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OPES Wine Reviews and Recommendations

From the March Newsletter

C.R. Sandidge 2000 Yakima Valley Syrah (Ray is also winemaker for Kestral Winery) about $30 retail.  An OPES foursome enjoyed this wine on half-price special at Lonny’s Restaurant in Port Townsend recently.  It’s simply a gorgeous example of why Washington is achieving worldwide recognition for its burgeoning Syrah production.  Rated 93 in the Wine Spectator, gold medals include Seattle and Tri-Cities wine festivals. B. Bentley

Montinore Estate 2001 Pinot Gris is $9.75 and a good value. This wine is fermented in stainless steel and has a green apple nose and flavors with a lovely crispness that is not too tart and not too sweet. Great balance for the price. M. Earl

Montinore Estate 2000 Chardonnay is $6.50 and a great value. With steely lemon flavors, fermented on the lees, it sees a minimal amount of time in wood. Absolutely fabulous with seafood of any type. M. Earl

Powers 2001 Washington State Cab is $10 a bottle – another value priced wine from Washington State. This purple-hued, berry perfumed nose f a wine delivers balanced flavors of black fruits, acidity and soft tannins. The finish is somewhat tart fruit with a bit of spiciness. M. Earl

 From the February Newsletter

Stella Raspberry fruit wine (non-vintage) Hoodsport winery  Noted by Bob Woehler as great fruit, sweet, rich and full bodied.  This wine was on the 100 best Washington wines list by the Beverage Tasting Institute.

RAVENOUS ROSE -- Amity Vineyards
The wine captures the "Taste of Summer" with a delicate strawberry nose and a crisp dry finish.  Made by the traditional French method of crushing the fruit and then drawing off the juice.  The 2002 is Pinot noir (51%) with Gamay (49%) and only 232 cases were produced.  This will be the PRELUDE WINE ON FEBRUARY 28. Amity Vineyards tasting.

From the January Newsletter
1998 Reserve Pinot Noir , Amity Vineyards. Highly rated with bright color, and near perfect balance. To drink now or cellar for 2 to 5 years $40.  A nice preview to the February event.

2000  Grace, Cameraderie Vineyards.  An outstanding wine from one of our Peninsula Loop wineries. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.  A red blend in the Bordeaux style.  $26

2000 Sangiovese.  A David Lake Signature wine.  Grapes from Red Willow Vineyards, a bargain at $18

From the December Newsletter

1998 Winemakers Reserve Pinot Noir. Amity Vineyards. Gold meda winner at Oregon State Fair.  Good balance and length $40.  Preview of February OPES # 10.

Cameraderie Cellars 2000 Grace, a beautiful Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, and Merlot made from the Red Mountain AVA vineyards in Yakima Valley. This highly rated wine costs $26 but is worth every penny! Available in our local wine shops

Columbia David Lake signature series 2000 Sangiovese, Red Willow Vineyard, $16  is available at Costco

From the November Newsletter

Petrocelli 1998 fume blanc (sauvingon blanc).  light herbal and citrus aromas.  Goes well with poached fish or simple shellfish receipes $15

Quality Graff 2000 Reisling Pissporter Michelsberg Auslese,  Mosel.  A medium sweet wine.  Honeyed tones yet subtle. $14 (Pres rates it a 90)

Chateau St. Jean 2000 Chardonnay, BelleTerre Vineyard We in the NW know that California Chards are - well different.  This $28 wine is full bodied, rich, yet not overpowering.  Holds up well with rich seafood sauces. Chateau St. Jean has several Chards.  This is the one. 

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From the October  Newsletter

Columbia Grand Estates Merlot 1995  A bargain wine, recently on sale for $8.50 Good color and bouquet, delightful gentle wine.

Columbia Grand Estates Chardonnay 2000.  Rated 90 by the Wine Spectator, another bargain.  Its creamy, fruit forward, not too oaked,  northwest style Chard.  Its under $10.

Willakenzie Estate Pinot Noir Aliette 2000. A wine with aromas of wild mushrooms. It velvety on the tongue with a beautiful concentration ripe fruit flavors.  Drink now or put down.  $36 

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From the September Newsletter

Ridge 1994 Zinfindel  Alegra Vineyards (Bob rates it a 94) Full fruit and body.  Great finish.  Buy and hold  $32.

Eyrie 1996 Pinot Noir.  A David Lett Pinot “built to last”.  An incredible wine $30 (with discount at our wine shops listed in the August newsletter). You won’t want to swallow the first sip - what flavor!

Eyrie 1998 Reserve Chardonnay, A Chard in a Burundian style.  Complex layers of subtle fruit and mineral overlays. Match this wine against the California Chards and note the impressive effects of the “ABC” clones.  AND it can be held for years! around $30

Oregon State Fair wine judging provided a good reference for exploring your local wine shop.  

The Golds for 2002 went to: 
Silvan Ridge
2001 Oregon Pinot Gris
- Best of Show White
Eola Hills Winery 1999 Oregon Gewurztraminer
Tualatin Estate 2001 Semi Sparkling Muscat
Silvan Ridge 2001 Rogue Valley Grenache Rose
- - 
                                    
- - 
                                     Best of Show Specialty

Bridgeview Vineyards 2000 Oregon Pinot Noir

                                      Best of Show Red

Carabella Vineyard 2000 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Cooper Mountain 1999 Estate Resrve Pinot Noir
Eola Hills 1999 Wolf Hill Pinot Noir
Helvetia Winery 2000 Estate Pinot Noir
King Estate 1999 Oregon Reserve Pinot Noir

Griffen Creek 1999 Rogue Valley Cab

Abacela Vineyards 1999 Umpqua Merlot
Mystic Wines 2000 Columbia Valley Syrah
Honeywood Williamette Valley Blackberry
Honeywood Williamette Valley Triple Berry

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From the August newsletter.

Grey Monk Pinot Auxerrois 2001 from British Columbia  received awards at the Seattle Enological Society Wine Judging and was mentioned in the NW Wine Review  (served at OPES Two)

Jackson Estate Vineyard Jackson Estate Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2001  from New Zealand, was rated 91 in the Seattle Times and 94 by Halliday (served at OPES One)

Results of the  Seattle 2002 Enological Society Gold Medal Awards:

Cabernet Franc 2000 - Bernard Griffin, Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 - Kiona Vineyards Red Mountain Area, Benton City, WA

Chardonnay 2000 - Canoe Ridge Estate Vineyards Chateau Ste. Michelle

Gewurztraminer 2001 - Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards, Okanagon Valley BC

Late/Special Harvest Reisling 2000 - Apex Cellars Yakima Valley 

Merlot 2000 - L'Ecole No 41 Winery Walla Walla Valley

Pinot Gris - Elk Cove Vineyards Willamette Valley, OR

Pinot Noir Reserve 1999 - Rex Hill Vineyard in Oregon

Syrah 2000 - Kestral Vintners, Yakima Valley

Viognier 2000 - Bridgeman Cellars Yakima Valley

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From the July Newsletter

Bookwalter 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon.  Layer upon layer of rich ripe fruit, with a very long lingering finish.  Aged 19 months in French and American barrels. A wine worth cellaring for 5 to 10 years.

Bogle 1999 Petite Syrah, California  - a modestly priced bargain red wine: rich, supple, plum jam flavors, available in our local retail outlets. Only $9

Hightower 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon “an understated and intricate wine with black current and toasted oak aromas.  It offers layers of subtle complexity…” (Wine Press Review for June 25) $30 in wine shops

Woodward Canyon 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley.  Talk about “coming along”, this Cab is perfectly balanced with brilliant color and aroma.  Perfect with herb encrusted leg of lamb $42 in wine shops  

Hogue 2000 Viognier  Columbia Valley - Prosser, WA The elder Mr. Hogue is proud of this first bottling from his 10 acres of this lesser known grape.  Refreshing with tones of fruit and slight oak flavors, this wine has a beautiful nose, medium body, and a good finish. An excellent “greet the guests” wine.  Available at the winery.  $12  

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From the June Newsletter

Rochioli 1999 Russian River (Calif.) Chardonnay-rated 94/96 - Lightly oaked, deeply complex Burgundian style, arguably best in the US - compares with France’s best!  $45 from mail list (but worth it!); limited availability

Cloudy Bay 2001 Sauvignon Blanc-Marborough Region, New Zealand - rated 95 and regarded by many as finest in the world! Winemaker Kevin Judd put NZ on the map with this one; unoaked, subtle, yet layers of fruit and herbal complexity - about $27, limited supply (it will be offered at an upcoming OPES event!)

 Kiona 65% Cab 35% Merlot blend - Washington State, Brown Hill area near Benton City A good everyday and drinkable wine.  Good balance, medium body and carries out surprisingly well.  Under $10 in most stores and wine shops .

Bookwalter 1999 Cabernet-Sauvignon - rated 92 in the Wine Spectator.  Gorgeous core of ripe plum and currant fruit that keeps going as the finish sails on and on.  $35.

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