Wednesday, Jan. 07, 2009

Woehler on Wine: O•S and Nota Bene wineries

By Bob Woehler, Wine Press Northwest tasting editor

O•S and Nota Bene wineries have something in common as both are near Sea-Tac Airport and make top-rated wines in small lots.

-- O•S, formerly called Owen-Sullivan after its two owners Bill Owen and Rob Sullivan, is in a business park near the airport. However, it has ties with some of the finest vineyards in Eastern Washington including Klipsun and Champoux.

Keeping with the use of initials to name their wines, they make a red blend called BSH -- R3 -- M and S.

Owen and Sullivan work as a team. Owen, who makes the wines, was in the restaurant, wholesale and retail wine business, while Sullivan was a commercial loan officer and runs the business side.

O•S 2007 Riesling, Champoux Vineyards, $20 -- Owen is a firm believer in low-alcohol Riesling and is a fan of German-style whites. This beauty is 9.8 percent alcohol compared with others that range from 11 percent to 13 percent. Off-dry with wonderful floral bouquet and delicate nectarine and lemon-lime flavors. Perfect with Dungeness crab cakes.

O•S 2007 S, Klipsun Vineyards, $20 -- A delightful blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon from a top notch vineyard, hence the initial "S." Flavorful with melon and mineral aromas followed by more melon and some citrus flavors. Wonderful with a fresh halibut fillet.

-- On the Net: www.oswinery.com

-- Nota Bene is owned by the husband and wife team of Carol Bryant and Tim Darby. The rough translation of Nota Bene is "take notice," and fans of this winery certainly have.

Darby, who works in the aircraft industry, learned his winemaking skills as a member of the Boeing Wine Club.

Bryant is a longtime prosecuting attorney and helps with the legal issues in operating the winery.

Together, they have gained many fans for their well-made red wines.

Nota Bene 2005 Abbinare, Washington State, $28 -- A Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec that shows rich chocolate, coffee and berries. Goes with a tender duck breast.

Nota Bene 2005 Syrah, $30 -- Full of dark berries, black pepper and smoke. Match with game hen with cherry and Syrah sauce.

-- On the Net: www.notabenecellars.com

*Bob Woehler has been writing about Pacific Northwest wines since 1978. E-mail him at bwoehler@charter.net or check out his past columns at www.winepressnw.com.