Weekend Wine Tasting at Wicked Cellars, Everett Washington

Friday, August 27, 2010 “Staff Favorites: Part One”

Chateau Calabre 2007*** light grapefruit, lingers on finish

Domaine Saint Nabor 2009 Gris de Nabor*** honeysuckle, red fruit, quench your thirst

2007 Treana Red*** allspice, I wonder about the price

Guardian Cellars 2007 "The Wanted"**** black currants, berries, big. I also wonder about the price on this one.

Ridge 2006 Lytton Springs, Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel** we had this back in February were the taste was right on. Today it was weak and offered nothing. May have been blown away by the Treana and Guardian.

Saturday, August 28, 2010 “Staff Favorites: Part Two”

2009 Patton Valley Rosi of Pinot Noir** berries, fruity sweeness

Luna Vineyards 2007 Napa Valley Sangiovese** raspberries, currants

B.R. Cohn 2007 North Coast Silver Label Cabernet Sauvignon** berries, black cherries

Porto Rocha Lagrima White Port*** :-) good acidity, citrus, lemon, medium sweet, not over powering.

Another wine tasting trip to Woodinville, Washington

August 23, 2010, Sunday was another trip tasting Washington State Wines in Woodinville. Woodinville has over 60 wineries and tasting rooms, we managed to visit only 4.

EFESTE
http://efeste.com/


2009 Evergreen Riesling*** A nice dry style.


2009 Babbitt Rose’*** great summertime drink


2007 Ceidleigh Syrah**** dried cherries, currant, with smooth tannins


2007 Final-Final*** Cab/Syrah always nice with food.


2007 Big Papa Cab**** cherries, raspberries, big wine

Stevens Winery
http://www.stevenswinery.com/


• 2009 Stevens divio Viognier**** great acid, orange blossoms


• 2007 Stevens Merlot*** floral nose, allspice

• 2007 Stevens 424 Red Blend*** nice mid palette, light tannins


• 2007 Stevens Black Tongue Syrah*** mineral and earthy


Goose Ridges Estates
http://www.gooseridge.com/
Wine tasting notes from a earlier visit.


2005 Estate Syrah***


2006 Estate Merlot*** black cherry


2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon**


2006 Vireo** light on the finish


2006 Sol DUC Meritage** still young


2007 Reserve Malbec*** hint of resins


2005 Reserve Syrah** bacon notes


2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon** plums

Darby Winery
http://www.darbywinery.com/


2009 Viognier Le Deuce*** Melon, pineapple, great moth feel.


2008 Grenache***


2008 Purple Haze*** wild berries, smooth texture


2007 Chaos*** Smoky, dark cherries


2007 Dark Side Syrah*** pepper, light smooth Tannins


So ends another wine tasting day in Woodinville.

Friday Wine Tasting, Appetizers and Music

Friday, August 20th, Mollydooker's Down Under Tasting at Wicked Cellars, Everett Washington.

Three of the wines that provide the foundation for this Friday’s tasting are Mollydooker wines: The 2009 The Boxer Shiraz, the 2009 Two Left Feet Blend and the 2009 The Maitre D'

Yalumba 2009 Y Series Viognier*** ginger, good mouth feel

Nobilo Icon 2009, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc*** :-) melon, pineapple smooth mouth feel and long

Mollydooker 2009 "The Boxer" Shiraz*** cider, peppery, with smooth tannins

Mollydooker 2009 "Two Left Feet"*** :-) 68% Shiraz, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot. Plum, spice, with smooth tannins

2009 "The Maitre D" Cabernet Sauvignon*** :-) spicy, slightly dry
Now a little appetizer

Lombardi’s Neighborhood Italian – Everett***
Everett Washington
425-252-1886
http://www.lombardiscucina.com/MainPages/Locations/Everett.html

We thought we would share some items off of Lombardi’s appetizers and small plate menu.

Roasted garlic and Olive Oil*** what’s not to like?

Seared Ahi Tuna Carpaccio**** with a small bed of arugula and olive oil. Seared perfectly, my favorite.

Peel and Eat Shrimp*** always fresh tasting

BBQ Ribs*** nice presentation, wonderful flavors

Salmon spread*** new to their menu. Creamy with a light back ground of lemon and was that a hint of horseradish? Served with toasted beget.
Time for some music


Sojen Cellars***
Everett, Washington
425.876.2396
http://www.sojencellars.com/

When the winery was founded, it was called Griffins Crossing. A cease-and-desist letter for trademark infringement from an attorney working for Willamette Valley Vineyards brand called Griffin Creek. So a name change was needed.

We were treated with Leah Stillwell's amazing Jazz talent backed by Ed Webber on piano and Larry Holloway on bass. We have not been disappointed by any of the talent playing at Sojen Cellars this summer.


Red E4 Red Blend** a nice wine, design for folks who love white wines, but want to enjoy a red. Light, black cherries, with a slight fizz, serve chilled.

Brew night at Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse, Snohomish Washington

Fred's Rivertown Alehouse
Snohomish, Washington
360.568.5820
http://www.myspace.com/fredsrivertownalehouse

Once a month Brewery Nights, great selection of rotating brews. For the month of August we were treated with several beers from Alaskan Brewing Company. T-shirts and glassware were given away thought the evening, what fun!

Chicken Tamales*** off their ‘Featured Items’ menu. Stone ground corn mesa filled with chicken and red sauce wrapped in corn husk. Served with black beans and Mexican rice. Very tasty, the best meal we have had a Fred’s…

Weekend Wine Tasting - August 14, 2010

This Saturday tasting at Wicked Cellars from Noon to 5:00 P.M. was a quick trip bouncing between France, Italy, Spain and Germany's Moselle Valley.

2009 Domaine Saint Nabor Gris de Nabor Rosi*** a blend of Tempranillo, Grenache and Cinsault. Wild strawberries, light peach.

2006 Bourgogne Vieilles Vighes* taste of bitters. The staff soon replaced this wine with Domaine d’Eole.

2007 Domaine d’Eole Coteaux D”Aix EN Provence*** :-) Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. Smooth, light spice

2005 Icardi "Suri' Di Mu" Barbera D'Alba*** nutty, dried fruit

Olivares Altos de la Hoya, Jumilla*** dark berries, light pepper, with a light finnish

2007 S.A. Prum Blue Slate Riesling*** citrus fruit, tangy

August Trip to Eastern Washington

Our plan for this trip is to travel to Mosses Lake, Washington and stay at Mardon Resort located on Potholes Reservoir. Then travel to Leavenworth, Washington (like we have never been there before) to meet up with members of our family.

MarDon Resort*** Potholes Reservoir

Othello, Washington

509.346.2651

http://www.mardonresort.com/index.html

Mardon Resort has been located on the shores of Potholes Reservoir since the 50’s. The Meseberg family has been the owners for over 30 years. We have been enjoying Mardon with our family since 1982. We stayed in the old hotel, which have been used by fishermen and hunters for years. When I say rustic, I mean rustic… Still our stay was relaxing and enjoyable.

“MarDon Resort, on the sunny shores of Potholes Reservoir, is your recreational destination that provides an RV Park, Motel, Luxury Park Cottages, Tent Sites, Marina, Tackle and Gift Shop and a Bar and Grill - all in a rural setting. The lake is famous for trophy bass, walleye and rainbow trout as well as providing a perfect destination for water enthusiasts.” - mardonresort.com

The Beach Bar & Grill**

Othello, Washington

509.346.9688

http://www.mardonresort.com/index5.html

This is the third time we have eaten here since the changed owners. The first time they had a very limited start-up menu, so they could be forgiven. This time was once again like eating a over price TV diner… I will say the person who waited on us was very friendly and gave wonderful services. We also have had only one item off the menu, unfortunately we will like not eat there again.

 

Chicken Fried Steak* the mash potatoes and country gravy were like badly made instant, and the gravy was over sage for my taste. The steak was like it came from an inexpensive TV diner.

So why not just stay in our room and grill our own?

After spending four days ‘in the sun’, we were off to Leavenworth, Washington

South***

Leavenworth Washington

509.888.4328

http://www.southleavenworth.com/SOUTH/Welcome.html

This is the second report from South

 

Carnitas Taco*** the original “happy hour” taco anytime, chunks of pork, caramelized on the outside, tender on the inside. Very taste

Tomatillo Chicken Taco*** all-natural chicken simmered in roasted tangy tomatillo sauce

Vegetarian Taco*** Sautéed seasoned vegetables

 

King Ludwig’s Restaurant****

Leavenworth, Washington

http://www.kingludwigs.com/

 

Schweinshax’n**** with had it served with Spätzle and Rotkraut (Red Cabbage). I believe King Ludwig’s has the best and most authentic hax’n in Leavenworth. Crispy were it needs to be, and with the meat cooked perfectly.