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August 2008 Northwest Wine of the Month
2006 Brick House Les Dijonnais Pinot Noir
We don't often put an Oregon Pinot Noir in this club, but when we do,
it's a blockbuster. Most club members are familiar with Brick House Vineyards, one of the
most respected organic producers in Oregon. The wines from their 40-acre estate on Ribbon
Ridge, above the Chehalem Valley, are all produced and bottled by hand and, not surprisingly,
are extremely limited and difficult to find. This wine comes from 3 blocks of the famous
Dijon clone of Pinot Noir, brought over from the village of Morey-St. Denis in 1995. Not
for the faint of heart, this is a grown up Pinot Noir, very Burgundian in style, with
unmistakable notes of red currant and raspberry fruit, and spicy notes of cinnamon and
cloves. Old World vines meet New World soil, with careful, sophisticated winemaking --
Oregon Pinot does not get much better! With decanting, Les Dijonnais can be enjoyed now or
cellared for five to ten years. It was $49.75 and we cannot get any more.
2005 Stevens 424 Yakima Valley Red Wine
West Seattle Cellars is never quite the same after a visit by
Woodinville winemaker Tim Stevens. New art appears on the walls above the Washington blends,
and wonderful new wines appear in our Washington club. This is the third vintage of Tim's
elegant Bordeaux blend, sourced from 3 top Yakima Valley vineyards, Dineen, DuBrul, and
Sheridan. This year the blend is loaded with even more Cabernet Franc, which is up to 45%,
then layered with 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and rounded out with 10% Merlot. This vintage
definitely showcases the flinty blueberry character of classic Washington Cab Franc, with
a beautiful violet floral nose. It's always a smooth concoction, more balanced than ever,
a lovely match for roasted meats. Since it was only $31.50, Tim sold out very quickly and
there is no more to be had.
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