label of a Columbia Crest wine.

It wasn't just any wine but a top of the line Columbia Crest blend that hereafter will be known as "Columbia Crest Walter Clore Private Reserve."

Clore spent 40 years at the Prosser Experiment Station, earning a reputation as the father of the state's wine industry. Clore, more than any other individual, is responsible for convincing Eastern Washington farmers they could grow world-class wine grapes.

The 1999 version of the Walter Clore Private Reserve was toasted Oct. 16 at Columbia Crest in Paterson during a ceremony attended by Clore's friends, Columbia Crest wine grape growers and company officials.

Special guests were George Carter, Clore's longtime assistant, and Les Fleming, pioneer Grandview winery and vineyard manager.

Doug Gore, vice president and head winemaker at Columbia Crest, said part of the honor includes naming the barrel room where the reserve wine is aged as the Walter Clore Barrel Room.

Clore said he was pleased with the honor and happened to notice what a bargain the new wine is for consumers. "I read in a recent edition of Wine Spectator magazine that Opus One (a famous red blend collaboration of Robert Mondavi and the Rothchild family of France) earned a 93 point rating (out of 100) and was priced at $150.

"I also read that the Columbia Crest Walter Clore Reserve wine received a 92 rating (in the same edition of the magazine) and was priced at below $30 a bottle," Clore said.

The first 1999 vintage has exciting berry jam, black currants and hints of cedar aromas. The flavors are delicate, with touches of milk chocolate. The finish is extremely smooth. This year's red is 51 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 49 percent Merlot.

Gore said the 1999 vintage is especially flavorful and has a good aging potential. Columbia Crest's goal is to produce a Walter Clore Private Reserve every year.

Northwest Sauvignon Blanc

This summer, Wine Press Northwest magazine tasting panel sampled 31 Sauvignon Blancs from Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Idaho.

Sauvignon Blanc has a district aroma and character, sometimes even with a smoky, flinty touch that prompts some of the winemakers to use the Fumé Blanc name.

It can be made without oak and also with a touch of oak. It is a great blending wine with semillon and chardonnay.

It also is an ideal transitional wine for people who aren't into dry white wines and a great compromise when a white wine needs to be ordered for a dinner and you are not sure of everyone's preferences.

Some of the regional Sauvignon Blancs that did well in the tasting including the following:

Barnard Griffin 2001 Fumé Blanc, Columbia Valley, $8.95 - Charming slightly smoky oak and apple aromas, rich flavors with great fruit balance. Wonderful mid palate and crisp finish. This is their top-selling wine.

Hogue Cellars 2000 fumé blanc, Columbia Valley, $10 - Charming peach aromas preview a delicious, easy drinking wine with bold flavors and great acids. Match it with crab cakes.

Covey Run Vintners 2000 fumé blanc, Washington, $7 - Beautiful varietal characteristics, including herbs and dried pineapple. Full flavored, nice and dry.

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2000 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $11 - Wonderful orchard fruit aromas and flavors with great food applications. Crisp with a lingering finish. Bring on the scallops.

Caterina Winery 2000 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $10 - A food-friendly, crisp, rich, fruity wine with nice upfront flavors and a lingering finish. Flinty herbal aromas.

Columbia Crest 2000 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $9 - Lovely citrus flavors with nicely balanced acids. The finish is crisp, long and memorable. Bring on the oysters.

DiStefano Winery 2000 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $12 - Herbal beginning with nice fruit bowl melange of flavors. A touch bitter on the finish but an excellent food wine.

Washington Hills Cellars 2000 Fumé Blanc, Yakima Valley, $8.99 - Toasty vanilla aromas with tropical fruit flavors, cream finish but a bit tart.

Waterbrook Winery 2001 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $9 - Crisp and tasty with some nice fruity flavors including lemon.

Chinook Wines 2000 Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley, $15 - All spice aromas with nice fruit flavors. Well made and easy blanc, Columbia Valley, $9 - Herbal aromas with pleasing lemon characteristics. Good balance with crisp finish.