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Biography |
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Home > People
> Lars Sorensen |
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Lars Sorensen
Co-Founder Cascade Trade, Inc.
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You might say that Lars Sorensen got his formal, educational
training in "terroir" - little did he know where it would
take him. After moving from Denmark as a small child to the wine
country of California, Lars went off to college in the Northwest
to study geology. He finished his Master's degree, taught college
and eventually worked as a sales person for a number of different
companies. However, it was the allure of the wine country and his
passion for great juice that brought Lars back full circle.
While selling natural cork for a small company in Sonoma, Lars met
hundreds of winemakers throughout the Northwest and California. He
discovered that winemakers from small, boutique houses were
constantly looking for dedicated distributors who would put as
much passion into selling their wines as they did in making them.
Many of these smaller wineries wanted to be in Seattle, but they
couldn't find the right fit in a market that was dominated by
large distributors. It was obvious that the smaller wineries
needed a hand from someone who had a close ear to the Seattle
market, and from someone who
also shared their vision.
After several years of listening to his winemaker friends, Lars
started Cascade Trade, Inc. - "The best wines you've never had."
Cascade Trade is a premier wine distributor representing
family-owned, boutique wineries that produce excellent
wines. Most of these wineries produce less than 5,000 cases per
year yet they represent the cornerstone on which the entire wine
industry was built. Even Mondavi was relatively small many years
ago. Cascade Trade is proud to represent artisan winemakers who
pour their heart and soul into their craft. The company represents
small case producers in California, the Northwest and from various
international regions -wines never before seen in the Seattle
area.
Lars never met a wine he didn't like, as long as it's quality.
And, in his opinion, cost is irrelevant. Whether it's ten dollars
or fifty dollars, is not the issue. What's important is that the
wine is well made, and that the consumer finds value in that
particular bottle. Even millionaires want value - a notion that
has never been more prevalent than it is today.
Cascade
Trade
624 South Lander St.
Seattle, WA 98134
phone: 206.856.1171
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Personal
Picks |
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Sauvignon Republic Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2004 (New
Zealand) $16
This Sauvignon Blanc comes from a new venture including the likes
of John Ashe (famed Chef and food author from San Francisco), Paul
Dolan (recently resigned President of Fetzer), and John
Beuechsenstein (former head winemaker from Fife Vineyards in
Mendocino). The program will eventually by comprised of six wines
from the best Sauvignon Blanc growing regions around the world -
Friuli Italy, Chile, Loire Valley France, South Africa, Russian
River California and New Zealand. The Marlborough version shows
all of the crisp, tangy citrus and tropical flavors that we've
come to expect from New Zealand.
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Cuneo Two Rivers Red 2001 (Oregon) $15
The concept here is that Two Rivers is made from fruit sources
originating in the Columbia River Valley (Red Mountain) and Rogue
River Valley of Oregon (Del Rio Vineyard). This tasty red exhibits
the complex structure characteristic of Washington Red Mountain
fruit along the lush, fruity component found in the southern
Oregon Del Rio fruit. Together, these regions are blended with all
the classic Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Franc 46%, Cabernet
Sauvignon 29%, Merlot 22%, Malbec 2% and Petite Verdot 1%) making
for a killer wine at a stupid price.
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Cañon de Sol Merlot Columbia Valley 2001 (Washington) $25
From one of the finest up and coming Washington wineries, and the
first Latino-owned winery in the State, Victor Cruz's Merlot is a
beautiful example of how good Washington Merlot can be. Rich,
refined and full-bodied, this merlot is the result of the combined
efforts of Victor and his consulting winemaker friend, Charlie
Hoppes.
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Tandem Peleton Sonoma Coast 2002 (California) $26
If you know the Flowers Winery, you know Greg and Greg - the two
guys that put Flowers on the map back in the late 90's. Peleton is
the extension of Perennial - the blend they created for Flowers.
You won't believe the blend in this bottle, and you won't believe
how good it tastes. Sourced from some of the finest vineyards in
Sonoma, this proprietary blend consists of Keefer Ranch Pinot
Noir, Aldine Vineyard Zinfandel, Sangiacomo Chardonnay, a little
Sangiovese and a couple of other white varietals. Sounds crazy
doesn't it? Don't think about it, just enjoy. This baby is fat,
ripe and full of flavor.
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Apaltagua Envero Carmenere Colchagua Valley 2000 (Chile) $15
Without a doubt, this is one of the most sophisticated Chilean
reds I have ever come across at this price. Full-bodied and ripe,
Envero is a blend of Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon that bursts
with juicy raspberry and blueberry fruit. It also hits you with
the classic Carmenère characteristics of tobacco and picks up a
note of chocolate too. Really a pleasure to drink.
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Benessere Sangiovese Napa Valley 1999 (California) $27
Rich and elegant, Benessere’s Sangiovese abounds with flavors of
plum, cherry, spice and herbs. This big red has gorgeous structure
and as it opens up, layer upon layer of fruit continues to expose
itself as it finishes off with silky, smooth tannins. Don’t
believe that awesome Italian varietals can’t be done in California
– this thing rocks!
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Chateau La Boutignane Classic Rouge 2000 (France) $10
Château La Boutignane is a family-owned winery in the Corbiere
region of France with over 300 years of winemaking tradition.
You’ll be amazed at the big flavors coming out of this blend of
50% Carignane, 20% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and 10% Cinsault. It emits
that very distinctive terroir we’ve come to expect from this
region and it works incredibly well with a wide variety of foods.
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Gustavo Thrace Zinfandel Chiles Valley 1999 (California) $21
Gustavo Brambila, of Grgich Hills fame, has outdone himself here
and come up with one of the best, food-friendly Zinfandels that I
have ever tasted. Aged in French and American oak for 25 months,
it displays classic, Zinfandel flavors that are rich and bold, yet
not overpowering. As the wine slowly opens up it reveals layers of
cherry, raspberry, cloves and black pepper while delivering that
wonderful, full-bodied Zinfandel experience. This is an exquisite
example of the true character of the Zinfandel grape.
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Chariot Sangiovese 2000 Central Coast (California) $15
Although this juicy fruit hails from the cool, coastal region of
central California, Jim Neal makes his wine with the assistance of
Chuck Wagner at Caymus Vineyards in Rutherford, Napa Valley. Dark
ruby in color, medium-bodied on the palate, and with aromas of
violets, cherries and white pepper, this wine is vibrant, fresh
and ready for everyday quaffing. Because this Sangiovese is so
tasty and bright, we’ve been extremely pleased at how many non-red
wine drinkers have commented on how much they enjoy it.
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Cuneo Cellars Columbia Valley 1999 (Oregon) $15
Gino Cuneo makes his home in the Willamette Valley of Oregon and
loves producing balanced, complex Bordeaux-style wines. Because
he’s been making wine so long, he has wonderful contracts with the
finest vineyards in Eastern Washington and Oregon. This gorgeous
blend is comprised of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 12%
Cabernet Franc obtained from the Artz and Champoeg Vineyards on
Red Mountain. It’s a wonderful food wine and will age very well
over the next five years. Only 505 cases were made.
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Vignalta Rosso Riserva 1999 (Italy) $12
Vignalta means “high vines” and the fruit for this wine comes from
vineyards in the hills north of Venice. Blended of 60% Merlot, 30%
Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Rosso Riserva
exhibits relatively mature, dry fruit aromas and a surprisingly
sleek, accessible rich palate of flavors. Though the Veneto region
is not widely known for quality Bordeaux-like blends, the Vignalta
house is beginning to carve out a very solid reputation for
contemporary winemaking and for getting the best out of this very
interesting viticultural area. What a great wine for so little
investment.
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Tefft Cellars Merlot Yakima Valley 2000 (Washington) $11
I’ve known Joel Tefft for a number of years and I’m still amazed
at his touch in producing so many different styles of quality
wine. Joel and I share a passionate love for all that is Italian,
and so much of that attitude is reflected in how well his wines
pair with food. You see, Italians never drink wine unless there is
food, and they never eat food unless there is wine. Anyway, Joel’s
Yakima Valley Merlot is a steal for the price and bursts with
flavors of cherries and cassis. Aged in French and American oak
for 10 months to balance the warm toastiness of the oak with the
intense berry flavor of this variety, you’ll be hard pressed to
find another Washington Merlot this good at twice the price.
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Latcham Vineyards Zinfandel Estate Special Reserve 2000
(California) $25
I couldn’t end this short list of favorites without throwing in a
big, juicy red for that special occasion when only a
full-throttle, classic Zin will do. This power-packed wine is just
what a Zin lover craves – it’s wild, rustic and a little bit
savage. Comprised of 100% estate-grown fruit from old clone,
80-year old vines in the Sierra Foothills of California, the juice
is aged for 18 months in American oak. It shows a beautiful ruby
color and it’s loaded with rich black cherry and boysenberry
fruit. The finish goes on forever with just a hint of spice and
cinnamon. This special Zin will age beautifully. |
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