I am the first to admit that initial impressions should not dictate future judgement, especially when it comes to wine. This was confirmed recently as I tasted through the Powers Winery wines, wines which have not really impressed me in the past.
I met Bill Powers a few years ago, and liked him a lot. He is very passionate about farming, and taught me a whole bunch about vine management, soils, and the value of farming organically. They have an organic line of wines called Badger Mountain, of which you no doubt have heard of. Bill farms all his vineyards organically, but does not see a need to certify everything. As he put it when I met him… “Sometimes putting certified organic on the label, can hurt sales.” (sad to say, there have been some poor quality organic wines that have hurt the reputation of that segment) He did say, that since going organic in all his vineyards, he has had very little problem with pests.
I had a chance to taste through some of the recent releases of the Powers wines and I have to tell you that I was very impressed. Since Powers is a prominent Washington winery, I thought it appropriate to share my reviews with you for Washington Wine Month.
2013 Powers Viognier (Columbia Valley, WA)… $12.
Aromas of applesauce, peach, apricots and tangerines. I liked the nose on this one, because some viogniers can be quite over-powering…This one being aromatic but not over-the-top. Red Delicious apples all over the palate backed by notes of peaches and apricots with a hit of tangerine. Good acidity, makes it lively and fresh on the palate. Sweet fruit comes through on the mid-palate with a white flower component coming through on the finish. (B)
2013 Powers Chardonnay (Columbia Valley, WA)…$11.
Slightly subdued on the nose with notes of Bartlett pears and apples with a touch of spice coming through. Pears and apples come through on the palate with a nice freshness (this is not oak driven). Notes of ginger and spice join the apples and pears on the mid-palate leading into a clean, refreshing finish with spice notes lingering. I would venture to say that this chardonnay will match up with shellfish easily. (B-)
2011 Powers Malbec (Columbia Valley, WA)…$11.
They got my attention with the price on this one. Rarely will you see a malbec from Washington State under fifteen bucks. The question is, how would it show. A little challenged on the nose with notes of blackberries, tobacco and violets coming through. Chalky tannins on the palate backing notes of black olive, blackberries and tobacco. Delicious chocolate notes show up on the back of the mid-palate and join some red flower notes on the finish. Very food friendly with a nice bright beam of acidity from start to finish. This is killer malbec for eleven bucks and would win an arm wrestling contest with many from Argentina. (B+)
2011 Powers Spectrum (Columbia Valley, WA)… $11.
Nice intensity on the nose, with notes of black plums, dark cherries and hits of black olive. Notes of tobacco, chocolate, blackberries and boysenberries come through on the palate. A little green tea leaf sneaks in on the mid-palate with some crushed rocks joining the fruit/chocolate party on the finish. This wine has good balance with polished tannins that have a gritty edge to them on the finish. A blend of 30% mourvedre, 30% malbec, 20% merlot, 10% cabernet sauvignon and 10% syrah. (B)
2011 Powers Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley, WA)… $12.
Aromas of currants, cherries, anise, and underlying minty tones. Currants and black licorice hit the front of the palate with a mineral edge to it. Chalky tannins support the fruit notes with a little chocolate sneaking in on the finish. Polished and structured with a minerally edge to it. (B-)
2010 Powers Sheridan Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Yakima Valley, WA)… $25.
Powers Winery has three vineyard designate cabs that they are very proud of as they should.. For the money, they are excellent values.
This cab has a nice intensity on the nose with notes of black currants and cherries backed by notes of rose petal and licorice. Red and black currants on the front of the palate joined by red flowers and chocolate notes on the mid-palate. Once again, chalky tannins support the fruit notes with black licorice notes joining on the finish. There is a nice core of acidity front to back giving this cab good structure and age-worthiness. (B+)
2010 Powers Champoux Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Horse Heaven Hills, WA)… $30.
Black currant notes come through on the nose which lean towards the raisin side, joined by notes of rose petal and a touch of baked earth. Black currant notes hit up front with chocolate notes joining on the mid-palate. Notes of red flowers and rose petal compliment the black currant notes, finishing with a gritty mineral driven edge, with a touch of tobacco. Serious cab that will age nicely over the next ten years. (B+)
2013 Powers Muscat Canelli (Columbia Valley, WA)… $11.
With the surge in popularity of Moscato, the sweeter wines are a good play for a winery. This is a nice, fresh sweet wine that will make a terrific summer quaffer. Notes of orange, tangerine, lemon sherbet , white flowers and orange blossoms (beautiful aromatics). Creamy on the palate from start to finish with notes of tangerine, orange, mango and papaya. Finishes a little cleaner than you would expect showing nice restraint, without going to the goopy side. (B-)
Powers Winery produces some awesome value-driven wines, while also offering up a few vineyard designate cabs that are excellent. I am now a believer in this long-time Washington winery and have now discarded any negative feelings from the past. Be sure to look for them in support of Washington Wine Month.
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
