Avalon Flashnews EMail 4/13/04
For our Wine Club Members and Preferred Customers

Several NW wines are generating "buzz" among winemakers.

Roads End Pinot noir 02 $38.99
http://www.northwest-wine.com/Roads-End-Pinot-noir.html
is made by Ken Wright for Carlton Cellars. The wine is Ken's only Pinot noir made by blending fruit from several vineyards, and the buzz is that this vintage is something special. When local winemakers keep suggesting a wine, it's a very very good sign. And they are buzzing about this one.

Raptor Ridge Pinot noir 02 $18.99/$17.10 and
Raptor Ridge Pinot noir Reserve 2002 $ 25.99
http://www.northwest-wine.com/raptorridgewines.html
are two wines we hear good things about from this tiny winery. Their vineyards were heavily effected by phyloxera, so yield was very low. Combine that with the perfect 2002 vintage conditions, and you have a couple of intensely flavored Pinots. Most of their wines were made in lots of less than 200 cases, and they will quickly disappear.

Brick House Clos Ladybug Pinot noir 02 $21.99
http://www.northwest-wine.com/Brick-House-pinot-noir-clos-ladybug.html
90 points from Wine Spectator 4/04. This wine comes and goes in about an hour- it hits the floor and disappears like magic. So get your orders in if you want some. It's Brick House's value Pinot, only sold in Oregon, and most of that at the winery's open house. Good wine, fun label, great summer sipper.

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Bits and Pieces we found in the Cellar

Owen Roe Zinfandel 02 $39.99
We found a little bit we had tucked away. It's been sold out at the winery for quite awhile, and is something of a cult wine. We're offering it to you, our preferred customers, when you purchase a case of wine. Maximum two bottles per person, please. From the mid-Columbia region near The Dalles. The Hillside Vineyard is a steeply terraced south facing slope that matures well into October. The Pines vineyard in The Dalles ripens about 2 weeks earlier and gives a heady richness to the wine. Racked by gravity and given the winery's typical minimal treatment, the wine's soft velvety texture belies the powerful 15% alcohol. Rich and very ripe, it is drinking beautifully now and will age 5 years or so. Call or email to order.

Spring Valley "Nina Lee" Syrah 01 $49.99
Same deal as above, two bottle maximum with a case order. Call or email to order.

Owen Roe Merlot Dubrul 02 $70
http://www.northwest-wine.com/owen-roe-merlot-dubrul.html
Sold out at the winery on the first day it was released. We have more of this wine, can provide up to 6 bottles per person. We sent this wine to the Big Reds Club this month- feedback has been great- it's drinking huge and rich and layers of flavors, and can cellar for 5 years. Call or email to order.

Ken Wright Pinot noir Carter Vineyard 01 or 02 $45.99 Yes, tucked away in the cellar, we came upon a stash. There's also a few bottles of the Wahl Vineyard Pinot noir 02 $45.99. Call to order, please.

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TIme to Stock up on White Wines for Warm Weather

The heat here in the NW has locals grilling outside earlier than we usually can by several months. Along with the warm weather has come a rush on the best deals in white wines for summer sipping.

At the top of our list for what to buy is the Griffin Creek Viognier 01 $16.99
http://www.northwest-wine.com/griffin-creek-viognier.html. This wine is usually $29.99 and has the elusive floral, mineral, and fruit notes that make for a delicious Viognier, at a rock bottom price. Made by the talented Joe Dobbes for this higher end Southern Oregon label, the wine is simply delicious. The wine had enough stuffing to improve with bottle age, and it is drinking better than last year. The intriguing floral and candied citrus notes in the scent are there, along with a lusciously integrated ripple of flavors of lychee, pear, white peach, and sugared grapes. The hints of minerals and the crisp clean finish keep the wine in nice balance. Highly recommended.

Bergstrom Winery is known for their Pinot noirs, but their
Bergstrom Vineyard Pinot gris 03 $18.99
http://www.northwest-wine.com/Bergstrom-Winery-Pinot-gris.html
is well worth a try. The wine is unusually rich and full flavored, with "rich aromas of candied pears, Meyer lemons and ruby red grapefruit leading way to enormous creamy texture and flavors of exotic citrus fruits, sweet spices, and pear compote. All enveloped in a mouth watering acid profile..." so says winemaker Josh Bergstrom, and we quote him, as he says it best. This young star shows that he is as talented with white as with red wines.

The 2002 vintage is the best I have ever had of the
La Bete Aligote "Newhouse" 02 $16.99.
http://www.northwest-wine.com/la-bete-winery-aligote.html
While the varietal sometimes makes a rather lean and light wine, this vintage from La Bete is round, creamy, with balanced acidity, and finishes sweet. This vintage's sweetness may not appeal to everyone, but the flavors are intriguing and quite lovely. In a recent tasting at Avalon's store, some of our most wine-sophisticated customers found themselves coming back to this unusual wine, taking home a bottle to enjoy. The sweet finish is balanced by great acidity, and the wine goes very well with grilled salmon or shrimp. A salad Nicoise last weekend had diners going back to this wine again and again. It's not the same as a Portuguese Vino Verde or an Italian Albarino, but is reminiscent in some ways of both.

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If you are thinking about joining the Avalon Big Reds Club or of renewing your annual membership, this is a great time. The Andrew Will Sorella 01 $65 is your free bonus gift when you prepay for a year's subscription. This month's selections included the Owen Roe Dubrul Merlot 01 $70 and the Andrake Cab 00 $40 for the annual rate of $67.00 a month. Check out the Big Reds Club and the list of past selections here:
http://www.avalonwine.com/wineclubs_nwbigreds.php

This month's Reserve Pinot noir Club Selections are Gary Andrus's Gypsy Dancer Pinot noir "Preview" 02 $40 and his "Estate" 02 $65. The free bonus gift continues to be the Beaux Freres Pinot Noir 01 $60. May's selections are three Pinot noirs from up-and-coming wineries, and the June selections will be Penner Ash's 2002 Pinot noir and Seven Springs Pinot noirs.
http://www.avalonwine.com/wineclubs_oregonreservepinot.php

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New Releases that will Come and Go Quickly

McKinlay Pinot noir "Ladd Hill" 02 $39.99
http://www.northwest-wine.com/mckinlay-vineyards.html

Cottonwood Pinot noir Marina Piper 02 $25.99
http://www.northwest-wine.com/Cottonwood-Winery-Marina-Piper.html
from the assistant winemaker at Owen Roe

Cottonwood Pinot noir Brigette Catherine 02 $39.99
http://www.northwest-wine.com/Cottonwood-Winery-Brigette-Catherine.html
from the assistant winemaker at Owen Roe

Abeja Chardonnay 02 $28
http://www.northwest-wine.com/Abeja-Chardonnay.html
from former Canoe Ridge winemaker John Abbott

Broadley "Estate" Pinot noir 02 $30
http://www.northwest-wine.com/broadley-pinot-noir-Estate-02.html

Buty Merlot/Cab Franc 02 $38.99
Buty Chardonnay Rosa Berge 02 $28
http://www.northwest-wine.com/buty-winery.html

Colvin Carmenere 02 $19.99
http://www.northwest-wine.com/colvin-vineyards-Carmenere.html
Unusual grape varietal makes a popular spicy red wine.

Cougar Crest Cabernet Franc 02
http://www.northwest-wine.com/cougar-crest-Cabernet-Franc.html

K Vintners "The Beautiful" Syrah 02 $36.99
http://www.northwest-wine.com/K-Vintners-The-Beautiful-Syrah.html
Charles Smith, Iconoclastic winemaker, makes another huge dark juicy Syrah.

L'Ecole Apogee 01 $45.99
http://www.northwest-wine.com/lecole-no-41-apogee.html
Just waiting for the usual 94+ point reviews for it to sell out

Northstar Merlot Walla Walla 01 $60.00
http://www.northwest-wine.com/northstar-merlot-walla-walla.html
This is the very limited Walla Walla one

Patricia Green "Dollar Bills Only" 02 $16.99
http://www.northwest-wine.com/patricia-green-cellars-dollar-bills-only-pinot-noir.html
only 100 cases made this year

Woodward Canyon "Estate" Cabernet Sauvignon 01 $49.99
http://www.northwest-wine.com/woodward-canyon-estate.html
very little made, a new Cab for Rick Small, from his own vineyard

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Thanks so much for your patronage,
please feel free to email or call me if you'd like more information.

Jean
541-424-8004 (direct line)

www.avalonwine.com
201 SW 2nd Street
Corvallis OR 97333
541-752-7418