2015 Wine Trips

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October 2015 trip to Washington & Oregon

On day one we flew into Portland, OR and headed East to Dalles, Oregon.  We had a great dinner at Solstice Wood Fire Cafe, Great Pizza and S’mores!

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Day 2: we had 3 wineries on the list for the day (but ended up tasting at 4)  since we had a good drive farther East to the Columbia River/Red Mountain appellation areas.  The first winery we went to was:

COR Cellars, here are the wines we tasted

  • 2014 Ro-sae a Cab Franc Rose
  • 2014 Alba which was Gwevrts and Pinot Grigio
  • 2013 Tempranillio from Rattlesnake Hills
  • 2012 Petit Verdot from McKinley Springs Vineyard/Horse Heaven Hills (HHH)
  • 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon McKinley Springs Vnyd/HHH
  • 2012 Malbec Hogback Ridge Vnyd/Oregon
  • 2012 Old Hwy No. 8 (Malbec & Cab Franc)

Syncline Winery

  • 2014 Grenache Blanc
  • 2014 Gruner Veltliner
  • 2013 Mourvedre
  • 2013 Pinot Noir
  • 2013 Syrah McKinley Springs Vnyd/HHH
  • 2013 Syrah Estate Columbia Gorge

AniChe Winery

  • 2014 Come & Go Albarino
  • 2014 Little Birds Tempranillo Rose
  • 2013 Shelob (Nebbolio, Zin, Barbera)
  • 2012 Sirius (Barbera, Zin, Dolcetto)
  • 2012 Be Holden (Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cab Sauv)
  • 2011 Goat Boy (Cab Sauv, Merlot, Malbec, PV)

Cascade Cliffs

  • 2014 Orange Muscat
  • 2011 Gwurtz
  • 2013 Goat Head Red (Pinot Noir, Grenache, Cab Sauv, Barbera, Zin)
  • 2014 Dolcetto
  • 2013 Nebbiolo from HHH
  • 2013 Tempranillio
  • 2013 Blood Red Barbera, CV
  • 2013 Zinfandel from HHH
  • 2014 Blood Red Zinfandel, CV

For dinner we went to J. Bookwalter Winery/Restaurant it was wonderful we sat outside and enjoyed some fantastic food. I Can’t wait to come home and try a couple of the recipes out on everyone.  See Pics below.  For dinner we had the

  • 2012 Protagonist Cabernet Sauvignon, and the
  • 2013 Antagonist  Syrah

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Day 3 (Friday) we are headed to the Red Mountain area!

Col Solare Winery (Where Chat Ste Michelle meets Antinori from Italy)

  • 2009 Red Blend, CV
  • 2012 Red Blend, Red Mountain
  • 2012 Shining Hill Red Blend, Red Mountain

Hightower Cellars

  • 2014 Murray Rose, (syrah) Red Mountain
  • 2013 Murray Estate Syrah, Red Mountain
  • 2012 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Merlot, Walla Walla
  • 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain
  • 2011 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain

Fidelitas Winery

  • 2014 OPTU White Blend, Kilspun Vineyard
  • 2012 Champoux Vineyard MAGNA Red Blend, HHH
  • 2012 OPTU Red Blend, Red Mountain
  • 2012 Quintessence Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain

Lunch was at Terra Blanca Winery.  This was not on my list as I did not think it was open but thankfully it was open and we had a wonderful lunch on the patio.  We had hummus to start, Bill had a BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich, and I had the Winery Burger.  Both were served with a salad and we had the Arch Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon  and Arch Terrace Syrah tasting we decided to go with the Syrah which was a great pairing.

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Frichette Winery

  • 2013 Punctual Red Blend
  • 2012 Merlot, CV
  • 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, CV
  • 2013 Malbec, CV
  • 2013 Cabernet Franc, Red Mountain (Not for sale, club only) but it was good
  • 2013 Petit Verdot, Red Mountain (Not for sale, club only) this was excellent wish we could have bought it.

Cooper Wine Company

  • 2014 Barrel Maker Rose, Red Mountain
  • 2013 Chardonnay, Red Mountain
  • 2012 Estate Merlot, Red Mountain
  • 2013 L’Inizio Red Blend, Red Mountain
  • 2013 Estate Cabernet Franc, Red Mountain
  • 2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain

Kitzke Cellars

  • 2012 Nebbiolo, Red Mountain
  • 2012 Janaina Sensacao Red Blend, CV
  • 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, CV
  • 2009 Syrah, CV

Day 4:  We headed North up to the Zilla, WA area.  I had researched several wineries to visit and it turned out to be an interesting day!

Portteus Winery

  • 2013 Bistro Red
  • 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2012 Syrah
  • 2012 Zinfandel
  • 2012 Petite Verdot
  • 2009 Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon

Masset Winery…. Home of the best Meatloaf recipe ever ;o)

  • 2015 Barbera in the middle of fermentation
  • 2009 La Petit Rouge Red Blend (Sangiovese, Syrah, Cab Sauv)
  • 2010 Columbia Valley Red Marcoux Vineyard (60 CF, 20 ME, 20 CS) all old vine
  • 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2007 Basket Press Reserve (50 ME, 50 CS)
  • 2008 Syrah Reserve also free run (88 S, 9 PS, 3 V, 4 Coinouise, 1 Mouv)
  • 2009 Basket Pressed Syrah
  • 2007 Petit Sirah
  • 2010 Syrah Marcoux Vineyard free run
  • 2o12 Winter Harvest Syrah Dessert Wine

Tried to go by Mas Chappell but they were not open

Reflection Vineyard (changing their name to owners last name VanArnam much better in my opinion)

  • 2012 Reflection Merlot
  • 2013 Van Arnam Melange (73 CS, 21 MA, 6 CF)
  • 2012 Reflection Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2012 Reflection Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Then we headed down to the Prosser area where we could not get into Thurston Wolfe because we didn’t have a Premier Pass.

McKinley Springs Vineyard

  • 2010 Cabernet Franc, HHH
  • 2011 Syrah, HHH
  • 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, HHH
  • NV Estate Red (S, B, MA, PV, MO,) HHH
  • 2010 Malbec, HHH

Desert Wind Winery

  • 2010 Syrah Wahluke Slope
  • 2013 Merlot Wahluke Slope
  • 2012 Tempranillio
  • 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2013 Ruah Blend

Alexandria Nicole Vineyards

  • 2013 Jet Black Syrah Destiny Ridge Vineyard, HHH
  • 2012 Quarry Butte Red Blend, Destiny Ridge Vineyard, HHH
  • 2011 Gravity Merlot, Destiny Ridge Vineyard, HHH
  • 2012 Alderdale Cabernet Sauvignon, Destiny Ridge Vineyard, HHH
  • 2012 Mr. Big Petite Sirah, Destiny Ridge Vineyard, HHH
  • 2013 Tempranillio, HHH

Day 5: We headed from Kennewick, WA down to Walla Walla, WA

Woodward Canyon Winery

  • 2013 Estate Chardonnay
  • 2012 Estate Erratic Red Blend
  • 2011 Estate Reserve (95 CF, 5 PV)
  • 2010 Estate Reserve (41 ME, 31 PV, 14 CS, 14 CF)
  • 2012 Merlot, CV
  • 2012 Artist Series #21

L’Ecole #41 Cellars

  • 2014 Semillon
  • 2014 Luminesce Seven Hills Vnyd, (50 SEM, 50 SB)
  • 2014 Chardonnay Evergreen Vnyd
  • 2012 Estate Merlot
  • 2012 Estate Syrah
  • 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2012 Apogee

Waterbrook Winery (we also had lunch here will post pictures in a day or so)

  • 2011 ICON Anniversary Rhone Blend
  • 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2012 ICON Walla Walla Red Blend
  • 2012 ICON Barbera
  • 2013 Late Harvest Semillon

Cougar Crest Winery

  • 2012 Dedication Nine Red Blend
  • 2009 Estate Merlot
  • 2009 Estate Anniversary Cuvee
  • 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2009 Estate Syrah
  • 2009 Estate Syrilla (50 S, 50 Tempranillo)

Canoe Ridge Winery

  • 2014 Limited Edition Cinsault Rose
  • 2011 Reserve Pinot Noir
  • 2012 Reserve Cherry Street Red Blend, HHH
  • 2012 Limieted Edition Syrah, HHH
  • 2011 Estate Merlot, HHH
  • 2011 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, HHH

Day 6: It doesn’t seem like this is our 6th day but I guess it is… We had a great day today making our own wine, everyone needs to go do this.

Amavi Cellars

  • 2014 Semillon
  • 2013 Syrah
  • 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon

Pepper Bridge

  • 2012 Merlot
  • 2012 Trine
  • 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon

Northstar Winery Blending class & then tasting

  • 2011 Merlot
  • 2012 Stella Maris
  • 2012 Cabernet Franc, WW
  • 2012 Syrah, CV
  • 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2010 Merlot, WW
  • 2011 Premier (100% Merlot)

Nancy’s Blend and Bill’s Blend which is technically Merlot.

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Dinner tonight was at T Maccarone’s

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Day 7: We hit downtown Walla Walla tasting rooms… Bill didn’t like it he wanted to be out at a vineyard tasting room but it was nice not to have to drive.

Trust Winery

  • NV TATT
  • 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
  • NV (2010/2011) Cabernet Franc

Spring Valley Vineyard

  • 2012 Mule Skinner Merlot
  • 2012 Sharilee Petite Verdot
  • 2012 Katherine Cabernet Franc
  • 2012 Uriah Red Wine (Merlot), WW
  • 2012 Derby Cabernet Sauvignon, WW
  • 2012 Frederick (Red Blend),
  • 2011 Nina Lee Syrah

Henry Earl Estates

  • 2012 Chardonnay (no oak)
  • 2012 Malbec, RM
  • 2012 Merlot
  • 2012 Homesteader Red Blend
  • 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve,

Mark Ryan

  • 2014 Viognier, CV
  • Numbskull (58 S, 26 G, 16 Mouv)
  • 2013 Dissident (64 CS, 22 Me, 11 CF, 3 PV)
  • 2013 Long Haul (51 Me, 40 CF, 8 CS, 1 PV)
  • 2013 Dead Horse (87 CS, 8 Me, 4 CF, 1 PV)

Lunch was at Olive, a great sandwich shop in downtown Walla Walla.

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Figgins

  • 2014 Lost Boy Barrel Sample Merlot
  • 2012 Red Wine (CS, Me, PV)

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Dinner was at Sweet Basil Pizzaria but we had BBQ Chicken Pizza no basil to be seen

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Back at our hotel they have a firepit so we sat outside for a little while this evening having a glass of wine as a night cap.

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Day 8: We wanted to head back out to wineries that were in vineyards so we kind of succeeded as you will see below.

Tranche Cellars

  • Slice of Pape Blanc White Blend (Rousane, Viognier, Marsane)
  • 2011 Barbera, CV
  • 2011 Slice of Pape Red Blend (G, Mo, S)
  • 2011 Syrah, Blue Mountain
  • 2011 Tempranillo, Blackrock Vineyard

Saviah

  • 2013 Chardonnay, CV
  • 2013 Barbera, Duggar Creek, WWV
  • 2013 Pinot Noir, Couse Creek Vineyard, WWV
  • 2011 Syrah, WWV
  • 2011 Petit Verdot, McClellan Est Vnyd/Stillwater Creek Vnyd, CV

Zerba Winery (Oregon)

  • Zerba White (CH, Sem, Riesling, V, Rousane)
  • 2014 Sangiovese Rose
  • 2012 Grenache, WWV
  • 2012 Syrah Estate, WWV
  • 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, WWV
  • 2012 Estate Petit Verdot
  • 2011 Late Harvest Syrah, WWV

Watermill Winery

  • 2011 Pinot Noir, WWV
  • 2011 Mouvedre
  • 2011 Praying Mantis Syrah, The Rocks
  • 2011 Malbec, WWV
  • 2012 Cabernet Franc, WWV
  • 2009 Estate Midnight Red

Basel Cellars

  • 2014 Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon
  • 2014 Semillon
  • 2012 2901 Red
  • 2009 Inspired Red
  • 2011 Merlot, CV
  • 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon

For dinner tonight we went to a local place, Wingman Birdz & Brewz

Day 9: We headed down the gorge towards Willamette Valley

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Penner-Ash Winery

  • 2014 Riesling
  • 2014 Viognier
  • 2013 Willamette Pinot Noir
  • 2013 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir
  • 2013 Estate Pinot Noir

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WillaKenzie Estate

  • 2014 Pinot Blanc
  • 2013 Pinot Meunier
  • 2013 Gisele Pinot Noir
  • 2013 Thibaud’s Cuvee Pinot Noir
  • 2012 Terres Basses Pinot Noir
  • 2012 Pierre Leon Pinot Noir

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Dinner tonight was at Dundee Bistro in Dundee, Oregon (Pork Loin with Butternut Squash Rissoto)

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Day 10 we spent in Willamette Valley having some awesome Pinot Noir!

Lange

  • 2014 Pinot Gris Reserve
  • 2013 Three Hills Cuvee Chardonnay
  • 2011 Three Hills Cuvee Pinot Noir
  • 2012 Pinot Noir Reserve Willamette Valley
  • 2011 Freedom Hill Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
  • 2012 Freedom Hill Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
  • 2013 North Block Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills

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Domaine Drouhin

  • 2010 Volnay Pinot Noir
  • 2012 Laurene Pinot Noir
  • 2012 Edition Limitee Pinot Noir
  • 2013 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir

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Stoller

  • 2014 Chardonnay
  • 2013 Chardonnay Reserve
  • 2013 Pinot Noir Dundee Hills
  • 2013 Pinot Noir Reserve
  • 2010 Pinot Noir Reserve
  • 2012 Single Acre Syrah

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