The Hedonistic Taster
Washington State Wines for Mother’s Day
by L.M. Archer
Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer
The Hedonistic Taster provides an intimate format for me to share industry trade samples with you.
Got Mother’s Day COVID-19 cabin fever?
Here’s a prescription: Try these tasty Washington State wines, and leave your comments in the morning…Enjoy!
Disclaimer: No compensation is received; all opinions expressed are that of the author.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Sparkman Cellars Birdie Riesling – Columbia Valley, WA.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13 %
Suggested Retail: $ 18
Robe: Pale straw robe.
Nose: Dried yellow, waxy white flower, citrus notes.
Palate: Light body, perfectly poised structure, balance, and finish. Meet your new go-to riesling, especially for pairing with Asian fare.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Sparkman Cellars L’Autre Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley, OR.
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 13.5%
Suggested Retail: $ 48
Robe: Arresting ruby robe.
Nose: Earthy, marsh rose, pomegranate, red raspberry aromas.
Palate: Bramble berry, crushed dark red fruit bouche, light body, supple structure, deft finish. This wine plays well with others, particularly those we want to pamper.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Sparkman Cellars ‘Baba’ Red Wine – Yakima Valley, WA.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 14.5%
Suggested Retail: $ 55
Robe: Clear ruby – almost cherry – red hue.
Nose: Spicy red fruit, slight capsicum tang on the nose.
Palate: Light-medium body, silky tannins, solid structure. Lingering finish. Cozy wine for fireside sipping.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Sparkman Cellars ‘Gaga’ Red Wine – Yakima Valley, WA.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 14.5%
Suggested Retail: $ 55
Robe: Dark garnet hue.
Nose: Red and blue fruit aromatics.
Palate: Light-medium body; surprisingly silky tannins. This wine struts and frets across the tongue with drama, flair and a touch of brooding black fruit notes. Perfect for backyard spitballing served up with some BBQ.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Sparkman Cellars ‘Wonderland’ Grenache – Columbia Valley, WA.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 14.5%
Suggested Retail: $ 35
Robe: Show-stopping garnet robe.
Nose: A heady rabbit-hole of flowers and spice and everything nice.
Palate: “It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.” – Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll.
Indeed. One sip of this wine, and you’ll lose all track of everything you’ve ever known about Grenache. Prepare for the vinous ‘wonderland’ wander of your life.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Sparkman Cellars “Hallelujah” Port – Snipes Mountain, WA.
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 19%
Suggested Retail: $ 60
Robe: Dark purple hue.
Nose: Intoxicating stewed blue and black fruit, chocolate and coffee aromas.
Palate: Not your Mama’s port. ‘Blue Velve’t meets ‘Purple Haze’ for a palate-bending ‘port’-al into sensory nirvana. Yowza. Is this stuff legal?
More about Sparkman Cellars here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Damsel Cellars Columbia Valley Red Blend – Washington State
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 14.8 %
Suggested Retail: $ 22 / 410 cases produced.
Robe: Deep purple-garnet robe.
Nose: Cedar, plum, chocolate, green pepper, black pepper nose.
Palate: Medium body. Red raspberry. Acids, pronounced tannins that will only refine with age.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Damsel Cellars Stillwater Creek Vineyard Syrah – Washington State
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14.7 %
Suggested Retail: $ 28/ 168 cases. (SPRING SPECIAL: $20/bottle)
Robe: Deep purple hue.
Nose: Savory, slightly gamey, dark blue fruit aromatics.
Palate: Light-medium body; well-integrated tannins, deft structure. Blueberry, plum, sois bois on the attack settles into some baking spice notes mid-palate, with dark-fruit finish.
More about Damsel Cellars here.
NOTE: Damsel Cellars samples were provided by Women-Owned Wineries – learn more about WOW here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Airfield Estate Sangiovese Sangiovese Rosé – Yakima Valley, WA.
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 12.7 %
Suggested Retail: $ 18
Robe: Pretty watermelon-pink hue.
Nose: Ripe, redolent ripe melon and berry aromas.
Palate: Quintessential summer sipper! Crisp, cheerful cherry, strawberry and watermelon porch, patio and poolside pleaser.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Airfield Estates Runaway Red Wine – Yakima Valley, WA.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 14.2 %
Suggested Retail: $ 32
Robe: Deep red hue.
Nose: Lush red plum, cranberry aromas.
Palate: Pours like a plush velvet glove on the palate. Medium body, supple tannins, silky finish.
More about Airfield Estate here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Walla Walla Vintners Sangiovese – Columbia Valley, WA.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 14.2%
Suggested Retail: $ 24
Robe:
Nose:
Palate:
More about Walla Walla Vintners here.
More The Hedonistic Taster here.
Copyrighted 2020 L.M. Archer | All Rights Reserved.