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It has long been rumored that the few rows of vines at the entrance to Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, Wash., were required so the winery could be called a "chateau."
PROSSER -- Construction is expected to start soon on the next phase of what backers say will be the state's premier educational and promotional center for Washington's wines and food products.
The discovery of a nice blend of funky, different and traditional wineries at the 24th annual Tri-Cities Wines Festival last Saturday made for a memorable night.
Newcomers among the 70 wineries were the funky Don Quixote label from Grandview, owned by Joe Cervantes, who was offering a pretty darn good sweet 2001 late harvest gewurztraminer called Sweet Dulcinea. The Don himself was presumably off tilting with windmills elsewhere.
Not far away, Rob Dhaliwal's Samson Estates Winery, near Lynden in Whatcom County, served up something different - some of the tastiest berry wines I've ever sampled, including a black currant, a blackberry and an extremely delicious raspberry. Dhaliwal promises a wine made from hazelnuts will be out soon.
And finally, the traditional was from Moonlight Sparkling Wine Cellars of Kennewick, which was pouring its first edition of a sparkling wine, a 2001 gem made by Allan Pangborn, formerly of Domaine Ste. Michelle and Korbel. The new sparkler was dry, fruity, tasty and perfect for the holidays.
For those with a sweet tooth, it was hard to beat the two superb Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, ice wines, including the Jackson-Triggs 2001 riesling. Hank Sauer, facilitator for the Wine Press Northwest tasting panel, described it as having an inviting nose, a hint of botrytis, honey consistency, silky clean acids and an outstanding sweet almond finish.
Hank waxed on every more about the Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards 2000 ehrenfelser, which is made from a riesling variant. "Compelling fruit nose, revealing mid-palate with hints of honey, fresh peaches and pears and a sweet velvet finish."
The festival judges, three from California, one from New York and one from Vancouver, British Columbia, awarded 8 gold medals, 28 silvers and 57 bronzes.
Interestingly, the Three Rivers syrah was mostly made by Charlie Hoppes of Kennewick, who left that winery earlier this year to consult and to make wine under his own label.
All in all, he had a hand in eight medal-winning wines at the judging.
He consulted in making the best of show Three Rivers syrah; the two silvers for Ryan Patrick; a Three Rivers silver medal 2000 merlot; a Canon de Sol a bronze meritage red; two bronzes for Goose Ridge 2000 syrah and 1999 meritage red, and a bronze for Three Rivers 2001 white blend.
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The following wines were tasted by a Wine Press Northwest magazine panel. The tasters do not know either the winery or the type of wine. A wine must receive a unanimous vote to gain an outstanding rating.
Covey Run Vintners 1999 merlot, Washington, $9 - Plums and oak, with juicy blackberries and an herbal undertone.
Columbia Winery, 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Willow Vineyards, Yakima Valley, $29 - Herbal and tar aromas. Full-flavored blueberry and plums. Nice and easy finish.
Hyatt Vineyards 2001 Black Muscat, Yakima Valley, $8 - Outstanding. Delightful rose color with aromas and flavors of cranberries and strawberries. Right-on acids make this the perfect picnic wine. Bring on a ham sandwich and potato salad.
Chateau Ste. Michelle 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Canoe Ridge Estate Vineyards, Columbia Valley, $24 - Outstanding. Consistent excellence is the hallmark of this winery. Inviting oak chocolate and tobacco aromas. Dark cherry fruit, with smooth, pleasing tannins and acids.
Goose Ridge Vineyard 1999 Meritage, Columbia Valley, $27 - Outstanding. Fresh out of the gate wine from a new Tri-City area winery. Made half from cabernet sauvignon and half from merlot, this is a bold, dark wine with smoky oak aromas and fleshy Marionberry and black olive flavors. It has a huge, satisfying finish.
L'Ecole No. 41 1999 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyards, Walla Walla Valley, $42 - Outstanding. A tremendously flavorful blend of 50 percent cabernet sauvignon, 46 percent merlot and 4 percent cabernet franc. What's not to like about this blockbuster? Lovely acidity, nice spice, and deep, rich and penetrating fruit with a great balance.
Woodward Canyon 2000 Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $45 - Oak and spice aromas with a dry, fruity taste that is pleasant throughout. Chalky tannins make this a good wine with steak.
Hogue Genesis 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $18 - A fine medium-priced red with chewy oak and charcoal aromas and plum and berry fruit flavors. Big tannins and delicious flavors.
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