Tasting Notes for our Mini-Sale Items

This is a "fall cleaning" kind of sale - we have just a few bottles left of each of these.

Sagelands Chardonnay 2005 – Columbia Valley
A well-balanced green apple and citrus chardonnay with a nice round finish. Great by itself or pair it with the traditional white wine foods – fish, chicken, salad.

Sonoma Oaks Chardonnay 2005– Russian River, CA
Don’t let the name fool you – this chard is UN-oaked. I’ve had many a disappointing un-oaked chard that have overtones of metal… errr, I mean, minerals, but these guys got it right. Luscious, round, full bodied with a crisp finish – finally, a chard that pairs well with food. Caesar salad, chicken cordon bleu, even pork chops would work well.

Tertulia Cellars Viognier 2005 – Columbia Valley
The name of this new Walla Walla winery means “a social gathering of friends.” The 2005 viognier is their first white release. It contains 22% rousanne, another Rhone varietal valued for its crisp acidity. The grapes were whole-cluster pressed - that is a gentler process that extracts flavor from the fruit of the grape, not the stems, seeds and skins as happens with traditional crushing. Fermentation occurred in 74% stainless steel and 26% neutral French oak, partial malolactic fermentation (the process that turns bitter malic acid into the softer lactic acid). Tertulia’s tasting notes indicate we should experience floral aromas, with pineapple, peach and apricot flavors, a smooth mouth-feel and balanced acidity. I got green apple and honey on the nose, tropical up-front fruit, a rich mouth-feel (from the ML, I would assume), melon, kiwi and pineapple flavors and a clean finish.

Cougar Crest Viognier 2005 – Walla Walla Valley
Estate grown, 100% viognier Cougar Crest tells us to look for floral and citrus aromas on the nose, followed by pear, pineapple, grapefruit and melon with a honey finish. The Wine Spectator gave this an 88, stating that it feels - and I am not making this up - “raw, offering ear and green peach aromas.” I have no idea what an ear aroma might be, and I couldn’t detect anything I would call “ear aroma” so... Also very chardonnay-like in weight and mouth-feel.

Mystic Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 – Columbia Valley
This wonderful wine is solid and intense with flavors of blackberry, currant and tobacco, with round tannins and a plush mouth feel. Only 150 cases produced!

Bonne Chance Petite Sirah 2003 – Redwood Valley, CA
ORGANIC!!! Anise on the nose, tart strawberry, rich and bold with a deep purple color. Pairs nicely with bold food: steaks, Mexican fare, Cajun cuisine

Mt. Vernon Winery Port – Sierra Foothills, CA
This port is made from Syrah, a bold, rich and lush dessert wine with floral accents and a dark chocolate finish.