Fresh Press for July 25, 2011

July 25, 2011

FRESHPRESS Grape clusters are beginning to take shape in the Pacific Northwest.

This photo was taken Sunday evening in the Columbia Gorge near Maryhill Museum.

Grapes will begin changing color in the next few weeks.

(Photo by Andy Perdue/Wine Press Northwest)

Fresh Press is a weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest magazine. In each edition, we review recently released wines from Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho. Feel free to forward to your wine-loving friends and family. For more information on our tasting methods and review process, please go to the last page.

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 11 • © 2011

FRESHPRESS July 25, 2011

Spotlight: Daven Lore Winery 23103 S. Davlor PR SW, Prosser, WA 99350 509-781-0557 • http://www.davenlore.com/

PROSSER, Wash. — For those who don’t frequent farmers markets in either Richland or the Yakima Valley town of Prosser, Daven Lore Winery ranks as one of the real overlooked gems in Washington wine country.

Ironically, winemaker Gordon Taylor’s wife is more widely known in the Northwest wine industry.

“She’s the real rock star around here,” Taylor said without hesitation.

Joan “Dr. Dirt” Davenport is a respected soil scientist throughout North America for her research with fruit crops at Washington State University’s research station in Prosser. She also developed the petition for the Snipes Mountain American Viticultural Area, established by the federal government in 2009. She then did the work on the pending Ancient Lakes AVA, and its approval is expected to come later this year.

“She helps me with knowing what to look for in the grapes, and she does have a fantastic palate,” Taylor said. “And she tells me if something tastes like crap. All the rosé is now gone, that was one of her favorites. She suggested I make a dry Riesling because that’s the way she likes it.”

This edition of Fresh Press showcases the recent releases from the winery named for parts of their last names — Daven and Lor. These small lots display quality and remarkable consistency. Nine wines were submitted, and not one was rated less than an “excellent” during our blind judgings spanning several weeks. Never was a backup bottle needed.

And earlier this spring, the Daven Lore 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 Merlot and 2008 Aridsol Red each received our top “Outstanding!” ratings. Even the nonvintage Recovery Red ($20 in a 1-liter bottle) garnered an “Excellent” score.

Taylor, 47, grew up on a farm in Shannonville, Ontario. He was conducting soil science research at the University of Guelph when he met Davenport — a

graduate student eight years his senior. Eventually, his background as a research engineer for Ocean Spray and his work with cranberries and large commercial juice operations gave him a solid foundation for his winery, which he said is maxed out at 1,500 cases per year.

“It’s still very similar to farming when I was growing up, only you couldn’t get anyone to help with the cows,” Taylor said with a chuckle. “This is what I call ‘sexy farming.’ Despite what people try to tell you, most people don’t really make a lot of money running a winery. They do it more for the lifestyle. And when you run a winery, you get all kinds of people offering to help you.”

Soon after Davenport arrived at Prosser research station, she and Taylor began construction on their home and winery along the northern boundary of the Horse Heaven Hills. They finished in 1999, and it offers a bird’s-eye view of the Yakima Valley.

The first commercial vintage was 2005 and produced just 150 cases. Taylor made wines both in Australia and in his own winery Prosser in 2006, when he produced 650 cases.

Last year, he topped the 1,000-case mark with help from assistant winemaker Adrienne Mills, a Prosser High grad. Recovery Red makes up about 10% of that production and comes in a Grolsch-style bottle, which they refill for $10.

“I didn’t want to create a second label, and it’s the only way I can compete with the lower-cost wines,” Taylor said. “It’s been a very popular program, to the point where I’ve had to start purchasing wine, which is not what I wanted to do, but I just picked up some Goose Ridge Cab to make the next blend.”

Much of Daven Lore’s direct sales and refills are done at the farmers markets, and Taylor expects

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 11 • © 2011

FRESHPRESS July 25, 2011

Spotlight: Daven Lore Winery Prosser to be a test site for the new state law that permits wine pouring at these markets.

“It looks as if it will be in September, which is just about the end of the farmers market,” Taylor said. “That should still give us a chance to see if it’s going to be a train wreck or not. I can’t see myself serving wines in a glass at a farmers market because that involves a lot of cleanup and chance for breakage, and I could see problems with having mom hand her wine glass off to her 5-year-old while she gets her purse out.

“So we’re looking at serving in little plastic cups like Costco,” he added. “Only four ounces can be served, and you have to serve food, but I don’t want to be a food vendor. If it is pretzels and stuff like that, great. If it has to be a sandwich or a taco, then the board of health is involved and I’m less interested.”

There is value in buying Daven Lore wines at these markets, though. Taylor discounts his red wines $5 per bottle and his whites by $3.

“We enjoy being at the farmers market and all the events in Prosser,” Taylor said. “The locals are the ones who support us through the winter. And the locals have good palates because of all the wineries nearby.”

Through the years, Davenport poured for several wineries, including their friend Wade Wolfe at Thurston Wolfe. That experience led Daven Lore to choose Durif as the name for their Petite Sirah.

“She found that people would be confused by Syrah and Petite Sirah, telling her, ‘I already have some Syrah,’ ” Taylor said. “So she said, ‘Let’s call it something that no one else calls it.’ ” They’ve also chosen to pay tribute to the vagabond coyotes that steal grape clusters off their vines. The Daven Lore logo features the likeness of a mythical coyote they named “Petro” — as in petroglyph — with wine bottles drawn into the doglegs. Blind Renaissance in Wenatchee created the design.

“Coyotes eat our fruit, but it’s nothing compared to what the robins do,” Taylor said.

Building a brand is nearly as important as making the wine, and Daven Lore has gained some traction by offering temporary tattoos of its logo. Mills, who also serves as Daven Lore’s marketing maven, recently placed a second order for 1,000 tattoos. They retail for $1 each and have proven to be especially popular at festivals. If you apply them while at the Daven Lore booth, the tattoo is free.

“We want them on people, and I want people to see Petro and our Daven Lore brand,” Taylor said. “There’s one person who pours at 106 Pine (in Seattle) who has an honest-to-god tattoo, he liked our wines that much.”

While Daven Lore does not have regular tasting room hours, guests are more than welcome if they make an appointment. The wines are available at a few locations, including Cheese Louise in Richland, Picazo

717 in Kennewick, 106 Pine Wine Bar at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Thirst Wine Bar & Bistro in Portland and All Things Wine in Renton.

Outstanding! Daven Lore Winery 2008 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $25. It would be surprising to find another winery in Washington that drills down as deeply when describing soil types. This fruit from Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills emerges from windblown loess soils, while Newhouse Vineyard features Harwood-Burke-Wiehl silt loam over Snipes Mountain conglomerate with river cobblestones. And there’s a big scent of chalkboard dust in the aromas, backed by plenty of plums, cassis and toffee. It’s a light and lively Syrah with blueberry, black currant and serviceberry flavors, carried by a balance of acidity and slightly chewy tannins. (51 cases, 14.7% alc.)

Outstanding! Daven Lore Winery 2009 Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $25. Prosser winemaker Gordon Taylor might not be far off the map with his rather brash statement about this Bordeaux variety. “Maybe you should cry, Argentina. Washington state is in the game.”

For the second straight vintage, he sourced from Will Beightol’s Double Canyon Vineyard, and the results are stunning. Scents of barrel and fruit emerge with a combination of nutty chocolate brownie, boysenberry, minerality and coffee. There’s more fruit, less barrel and lots of minerality showing on a palate that’s focused on boysenberry and marionberry flavors. Rounded tannins and a hint of chocolate-covered orange peel make for a pleasing finish. Suggested fare includes baked pasta and winter soups. It's worth noting these clusters were harvested on Oct. 9 — the day before the killing freeze that marked this vintage. (101 cases, 13.8% alc.)

Excellent. Daven Lore Winery 2009 Petit Verdot, Horse Heaven Hills, $25. Double Canyon Vineyard is a young planting adjacent to famed Champoux Vineyards, which begins to explain its early success

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 11 • © 2011

FRESHPRESS July 25, 2011

Spotlight: Daven Lore Winery with Bordeaux varieties. There’s a warm embrace of barrel notes akin to Nutella spread, chocolate and an alder-fueled campfire, yet there’s strong support of blueberry, blackberry and black cherry aromas, too.

The drink is filled with marionberry to join the medley of purple fruit, bringing along a fair amount of acidity and some tense tannins. Enjoy with pepper steak or a Tbone. (71 cases, 14.3% alc.)

Excellent. Daven Lore Winery 2009 Mourvèdre, Yakima Valley, $25. Far Away Vineyard is developing a strong reputation among winemakers for Rhône varieties, and here’s another entry. Throughout are tones of poached plums, boysenberry, cranberry, chocolate, chalkboard dust, caramel and a cigar humidor. It led winemaker Gordon Taylor to envision pairing it with Pasta Carbonara. (47 cases, 13.6% alc.)

Excellent. Daven Lore Winery 2009 Durif, Horse Heaven Hills, $25. Most folks now label this as Petite Sirah. Instead, it makes sense that co-owner Joan Davenport — a PhD in soil science at Washington State University — chooses to honor the memory of François Durif, the French botanist who discovered the variety in 1880. There’s a dense and attractive nose of fresh-picked marionberry, blackberry and black cherry, and the barrel program of Hungarian and Minnesota oak conjures up notes of vanilla bean, chocolate and coffee. The drink is not for the faint of heart, as bold tannins loom just over the top of the blueberry pie and brambleberry flavors. Behind those are hints of cherry wood smoke and plated steak juice, which makes it ideal to enjoy with beef ribs or elk. (78 cases, 13.8% alc.)

Best Buy! Excellent. Daven Lore Winery 2010 Dry Riesling, Yakima Valley, $15. The decision to create two distinct styles of Riesling prompted this production from Far Away Vineyard to be taken all the way to 0.05% residual sugar. It creates a theme of Granny Smith apple and lemon accents in the aromas and flavors. The nose includes lychee, verbena, rose water and diesel, while the palate also brings in dried apricot, spearmint and minerality. Gord Taylor recommends serving it at 45 degrees and alongside stir fry or hot wings. (50 cases, 14.9% alc.)

Best Buy! Outstanding! Daven Lore Winery 2010 Sweet Riesling, Yakima Valley, $15. Fermentation for this low-alcohol summer sipper from S.O Fruit Co. — Patricia O’Brien’s estate vineyard in Prosser for VineHeart Winery — was halted at 6% residual sugar.

The aromas lead with cantaloupe and orange blossom, backed by green apple, rose petal, spearmint and grassiness. A juicy nectarine and Jonagold apple lead the honeyed flavors, which would complement prosciutto-wrapped melon and zesty cheeses. This is built to be drunk prior to next spring. (26 cases, 8.7% alc.)

Best Buy! Outstanding! Daven Lore Winery 2010 Estate Rosé, Yakima Valley, $15. Gord Taylor and Joan Davenport dote on the Granite Cairn Vineyard first planted in 2000 around their Prosser home and winery. Their combination of Cabernet Sauvignon (44%), Merlot (37%) and Syrah yields a mere single barrel (58 gallons) of wine, and they made no missteps with this vintage. Aromas of Rainier cherry, apricot, orange peel, slate and bubble gum don’t disappoint.

And while the structure is a touch off-dry (0.6% residual sugar), there’s a delicate strawberry/rhubarb undertone drawn out across the palate. Blood orange and tangerine flavors in the finish make it remarkably expressive and a worthy foil for grilled shrimp, seared scallops, phad Thai or chicken satay. (20 cases, 13.9% alc.)

Excellent. Daven Lore Winery 2009 Dr. Davenport Decade Series Syrah Forté, Snipes Mountain, $25.

For the fourth straight year, Canadian-born winemaker Gord Taylor relied on Todd Newhouse’s vineyard in Sunnyside, Wash., for this after-dinner drink. The variety shows itself in the nose of blueberry pie and marionberry, but there’s a strong hint of cranberry, all flanked by sweet oak aromas of smoky chocolate and caramel. As a drink, it’s remarkably juicy with chocolate-covered cranberries and dried cherries. The round tannins and sweetness (10% residual sugar) seem to almost neutralize the alcohol, a balance that shows skill. Make this a close night-time friend either on the beach or this fall by the fireplace. (103 cases, 17.8% alc.)

Wine ratings All wines reviewed here are tasted blind after being submitted by producers. They are rated Outstanding, Excellent and Recommended by a tasting panel.

Outstanding: These wines have superior characteristics and should be highly sought after.

Excellent: Top-notch wines with particularly high qualities.

Recommended: Delicious, well-made wines with true varietal characteristics.

Best Buy: A wine that is $15 or less.

Priced are suggested retail and should be used as guidelines. Prices are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

For more details about our judging system, see the last page of this document.

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 11 • © 2011

FRESHPRESS July 25, 2011

New releases we’ve tasted Merlot Excellent. Claar Cellars 2008 White Bluffs Merlot, Columbia Valley, $19. Aromas of black currant, chocolate, tangerine and celery leaf transition smoothly into an elegant entry of black currant jam and blackberry. Life of 24 months in French oak shows in the finish of licorice, blackberry seed and dusty tannins.

(489 cases, 13.8% alc.)

Syrah Excellent. Cinder Wines 2009 Syrah, Snake River Valley, $27. Boise native Melanie Krause continues to shine with Syrah from Idaho. She co-fermented Viognier (5%) with Syrah from Sawtooth, Skyline and Williamson vineyards for a smoky, meaty and fruity offering. There’s a fascinating greeting of blackberry, malt chocolate, mint leaf and freshly sliced pepperoni in the nose. The palate delivers notes of blackberry jam on toast, licorice and lacquered bacon, all carried in a pleasing structure of rich chocolate. (250 cases, 14.1% alc.)

Petit Verdot Outstanding! Ash Hollow Estate Vineyards & Winery 2008 Bella Terra Vineyard Petit Verdot, Snake River Valley, $52. When Spencer Sievers is back at his own ultra-boutique El Corazon Winery in downtown Walla Walla, he works with tiny lots such as this. He’s turned this special bottling into a prized, albeit wild, child as the new head winemaker at Ash Hollow. There’s definitely a dark side to it from the beginning as behind the dark strawberry, black currant candy and sassafras aromas is a whiff of steak juice.

Inside, it’s heavy and steady with dark plum, ripe Bing cherry and strawberry jelled candy flavors. Gravelly tannins make it assertive on the palate, backed by crushed leaf and a return of steak juice. Enjoy with a Tbone. (45 cases, 14.7% alc.)

Carménère Excellent. Nodland Cellars 2007 Avant-garde Carménère, Walla Walla Valley, $28. Another Spokane winery made its mark in the Northwest several years ago with Cabernet Franc, and it looks as if the Nodlands might be doing the same with this littleknown Bordeaux variety. Using famed Seven Hills Vineyard fruit, this wine opens with charming smoky oak aromas that don’t get in the way of blueberry, tobacco leaf and minerality tones. There’s a continuation of blueberries on the tongue, followed by purple blackberries and more minerality, held firmly by tannins and food-friendly acidity. (50 cases, 14.7% alc.)

Red blends Recommended. Alexandria Nicole Cellars 2008 Destiny Ridge Vineyard Mackay Duck Press Red,

Horse Heaven Hills, $42. Jarrod Boyle’s partnership with the Mackay Restaurant Group goes back several years, and he constructs this to enjoy with the Kingsford-fired Angus beef served at perhaps the Northwest’s top steakhouse chain — El Gaucho. The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (62%), Merlot (20%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Malbec (6%) and Petit Verdot brings to the table strong notes of boysenberry, blackberry, sweet tobacco and hefty tannins. (228 cases, 14.6% alc.)

Outstanding! Ash Hollow Estate Vineyards & Winery 2007 Nine Mile Red, Walla Walla Valley, $20.

There have been a number of changes at this Walla Walla winery in the past few years, but these barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (30%), Malbec (10%) and Petit Verdot did more than survive the turmoil. The mood is set with dark and inky aromas of blackberry, vanilla extract, tar, anise, charcoal and a fresh green bell pepper. It’s an even more remarkable drink that brings silkiness and richness with flavors of black cherry, marionberry, blackberry, fudge butter creme chocolate and Graham cracker. And yet, there’s abundant acidity and firm tannin, joined by hints of beef jerky and mint in the finish. (300 cases, 14.8% alc.)

Recommended. Cinder Wines 2009 Small Lot Series Mourvèdre-Tempranillo, Snake River Valley, $34. The Iberian Peninsula is home to both varieties, although Mourvedre is known in Spain as Monastrell.

Here, the blend is 50/50 from Williamson and Rocky Fence vineyards, respectively, and the nose provides fascination with hints at plums, Milk Duds, woodruff, smoked sea salt and dried chili flakes. The real payoff is on the creamy palate, which features cordial cherries in milk chocolate and cured meat. Managed tannins merely frame the wine, and late acidity creates a long finish. (40 cases, 13.7% alc.)

Recommended. Nodland Cellars 2008 Bad Attitude, Walla Walla Valley, $20. Perhaps this husband/wife team in Spokane, Wash., chose to name its bottling of Merlot as such because of the Sideways affect. It shows a lighter structure by focusing on red currants, pie cherries, cranberry and Red Haven peach tones with some forest floor in the background. (421 cases, 14.6% alc.)

Outstanding! Nodland Cellars 2007 Private Blend, Columbia Valley, $28. Spokane winemakers Tim and Tracy Nodland have created a rarity in the Pacific Northwest — a true Meritage-style red by using all six of the major Bordeaux varieties. The melange of Cabernet Sauvignon (35%), Merlot (35%), Carménère (12%), Cabernet Franc (12%), Petit Verdot (5%) and Malbec shows off aromas of black strawberry, poached plum, portobello mushroom and saddle leather. It’s dark and lovely on the palate with black currant, black

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 11 • © 2011

FRESHPRESS July 25, 2011

New releases we’ve tasted cherry cola, blackberry, marionberry and Kona coffee.

Belgian chocolate, lingering minerality, horehound and the elevation of acidity over tannin make this opulent.

(400 cases, 14.5% alc.)

Chardonnay Recommended. Cinder Wines 2009 Chardonnay, Snake River Valley, $18. Skilled use of oak with the DeSeelhorst family’s Arena Valley Vineyard fruit allows for notes of pineapple, Asian pear, rich butterscotch and spearmint. Its soft and creamy approach gives it appeal both as a sipper as well as a complement to a bowl of homemade chicken soup or pasta dishes in a white sauce. (200 cases, 13.8% alc.)

Best Buy! Excellent. San Juan Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $14. Island winemaker Chris Primus does nice job of marrying the influence of oak while preserving the fruit profile of lemon/lime and Asian pear. Aromas also hint at Cracker Jack, apple, vanilla and ground coriander, while the flavors touch on butterscotch and confectioners sugar. Primus also performs the viticulture on the beautiful island vineyard, and his inclusion of estate Madeleine Angevine (11%) seems to keep pushing acidity through to the end. (390 cases, 14.3% alc.)

Recommended. San Juan Vineyards 2009 Reserve Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $23. Wente clone fruit from Kestrel View spent 16 months in oak, and the integration comes off nicely as dusty pear and light lemony aromas easily emerge from notes of lanolin, sheepskin and flannel. Those who appreciate reservestyle Chardonnay will admire its luscious butterscotch toffee and lemon flavors. There’s a flash of appealing chalkboard dust in the finish. (130 cases, 14.3% alc.)

Pinot Gris Recommended. Mercer Estates 2009 Pinot Gris, Yakima Valley, $17. Those looking for a quaffable, fruit-filled and no-oak Pinot Gris will appreciate this release from the estate Brooks Vineyard. It comes loaded with aromas and flavors of apple pie, sliced pear and lemon custard. The structure leans toward offdry with its 0.6% residual sugar and subdued acidity.

(12.3% alc.)

Sauvignon Blanc Excellent. Le Vieux Pin 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, $35. Our 2008 B.C. Winery to Watch continues to produce wines expressing a high style and finesse. A whiff brings in huge hints of gooseberry, passionfruit and pear with signs of tomcat and fresh-cut alfalfa. The palate provides enjoyment, showcasing a fresh-cut lime dripping with juice, backed by wet stone. Suggested fare includes oysters on the

half shell or a Frisée salad with lardon and poached egg. (430 cases, 13.9% alc.)

Excellent. SuLei Cellars 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $18. Tanya Woodley studied winemaking at Walla Walla Community College and worked for Steve Lessard at Whitman Cellars before co-founding “soo-lay.” Her lot from Spring Creek near Benton City, Wash., shows the complexity that comes from stainless steel fermentation and partial aging in neutral French oak. Aromas spotlight toasted marshmallow with fresh gooseberry, lemon zest and chalkboard dust. Fruit dominates the sweet and sour palate of pear, nectarine, lychee, lime and more gooseberry. There’s just a touch of caramel in the finish. (65 cases, 13.5% alc.)

Rosé Recommended. Ash Hollow Estate Vineyards & Winery 2010 Estate Rosé, Walla Walla Valley, $17.

Nine Mile Hill, one of the western-most vineyards in the appellation, is the source of this dry-styled pink that’s well-suited for a picnic. There are no illusions created from the aromas, which hint at cranberry, pie cherry, light strawberry, rose petal and blood orange. There’s a burst in the mouth from fresh-picked cranberry flavors, backed by white strawberry, Rainier cherry and lime pith. (70 cases, 14.1% alc.)

Excellent. Dusted Valley Vintners 2010 Stoney Vine Vineyard Ramblin’ Rosé, Walla Walla Valley, $20.

The Wisconsin boys refer to this as their “Pink Zing” and when it comes to their work with Rhône varieties, few wineries can match their skillful work with acidity.

They blended Mourvèdre (34%), Cinsault (28%), Grenache (26%) and Syrah into a beautifully colored wine filled with high-toned fruit such as strawberry/ rhubarb, cranberry, raspberry and pie cherry. And as far we’ve heard, no one in the Bible Belt has complained this year about the naked woman on the label. (273 cases, 14.3% alc.)

Excellent. Delfino Vineyards 2010 Vin Gris de Zinfandel, Umpqua Valley, $16. Granted, it might look like “white Zin” in the glass, but it’s not your grandmother’s “California Kool-Aid.” It opens with an amazing array of aromas, leading with blackberry and brioche, a Brown & Haley Cherry Mountain Bar and dusty rose petals. The drink is surprisingly dry as red currant, pie cherry and orange zest flavors come with a big hammer of acidity and some cherry skin tannin. The delivery of fruit doesn’t seem to stop. (67 cases, 13.7% alc.)

Best Buy! Recommended. Upland Estates 2009 Estate Rosé, Snipes Mountain, $14. These Gamay vines were planted in 1995, which makes them some of the youngest on this historic mountain owned and

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 11 • © 2011

FRESHPRESS July 25, 2011

New releases we’ve tasted operated by the Newhouse family. Plum, rosewater and dark strawberry aromas and flavors also bring in Bing cherry, raspberry and zesty pomegranate. The dry pink will show its best if served well-chilled and paired to grilled halibut or prosciutto-wrapped melon balls. (22 cases, 13.4% alc.)

Dessert Excellent. Holmes Harbor Cellars 2008 Teragré Late Harvest Syrah, Yakima Valley, $21. At first glance, one might mistake this for a Port-style wine until you read the alcohol by volume. The aromas could hint at a Port because of the fig, blueberry syrup on a waffle, tobacco leaf, mince meat and cedar. The drink is rather fascinating with its continuation of blueberry and

huckleberry syrup flavors, which are joined by cherry, beet juice and mint. And despite the 3.1% residual sugar, it’s far from cloying. (120 cases, 12.8% alc.)

Recommended. Dusted Valley Vintners 2006 Late Harvest Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $30. It only makes sense that DVV would build their first dessert wine around Syrah, and this long-awaited debut (40 months in Wisconsin oak — what else would they use?) of a fortified wine is easy to warm up to on a chilly day.

Blackberry, dusty blueberry, Bosco chocolate syrup and brown sugar accents come with citrusy acidity and bold tannins. The residual sugar sits at 5.1%, and the case production listed is for 375-milliliter bottles. (996 cases, 17% alc.)

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 11 • © 2011

FRESHPRESS July 25, 2011

Northwest wine regions Multi-state appellations Columbia Valley: This multi-state appellation is 11 million acres in size and takes up a third of Washington.

Established in 1984.

Columbia Gorge: This multi-state appellation begins around the town of Lyle and heads west to Husum on the Washington side of the Columbia River. It was established in 2004.

Walla Walla Valley: Walla Walla Valley: This multi-state appellation is in the southeast corner of Washington and around Milton-Freewater, Ore. Established in 1984.

Snake River Valley: This is in southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon. It covers 8,263 square miles and was established in 2007.

Washington Yakima Valley: The Northwest’s oldest appellation (established in 1983) stretches past Wapato in the west to Benton City in the east and includes Red Mountain, Rattlesnake Hills and Snipes Mountain.

Red Mountain: Washington’s smallest appellation is a ridge in the eastern Yakima Valley. It is 4,040 acres in size.

Established in 2001.

Horse Heaven Hills: This large appellation — 570,000 acres — is south of the Yakima Valley and stretches to the Oregon border. It was established in 2005.

Wahluke Slope: Approved in early 2006, this huge landform north of the Yakima Valley is an 81,000-acre gravel bar created by the Ice Age Floods. It is one of the warmest regions in the entire Pacific Northwest. Established in 2006.

Rattlesnake Hills: This appellation is in the western Yakima Valley north of the towns of Zillah, Granger and Outlook.The appellation is 68,500 acres in size with about 1,300 acres of vineyards. It was established in 2006.

Puget Sound: This sprawling appellation is in Western Washington. It stretches from the Olympia area to the Canadian border north of Bellingham. It also sweeps through the San Juan Islands and to Port Angeles. Established in 1995.

Snipes Mountain: This is one of Washington’s oldest wine-growing regions. At 4,145 acres in size, it is the state’s second-smallest AVA. Grapes have been grown on Snipes Mountain and at the adjacent Harrison Hill (also part of the AVA) since 1914. This AVA is within the Yakima Valley appellation and was approved in 2009.

Lake Chelan: This area in north-central Washington is almost entirely within the Columbia Valley. It is a young area, with the oldest vines dating to 1998. About 250 acres are planted here. It was approved in 2009.

Ribbon Ridge: This is the Northwest’s smallest appellation at 3,350 acres. It is best known for its Pinot Noir and is within the Chehalem Mountains AVA. It was established in 2005.

Yamhill-Carlton: This is a horseshoe-shaped appellation that surrounds the towns of Yamhill and Carlton. It was established in 2005. The “District” was dropped in 2011.

Chehalem Mountains: This is the largest within the Willamette Valley. This 62,100-acre appellation is northeast of the Dundee Hills. It was established in 2006.

Dundee Hills: Many of Oregon’s pioneer wineries are in the Dundee Hills within Oregon’s Yamhill County. The appellation is 6,490 acres in size. It was established in 2005.

Eola-Amity Hills: This important region stretches from the town of Amity in the north to the capital city of Salem in the southeast. It is 37,900 acres in size. It was established in 2006.

McMinnville: The hills south and west of the Yamhill County city of McMinnville are more than 40,000 acres in size.

It was established in 2005.

Umpqua Valley: This Southern Oregon appellation surrounds the city of Roseburg north of the Rogue Valley. It can produce Pinot Noir as well as warm-climate grapes. It was established in 1984.

Rogue Valley: The Northwest’s southern-most appellation surrounds the cities of Medford and Ashland, just north of the California border. It is known for its warm growing conditions. Established in 2001.

Applegate Valley: This small valley within the Rogue Valley is known for a multitude of microclimates that can result in wines of distinction and complexity. Established in 2004.

Southern Oregon: This AVA encompasses the Umpqua, Rogue and Applegate valleys and Red Hill Douglas County. It was established in 2005.

Red Hill Douglas County: This tiny appellation — just 5,500 acres — is within the Umpqua Valley. Fewer than 200 acres of wine grapes, primarily Pinot Noir, are grown here.

Established in 2005.

British Columbia

Okanagan Valley: In the province’s interior, this 100mile valley stretches from the border in Osoyoos to Salmon Arm in the north. Most wineries are near Oliver, Penticton and Kelowna. It was established in 1990.

Similkameen Valley: This warm valley is west of the southern Okanagan Valley. It was established in 1990.

Vancouver Island: This marine-influenced appellation is in the southwest part of the province. Established in 1990.

Fraser Valley: This farming area is in the Lower Mainland, south of Vancouver. Established in 1990.

Oregon Gulf Islands: This appellation includes approximately Willamette Valley: Oregon’s largest appellation stretches 100 islands spread out between Vancouver Island and the roughly from Portland to Eugene. Established in 1984. southern mainland. Established in 2005.

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FRESHPRESS July 25, 2011

About us Wine Press Northwest is a quarterly consumer magazine that focuses on the wine regions of Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho.

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Editor-in-chief: Andy Perdue editor@winepressnw.com Managing editor: Eric Degerman edegerman@winepressnw.com Advertising inquiries: Parker Hodge phodge@tricityherald.com © 2011

Tasting methods Recent Releases are evaluated under strict conditions to ensure objectivity. Northwest wineries submit wines to Wine Press Northwest for evaluation by Wine Press Northwest’s tasting panel. After wines are received, they are stored for at least two weeks and a third party serves them “blind,” meaning the tasting panelists do not know the producer. In addition, the panelists are served glasses of wine and are not able to view the bottles or their shapes prior to tasting. Wines are stored in temperature-controlled conditions, allowing them to be served at perfect cellar temperatures.

Price is not a consideration in these evaluations, nor is a winery’s advertising activity with Wine Press Northwest, as the magazine’s editorial/wine evaluation activities and advertising/ marketing efforts are kept strictly separate.

The panel has a combination of technical and consumer palates. If at least three of the four panelists consider a wine technically sound and commercially acceptable, it is included here as “Recommended.” The panel may also vote the wine as “Excellent” or “Outstanding,” our top rating. Wines considered

unacceptable by the panel are rejected and not included.

Reviews are grouped by variety or style and listed alphabetically by winery. Prices listed are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

To ensure we maintain an international perspective, our tasting panelists judge thousands of wines annually at various competitions, including: Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition, Riverside International Wine Competition, Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, Indy International Wine Competition, Virginia Governor’s Cup, Sonoma County Harvest Fair, Grand Harvest Awards, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru, Washington State Wine Competition, Seattle Wine Awards, Northwest Wine Summit, British Columbia Wine Awards, New York Wine and Grape Foundation Competition, Tri-Cities Wine Festival, Capital Food & Wine Fest and Idaho Wine Competition.

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 11 • © 2011