Thursday, February 26, 2009

J Bookwalter and Novelty Hill/Januik


The first stop on the wine tour with the bestie was Novelty Hill/ Januik. Now this is a beautiful complex, nice modern lines, big airy windows. But, I know this sounds terrible... it's cold. You don't get a welcome feeling when you step in the door. The staff are in a cement like island that doesn't oooze warmness. However, they do have many wines to choose from... so here we go:
Novelty Hill Stillwater Creek Viognier: had a light straw color with a tad bit of sweetness on the tongue. I think Viognier is PERFECT with seafood, notably crab. Next the Januik 2006 Columbia Valley Cab. Nice ruby color, with stone fruit (think plum) and a tad bit of smoky finish on the tongue. Nice smooth finish, good with a nice well done steak, served with a small dallop of horseradish. Then we did a side by side of two Syrahs:
2004 Novelty Hill Stillwater Syrah: Very full bodied, earthy, jammy with splash of pepper
2006 Januik Lewis Vineyard Syrah: Tobacco, a little jammy, and still needs to open up.
The 04 Syrah was actually divine.
Finally, they have a great "everyday" table wine which is also known as the 2006 Januik Red Wine. Blend of Merlot, Cab, Syrah, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. While Merlot, my least fave varietal is the primary focus at 43%, the rest of the grapes balance it out nicely. At $20, I would call this a must have for everyday drinking.
Novelty Hill is a great place to go to try a bunch of cabs. Impressive? not to me, but I think the coldness of the building itself has a lot to do with it.
J Bookwalter: I do have a little bias. J Bookwalter is our neighbor down the road, and we both go and send customers to each others tasting room. Nick, who works in the tasting room, is AWESOME. They really care about their wine, and it shows. First off, the Subplot. This is actually one of my favorite wines. For reals. The 2006 Vintage is a blend of Cab/Merlot/Malbec/ Cab Franc/Syrah/Petit Verdot.... which seems like a daunting blend, but it is AWESOME. I love this wine, and for the price (about $20)... you can't go wrong. It has a long lingering finish and would pair well with just about anything. (Pizza, steak, pasta... you name it) Keeping it short, go to J Bookwalter. The cabs and merlots (yes, I said straight merlots) are delicious. They are full bodied, yet velvety smooth and have a great mouth feel. The wines are all highly refined and I think more people should be in the know about Bookwalter.

Cement? Who knew?

Hi everyone, I am back to a blogging. So last week I grabbed my best friend and headed out to Woodinville on a GORGEOUS sunny day. I finally felt well enough that I could actually taste and smell, which, as you know, is vital to wine tasting.

Matthews- They are back! They were closed down for a short time while sorting somethings out, but the staff was ready to talk wine, and pour some delicious wine. First, was an amazing 2007 Sauvignon Blanc. What's unique about this wine is that it is aged in a concrete egg! (see above) It was amazing to be able to get close and personal to the eggs. They stay nice and cool, and I am sure this helps out in the wine development. These eggs were the first of their kind in the US up until recently. (Only one other winery has them!) This is a very unique process, and while some of the wine MAY leech into the cement, the wine is wonderfully clean, crisp and has a tropical nose with traces of minerality on the palette. I really am not a huge white wine drinker, but this was delicious. Another delicious wine was the Claret. It has a very deep color, and lots of body to it. This wine is smooth as can be, and would pair well with a nice steak. We also had the syrah. I think Syrah may be the big up and coming varietal for Washington. I always thought the wine was a little "too spicy" for my palette, but the more syrahs I try, the more I really appreciate them. Matthews KNOWS how to make Syrah. It's amazing. While Matthews wines are not inexpensive, they are very passionate about wine, and this definitely comes through in the wine. The staff is amazingly friendly and it was a wonderful way to cap off a great day.

Monday, February 23, 2009

I haven't forgotten you!

I went to four wineries this past week with my assistant, AKA my best friend. I took lots of notes and pics, and will be updating in the next couple of days.
Wineries to discuss:
Novelty Hill
Januik
J Bookwalter
Matthews

I got to taste a myriad of quality wines and can't wait to share with you.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Happy Valentine's Weekend!

I am sorry I haven't been up and posting this past week with anything new... I have been sick with a good old cold plus sinus infection. Boo! My smell and taste were gone which wasn't fun at all. Anyways, I am all better, and will try to head out this weekend to try some new places. When I think of Valentine's... I think of a nice romantic meal with a loved one. I challenge you to try a new wine. Like merlot? Do a cab! Like cab? Try a malbec! The only way to find out what you like and don't like is by trying new things.
ENJOY YOUR DAY!
Carly

Friday, February 6, 2009

Chateau Ste Michelle and Columbia.. the two big ones.


So Woodinville has two big wineries that are pretty much the ones that people think of when they think of Washington wines. Columbia and Chateau Ste. Michelle. Before all you wine snobs stick your nose up at these two (I know, you are whispering, "Carly, I can get it in the grocery store, so why would you want to even bother going to the winery") Shame on YOU! (OK, I thought it too..) Anyways, I packed myself a little nibble and headed on over a few days ago to give them a try, and I honestly hadn't been to either in a while. First stop: Columbia Winery
Columbia Winery- Columbia used to be one of the wine stops on the Washington Wine train, which is no longer running, and there were rumors running rampant that Columbia was leaving Woodinville. Well, my trusty tasting room pourer Tyler let me know that they in fact are NOT leaving Woodinville. Another note to you who may come visit: go on a weekday. If you value getting one on one time with an employee, and like to hear about the wine, this is the time to go. Ok, to the wine!
1. The Yakima Valley 2007 Viognier: Great slight sweetness on nose, but definitely not on palette. Would be fantastic with seafood.. crab cakes would be divine.
2. Red Willow Vineyard 2005 Cab Franc: A nice subtle smokiness on the nose, with a stone fruit finish on the tongue. Excellent with a hearty stew or casserole.
3. I then did a side by side with Otis Vineyard Valley 2004 Cab (blended with Merlot), and next to it, the Red Willow Vineyard 2004 Cab (blended with Malbec) They were completely different. The Otis didn't have the fullness and complexity I look for in wine. But then again, I don't usually care for Merlot. Ever. (My opinion is NOT based on the movie Sideways, but probably my overindulgence in good old two buck Chuck)
4. I had a taste of the Peninsula blend, which was Cab, Merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec. That contained what I was looking for! Complexity! It was a 2001 and had opened up well. Would be fantastic with steak, or buffalo. (Note: if you haven't tried buffalo... do it! It's so good!)
5. Finally, the Columbia Valley 2006 Riesling Ice Wine. Buy it. Love it. 19% residual sugar.. it's pretty sweet... but it's has a nectar taste that a little bit will be enough for you.
I was very impressed with Columbia and thank you to Tyler for leading me through my wine tasting!
Chateau Ste Michelle- Kristina was my pourer at Chateau Ste Michelle. Luckily, again, it wasn't very busy so I got to get good one on one time. The grounds are breathtaking, and during the summer they have wine concerts, which I have yet to attend. So I tasted the basic four that are offered to the public, and then a couple other tastes as well.
1. 2007 Columbia Valley Viognier: another one that would pair well with seafood, but this one had a minerality to it. Probably would pair well with clams or mussels.
2. 2006 Columbia Valley Grenache: this had that great smoky flavor that I love... good full bodied wine. Would be great with pork tenderloin or even duck.
3. 2004 Indian Wells Merlot: I sipped, swirled, and spit out. It's Merlot. I can't get into it.
4. 2005 Wahluke Slope Syrah: Really good! not too peppery, it was full bodied. I took a bottle home.
*Notable mentions: Ethos 2005 Syrah: too tight, needed to open up..
Muscat Canelli only sold at winery: YUM. I bought a bottle. Sweet, without being too sweet.
Their ice wine is AMAZING so if you see it, buy it. But it will cost you $50!
Thank you Kristina for adding to a great afternoon!
Good wines from big wineries.... who would of thunk it?
Next stop... more smaller wineries in Woodinville.