2002 Brought Outstanding Wines Every Month
By Bob Woehler
I had a lot of wonderful wine to write about in 2002. And
looking back, I decided to list my favorites, month by month.
So, here are two from each month:
January
Fox Estate Winery 2001 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10.
Engaging sweet tropical fruit, citrus, good acids, tasty, nice
balance, fresh apples rich and clean, with low alcohol levels.
Tamarack Cellars 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $30.
It's getting to be a habit for this Walla Walla Airport winery to
produce outstanding wine. This one is loaded with complex components
beginning with tobacco and cedar aromas, followed by tastes of
mocha, rich black fruit jam and a clean, toasty finish.
February
Caterina Winery 1998 Willard Vineyard Merlot, $28. Toasty oak
with a touch of coconut, berry jam flavors, blackberries, huge
flavors and a long finish.
Hoodsport nonvintage Stella Raspberry, Washington, $13. A
stellar raspberry fruit wine that has it all - great fruit, sweet,
rich and full bodied with nice acid.
March
Gordon Brothers 2001 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $12.
This is the way Sauvignon Blanc should be made: dry, yet fruity and
charming with a hint of fresh clover and fruit in the nose. Tasty
pear and other orchard fruit flavors, plus a bit of tropical mango.
McCrea 2000 Elerding Vineyards Chardonnay, Yakima Valley, $25.
Big oaky, full-flavored Chardonnay. A rich and beautiful blend of
oak and fruit. Aromas and flavors of fresh Hawaiian pineapple, along
with lemon and butter-soaked artichoke at the bottom. Good acids and
a nice mouth feel.
April
Kiona Vineyards Winery 2000 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $20.
Complex aromas of charred oak and toast along with coffee lead to
opulent flavors of dark berries. Chewy, smooth and rich.
Columbia Winery 1998 Red Willow Vineyard Cabernet Franc,
Yakima Valley, $23. A luscious red with oak and vanilla aromas,
big bold cherry flavors and great depth of character.
May
Montinore Estate, 1999 Parson's Ridge Pinot Noir, Willamette
Valley, $30. An extremely well integrated wine showing nice
spice and berry aromas, mouth-filling flavors, great structure and a
lengthy berry finish. Superb tannins and a nice spicy ending make
this a keeper or a wine to savor now.
Nelms Road 2000 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $20. The second
label for Woodward Canyon and a real bargain for a Rick Small
merlot. Loaded with Java pepper, cedar, mocha and even chai tea
aromas followed by flavors of dark chocolate, plums and
blackberries. A long, satisfying finish.
June
Kestrel Vintners 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley $25.
A bold, rich Cabernet with complex aromas of oak, coffee, dried
black cherries and currants. It has an inviting mouth feel and a
big, flavorful finish.
Thurston Wolfe Winery 2000 Blue Franc (Lemberger), Columbia
Valley, $15. One of the few wineries to make this juicy, fruity
Washington variety. This has lovely vanilla and cherry aromas with
touches of cinnamon, cloves and light oak. A hint of chocolate, with
a creamy pleasing berry finish.
July
Salmon Harbor 2000 Merlot, Washington, $8. This is from
Hogue's second label of lower-cost wines. Big vanilla and herbal
aromas with sweet blackberry and plum flavors. Rich and
approachable.
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2001 Gewürztraminer, Columbia Valley, $8.
Spicy pineapple aromas with orange peel flavors. Perfectly balanced,
huge fruit with a crisp finish.
August
Hogue Cellars 2001 Late Harvest White Riesling, Columbia Valley,
$12. Perfect for brunch or dessert at 4.7 percent residual sugar
and great acid balance. Flowery aromas, sweet apple flavors and a
satisfying finish.
Chinook Wines 2000 Semillon, Yakima Valley, $15. Very lush
with just the right amount of oak. Citrus and cream soda flavors.
Winemaker Kay Simon says this will stand up to spicy food, including
salsa.
September
Leonetti Cellar 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $60.
Another classic Cabernet from Gary Figgins, a master of his craft.
Beginning with oak and chocolate aromas, giving way to nice
raspberry flavors, a hint of herbs and supple tannins, then a
lingering finish. Youthful and fun.
McCrea Cellars 2000 Ciel du Cheval Vineyards Syrah, Red
Mountain, $35. Made from Red Mountain grapes, this is a big
dark-colored wine with tremendous muscle. Rich blackberries and
sweet plums are matched with toasty oak. So jammy you'll want to
spread it on your hotcakes.
October
Stimson Estate Cellars 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, $12. A juicy,
fruity wine brimming with delicious jammy flavors, including
wonderful black cherries and licorice. Big vanilla beginning and an
opulent succulent finish. Comes in a double-size bottle.
Columbia Crest 1999 Walter Clore Reserve Red, $27. The
first of its type has exciting berry jam, black currant and cedar
aromas. The flavors are delicate with touches of milk chocolate, and
the finish is extremely smooth. This year's red is 51 percent
Cabernet Sauvignon and 49 percent Merlot.
November
L'Ecole No. 41 2000 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $30. A
combination of finesse and power with its bright, rich, spicy aromas
and concentrated flavors. A wonderful mouth feel, terrific balance
and soft tannins make this approachable now.
L'Ecole No. 41 1999 Pepper Bridge Vineyards Apogee, Walla
Walla Valley, $42. A tremendously flavorful blend of 50 percent
Cabernet Sauvignon, 46 percent Merlot and 4 percent Cabernet Franc.
Lovely acidity, nice spice, deep, rich and penetrating fruit with a
great balance.
December
Barnard Griffin 2000 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $16. It is hard
to find a better Merlot than this at any price. Loaded with berry
flavors and laced with oak and spice, it is smooth and well balanced
with plenty of complex components and a lingering aftertaste.
Montinore Estate 2001 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $10.
A fruit basket with apricot, peach, lemon, golden delicious apples,
honeydew, grapefruit and orange. Crisp, lingering finish. Good food
match for fowl or fish.
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.
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e-mail to Bob Woehler
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