July 2023Wines of the Month

For the wine snob: ­A vintage considered to be the longest in Washington history, the 2016 growing season granted a record-breaking grape harvest. This extended season allowed grapes to ripen slowly, preserving the freshness and elegance in our finished Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon. After the grapes were harvested, sorted and fermented, the wine was then aged in a mixture of 20% new French, 20% new American and 60% neutral oak for 18 months.

For the rest of us:

For the wine snob:  This Sauvignon Blanc is handpicked from the Hoxsey Family’s Block House Vineyard in the heart of Napa Valley’s Yountville, believed to be one of the oldest vineyards in the region. Harvested at peak maturity in late summer, this wine exhibits the complexity and core attributes found in Yountville’s best Sauvignon Blancs. Fermented in 100% stainless steel, this wine evokes aromas of honeydew melon, lemon zest, and apricot. On the palate, it bursts of juicy peach, lemon, and citrus.

For  the rest of us:  Once poured, this pale straw offering springs to life with aromas of sweet jasmine and orange blossoms underscored by notes of lime oil and zesty citrus. On the palate, round, cleansing flavors of white peach and ripe melon along with notes of lavender are complemented by a delicate touch of viscosity. A balanced acidity leads to an invigorating finish.

For the wine snob: Aged in French oak for 22 months, this blend of 45% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot, 5% Grenache, and 5% Cab Franc represents a fine vintage and possesses abundant personality. Scents of ripe cherry, vanilla, and hazelnut lead to a juicy and bright palate. Tannins are slightly chalky—perhaps with an accent of briar— and cocoa, cranberry, and spice provide lift on the finish.

For the rest of us: Sourced from the southeast corner of Washington State, our Walla Walla Red Blend is full-bodied with an opulent color combination of dark purple and indigo blue. The nose swirls with scents of crushed violets, wild berries, allspice and hazelnuts. A rich palate boasts flavors of briary blackberry, dark cherry and boysenberry with layered hints of clove and spiced nuts on a smooth finish.

For the wine snob:  A sensational take on an emerging Oregon style for Sauvignon Blanc, this rich, vibrant and deep wine rocks the palate with citrus, white peach and pear skin flavors. It’s clearly varietal without being grassy or overly herbaceous, and the acids have been rounded off with just enough fruit sweetness to cut out any bitter edges

For the rest of us:  Fermented in stainless steel (60%) and various size oak barrels–mostly neutral but including two once-used light-toast Austrian oak puncheons. Just because. With fruit from the organically farmed Croft vineyard near Monmouth, it’s aromatic, juicy, poised, and long

For the wine snob: This well-structured blend has the same characteristics you have come to expect from The Big Easy, rich dark fruit flavors with a touch of oak, and soft tannins that lead to a long lengthy finish. Aged 21 months in 15% new French and American oak. Blend: 62% Syrah, 24% Petite Sirah, 14% Grenache

For the rest of us:The Big Easy is made in a forward, delicious, ready-to-go style and brings tons of ripe dark fruits, peppery herbs, and some candied violet notes to go with a medium to full-bodied, pure, balanced style. As with many of the 2019s here, it shows the fresher, more elegant style of the vintage beautifully, and is probably one of the top vintages of this cuvée.

For the wine snob:

Reverdy’s single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc comes from 25-year-old vines from select parcels in the villages of Verdigny, Saint-Satur, Sancerre and Thauvenay. The diversity of soils brings complexity, power and minerality to the wine. Intense  aromas of flint stone, citrus, white peach and linden flowers. It is rich and fresh in the mouth with mineral notes, citrus fruit and a long finish. Perfectly balanced, clean and pure.

For the rest of us:  Single vineyard. cold fermentation in stainless steel tank, no oak, no malolactic fermentation.  Sweet, fruity and clean. White flowers (acacia, jasmine) and citrus fruits aromas. Perfectly balanced.

For the wine snob: The 2021 growing season in Sonoma County was favored with smoke-free skies and consistent weather, yielding an exceptional vintage. Beginning with cool spring temperatures followed by a warm summer without heat waves. An early harvest produced grapes with intense, fruit-forward flavors and fresh acidity.  Aged 16 months in french and American oak barrels.  96% Cabernet Sauvignon 4% Petite Sirah.

For the rest of us:  fragrant aromas of dark fruits layered with harmonious hints of milk chocolate and baking spices. With a smooth palate, polished tannins, and medium body, the fresh flavors of ripe red cherry and plum are well integrated with complementary notes of black licorice. The result is a wine which gets more elegant with more time in the glass.

For the wine snob: Iconic grapes of 35% Grenache, 25% Clairette, 10% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, and 5% Picpoul from 40-year-old vines make up this organic Southern Rhône white.  Light gold hued with a clean, classy bouquet of crushed citrus, spiced pear, white flowers, and honeyed minerality, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, beautifully integrated acidity, and a great, salty, lip-smacking finish.

For the rest of us:  A floral bouquet of white tea and jasmine make their designs on a defined slate mouthfeel. Lime pops with a tart center, along with notes of peach and gingerbread on a keen, edgy finish.