Thursday September 16, 2010 - Good day of tasting wine.
Tomorrow our friends from Seattle will be joining us for their first Washington Wine Country tasting tour. We will be their tour guides for this long weekend. Having arrived a day ahead to pave the way, we stopped for Meat and Cheese Antipasto Plate*** at Willow Crest, tasted wine at Apex Cellars said hi to Denise who we meet in June at the Tuscany Rustic Italian Bistro Apex wine dinner, hosted by Master Sommelier Angelo Tavernaro. Our next stop was Milbrandt Vineyars, Gamache Vintners, and Olsens Estates. After tasting wine it was time for a little food, so off to Whitstran Brewing Co***. Later in the day we stopped Johnnys Pizza Stone and Pub*** for a great pizza, nice to meet you Angele...
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| Willow Crest Meat and Cheese Antipasto Plate |
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| Johnny’s Pizza Stone and Pub |
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Friday September 17, 2010 - Our Washington State wine tasting begins in earnest.
Our friends arrived around noon and we had lunch at Wine O’Clock, tasted wines from Bunnell Family Cellars, Olsen Estates, Airfield Estates, Willow Crest, Coyote Canyon and Apex Cellars. For dinner we ate at Picazo 7Seventeen, historical downtown Prosser. Good Times…
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| Wine O’Clock |
Lunch at Wine O’Clock
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| Artisan Pizza |
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| Goat Cheese Appetizer |
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| Meat and Cheese Antipasto Plate |
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| Flights of Bunnell Family Cellars |
2007 Mourvedre** pepper
2007 Petite Sirah** currents, blackberrys
2007 Lia**** berries, spices, soft tannins
2007 A Pic*** toast, plums, spice
2007 Vif*** spicy, ripe plum
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Next stop Olsen Estates It was good to see Linda. We also said good bye and good luck to one of the staff who was going in to the Navy this week. |
| Olsen Estates |
2008 Olsen Estates Blanc des Coteaux** melon
Olsen Estates 2007 Chardonnay*** big, bright and lively
Olsen Estates 2007 Rouge des Coteaux*** ripe berries, leather
Olsen Estates 2007 Merlot*** barrel aged for 16 months in 75% new French oak
Olsen Estates 2006 Syrah*** aromas of dark fruit
Olsen Estates 2008 Merlot** minerals, berries
Olsen Estates 2008 Edyth Mae Vineyard Syrah*** dark cherries, currants, fine tannins
~~~
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| Airfield Estates Prosser Washington |
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| Airfield Estates |
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon*** pencil lead, currents
2008 Malbec*** spices, lavender
2008 Aviator*** oak, smoke, violets
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Around the corner is Willow Crest
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| Willow Crest |
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| Willow Crest |
2006 Syrah*** jammy, dark berries
2007 Grenache** light fruit
2007 Mourvedre**** clover, anise
2008 Cab Franc**** not released, spice, pepper
2007 Syrah*** pepper, allspice
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| Jerry, Janet, Cam and Irish at Willow Crest Photographer unknown |
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Our next stop is The Loft, but first we check out the private park across the street.
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| Yellow Rose Nursery Park |
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| The Loft Prosser Washington |
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| Coyote Canyon |
2008 Primitivo**** warm, spice
2008 Tres Cruces*** fruit, cinnamon
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon*** spice, pepper, tannins
2005 Bozak Reserve** port nose, over ripe fruit
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Apex Cellars
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| Apex Cellars |
2007 Bridgman Cabernet Sauvignon** sweet berries
2006 Merlot** vanilla, light smoke
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Dinner time at Picazo 7Seventeen
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| Picazo 7Seventeen |
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| Pear Sopa |
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| Duck Flat Bread |
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| Clams Picatta |
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| Seafood Pasta Paella |
Seafood Pasta Paella**** saffron rice with clams, mussels, shrimp, fish and calamari
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| Firecracker Prawn Fettuccini |
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| Chicken Breast Pasta |
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Made our way to the Red Mountain AVA. First tasting was at Terra Blanca Winery, then lunch at Col Solare. Next we tasted wines from Tapleil Wines, and then on to Hightower Cellars were they were crushing Merlot!!!!!! From Hightower we stopped at Hedges Family Estates were the wine maker Pete Hedges was on hand. Fidelitas was our next stop. Our last stop was at Kiona Vineyard Winery, soom of the oldest vines on Red Mountain. Dinner this evening was at Tuscany Rustic Italian Bistro, always good to see Susanne, Jessie and Malone again.
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Terra Blanca Winery
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| Terra Blanca Winery Photo by Cam S. |
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| Terra Blanca Winery Photo by Cam S. |
2007 Reserve Roussanne*** big flavor
2008 Arch Terrace Sauvignon Blanc** grassy, grapefruity
2007 Arch Terrace Chardonnay**
2007 Block 5 Chardonnay**
2006 Arch Terrace Merlot** currents
2005 Estate Reserve Merlot** smooth finish
2005 ONYX** dark, with fruit
2006 ONYX** cherry
2006 Arch Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon** fruit, cherries
2005 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon*** dark cherries, light ceder
2004 Winemakers Barrel Select Syrah** laid back, peach
2004 Estate Reserve Block 8 Syrah** big nose, leather
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Time for lunch at Col Solare… Food provided by: Picazo 7Seventeen |
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| Bison Carpaccio |
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| Penne Con Oro |
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| Anatra |
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| Salmoni |
Flights of Col Solare – 2002,2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006
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From Col Solare a short drive to were Sunset Road ends we find Tapleil Vineyards. We meet the owners and winemakers Larry and Jane Pearson. Jane is an artist who has painted several of their wine labels, she has been doing so since 2005. You can also find many olive oils and other treats in their tasting room. Don’t forget to say hi to Argus.
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| Artist Jane Pearson of Tapleil Vineyards Photo by |
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon*** pepper on the nose, dark cherries
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon*** good mouthfeel, dark fruit
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| Tapleil Vineyards |
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Next door is Hightower Cellars were Tim and Kelly Hightower and a Friend was de-stemming their 2010 Merlot. What a treat to see this and taste the merlot grape
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| Hightower Cellars Kelly Hightower 2010 Merlot |
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| Hightower Cellars Hightower and Friend |
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| Hightower Cellars Tim Hightower and Friend 2010 Merlot |
2007 Murray Cuvee*** smooth, light bodied
2008 Murray Syrah** red berries, pepper
2007 Pepper Bridge Red Wine** plums, peppercorns
2006 Merlot** cherries, light pepper
2008 Out of Line*** big first taste
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon*** cherry, cidar
2006 Red Mountain Red Wine*** good structure, mellowness
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Down the road to Hedges Family Estates were wine maker Peter Hedges was in the tasting room.
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| Hedges Family Estates |
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| Hedges Family Estates |
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| Hedges Family Estates Pete Hedges |
2008 CMS Red*** black cherry, balance
2007 Hedges Family Estate, Red Mountain*** cocoa, earth, dried herbs
2002 Hedges Family Estate Two Vineyard Reserve**** cloves, cinnamon, firm tannins
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A short drive to Fidelitas
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| Fidelitas |
2007 Columbia Valley Merlot*** currants, berries
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon*** currant, plum
2008 Merlot*** ripe black fruit
2006 OPTU**** black currant, blackcherry, oak
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Are last stop of the day is Kiona Vineyard Winery. They say have some of the oldest vines on Red Mountain.
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| Kiona Vineyard Winery |
2004 Cabernet/Merlot*** fruit, soft tannins
2001 Vivacious Vicky Nice Legs Merlot**** dark fruit,luscious
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon** light, with tannins
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain Estate*** plums
2003 Syrah, Red Mountain Estate**** minerals, spice
2007 Sangiovese Red Mountain**
2006 Zinfandel Red Mountain** dark, spice
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Dinner this evening was at Tuscany Rustic Italian Bistro, good to see Susanne, Jessie and Malone again. With no reservations they were able to make the wait pleasurable.  |
| Antipasto Tray |
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| Chop Chop Ensalata |
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| Salmon Florentine |
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| Veal Scaloppini |
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| Myzithra Pasta |
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Our first stop of the day was Columbia Crest. No, they do not have any of their Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Reserve 2005 Wine Spectator number one wine of the year. They do however have their 2000 through 2004 for sale. We had a wonderful picnic at Columbia Crest. We were able to use the large table in their estate, thank you Linda. Three hours later we founder are way back to Prosser. Tasted wine at Heaven’s Cave Cellars and ended our day at Alexandria Nicole Cellars, thanks Theron.
We ended the day eating in. You will be amazed what you can prepare with a microwave and an electric frying pan!
Off to Columbia Crest Paterson Washington a short 30 min. drive from Prosser.
First a little wine tasting then picnic time…
2007 Stonetree Vineyard Zinfandel*** ripe berries, violets, rich raspberries
2007 Columbia Valley Merlot** blackberry, fine texture
2006 Four Feathers Vineyard Block 08 Merlot** spice, silky
2005 Beverly Vineyard Cabernet Franc*** rose petals, spice, seductive, complex
2006 Walter Clore Private Reserve Red**** spice, earth, dark berries, long finish
2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon*** plums, tannins
Picnic Time! Thanks Linda for the use of the large table…
Back to Prosser almost three hours later. Our stop Heaven’s Cave Cellars.
2007 Inspiration Merlot** black cherries, tannins
2005 Angel’s Blend*** fruity, toasted oak
2007 The Innkeeper Cabernet Sauvignon** raspberry, light cherries
2007 The Dweller Syrah*** spicy, black pepper
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Next door to Alexandria Nicole Cellars hidden door. Its good to be a club member.
2008 Merlot*** black cherries, spice, oak
2007 Jet Black Syrah*** berries, herbs,
2008 Quarry Butte*** dried herbs, ripe berries
2007 A2 Cabernet Sauvignon*** cherry, plum, anise, earth
2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon**** plums, raspberries, cherries, nice tannins
2007 Tempranillo*** spice, leather
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Dinner in our hotel room. You will be amazed what you can prepare with a microwave and an electric frying pan!
Marinated Flat Iron steak, from the local grocery store, with twice back potato, goat cheese and deli bacon, oh yes butter.
2008 Columbia Crest Coyote Canyon Vineyard Syrah**** spice, orange peel, roasted coffee bean. This was also used in the marinate
Food always tastes best with friends and wine!
zzz
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| Columbia Crest |
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| Columbia Crest |
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| Columbia Crest Shop |
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| Columbia Crest Wine Tasting, Thanks Linda |
2007 Columbia Valley Merlot** blackberry, fine texture
2006 Four Feathers Vineyard Block 08 Merlot** spice, silky
2005 Beverly Vineyard Cabernet Franc*** rose petals, spice, seductive, complex
2006 Walter Clore Private Reserve Red**** spice, earth, dark berries, long finish
2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon*** plums, tannins
Picnic Time! Thanks Linda for the use of the large table…
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| picnic time |
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| Cam, Irash, Janet and Jerry Photographer unknown |
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Back to Prosser almost three hours later. Our stop Heaven’s Cave Cellars.
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| Heaven’s Cave Cellars |
2005 Angel’s Blend*** fruity, toasted oak
2007 The Innkeeper Cabernet Sauvignon** raspberry, light cherries
2007 The Dweller Syrah*** spicy, black pepper
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Next door to Alexandria Nicole Cellars hidden door. Its good to be a club member.
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2007 Jet Black Syrah*** berries, herbs,
2008 Quarry Butte*** dried herbs, ripe berries
2007 A2 Cabernet Sauvignon*** cherry, plum, anise, earth
2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon**** plums, raspberries, cherries, nice tannins
2007 Tempranillo*** spice, leather
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Dinner in our hotel room. You will be amazed what you can prepare with a microwave and an electric frying pan!
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| Marinated Flat Iron steak |
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| 2008 Columbia Crest Coyote Canyon Vineyard Syrah |
So ends a wonderful wine tasting adventure. Everyone we meet were knowledgeable, friendly and fun. Cam , Irish, Janet and I thank every one of you…
zzz
