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Spring 2009 New Releases
Northwest Wining and Dining, LLC
An Interesting Gift for Your Wine-Loving Mom Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 Braiden Rex-Johnson Northwest Wining and Dining, LLC. Last night I tried a very interesting wine from Olympic Cellars Winery, a long-time Washington-State business located on the Olympic Peninsula.
The Olympic Cellars Winery 2006 My Sweet Syrah is a blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Riesling. With four-percent residual sugar, it is definitely sweet, yet lush and light on the palate with soft tannins. This may be something for dark-chocolate lovers to consider next time they want a workable wine pairing. I may almost like it better than the more traditional Port.
Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
Gold Medal
2007 Dungeness Red Lemberger
Seattle Magazine Top 5 Picks
2006 Cabernet Franc
Plush black and red raspberry, ground coffee, baking spice and cherry aromas combine with soft acidity and ripe tannins in this 100% Cabernet Franc. The grapes are from one of the oldest vineyards in the Columbia Valley, AVA, the Bacchus Vineyard.
Wine Press Northwest
2005 Cabernet Franc
Excellent
This winery near Port Angeles, Wash., used grapes from famed Bacchus Vineyard north of Pasco for this delicious Cab Franc. It opens with inviting aromas of black cherries and vanilla, followed by balanced flavors of dark fruit and a creamy mid-palate. Pair with pork chops.
Wine Press Northwest
2006 Petit Verdot
Excellent
Winemaker Benoit Murat brought in Petit Verdot from one of Washington's finest vineyards, near Grandview in Washington's Yakima Valley. This opens with aromas of plums and blackberries followed by flavors of sweet raspberries, black licorice and tobacco leaf. It's a wine with abundant fruit from entry through the lengthy finish.
Wine Press Northwest
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Outstanding!
This vintage marked Benoit Murat's debut at this Port Angeles, WA winery, and those reds portend great things for the future. He tapped into one of the state's most storied sites for a very gracious wine that opens with pie cherries, light strawberries, cedar, violets and toasty oak importing almond and chocolate aromas. Cherries and brambleberries stream across a palate so balanced that tannins merely add to the finish of cherries jubilee. Enjoy this with a thick porterhouse
Wine Press Northwest
2005 La Dolce Vida Syrah
Double Gold
This winery along the highway near Port Angeles, WA, has produces a Syrah of distinction from one the Washington's oldest and most revered vineyards. It is Cote-Rotie in style with aromas of plums and bacon and flavors of blackberries, black olives, tar and plums.
Wine Press Northwest
2007 Rose' the Riveter
Outstanding!
Bordeaux-born winemaker Benoit Murat arrived at Olympic Cellars in 2004, but he obviously knows his way around famed Champoux Vineyard and the rows of Lemberger there. Aromas of strawberry, nectarine and rose petal jump right in step with the same flavors, framed by pleasing lemon/lime acidity. He struck a fine balance as nice tartness is equal to the bit of residual sugar (1.65%) Enjoy with a cheese plate.
