Mt. Baker Vineyards' wines from both sides of Cascades
By Bob Woehler
Tucked into the scenic Nooksack Valley 10 miles east of
Bellingham, Mount Baker Vineyards produces wines from grapes grown
on both sides of the Cascades.
When the winery opened in 1978, it produced mostly fruit wines,
but today it concentrates on chardonnay, merlot, syrah and cabernet
sauvignon.
What sets it apart from other wineries is its list of grape
varieties that don't need a long, hot growing season and can be
produced in the Puget Sound area such as Madeline Angevine, Muller-Thurgau
and Chasselas.
Most of its customers come from the Bellingham area but the
winery also produces private label wines, especially for
Seattle-area restaurants.
The winery is nestled among tall evergreens on Highway 542 and
offers a picnic area that offers a view of majestic Mount Baker. And
it's a convenient place to stop while traveling to Vancouver,
British Columbia.
Among the current offerings are:
Mount Baker 2000 chasselas, Puget Sound - A variety
popular in the Alsace region of France and Switzerland that's a
crispy white with shades of lemon and green apples. Fine with Caesar
salad. $14.
Mount Baker 1999 chardonnay, Yakima Valley - Pleasant oak
aromas with rich, buttery flavors and good pineapple finish. $14.
Mount Baker 1999 Madeline Angevine reserve, Puget Sound -
Lots of gewürztraminer flavors, including peaches, nectarines and
apples. Bone-dry and crisp. $14.
Mount Baker 2000 Rosetta Rosé - Cranberries and a bit of
strawberry highlight this blend of 44 percent merlot, 35 percent
syrah, 11 percent lemberger and 6 percent siegerrebe. It's done in
the lighter rosé style. $12.
Mount Baker 1998 Rosetta Rouge - A tasty red blend of 40
percent syrah, 35 percent cabernet franc, 15 percent cabernet
sauvignon and 10 percent merlot. It has deep vanilla aromas followed
by rich tar, black cherries with a lot of depth at the finish. $24.
Mount Baker 1998 syrah reserve, Red Mountain - Voluptuous,
up-front berry and fruit aromas followed by opulent dark cherry
flavors. $24.
Mount Baker nonvintage blackberry, Washington - A
refreshing dry, very berry-flavored wine with a good finish. A nice
match for turkey and cranberry sauce. $8.50.
* * *
A recent trip to the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia in
September revealed a couple of interesting new wines.
Jackson-Triggs 2000 shiraz - They spell it the Australian
way, but it's still syrah and it's very good. A first for this
Oliver-area winery that makes some of the best wines in Canada.
Lovely, rich flavors with great vanilla aromas. $12 U.S.
Quails Gate 2000 chenin blanc - Made in a dry, fruity
style and loaded with citrus and peaches. This is a crisp,
food-friendly wine that is clean and satisfying. $7 U.S.
New releases
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2000 gewürztraminer, Columbia Valley -
An outstanding example of a spicy, fruity gewürztraminer. Great
floral and tropical aromas with fruit cocktail flavors and a crisp,
snappy finish. $8.
Columbia Crest 2000 gewürztraminer, Columbia Valley -
Another great gewürztraminer with nicely balanced sweetness and
acids. Flavors of juicy fruit gum followed by a crisp, delicious
finish. $7.
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2000 Johannisberg riesling, Columbia
Valley - This winery has a long record for making great riesling
and its 2000 vintage is an outstanding example. Food-friendly with
great acids. It starts with honey-baked apple flavors that lead to a
bit of spice and enough crispness to match a wide variety of foods.
$8.
Snoqualmie Vineyards 2000 white riesling, Columbia Valley -
A touch of citrus at the beginning, plus nice apple, pear and citrus
overtones. Good balance and a fine finish. $7.
Hogue Cellars 2000 fume blanc Columbia Valley - Nice
herbal beginning backed by toasted vanilla. Lean fruit finishing
with ripe pear and baked apple flavors. $10.
Bob Woehler
has been writing about grapes and wines of the Pacific Northwest
since 1978. His columns appear twice monthly in the Tri-City
Herald in Tri-Cities, Wash. and in Wine
Press Northwest.
Send
e-mail to Bob Woehler
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