6/07/2010 Wine Tasting Woodinville, Washington

This was one of those “Lets go to Woodinville” days. No plans except let’s stop in places we have not been to yet. With the exception of Efeste we did just that. We wanted one more bottle of the 2007 ‘Ceidleigh’ Syrah, before it’s gone. We just missed the Wine Advocate folks. They were doing a tasting, so stay tune.



Patterson Cellars
Woodinville, Washington
425.483.8600
http://www.pattersoncellars.com/
We tasted most of these wines before. In most cases the wines have a higher rating than the last taste. This was probably do to not being professional tasters and the environment.

2007 Woodslake Chardonnay*** no oak, refreshing, with a soft mouth feel.

2009 Patterson Cellars Chardonnay*** Aroma of pineapple on the nose, depth and balance with a hint of toasty oak and a crisp fruit finish, yum.

2009 Patterson Cellars Rose*** off dry, with cherry and strawberry.

NV Patterson Cellars Woodslake Due Anni*** made for summer, drink cooled. Made with 2007 and 2008 juice.

2006 Patterson Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon*** 87% Cab, 9% Cab Franc and 4% Syrah.

Edmonds Winery
Woodinville, Washington
425.774.8959
http://www.edmondswinery.com/

2009 Sauvignon Blanc***

2008 Gerwurztraminer*** waiting for summer.

2007 Syrah***

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon** 93%, Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec

2007 Slide Ridge** 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 53% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot

2007 Bentley**

2007 Robt D*** 60% Cabernet Franc, 20% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon

2007 Delorious*** Great nose of black cherry with an elegant long and smooth finish

Darby Winery
Woodinville, Washington
206.954.4700
http://www.darbywinery.com/
Nicest stemware used by any tasting room.

2009 Viognier Le Deuce*** a blend of 52% Viognier and 48% Roussanne. A palate of pineapple juice.

2008 Purple Haze*** 52% cab, 33% Malbec, 10% Merlot, 5% Cab Franc

2007 Chaos*** 40% Cab, 40% Merlot, 12% Cab Franc, 8% Petite Verdot

2007 Dark Side Syrah***

Michael Florentino Cellars
New to Woodinville

2007 Sangiovese Gecko Cellars**

2007 Merlot***

2007 Primitivo***

Sparkman Cellars
Woodinville, Washington
425.398.1045
http://www.sparkmancellars.com/

2007 Ruby Leigh*** 65% Hedges North Block and Klipsun Merlot, 17% Kiona Cabernet Franc, 9% Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Kiona Petit Verdot

2007 Outlaw Merlot*** rich and silky on the tongue

2007 Stella Mae*** 62% Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon 21% Klipsun and Hedges Merlot, 17% Stillwater Creek Petit Verdot

2007 Kingpin Cabernet Sauvignon*** 85% Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Klipsun Merlot, 11% Snipes Canyon Petit Verdot. 92 points Wine Enthusiast Cellar Selection.

2007 Wilderness Red Blend*** 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 29% Syrah, 12% Petite Syrah, 18% Petit Verdot

6/04/2010 and 6/05/2010 Wine Tasting at Wicked Cellars

Friday, June 4th Swede Hill Cellars tasting with David Ott and Eric Murphy.

Swede Hill Cellars 2009 Rosi** dry and full-bodied blend of Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre with lots of spice.

Swede Hill Cellars 2009 Viognier** this is a blend of 76% Viognier, 18% Roussanne and a splash of Chardonnay. Nice nose and flavors of what I call “fruit pit”, the taste of a peach or apricot close to the pit.

Swede Hill Cellars 2007 Tempranillo** light on the palate.

Swede Hill Cellars 2008 Compendium*** blend of Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvedre with a splash of Viognier. Nice nose, with notes of pepper.

Swede Hill Cellars 2007 Syrah*** this is a blend of 91% Syrah and 9% Grenache.

Swede Hill Cellars 2007 Mystique Red*** blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Swede Hill Cellars 2007 L'Entente** blend of Syrah, Mourvedre and co-fermented Viognier.

Saturday, June 5th with Chateau St. Martin

Chateau Lestrille Blanc 2009** a Bordeaux White. A blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Muscadelle, and 5% Simillon with the taste of heavy grapefruit.

Chateau Lestrille Rose 2009*** a Bordeaux Rose made from 100% Merlot.

Calabre Rose 2009*** a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is well balance and elegant.

Domaine de la Saint Jeante 2006** this is a blend of 50% Carignan, 30% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre.

Chateau Guibot la Fourvieille 2005*** on the palate red berry fruit, a little earth and ripe tannins. This was the hit of the tasting.

Chateau La Sergue 2002*** a blend of 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. An easy-going wine.

5/28/2010 and 5/29/2010 Wine Tasting at Wicked Cellars

Wicked Cellars

Friday the 28th, a Tasting Tour of Down Under

Stanley-Lambert 2005 Pristine Chardonnay*** unoaked with a crisp clean finish.

Torbreck 2008 Woodcutters Semillon***

Torbreck 2008 Woodcutter's Shiraz**** a very find wine.

Torbreck 2006 The Steading*** will age for many years.

Stanley-Lambert 2006 Three's Company GSM 2006, Barossa Valley*** lightly scented characters of the Grenache grape when blended Shiraz and Mouvedre.

Stanley-Lambert Silent Partner 2005*** Aged in American oak for 18 months.

Saturday the 29th, Frenchman Hills Winery Tasting with Norman Myrick. All wines from this winery are high in alcohol, do to one of the longest growing seasons in the state. All would go wonderfully with red meat.

2005 Estate Grown Frenchman Hills Merlot**

2005 Estate Grown Frenchman Hills Red Wine** 51% merlot, 34% cabernet sauvignon, and 15% syrah.

2005 Estate Grown Frenchman Hills Cabernet Sauvignon**

2005 Estate Grown Frenchman Hills Syrah*** the palate is clean and soft yet showcases the loveliness of Syrah.

Estate Grown Frenchman Hills Tier I Syrah*** this is a true barrel selected wine.

5/21/2010 Wine Tasting

Olsen Estates Wines Tasting at Wicked Cellars with Ray Bloom from Vinum Wines.

2008 Olsen Estates Blanc des Coteaux** blend of 70% Roussanne, 23% Viognier and 7% Marsanne.

Olsen Estates 2007 Chardonnay*** big, bright and lively.

Olsen Estates 2007 Rouge des Coteaux*** blend of 60% Grenache, 26% Cinsault and 23% Syrah

Olsen Estates 2007 Merlot*** barrel aged for 16 months in 75% new French oak.

Olsen Estates 2006 Syrah*** aromas of dark fruit.

Olsen Estates 2007 Heritage Series*** hand Selected Syrah. Grown on a south-facing slope at the base of Rattle Snake Mountain.

5/18/2010 to 5/21/2010 Road Trip to Long Beach, Washington

Welcome to Long Beach

Long Beach is around a four hour drive. We are lucky enough to drive through Seattle, Tacoma and just past the Capital in Olympia, so timing is every thing.

The weather for the few days we are here has been showing rain and wind warnings. Yuk, but what can you do? We saw bikers (the peddle kind) with camping gear in the rain on highway 101. So I thought we don’t have it so bad.

5/18/2010

Long Beach Lightship Restaurant and Columbia Bar

The Long Beach Lightship Restaurant and Columbia Bar **
Long Beach, Washington
360.642.3252
http://www.longbeachlightship.com/

View from the restaurant

Oyster Rockefeller*** Fresh Oysters with spinach.

Seafood Portofino (Fettuccini)*** Shrimp, Manila Clams, Mussels, Mushrooms and Spinach served with a Garlic Herb Butter Sauce.

Seafood Portofino (Linguini)*** Shrimp, Manila Clams, Mussels, Mushrooms and Spinach served with a Garlic Herb Butter Sauce.

5/19/2010

Harbor Lights Motel-Restaurant

Stormy and Windy Day

Harbor Lights Motel-Restaurant & Lounge**
Ilwaco, Washington
360.642.3196
http://www.harbor-lights-ilwaco.com/



Clam chowder**



Fish & Chips** cornmeal batter with great chips.



Clam Strips & Chips** chewy clams while still tasty

Shelburne Inn Restaurant and Pub (from their web site)

Shelburne Inn Restaurant & Pub****
Seaview, Washington
360.642.2442
http://www.theshelburneinn.com/
This is the first time back since January 2009. The restaurant was being remodeled during our last visit. The restaurant shows old-world ambiance, showcasing fresh and local ingredients.



Innkeepers Mussel Chowder** Creamy Tomato Mussel Broth with Vegetables and Potatoes. I found the taste of mussels lost in the tomato broth. The tomato broth offers lots of flavors.



The Shelburne Inn Turf and Surf**** Beef Tenderloin, with Garlic Sautéed Black Tiger Prawns, served with a Green Peppercorn Demi Glace, Mashed Potatoes and Fresh Sautéed Vegetables. Nicely prepared, savory, done to perfection for me. Janet fond it was a little rare for her liking.

2005 Mercer Merlot*** This pared nicly with the beef tenderloin

5/20/2010

Castaway Restaurant

Castaway Restaurant***
Long Beach, WA
360.642.4745
http://castawaysseafoodgrille.com/



Golden Fried Calamari*** lightly breaded. Finely we were able to try Calamari that did not feel like rubber bands in your mouth. With that being said we never need to have Calamari again, just not to our liking.



Clam chowder***



Grilled Salmon** grilled and dusted with their own seafood seasoning. The Salmon was little on the dry side.

5/21/2010

OleBob’s Market and Galley Restaurant

OleBob’s Market and Galley Restaurant**
Ilwaco, Washington
360.642.4332
http://www.olebobs.com/

Clam chowder** real homemade chowder, just like mom use to make.



Salmon and chips*** panko breaded, good flavour.

5/17/2010 Wine and Pizza at Luca’s Ristorante & Pizzeria

Luca’s Ristorante & Pizzeria***
Lake Stevens Washington425.334.2066
http://www.lucasitalian.com/1.html


Regina Margherita Pizza*** Great happy hour value. Tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, Parmigiano cheese, olive oil, basil.

2007 Zenato Valpolicella DOC Classico Superiore*** This is the same wine we tasted Saturday at Lombardi’s. Remember half prices wines on Tuesday.

Saturday 5/15/2010 Wine Tasting and Appetizers

Lombardi’s “Wines on the Waterfront” with wine aficionado Julie Hilman. Tasted 6 wines from the Veneto region of Italy. These wines will be paired with 6 appetizer bites created by Everett’s Chef Christian Turner.

Lombardi’s “Wines on the Waterfront” with wine aficionado Julie Hilman.

White Course
Citrus Prawns***
Adami Garbel Prosecco 13** slightly sweet

Brie and fig compote***
Lugana San Benedetto*** crisp and fruity

Italian flat bread and pesto and goat cheese***
Inama Vin Soave** pleasant on the palate

Lombardi’s “Wines on the Waterfront” with wine aficionado Julie Hilman.

Red Course
Italian salsa with fresh Mozzarella on a crostini***
Zenato Valpolicella DOC Classico Superiore*** elegant bouquet

Wild Boar with horseradish mascarpone on a crostni***
2006 Palazzo della Torre**** Floral nose, complex and well balance.

Chocolate Mousse** would have liked to have had the wine match with a read meat.
2006 Amorone Della Valpolceele, Campo Dei Gigli, Tenuta San Antonio**** very intensive, complex and fine bodied

Lombardi’s neighborhood Italian restaurant Everett Marina 

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