Bob Woehler has been writing about
grapes and wines of the Pacific Northwest since 1978. His columns appear
twice monthly in the Tri-City Herald in Tri-Cities, Wash.
I had a lot of wonderful wine to write about
in 2002. And looking back, I decided to list my favorites, month by month.
So, here are two from each month:
January
Fox Estate Winery 2001 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10. Engaging sweet
tropical fruit, citrus, good acids, tasty, nice balance, fresh apples
rich and clean, with low alcohol levels.
Tamarack
Cellars 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $30. It's getting
to be a habit for this Walla Walla Airport winery to produce outstanding
wine. This one is loaded with complex components beginning with tobacco
and cedar aromas, followed by tastes of mocha, rich black fruit jam and
a clean, toasty finish.
February Caterina
Winery 1998 Willard Vineyard Merlot, $28. Toasty oak with a touch
of coconut, berry jam flavors, blackberries, huge flavors and a long finish.
Hoodsport nonvintage Stella Raspberry, Washington,
$13. A stellar raspberry fruit wine that has it all - great fruit, sweet,
rich and full bodied with nice acid.
March Gordon
Brothers 2001 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $12. This is the
way Sauvignon Blanc should be made: dry, yet fruity and charming with
a hint of fresh clover and fruit in the nose. Tasty pear and other orchard
fruit flavors, plus a bit of tropical mango.
McCrea
2000 Elerding Vineyards Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $25. Big oaky,
full-flavored Chardonnay. A rich and beautiful blend of oak and fruit.
Aromas and flavors of fresh Hawaiian pineapple, along with lemon and butter-soaked
artichoke at the bottom. Good acids and a nice mouth feel.
April Kiona
Vineyards Winery 2000 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $20. Complex aromas
of charred oak and toast along with coffee lead to opulent flavors of
dark berries. Chewy, smooth and rich.
Columbia
Winery 1998 Red Willow Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Yakima Valley,
$23. A luscious red with oak and vanilla aromas, big bold cherry flavors
and great depth of character.
May Montinore
Estate, 1999 Parson's Ridge Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $30.
An extremely well integrated wine showing nice spice and berry aromas,
mouth-filling flavors, great structure and a lengthy berry finish. Superb
tannins and a nice spicy ending make this a keeper or a wine to savor
now.
Nelms
Road 2000 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $20. The second label for Woodward
Canyon and a real bargain for a Rick Small merlot. Loaded with Java pepper,
cedar, mocha and even chai tea aromas followed by flavors of dark chocolate,
plums and blackberries. A long, satisfying finish.
June Kestrel Vintners
1997 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley $25. A bold, rich Cabernet with
complex aromas of oak, coffee, dried black cherries and currants. It has
an inviting mouth feel and a big, flavorful finish.
Thurston Wolfe Winery 2000 Blue Franc (Lemberger),
Columbia Valley, $15. One of the few wineries to make this juicy, fruity
Washington variety. This has lovely vanilla and cherry aromas with touches
of cinnamon, cloves and light oak. A hint of chocolate, with a creamy
pleasing berry finish.
July
Salmon Harbor 2000 Merlot, Washington, $8. This is from Hogue's second
label of lower-cost wines. Big vanilla and herbal aromas with sweet blackberry
and plum flavors. Rich and approachable.
Chateau
Ste. Michelle 2001 Gewürztraminer, Columbia Valley, $8. Spicy
pineapple aromas with orange peel flavors. Perfectly balanced, huge fruit
with a crisp finish.
August Hogue Cellars
2001 Late Harvest White Riesling, Columbia Valley, $12. Perfect for brunch
or dessert at 4.7 percent residual sugar and great acid balance. Flowery
aromas, sweet apple flavors and a satisfying finish.
Chinook
Wines 2000 Semillon, Yakima Valley, $15. Very lush with just the
right amount of oak. Citrus and cream soda flavors. Winemaker Kay Simon
says this will stand up to spicy food, including salsa.
September Leonetti Cellar
1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $60. Another classic Cabernet
from Gary Figgins, a master of his craft. Beginning with oak and chocolate
aromas, giving way to nice raspberry flavors, a hint of herbs and supple
tannins, then a lingering finish. Youthful and fun.
McCrea
Cellars 2000 Ciel du Cheval Vineyards Syrah, Red Mountain, $35.
Made from Red Mountain grapes, this is a big dark-colored wine with tremendous
muscle. Rich blackberries and sweet plums are matched with toasty oak.
So jammy you'll want to spread it on your hotcakes.
October
Stimson Estate Cellars 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, $12. A juicy, fruity wine
brimming with delicious jammy flavors, including wonderful black cherries
and licorice. Big vanilla beginning and an opulent succulent finish. Comes
in a double-size bottle.
Columbia
Crest 1999 Walter Clore Reserve Red, $27. The first of its type
has exciting berry jam, black currant and cedar aromas. The flavors are
delicate with touches of milk chocolate, and the finish is extremely smooth.
This year's red is 51 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 49 percent Merlot.
November L'Ecole
No. 41 2000 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $30. A combination of finesse
and power with its bright, rich, spicy aromas and concentrated flavors.
A wonderful mouth feel, terrific balance and soft tannins make this approachable
now.
L'Ecole
No. 41 1999 Pepper Bridge Vineyards Apogee, Walla Walla Valley,
$42. A tremendously flavorful blend of 50 percent Cabernet Sauvignon,
46 percent Merlot and 4 percent Cabernet Franc. Lovely acidity, nice spice,
deep, rich and penetrating fruit with a great balance.
December
Barnard Griffin 2000 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $16. It is hard to find
a better Merlot than this at any price. Loaded with berry flavors and
laced with oak and spice, it is smooth and well balanced with plenty of
complex components and a lingering aftertaste.
Montinore
Estate 2001 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $10. A fruit basket
with apricot, peach, lemon, golden delicious apples, honeydew, grapefruit
and orange. Crisp, lingering finish. Good food match for fowl or fish.
Bob Woehler has been writing about grapes
and wines of the Pacific Northwest since 1978. His columns appear twice
monthly in the Tri-City Herald in Tri-Cities, Wash.
This is the best guide, bar none, to Oregon's
wines. Insightful articles, interesting reviews, in depth interviews- you'll
find them all here. Worth every penny if you're interested in Oregon wine.
