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March 2003 Collector´s Club
2001 Syncline Milbrandt Vineyards Syrah
James and Poppie Mantone strike again with this wonderfully rich Syrah
from the Columbia Valley. Their winery, which emphasizes
functionality over peacocks on the front lawn, is located in Bingen on
the Columbia Gorge and is well worth a visit. This wine is a
great accompaniment to rib roasts and venison, and there´s a
good supply available at $19.75. Drink it over the next five
years. You can meet the Mantones here on Thursday, March 20th.
1999 Colvin Vineyards Walla Walla Valley
Merlot
Another of my favorite wineries, Mark Colvin has been producing winner
after winner in his Walla Walla-based winery. This Merlot is a
classic case of needing to be decanted - give it about an hour, and it
will open up beautifully. Consume this over the next three
years; I´d try it with a pork dish. There´s a
reasonable stock available to us - and at $16.00, it´s a
bargain (his 2000 is going for $28.00!). You can meet Mark here
on Thursday, March 27th.
2001 Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Rouge
Sadly, we don´t see much red Sancerre in the States - it´s
an outstanding early-drinking Pinot Noir, much sought after in
France. This Loire Valley-based winery (winemaker Jean-Marie
Bourgeois, is a friend of my wife!) turns out outstanding Sancerre
Blanc as well, along with two luxury cuvees. This wine is meant
to go with food, and is truly wonderful with salmon.
There´s a small supply at $18.00.
2000 Fairview Coastal Region (South
Africa) Shiraz
You´ll note that this Syrah is spelled the same as the Aussie
versions; Australia´s earliest Shiraz plantings were of South
African fruit. This is leaner than most Aussies, and is fairly
typical of South African versions. The price ($11.00) is
outstanding, and the wine is drinking well now. There´s
plenty around.
Matthews Cellars Inland Desert Vineyard
Rosé
The first rosé of the year; each year we´ve sold more
and more as people begin to realize just how food-friendly a good
rosé truly is. There´s plenty of this around from
winemaker Matt Loso (his winery will be represented here in a tasting
on Saturday, March 29), who is renowned for his red wines.
Apparently, he´s branching out... It´s $15.00.
2001 Nepenthe Adelaide Hills Sauvignon
Blanc
From the coolest (?) region in South Australia comes this last wine.
A great example of how well this region grows some notoriously
cooler weather grapes. Enjoy it as an aperitif, or with
shellfish. There´s plenty of it around at $13.00.
You´ll note a number of tastings mentioned in the text;
we´re honoring Washington Wine Month by hosting a number of
special tastings featuring Washington winemakers. Check our web
page (http://wscellars.com) for details.
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