DRUNKEN WEDNESDAY, PART THREE (FUTURE WINO ON BOARD)

Our fabulous (and currently preggers) Heidelberg rep Wendy, stopped in with some new stuff to their portfolio:

Soave Italia Soave Classico 2008. Grade=Outstanding. I really like Soave, and it seems like a lot of people are too. This asinine package however will make me thoroughly consider whether to carry it. Yet what is inside is a solid, vibrant, delicious light-bodied white wine, ideal for the summer.

Gordon Brothers Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley 2007. Grade=Outstanding. I love these guys. Visiting and working there for a day will forever resonate with me, and I can truly visualize the place every time I taste another of their wares. This is still drinking well, with lots of acidity, notes of lemon and guava, and a nice fruit-forward finish.

Fish House Chardonnay Columbia Valley 2008. Grade=Outstanding. Bright, lively version of Chardonnay, completely unoaked and ready for food or just a warm night out on the deck. Fruit-driven with lots of fresh stone and tropical fruits and well-balanced acidity.

Blue Pirate Pinot Gris Oregon 2008. Grade=Outstanding. Round and elegant on the palate, this shows a lot of peach and apricot, coupled with a hint of tangerine, Golden Delicious apples, some crème fraiche and orange blossom. Very nice.

Blue Pirate Pinot Noir Oregon 2007. Grade=Outstanding (-). The proviso is that this is a very light Pinot Noir, almost a rosé. It possesses soft cherry and cola notes with a slight perfume of red flowers, red berry and nuts. There is also a hint of Darjeeling tea and sweet tarts.

House Wine Pinot Noir Columbia Valley 2006. Grade=Outstanding. Much more going on than the Blue Pirate, this light-to-medium-bodied PN is a surprise; you don’t always associate PN with Washington State. Lots of red berry fruit, hints of spice and earth, with soft tannins and a smooth finish.

House Wine Red Columbia Valley 2007. Grade=Outstanding. Predominantly Cab and Syrah, this tasty blend is loaded with juicy, jammy red and black fruits, some spice box, mocha, cedar and tobacco notes. A great red wine for everyday drinking.

House Wine Merlot Columbia Valley 2007. Grade=Outstanding. A robust, nearly-full-bodied Merlot, this red is expressive for the price, with lots of baked cherries, creamy oak, baking spice, mint and smoke.

House Wine Syrah Columbia Valley 2007. Grade=Outstanding. Fruity, juicy and jammy with rich red and blue berry fruits, smoke, rhubarb pie, olive tapenade, black truffle and espresso. A really nice effort.

House Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2007. Grade=Outstanding. I actually think this is a more powerful Cab than the Steak House, with denser, richer blackberry, black currant and cedar tones, plus good tannic grip and a concentrated finish of mocha and dark roast coffee.

Steak House Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2008. Grade=Outstanding. Perhaps this is a bit more Bordeaux than the House Wine Cab, with more mineral and earth notes peaking through its dark black fruit veneer. Finishes a bit leaner than the House Wine, but still very good.

Sacred Stone Red Lot #5 NV. Grade=Outstanding. A rock solid red blend that has been one of our best sellers for years. The bread-n’butter red from Pietra Santa, this primarily Zinfandel-based red is medium-bodied, with some great juicy red, black and blue fruits and well-balanced acidity.