Early to bed late to rise, with only a 6am groggy (for me) call from Hong Kong (love you Michael). I hate being under the weather, and I hate it more knowing I have to fly soon. I do not want to pull my trump card and cancel (no penalty as an MVP Gold other than knowing I’ll never get Boston for $171 roundtrip again).
Got to work at 1:30 for the tasting of Northwest Wine Discoveries:
The Washington wineries are sprouting up so fast that it is hard sometimes to keep up, but you got to try. Stop by this Saturday when we’ll be pouring some of our favorite new discoveries from the local viniculture. We’ll be featuring wines from our local South Seattle Community College’s wine making program as well as a new rich and thick Syrah from Woodinville and an excellent desert wine from Airfield Estates in Prosser. Come give them a try. We think you’ll like what we have found.
2010 Northwest Wine Academy Riesling $12
The NW Wine academy wines are made by the Wine Technology Program is on the campus of South Seattle Community College but you’d never know it. It is a good dry concentrated Riesling that would put many local Rieslings to shame. The grapes come from Den Hoed Vineyard in Yakama Valley.
2009 Northwest Wine Academy Zinfandel $12
This is a little leaner style of Zin compared to California cousins, but the NWA has nice spice notes as well as good clean fruit flavors. The fruit comes from Alderwood vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills.
2009 Northwest Wine Academy Cabernet Sauvignon $12
A blend of three vineyards — Den Hoed, Pontin, and Red Haven Vineyard (on Red Mountain) the NWA Cab Sauv comes in at a hard working price.
2009 Robert Ramsay, McKinley Springs Syrah $25
92% Syrah, 5% Viognier, 3% Mourvedre
From his winery in Woodinville, Bob Ramsay produces this rich and deep Northern Rhone inspired Syrah. All from McKinley Springs fruit the wine has notes of anise, cherry and smoky notes wrapped in a soft blanket of French Oak.
2010 Airfield Estates Late Harvest Riesling 375ml. $13
It’s a hit. The 2010 Runway Late Harvest Riesling was made with 50-60% botrytis infected fruit and finished with 15% residual sugar. Peaches, tropical fruits, honey, and botrytis aromas lead to a viscous, vibrant wine with superb natural acidity that frames the fruit brilliantly. This wine is all about pleasure — 92 pts Wine Advocate.
Hit and miss until 4pm when there seems to be a rush. Some decent sales, I’ll see the numbers tomorrow when it’s my day in the shop.
Home for a cocktail after work.
Dinner.
Another early to bed day to try and slay the demon head cold.
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Get well sweet prince!