Washington Wine of the Week – Selections for Spring, 2021

For the week of June 13, 2021 : ROSE’! – Yesterday was National Rose’ Day and Washington has you covered on this incredibly versatile wine that covers all the bases in terms of flavor profiles and sweetness levels. It wasn’t too long ago that rose’ was viewed as cheap, sweet, and pink and most Washington wineries wouldn’t even consider making one. Today, not having a rose’ to pour is the exception rather than the rule. Notable 2020 vintage new releases for you to try: Convergence Zone Three Forks Rose’ of Pinot Gris, Dama Wines Cabernet Franc Rose’, Longship Cellars Wild Harvest Rose’ (a blend of Grenache and Syrah), Mercer Estates Grenache Rose’, Tsillan Cellars Bocciolo di Rosa (a five varietal blend), and Spoiled Dog Rose’ of Pinot Noir.

For the week of June 6, 2021: King Estate Winery 2016 Brut Cuvee – This week’s selection comes from Eugene, Oregon-based King Estate, which utilizes vineyards throughout Washington and Oregon in addition to those at its 1,000+ acre estate.

One sip of this stunning Willamette Valley AVA-sourced sparkler brings to mind similar wines from France’s storied Champagne houses. Crafted with 83% Pinot Noir and 17% Chardonnay, it opens with lovely brioche and citrus aromatics, followed by lemon chiffon, apple, and juicy Bartlett pear flavors. The finish is both crisp and lengthy, with vibrant acidity beautifully balanced by a suggested whisper of sweetness. King Estate was recently honored as Wine Press Northwest’s Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year for 2021; well deserved and well worth the trip for those considering a visit. Also available at Seifert & Jones Wine Merchants in downtown Bellingham.

For the week of May 30, 2021: Eternal Wines 2016 Rocketman Red – Walla Walla winemaker Brad Binko has crafted a truly out-of-this-world red blend that carries a ‘wow’ factor from start to finish. Concentrated black plum, Marionberry, and black currant flavors are framed with great acidity and a tannic backbone that make this wine the complete package. The mile-long, thought-provoking finish suggests blueberry cobbler, toasted walnut and raisinettes and leaves you wanting more. The varietal composition of 55% Cab Sauv, 20% Syrah, 20% Merlot and 5% Carmenere has been replicated in a now also available 2017 vintage, except that the Syrah has been exchanged for Petite Sirah.

For the week of May 23, 2021: Tildio Winery 2020 Estate Sauvignon Blanc – This selection from Chelan winemaker Katy Perry may be the quintessential springtime Sauvignon for Washington State wine lovers. Vibrant aromas and flavors of white peach, apricot, and tropical fruits fill the glass with a flourish of lemongrass and lemon/citrus on the laser-sharp finish. It’s mouth-wateringly delicious and absolutely perfect for warmer weather sipping. Available at the winery tasting room or online at tildio.com. Order now; tasting room manager Mya Archambault says this popular wine is going fast.

For the week of May 16, 2021: Tunnel Hill Winery 2017 Estate Malbec – Be sure to stop by this Chelan winery if you plan a visit, not only for the super-cool stone cottage tasting room and beautifully landscaped outdoor seating area, but for the excellent wines as well. Winemaker Michelle Fanton has taken these wines to a new level and this Malbec selection is a must-try. Spice box and red cherry aromatics lead off, with red plum, tobacco leaf, and dried cherry flavors on the palate, along with a plush, lingering finish. The 2018 vintage is also now available and a dry version in a Rose’ style is yet another Malbec-based choice. All are sourced from 100% estate-grown grapes within the Lake Chelan AVA.

For the week of May 9, 2021: Skagit Cellars 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon – Winemaker Mark Hulst has really hit his stride with this amazing Cab, sourced from Burgess Vineyard in Pasco, Washington. Stunning black cherry aromatics lead off, with more cherry and lush, Marionberry flavors on the palate. The mile-long finish is silky, yet slightly textured giving the wine incredible mouthfeel and an overall gorgeous quality that is practically guaranteed to put a smile on your face. On a five-star scale this wine easily rates a five, without question. Available at the winery tasting room, located in downtown La Conner.

For the week of May 2, 2021: The Orcas Project 2020 Cinsaut Rose’ – The Orcas Project evolved as an extension of Cole Sisson’s Doe Bay Wine Company, a bottle shop and tasting room in Eastsound, Orcas Island. Sisson works with Pacific Northwest winemakers to produce his own label, the wines of which are sold on line and from the tasting room. This just-released selection from winemaker Riley Miller is simply gorgeous. It walks the tightrope between fruity and savory with delicate stone fruit and strawberry flavors that melt into understated cherry tomato. The finish has plenty of bracing acidity with a touch of tart Granny Smith apple. It’s juicy, delicious, and perfect for pairing with seafood, pasta salad, or enjoyable on its own as a chilled, springtime sipper.

For the week of April 25, 2021: Pacific Rim 2019 J Riesling – This stunner of a Riesling leads off with a hint of petrol and lavender on the noise, juicy pear and lychee fruit on the palate, and a honey-like finish accentuated with a touch of wet stone. It doesn’t come across as super-sweet thanks to the mouth-watering acidity that keeps it in balance. But the flavors really pop when you pair it with any two, three, or four-star Asian cuisine, led by the residual sugar content that provides a perfect contrast to the food’s heat level. This Riesling is a Pad Thai foodie’s wine-pairing dream.

For the week of April 18, 2021: Jones of Washington 2015 Syrah – This is classic Washington Syrah; smoky/herbal aromatics with a base of dark, purple fruits and a finish of dried black plum. The wine also displays a hint of brick-red color (a graceful sign of aging), with nice acidity and a bit of textured tannins to round out the package. Bonus: the screwcap top guarantees protection from cork spoilage. Double bonus: the wine earned gold medal honors at the 2020 Bellingham Northwest Wine Festival Judged Competition. Triple bonus: It’s still available on the winery website at the incredibly low price of about $15 a bottle. There is virtually no way you will find a Washington Syrah – or any Syrah, for that matter – at this price point with comparable quality.

For the week of April 11, 2021: Dynasty Cellars 2017 Syrah – Bellingham’s Peter Osvaldik has developed a loyal following among Whatcom County wine enthusiasts, built around his signature big, bold, red wines. But this just-released Syrah is unmistakably lighter in body, making it more of a selection for “wine centrists” with it’s crowd-pleasing drinkability. Packed with red cherry and berry fruits, it’s backed by a nice streak of acidity and silky tannins; in short, a perfectly balanced wine that is either instantly enjoyable or cellar-worthy. Peter sources all of his red varietals from Les Collines Vineyards (pictured at right), located in Washington’s Walla Walla Valley AVA.

For the week of April 4, 2021: Happy Easter! There’s no wine of the week this week but there is a wines of the week. They come to you, courtesy of the over 1,000 Washington State wineries. Like many businesses, wineries have had a tough go of it during the past year. But they’re making it through, thanks to loyal wine enthusiasts like you. As the pandemic subsides and we enter a season of new hope, it’s my wish that you take some time this spring to get out there, continue to support these wineries, and enjoy some of the finest wines in the world. Cheers and thank you!

For the week of March 28, 2021: Damsel Cellars 2017 ‘The Fates’ GSM Blend – Winemaker Mari Womack has an impressive resume, with tenures at Obelisco Estate, Baer Winery, and Darby Winery before she opened her own facility in Woodinville. Her wonderfully complex combination of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre leads off with aromatics of mint and green herbs along with red fruit flavors of raspberry, cherry, and currant. As the wine opens up, darker fruits reveal themselves, with chewy tannins, savory/smoky accents, and a bit of ultra-dark dried plum on the extreme finish. Sourced from Yakima Valley’s Boushey Vineyards. Whatcom County residents should look for Damsel wines on the menu at Leader Block Wine Co. & Eatery in Ferndale.

For the week of March 21, 2021: Lopez Island Vineyards 2019 Siegerrebe – Kick off the spring season with this gold medal winner from the 2020 Bellingham Northwest Wine Festival Judged Competition. The judges loved this white wine gem from start to finish, with its opening fragrances of fresh, honey-coated peach, pear, and apricot fruit to its mouth-watering flavors of nectarine and honeydew melon on the palate. The dry finish carries touches of minerality and spice, along with a slight effervescence. A superb effort by winemaker Brent Charnley, who’s been turning out impressive, Puget Sound AVA-grown wines at his island winery for three-plus decades.