WASHINGTON STATE WINE….YOUNG IN AGE, OLD IN SOUL.

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Stan The Wine Man

The Washington wine industry compared to most of the wine world is quite youthful. However, the state is now #2 in grape production next to the powerhouse wine industry of California. Washington is fast becoming recognized for putting out some serious juice, which is getting the attention of many California producers who are looking to Washington to expand their production. Gallo is the first to move in with a heavy hand, buying the iconic winery Columbia (made famous by renowned wine maker David Lake). It will be interesting to see how this trend develops, but what it does indicate is that the Washington wine industry is getting the serious attention it deserves.

Ross Andrew Winery is an example of some of the quality producers in Washington State. Ross Andrew Winery is located in Woodinville WA and is named after wine maker Ross Andrew Mickel. Ross' story about his path to wine making is very interesting. He worked as a cellar rat at Delille Estate, a vintage at Rosemount Estate in Australia and then a ten-year stint at the iconic Betz Family Winery under the tutelage of Master of Wine Bob Betz. It was during this time that in 1999 Ross and his family started Ross Andrew Winery. Bob Betz like many other wine makers, allowed his assistant to pursue his new venture in wine making at the Betz facility, until he could step out on his own. So, when Bob Betz moved his winery to a new location, Ross took over the lease on the building that Bob was vacating…This became the official Ross Andrew Winery.

I had a chance to talk with Ross recently and taste through some of his wines. Here are my impressions.

2011 Ross Andrew “Meadow” White (Columbia Valley, WA)… $16.

A blend of 70% Pinot Blanc, 14% Pinot Gris, 10% Riesling and 6% Gewurztraminer this white exhibits aromas of apple, melon, white flowers and orange blossoms (very nice aromatics). Granny Smith apples all day on the palate, backed by notes of lemon, melon, honeysuckle and orange blossoms. I can see myself enjoying this all summer in the backyard while I’m firing up the BBQ getting ready for some serious grilling. (B)

2012 Ross Andrew “Meadow” Rose` (Columbia Valley, WA)… $13.

Aromas of dark cherries, ripe watermelon and rhubarb. On the palate, dark cherries and ripe watermelon come through with an interesting hit of white pepper. This rose` has a nice weight in the mouth without getting too fruity, and it finishes nice and dry like most rose` lovers like. Made from 80% Sangiovese and 20% Lemberger (Blaufrankisch), Ross left the juice on the skins just a little longer to give it good color and flavors. (B+)

2011 Ross Andrew “Meadow” Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon)… $15.-$20. (Depending on where you buy it)

Black tea, cherries and rose petal come through on the nose with a hit of cola. On the palate, notes of dark cherries, rose petal and cola, with a trace of earthiness. This is a lighter style pinot from a tougher vintage in Oregon, that has all the correct elements of a Pinot Noir, with good balance and a short finish. Having salmon? This pinot would be a nice complement and easy on the wallet. (C)

2010 Ross Andrew “Glaze” Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley, WA)… $15.

One thing I have to say about Ross is that his wines are made for the long-haul. I recently reviewed a 2008 Ross Andrew “Glaze” Cab and it had aged beautifully. Please do not “Pop & Pour” this cab. Give it some breathing time or stock it away in your cellar for a couple of years and I know you will be pleasantly surprised.

Chalky aromas of cherries and currants with notes of black olive and tomato stem coming through. Bright on the palate with a nice backbone of acidity. Notes of currants and cherries are backed by trace minerals. There is an herbal component that comes through on the mid-palate followed by a hit of anise on the medium to long finish. This is a great value in Washington Cab…Just remember to let it open up. (B+)

2009 Ross Andrew Syrah (Boushey Vineyard Columbia Valley, WA)… $40.

Very Cote Rotie in style this Syrah expresses aromas of blueberries, boysenberries, currants and white pepper with hits of anise and tobacco. Nice and peppery on the palate with notes of violets, red plums, blueberries and boysenberries coming through. Underlying notes of bacon-fat and cherries come through on the mid-palate and finish. There is a nice core of acidity to support the fruit giving a somewhat bright edge to the Syrah. This is another wine that would benefit from some decanting and will age nicely over the next 5-8 years. (B+)

Cheers!

Stan The Wine Man

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DOUBLE BLIND CHALLENGE ON STAN THE WINE MAN TV…

Posted on March 23, 2014 by Stan The Wine Man

STAN THE WINE MAN TV: EPISODE 47

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THE “POWERS” OF WASHINGTON WINE…

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Stan The Wine Man

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

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WASHINGTON WINE MONTH ROLLS ON…

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Stan The Wine Man

I looked at the calendar, and realized that I have only reviewed three Washington wines this month so far, and I want to review fifty total. I must like to work under pressure or I am a huge procrastinator. Either way, I’d better get my you know what in gear. Here is the next round of reviews for your enjoyment.

2009 McKinley Springs Malbec (Horse Heaven Hills, WA)… $22.

Luke Bradford of Cor Cellars called Washington Malbec the bridesmaid of wine from this state. It certainly does not get the recognition it should, which is no doubt due in part because of the price, compared to the inexpensive juice coming out of Argentina. Well, it is nearly impossible to compete with that since land prices, labor and fruit are much more expensive up here than down in South America. That being said, this is an example of just how good Malbec from Washington State can get.

Aromas of black plums, blackberries, tobacco and lavender with a tarry edge on the back-end. On the palate the black plum and blackberry notes are intense with good concentration. They are married on the mid-palate with tobacco and BBQ spice notes. New meets old world as the finish features notes of crushed rock and blackberry notes that linger. This is intense juice that never goes to the jammy side because of the strong acidity that supports the fruit. This should be the bride, but unfortunately will have to accept the role of bridesmaid. (B+)

2012 Corvidae Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc (Columbia Valley, WA)… $11.

Aromas of lemon-lime, tangerine and hits of watermelon with a little Juicy Fruit action. Lemon-lime, tangerine and hits of watermelon come through on the palate with some interesting wood tannins (it seems) on the finish. I’m not sure if it had some wood treatment, but I am willing to bet on some two to three-year oak barrels. This is good juice, and would be much nicer without the oak… Just saying. (B-)

2009 Cana’s Feast Two Rivers Red (Columbia Valley, WA)… $18.

I met Patrick, wine maker and owner of Cana’s Feast Winery, and I was blown away by his wines. He is based out of Oregon, but he uses Washington fruit liberally.. Like Cor Cellars and Kyra wines, his wines are done with an “old world” attitude. This is a kitchen sink blend that he does.

On the nose, notes of cherries, Tobacco, tomato stem, black licorice, rust and rose petal come through (very hard to detect as new world). Black cherries and currants all over the front of the palate (new world) with red flowers and violets joining the party. Finishes with minerals and blue fruit (mainly blueberries). this is a well-balanced, well made wine for under twenty bucks (seriously!). (B+)

2009 Cana’s Feast Bricco Red (Columbia Valley, WA)… $14.

Interesting notes of pea pods up front backed by notes of plums, cherries and rose petals…Very interesting. Spicy red cherries hit the front of the palate, followed by notes of crushed rock and red plums. Violets join the fruit party leading into a long finish of spice and cherries. Another “kitchen sink” blend from Patrick that delivers a boat-load of wine for a great price. (B+) A-

2012 Cana’s Feast Barbera (Columbia Valley, WA)… $25.

Aromas of cranberries, red cherries and rose petals. Very intense on the palate with notes of cranberries, bright cherries and blueberries. There is an herbal component on the finish with a citrus hit followed by blueberries that linger. This is as close to an Italian Barbera that you can get without getting it from the source. Good balance of acidity and fruit. (A-) B+

Eight down, forty-two to go….It will be done. Please keep Washington wine on your radar, it deserves to be there.

Cheers!

Stan The Wine Man

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