Beyond the Bottle : April 2009 Archives

« March 2009 | Main | May 2009 »

April 29, 2009

Barnard Griffin 2008 Rosé of Sangiovese

The Barnard Griffin 2008 Rosé of Sangiovese (12.5%) is a bright cherry Kool-Aid color in the glass, delivering somewhat sour strawberry fruit notes on the nose. On the palate, this Washington rosé didn't show much in the way of red berry fruit, with a lasting sour twang turning me away. Based on this experience, I would pass on getting another bottle ($10). (Photo courtesy of Barnard Griffin web site) Related Links Tavola Rosso Review Barnard Griffin Wine Web Page...

Posted by Thad W. at 07:51 PM | Permalink

A to Z 2008 Oregon Rosé

In the glass, this Oregon sangiovese rosé was a cherry Kool-aid color with notes of dusty cherry and strawberry fruit. The cherry flavors were most prominent on the palate throughout with a somewhat viscous mouth feel. The bright acidity and balanced fruit flavors make the A to Z 2008 Oregon Rosé (13.5%) a good choice for summer foods. And the $11 price point and screw cap top make for a reasonably priced, convenient picnic wine. Overall, we enjoyed this wine and would buy another bottle. (Photo courtesy of A to Z Wineworks Web Site) Related Links A to Z...

Posted by Thad W. at 07:31 PM | Permalink

April 26, 2009

Syncline 2008 Rosé Columbia Valley

Syncline rosé is summertime in a glass. It symbolizes all that this season brings us here in Seattle. Warm, sometimes even hot, temperatures, sunny skies, backyard grilling, dining al fresco, and glasses of chilled rosé to enjoy all summer long. My wife and I have a preference for French rosé, with those being lightest in color usually our most favorite. Too often local producers create an over-extracted rosé, resulting in a drink that is more liked spiked Kool-Aid than wine. The Syncline 2008 Rosé Columbia Valley (13.8%) is a clear light salmon color in the glass offering dusty perfume...

Posted by Thad W. at 01:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Patricia Green 2007 Croft Vineyard Pinot Noir

In the glass, this Oregon pinot noir was a medium ruby red, a surprisingly dark color considering how other 2007s in a comparable alcohol range are so light. On the nose, the Patricia Green 2007 Croft Vineyard Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (12.5%) offered notes of strawberry and raspberry fruit with a hint of earth. In the mouth, the Patricia Green pinot came up flat, as it seemed to lack enough acidity. The fruit and earthy flavors dropped off very quickly without any lasting finish. Based on the color and smell of this wine, I expected more. It just didn't...

Posted by Thad W. at 11:56 AM | Permalink

April 25, 2009

Dining with Robert Parker's Beau-Frère

On Thursday night, I had the opportunity to dine with Robert Parker's beau-frère, Mike Etzel, who in partnership with his brother-in-law established the aptly named Beaux Frères winery in Oregon during the late eighties. My dinner invitation came from a business vendor, whose team treated our advertising group to an evening of El Gaucho food and Beaux Frères wines. This winemaker's dinner was hosted by Etzel, who ended up sitting at our table for most of the meal, making for an interesting and enlightening experience. I found the circumstances surrounding this free dinner a bit ironic, considering the storm...

Posted by Thad W. at 08:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen

If there is one way to sum up Saffron, its all about flavor. Chris Ainsworth, chef, and Island Ainsworth, proprietor, have crafted a menu that truly celebrates flavorful food. Using fresh, local ingredients, a variety of seasonings, and a Mediterranean style of cooking, the Ainsworths have created a restaurant that is unique in the Walla Walla Valley. On the two occasions my wife and I have dined at Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen, we sat at the "chef's table" located adjacent to the open kitchen area. Being so close to the action, we felt as if we were dining in the...

Posted by Thad W. at 01:20 PM | Permalink

April 20, 2009

It's time for Pacific Northwest rosé

Almost a month into spring and the temperatures are finally getting above 70 degrees. With sunny skies and warmer temperatures, we have moved our table outside to celebrate some springtime meals. Along the way, we're starting to open a variety of newly released Washington and Oregon rosés. While visiting a couple of wine retailers this past weekend, I've amassed a collection of Pacific Northwest rosé from the 2008 vintage. Should be fun in the coming days/weeks to pop open some old favorites and newly discovered producers. You can expect a line up of tasting notes in the coming weeks focused...

Posted by Thad W. at 08:30 PM | Permalink

April 18, 2009

Patricia Green 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Oregon

It's not often one comes across an Oregon sauvignon blanc, for this variety is the lowest production grape in the state. Seeing a bottle of Patricia Green 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Oregon for $18 at my local retailer, I was intrigued enough to give it a try. The Patricia Green sauv blanc was a light golden yellow/green color in the glass. On the nose, it delivered a fragrance of fresh asparagus, green pepper, and grass. In the mouth, the flavors were lacking while it definitely lived up to the winemaker's notes of being "high-toned". I found the dry, sour finish...

Posted by Thad W. at 01:47 PM | Permalink

Brick House 2007 Gamay Noir Ribbon Ridge

One of my new favorites from Oregon, the Brick House 2007 Gamay Noir Ribbon Ridge ($24) is a terrific wine. In the glass, this clear, garnet-colored Oregon gamay delivered an intriguing spectrum of scents including fresh strawberry and raspberry fruit, slightly perfumed floral notes, and hints of earth, all integrated together in a captivating way that kept my nose coming back for more. I became smitten with this wine just smelling it - seriously, it was that mesmerizing. In the mouth, the Brick House gamay noir (13.4%) was a fresh, bright beautiful wine, offering flavors of red berry fruit...

Posted by Thad W. at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

April 12, 2009

Ryan Patrick 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

While preparing a beef dinner the other night, I pulled a Ryan Patrick Vineyards 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley from the cellar, a bottle I won as a result of a survey contest from Northwest Palate magazine. This Washington cab was just not our style, for it's high alcohol (14.5% listed on the label) obliterated any fruit and burned away any possible finish it might offer. To each his or her own, but this is a Washington wine that is meant to be drunk young, meaning a year or two after bottling. Otherwise, time will only fade the fruit,...

Posted by Thad W. at 04:17 PM | Permalink

Dobbes 2007 Pinot Gris Willamette Valley

This Oregon pinot gris was a light, greenish gold in the glass with hints of melon and a bit of spice on the nose. The Dobbes 2007 Pinot Gris (13.7%) was surprisingly flat, with muted fruit flavors, and an overall viscous, cloying mouthfeel. I would pass on buying this $16 wine again, for there are other Oregon pinot gris that offer better quality at this price point....

Posted by Thad W. at 04:12 PM | Permalink

April 09, 2009

Reflections on Taste Washington 2009

Last Saturday, I attended the Taste Washington seminars, which once again offered useful insights and frames of reference on our state's wines. It was also fun to meet other wine bloggers, including Alder Yarrow of Vinography, and the folks from Wine Peeps, whom I really enjoyed getting to know (see links to their coverage below). With all that these Saturday seminars have to offer wine enthusiasts, it was surprising how few consumers go to this event. For example, of the 40 people in one session I attended, only 3 of us were consumers, with the other 37 being associated...

Posted by Thad W. at 06:46 PM | Permalink

April 02, 2009

Arcane Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir WV

The Arcane Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13%) is a clear, light ruby red in the glass, delivering subtle strawberry and raspberry fruit notes along with a pronounced earthiness combining spice and cedar. This Oregon pinot noir offers delicious flavors that continued to evolve over time, all the while balanced with good acidity and an ever present long, cherry finish. Whether on the first or second night this wine was opened, the Arcane starts with an earthiness in the nose, as if you're following the vines source of sustenance from the soil all the way up to the...

Posted by Thad W. at 09:02 PM | Permalink

Home

About

Books

Connections

Perspectives

Tasting Notes

Wine Recos

Categories

April 29, 2009

Barnard Griffin 2008 Rosé of Sangiovese

A to Z 2008 Oregon Rosé

April 26, 2009

Syncline 2008 Rosé Columbia Valley

Patricia Green 2007 Croft Vineyard Pinot Noir

April 25, 2009

Dining with Robert Parker's Beau-Frère

Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen

April 20, 2009

It's time for Pacific Northwest rosé

April 18, 2009

Patricia Green 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Oregon

Brick House 2007 Gamay Noir Ribbon Ridge

April 12, 2009

Ryan Patrick 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Dobbes 2007 Pinot Gris Willamette Valley

April 09, 2009

Reflections on Taste Washington 2009

April 02, 2009

Arcane Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir WV

Recent Posts

Archives