Wine of the Month May 2009

Collectors Red: 2005 Chimney Rock ‘Stagecoach’ Cabernet Sauvignon 54.00 Part of the Terlato Family group of wines, Chimney Rock lies in the beautiful Napa Valley Stags Leap district. Barely a mile wide and three miles long, the Stags Leap AVA holds 1350 acres of vineyards. In 1987, Doug Fletcher was hired as winemaker, and shortly thereafter, encountered any winemaker’s worst nightmare. The phylloxera epidemic called for replanting of the entire estate. Doug saw this as an opportunity. Replanting with Bordeaux varietals and implementing a singular trellising technique has proven to be an expert move. 90 points from Wine Spectator, this Cabernet Sauvignon blended with a bit of Merlot is dark, rich and inviting. Tasting Notes: Aromas of lavender, vanilla, dark fruits and toffee melt into an integrated, lovely jumble of huckleberry, cherry, raspberry and vanilla, finishing with lush round tannins.
Classic Red: 2006 K Vintners ‘Motor City Kitty’ Syrah 30.00 Charles Smith… Innovative, full of charisma and an incredibly skilled winekamer. Motor City Kitty…from the same vineyard as Heart, Skull and Old Bones (Stoneridge Vineyard)- fantastic Syrah. Located at the base of the Blue Mountains in Walla Walla, “K” is the new kid on the block. However, with Charles, adept as he is at finding the best juice, these wines are loaded with character, flavor and spunk. Always endowed with a rock star label, I have it on good authority that Motor City Kitty is, in fact, an actual person. Alas, her real identity remains a mystery. Tasting Notes: Sweet vanilla and dark fruit aromas, piles of sweet spice, blueberry and raspberry in the mouth, velvet smooth finish with easy, friendly tannins. 95 cases produced.
Classic White: 2006 Lynmar ‘Russian River Valley’ Chardonnay 30.00 Lynmar Estate calls the Russian River Valley home, with acres of vineyards producing award winning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They practice sustainable and organic farming techniques, and considering what a challenge this can be, is always noteworthy. Their estate vineyard also borders on Laguna de Santa Rosa, which is a 250 mile watershed home to mammals, reptiles, migrating birds and native plants. Tasting notes: Pear, soft apples and warm, toasty aromas and flavors, creamy mouth feel coming together to a clean, crisp finish.

Select Red: 2006 Robert Karl Claret 19.00 From our very own physician winemaker in Spokane, we bring you the Robert Karl Claret. The winery is located in downtown Spokane, right on Pacific Street, for those of you who would like to visit. Claret is the English term for a Bordeaux style blend, the varietal composition of this wine being 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Petite Verdot and 5% Malbec. Aged in French and American Oak for 21 months. All the juice is now sourced entirely from the Horse Heaven Hills Appellation, specifically from the Gunselman Bench Estate vines, Andrew Horse Heaven Ranch, Phinney Hill and McKinley Springs. This is a great easy quaffer, delicious with food or alone. Tasting Notes: Aromas of dark luscious fruit, caramel, and toast. Flavors of chocolate covered cherry and toasted vanilla come together in a nicely balanced, medium bodied wine.

Select White: 2007 Villa Maria ‘Cellar Selection’ Sauvignon Blanc 18.00 Family owned New Zealand Winery, Villa Maria made the decision to introduce Stelvin screwcap closures across all ranges. Villa Maria was the first major wine company in the world to declare the winery a “cork free zone”, with all wines produced as of 2004 sealed with a screwcap. The vineyards that provide the fruit for this wine are situated in both the Awatere and Wairau Valleys of Marlborough. Tasting Notes: Lively and fresh, clean tropical aromas hit the nose with passion fruit, leechee nut, and limes dancing across the palate. My first thoughts while tasting…warm sun, hot sand, offshore breezes…sip, smile.