2013 Bartholomew Primitivo, Horse Heaven Hills, Coyote Canyon Vineyard ($24)
Deep ruby colored, this relative of Zinfandel emits rich, smoky aromas of blackberry, cherry, plum, rosebuds, pipe tobacco, lavender and spiced incense. On the palate, the flavors are thick and generous, with intermixtures of licorice, dark cocoa, espresso, and Horse Heaven scorched earth. The chewy textured back picks up semi dried cherries, plum preserves, and mocha, followed by a spicy (nutmeg, clove) moderate alcohol (13.9%) and sweetish tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.
 
2013 Bartholomew 5th Quarter Blend, Columbia Valley ($??)
This is a tasty combination of 55% Carmenère, 20% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 7% Cabernet Franc. It shows a deep crimson-ruby color and seductive aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis, crushed roses, mulberry, sweet tobacco, violets and oriental incense. The flavors, as well, are alluring, with layers of supple black and blue fruits that are interspersed with licorice, cocoa, black tea, and variegated earth minerals. The back picks up pressed berries, crème de cassis, blueberry preserves, and graphite, followed by a lingering sweetish tannin finish. This is a winner. 19/20 points.
 
2013 Bartholomew Carmenère, Red Mountain ($28)
This is a fine rendition of the “lost grape” of Bordeaux. It shows a deep crimson color and a perfumed nose of wild currants, black cherries, Damson plums, lavender, violets, sweet tobacco and incense. The black and blue fruit flavors are mouth encompassing, with notes of licorice, bittersweet chocolate, black tea, and Red Mountain calcareous minerals. The back reveals sensations of pressed berries, crème de cassis, kirsch, and mocha, all leading seamlessly into a long sweetish tannin finish. As a vin de plaisir, this gets a plus. 18.5+/20 points.

​Authored by Rand Sealey

Spring Release Weekend

Friday March 18th 5:30-8:30 pm, March 19th-20th Saturday and Sunday noon-5 pm. Pleased to announce the release of three new wines: 2015 Aligote, 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2013 5th Quarter Blend.

2015 Aligote - Upland Vineyard - Snipes Mountain - $19/bottle. The other white wine originally from Burgundy. Grown in Washington state on old vines planted in 1979. Bone dry, with crisp acidity. No barrel contact or malolactic conversion. Green apple and citrus on the nose, with a creamy texture and full body.

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon - Two Blondes Vineyard - Rattlesnake Hills - $38/bottle. Our first vintage from this award winning vineyard. The "king" of all wine varietals will have you calling for more. Smooth, integrated tannins and 25% new oak balance the dark fruit flavors and earth. A warm vintage with bright fruit flavors and restrained alcohol. An amazing buy.
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2013 5th Quarter Blend - Columbia Valley - $32/bottle. What happens when you blend a wine that doesn't fit "traditional" definitions? If it's not Right Bank or Left Bank, what is it? It belongs in the 5th Quarter. Yes, a play on the Italian term "quinto quarto", however these lots of wine are not the leftover cuts, these are prime. Certain to make your taste buds sing! This Red Mountain Carmenere dominant 5 varietal Bordeaux style blend is like none other. Plenty of spice and earth balanced with great color, tannin, and fruit flavors. Varietals: Carmenere, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc.