March Is Washington Wine Month
This month we celebrate the great state of Washington with 10 must try wines. From pioneers to newcomers, and from Wedgewood to Walla Walla, we’ve got you covered!
Red Wine
2016 Quilceda Creek Red Wine “CVR” Columbia Valley ($56)
“A combination of all of our vineyard sites and represents a great value. It is the best version of this wine to date displaying highly aromatic black and blue fruits with nuances of anise, smoke, forest floor and minerals. This blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot will be best enjoyed over the next 15 years.” –Paul Golitzin, Director of Winemaking.
2017 Mark Ryan’s BTR Cellars The Chief Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley ($24)
“The 2017 Chief shows immense complexity, with Cabernet Sauvignon’s cedar aromatics and black currant at the forefront. Fresh violets combine with flavors of blackberry and silky vanilla, and subtle chocolate notes. It has a broad finish, with a balance of acidity and tannin.” –Winemaker notes.
2017 Elephant Seven Cosmic Revelation Red Walla Walla Valley ($21.99)
An instant Best Seller at Leschi Market. This Mount Baker family is about as local as you can get, and they are making incredible Walla Walla wines. “Classic Mourvèdre characteristics of gaminess and meatiness accented with black raspberry and licorice. A dense bouquet of dried flowers, garrigue and white pepper with an iodine driven minerality. The finish is pure and lively with nice acidity and supple tannins. 61% XL Vineyard Mourvèdre, 39% Yellow Bird Vineyard Syrah.” –Winemaker notes.
2016 Lobo Hills Right Bank Blend Columbia Valley ($18.69)
Tony Dollar visits Leschi via Wedgewood, and his wines are meticulously crafted. “The 2016 Right Bank Blend is 80% Merlot from two different vineyards, rounded out by 15% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Franc. The wine is meant to be a well-rounded pasta night wine! The wine was lees stirred for one year prior to being racked and aged entirely in old oak.” –Tony Dollar, Winemaker.
2015 Long Shadows Nine Hats Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley ($17.79)
“A blend of Cab from The Benches in the Horse Heaven Hills and Weinbau on the warm Wahluke Slope, injecting some Syrah (15%). The nose is of toffee and coffee powder with blue fruit and a dusting of white pepper. There’s richness to the entry of plum and blueberry, backed by pomegranate juiciness that finishes with a long and strong tug of tannins.” –Great Northwest Wine.
2016 Novelty Hill ‘RSR’ Red Columbia Valley ($15.99)
A delicious, medium-bodied wine loaded with sweet cherry and dark mocha aromas and flavors complemented by layers of wild blackberry, ripe plum and black cherry that echo across a fresh, fruit-forward finish that lasts.
White Wine
2016 Abeja Chardonnay Washington State ($38.69)
“Abeja Chardonnay has long been a benchmark white wine for Washington, and Walla Walla-based Dan Wampfler and Amy Alvarez-Wampfler keep the tradition going with this gorgeous vintage, apple and nectarine fruit. The seamless texture is seductive as can be.” –2018 Washington Wine Awards Winner.
2016 Buty Semillon/Sauvignon/Muscadelle Columbia Valley ($19.99)
“One of our top Washington white wines each vintage is Buty’s ode to white Bordeaux. The nose shows lovely floral-accented lime and grapefruit while the palate is richly textured with honeyed citrus. Fresh acidity joins mineral and saline notes as this sings on a harmonious and refreshing finish.” –Northwest-Wine.com.
2017 Nefarious Cellars Defiance Vineyard Viognier Lake Chelan ($18.99)
“Bursting with aromatics of pear, papaya, nectarine, and lime zest. It’s summer in a glass and one of our perennial favorites. A little seafood on the barbecue, a warm evening and a bottle of this is all we need. Styled to be a delicate wine; packed with apricot and grapefruit, a pretty side of floral notes, and just a hint of minerality.” –Winemaker notes.
Rosé
2018 Cedergreen Cellars Viola Rosé Columbia Valley ($13.99)
The very first pink of the season has arrived! The panel instantly loved this offering from our friend Kevin Cedergreen. “Our Viola Rosé is a classic blend of Gamay Noir and Cabernet Franc. We were smitten by the aromatics of this Rose’ and found examples of similar blends from the Loire. Great minds and all. Flavors reminiscent of bright crushed strawberries and raspberries combine with deep floral notes of lilac and violets. From the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Gold 2019. Enjoy!” –Kevin Cedergreen, Winemaker notes.
Kenneth Benner, a Seattle area native, is a trained chef and has worked in such restaurants as Barbacoa, B.O.K.A. Kitchen + Bar, and Dahlia Lounge. Ken is the wine buyer at Leschi Market. He has a passion for learning, a meticulous palate, and a tenacity for searching out the best for his customers while offering some of the most highly coveted wines in the area. His wine column is intended to inspire and explore new choices in wine, learn about wine with his readers, and share his knowledge and experiences in the wine world. Check out the latest at www.LeschiMarket.com or request to be added to email updates or send questions, comments, or suggestions to ken@leschimarket.com and follow the wine department directly on twitter at twitter.com/leschimarket.