Washinton Wine - Whole Foods

Last summer in Washington I tasted a really nice wine; Erratic Cabernet.

It wasn't very expensive and was a very nice light wine. I see that they have it now at my Whole Foods. It's not easy to find some of the more interesting Washington wines in this area so I was happy to see it. Does anyone else have any favorite wines from the Northwest that they have found in the area?

That's Pinotland. Check out Ken Wright, Ponzi, Archery Summit, Owen Roe, Woodward Canyon, Cougar Crest, Spring Valley, Beaux Freres, Avalon, Shea, that should get you started.

Or Oregon, which is where most (all?) of the ones from Jazzfood's post come from.

Heavy on Oregon yes, but the question was "favorite wines from the NW". Cougar Creek, Woodward Canyon and Spring Valley are all Wa.

Delille Cellars...Cab Blend, or The D2.

Killer white bordeaux style, the '05 was one of the best american whites I've ever had. $30-$50 range for them all.

They have syrah that was pretty highly rated this release( I think the '05) Sam's has these all, however I expect there placement to become heavier around Chicago this year.

Terra Blanca Merlot was the biggest surprise for me. $22, stands up to anything at the $30-40 Cali merlot range. So concentrated. Sam's carries this. I've had the cab, but not as impressive as the merlot.

I also enjoy Tyrus Evan, both the claret and the bordeaux style. I only found those at in fine spirits in Andersonville. They produce out of the rogue valley in southern oregon, as well as the red mountain in Wa.

On the splurge, pick up a Cayuse Syrah. The '03 vintage of the Armada was a stunning American wine, notes of Cornas even. Cristophe is one of the cultiest winemakers around, and the price reflects it.

On the cheap side,
Murphy's Law(which is David O'Rielly from Owen Roe) is a good value, a really nice rose, as well as red and white blends, as well as most of the Charles Smith wines I've tasted. He makes spendy syrah, but I like the chances he's taking with his Charles Smith label. Again, I would suggest In Fine Spirits, as they seem to really support the region.

So pinotland, maybe for now, but definitely an up and coming powerhouse.

Mitch Cumstein wrote:He was night putting, Danny. Just putting at night

I loved that show!

Where are you working now?

(to put this back OT , we're going out to the Willamette Valley in May to taste Oregon Pinots)

I'm in Minneapolis, doing group sales and marketing for Seven the Steakhouse, and Minneapolis is barren of any of the NW juice that I love. Just hasn't caught on yet here, except Domaine Serene seems to be the high end benchmark for Pinot in the city...Funny, they are a little esoteric to be mainstream in MN. I have been to Walla Walla a couple times. Best wine splurge ever for me: Cayuse Bionic Frog, a bordeaux style blend that ne'er makes it west of Wa. '03 vintage. Find it, it is the biggest cab franc herbaceous punch in the face, and it lasts for days...so elegant, concentrated, and balanced. I would strongly suggest a jump north across the border. Walla is the capitol of wine world for me.

FYI Bionic Frog is Syrah. The Cab Franc/Merlot blend is Flying Pig

Correction: I meant the Flying Pig....