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I've spoken to a half-dozen winemaker in the past two days and asked each how the grapes were looking. I heard a lot of long sighs followed by concerns about when - or if - the grapes would ever ripen in the Northwest.
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates’ operating profit rose 30 percent to $14.8 million in the second quarter, according to a securities filing by its Connecticut-based parent company, UST.
This week: Novelty Hill Merlot, Matt Loso leaves Matthews Cellars, Happy Canada Day, wine lists, Bridgewater Bistro, Wine Knows blog.
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July 1, 2008
Vol. 9, No. 27
Wine Press Northwest's Wine of the Week is an independent opinion based on double- and single-blind tastings.
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Novelty Hill 2005 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Merlot
Appellation: Columbia Valley
When winemaker Mike Januik began his association with this estate site in the Frenchman Hills, others soon followed. This delicious drink shows why. Blueberries, blackberries, chocolate, allspice and a piece of Coffee Nip candy factor into the bouquet. More of the berries await with a beautifully smooth entry, then there's a pinch of peppercorn in the midpalate and a framing of tannin. It's luscious and mature with anise in the finish. 14.4% alcohol. Rated "Outstanding" by Wine Press Northwest magazine.
Price: $25.
Cases produced: 478.
Food matches: Enjoy with grilled meats or a tomato-based pasta dish.
Novelty Hill, 14710 Woodinville-Redmond Road N.E., Woodinville, WA 98072, 425-481-5502, http://www.noveltyhill.com
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-- Hogue Cellars 2007 Riesling, Columbia Valley
-- Northwest Totem Cellars 2005 Syrah, Columbia Valley
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-- Canyon's Edge Winery 2002 Aldercreek Vineyard Sage Brush Red, Horse Heaven Hills, $14
-- Columbia Crest 2005 Two Vines Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $8
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Novelty Hill opened in 2000, a year after Mike Januik left Chateau Ste. Michelle as its head winemaker to start his eponymous operation, Januik Winery. He has been head winemaker at Novelty Hill since its inception, and the two wineries now share Novelty Hill's gorgeous Woodinville, Wash., facility.
Januik recognized the potential for land owned by the Alberg family in the Frenchman Hills near Royal City, Wash., resulting in the planting of Stillwater Creek Vineyard. Today, Stillwater Creek is one of the finest young vineyards in the state.
The combination of great grapes and Januik's winemaking skills result in wines like today's Wine of the Week.
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Matt Loso, who started his highly acclaimed Matthews Cellars in Woodinville, Wash., in 1993, is selling his interest in the winery to his financial partners. He plans to expand his winemaking consulting business.
Aryn Morell takes over head winemaking duties for Matthews, which has a well-earned reputation for red wines.
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July 1 is Canada Day. Celebrate it with a bottle of ice wine or another favorite from British Columbia.
Don't have any B.C. wines in your collection? Then today is a great time to plan a long weekend in the Okanagan Valley this summer.
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It's time for us to judge the 10th annual Great Northwest Wine Lists Competition.
If you run a restaurant, send a PDF of your wine list to edegerman@winepressnw.com or send a hard copy to:
Great Northwest Wine Lists 333 W Canal Dr Kennewick, WA 99336
Deadline is July 18.
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A couple of months ago, I lamented the last meal served at the venerable Shoalwater Restaurant in Seaview, Wash. Owners Tony and Ann Kischner closed the Shoalwater after 27 years on the Long Beach Peninsula to open the Bridgewater Bistro in nearby Astoria, Ore. In this week's Northwest Winecast, we catch up with Tony at the beautiful new operation near the mouth of the Columbia River.
You can watch the Northwest Winecast two ways (both free):
On our Web site:
http://www.winepressnw.com/video/vodcast/
On YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/WinePressNW
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The Wine Knows, Wine Press Northwest's blog, is getting updated almost daily (and sometimes more than daily). Recent highlights include:
-- Matt Loso leaves Matthews Cellars
-- Coastal wine
-- Dealing with fire
-- Height of decadence
-- Taming of the screw
-- Happy La fete du Canada
-- And more.
Be sure to check out the blog daily to read updates on the Northwest wine scene. If you are into RSS feeds, you can easily get blog updates throughout the week.
http://community.winepressnw.com
If you are into RSS feeds, you can easily get blog updates.
The URL for the RSS feed is:
http://community.winepressnw.com/node/feed
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GREAT WINE BUYS
1515 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232 Open 7 days a week.
(503) 287-2897
http://www.greatwinebuys.com
THE WINE RACK
Auburn, WA Cellar & Tasting Lounge. 4435 "A" St. SE, Suite G. Tastings Daily: $5
253-939-3303
http://www.thewinerack.org
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