Seattle LawDawg Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 I drink Oregon Pinots every Wednesday night. This Wednesday we drank the following 3 bottles: Stiltstone 2004: A little too grapy / fruity for my taste. Not well balanced. A real disappointment after their 2003, which was a great wine. Cristom Jefferson 2004: Well balanced, good terroir: this is a solid example of what an Oregon Pinot should be. (We also got a taste of their Sommer's vineyard which is a definite step up again). Lemelson Thea's 2004: This is a common wine to start off the night with because it is so solid. IMO, an easy top 5 Oregon 2004 Pinot. I'm not sure why we were drinking it so late in the night, but it was even better than most times! If you see any Lemelson, or visit Oregon, give any wine from this winery a try. Its definitely worth it although the single vineyards need a little time to open up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detlef Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Amen on the Cristom, I've always been a fan of their stuff. I'll have to look for the Lemelson. It looks like my folks are moving just outside of Portland, so I look forward to visiting that wine country for the first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nogohawk Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Amen on the Cristom, I've always been a fan of their stuff. I'll have to look for the Lemelson. It looks like my folks are moving just outside of Portland, so I look forward to visiting that wine country for the first time. Good stuff here - I've had teh Cristom and will look for the Lemelson too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seattle LawDawg Posted October 12, 2006 Author Share Posted October 12, 2006 Amen on the Cristom, I've always been a fan of their stuff. I'll have to look for the Lemelson. It looks like my folks are moving just outside of Portland, so I look forward to visiting that wine country for the first time. Let me know when you make it out here. I hit the wineries every couple weekends and would be happy to give recommendations, or even a tour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detlef Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Let me know when you make it out here. I hit the wineries every couple weekends and would be happy to give recommendations, or even a tour. Thanks, that would be great. I've actually got a friend in Seattle who's started a wineryon Red Mtn making premium Chard, Syrah, and Bdx Blends. I think they just released their first vintage. It's called Sparkman Cellers. I don't know why I never mentioned this before. You should try and find it. Heres the press release that he sent me... New Winery, Sparkman Cellars, Releasing First Vintage Release Weekend Saturday and Sunday, August 12 & 13 WOODINVILLE, Wash.-(July 31, 2006)-Sparkman Cellars, founded by Kelly and Christian Sparkman, will release its first vintage at its release weekend, Saturday & Sunday, August 12 & 13 at their Woodinville tasting room from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. They will offer tastings of their four new wines and light hors d'oeuvres from Waterfront Seafood Grill's Executive Chef, Steve Cain. This event is free and open to the public. With their parents, the Sparkmans decided to launch their winery in 2004 after their first child, Stella Mae, was born. Conversations with legendary Walla Walla winemaker Charles Smith of K Vintners and their current winemaker, Mark Ryan McNeilly, owner of red-hot Woodinville winery Mark Ryan, sparked their decision to join the burgeoning Washington winery world. It is their intention to produce some of Washington's most sought after wines. "Charles, Mark and Tom Hedges all were instrumental in helping us gain entry into this extremely exciting and intense industry. The Washington wine scene is exploding and we are proud to be smack dab in the middle of it," says Sparkman. After many years as a wildlife biologist in Alaska, California, and Wyoming and veterinary technician in Seattle, Kelly has embraced life as winery owner and mother of two. A longtime fine dining professional, Christian has worked in the nation's best restaurants, including Commander's Palace in New Orleans, Michael's in Santa Monica, The Orangery in Knoxville, Tn., and Olives in Washington D.C. Sparkman, avid supporter of the Washington wine industry in his current role as general manager and wine director at Seattle's Waterfront Seafood Grill, has had Wine Spectator award ten of his wine lists with the International Award of Excellence. In 1992 he was inducted as Chevalier into Le Croix de Bourgogne, and in 2004 he gained status as sommelier, as recognized by The Court of Master Sommeliers. This year's release consists of 380 cases: 2005 Lumière Chardonnay ($35, 93 cases) 100% Chardonnay from Stillwater Creek Vineyard, Columbia Valley 2004 Stella Mae Syrah ($40, 127 cases) From Hedges Family Estate, Bel' Villa Vineyard, Red Mountain 2004 Ruby Leigh Bordeaux Blend ($40, 135 cases) Merlot (44%), Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), and Cabernet Franc (16%) from Hedges Family Estate Vineyard and Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, Red Mountain 2004 The Outlaw Merlot ($50, 25 cases) From Hedges Family Estate Vineyard, North Block, Red Mountain When asked why they chose their fruit from Red Mountain, Sparkman commented, "We like the structure and ageworthy brawn of Red Mountain fruit. Ciel du Cheval reminds me of the Rolling Stones, kinda wild and rebellious, Hedges is like the Moody Blues, more elegant and ethereal. This year we'll add Klipson Vineyard, which is more like Led Zeppelin. Put all these on stage in one bottle. Think about that concert!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seattle LawDawg Posted October 12, 2006 Author Share Posted October 12, 2006 Thanks, that would be great. I've actually got a friend in Seattle who's started a wineryon Red Mtn making premium Chard, Syrah, and Bdx Blends. I think they just released their first vintage. It's called Sparkman Cellers. I don't know why I never mentioned this before. You should try and find it. Heres the press release that he sent me... New Winery, Sparkman Cellars, Releasing First Vintage Release Weekend Saturday and Sunday, August 12 & 13 WOODINVILLE, Wash.-(July 31, 2006)-Sparkman Cellars, founded by Kelly and Christian Sparkman, will release its first vintage at its release weekend, Saturday & Sunday, August 12 & 13 at their Woodinville tasting room from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. They will offer tastings of their four new wines and light hors d'oeuvres from Waterfront Seafood Grill's Executive Chef, Steve Cain. This event is free and open to the public. With their parents, the Sparkmans decided to launch their winery in 2004 after their first child, Stella Mae, was born. Conversations with legendary Walla Walla winemaker Charles Smith of K Vintners and their current winemaker, Mark Ryan McNeilly, owner of red-hot Woodinville winery Mark Ryan, sparked their decision to join the burgeoning Washington winery world. It is their intention to produce some of Washington's most sought after wines. "Charles, Mark and Tom Hedges all were instrumental in helping us gain entry into this extremely exciting and intense industry. The Washington wine scene is exploding and we are proud to be smack dab in the middle of it," says Sparkman. After many years as a wildlife biologist in Alaska, California, and Wyoming and veterinary technician in Seattle, Kelly has embraced life as winery owner and mother of two. A longtime fine dining professional, Christian has worked in the nation's best restaurants, including Commander's Palace in New Orleans, Michael's in Santa Monica, The Orangery in Knoxville, Tn., and Olives in Washington D.C. Sparkman, avid supporter of the Washington wine industry in his current role as general manager and wine director at Seattle's Waterfront Seafood Grill, has had Wine Spectator award ten of his wine lists with the International Award of Excellence. In 1992 he was inducted as Chevalier into Le Croix de Bourgogne, and in 2004 he gained status as sommelier, as recognized by The Court of Master Sommeliers. This year's release consists of 380 cases: 2005 Lumière Chardonnay ($35, 93 cases) 100% Chardonnay from Stillwater Creek Vineyard, Columbia Valley 2004 Stella Mae Syrah ($40, 127 cases) From Hedges Family Estate, Bel' Villa Vineyard, Red Mountain 2004 Ruby Leigh Bordeaux Blend ($40, 135 cases) Merlot (44%), Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), and Cabernet Franc (16%) from Hedges Family Estate Vineyard and Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, Red Mountain 2004 The Outlaw Merlot ($50, 25 cases) From Hedges Family Estate Vineyard, North Block, Red Mountain When asked why they chose their fruit from Red Mountain, Sparkman commented, "We like the structure and ageworthy brawn of Red Mountain fruit. Ciel du Cheval reminds me of the Rolling Stones, kinda wild and rebellious, Hedges is like the Moody Blues, more elegant and ethereal. This year we'll add Klipson Vineyard, which is more like Led Zeppelin. Put all these on stage in one bottle. Think about that concert!" Very Cool. Red Mt is a favorite area of our's. Hedges has been making great blends for quite a few years. This year, I believe Charlie Hoppes (NW premier winemaker) will open a tasting room for Fidelitas on Red Mt. This is his own winery although he continues to make wine for quite a few other winery owners. Some other Red Mt wineries include Terra Blanca (makes good wine, including a great "Onyx" blend but has gotten a bit touristy), Seth Ryan, Tapteil, Kiona, etc. Our last few trips to eastern Washington have started at Red Mt and then we head east to Walla Walla and hit some great Cabs and Syrahs. Makes for a good long weekend trip. Until recently, we were avoiding the Yakima Valley wineries as I think their quality has gone down quite a bit. However, last year a couple new wineries opened which brought us back: Sheridan (great "L'orange" blend among other quality wines) and Aggett Field which produces 2 wines, a syrah and a red table (bordeaux style) blend; both of which are worth a purchase. Since moving to Portland, we don't head over there as often with the Willamette so close but we'll be headed back up there President's Day weekend per tradition. Actually, quite a few Willamette wineries get grapes from the Columbia Valley and Red Mt for non-pinot wines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detlef Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Do you know Perry Bishop of Bishop Wine Distributing? He's an old roommate of mine who represents Beune Imports (primarily Burgundy and other French stuff) but also some Oregon wineries. I last visited in 01, by now he might have bigger role in the local juice. At any rate, he's got a really good palette, so I'd trust anything yu see of his. That said, he tends towards more elegantly styled wines rather than big and juicy. When we were there, he took us to this winebar on Broadway(?) that essentially served nothing but Oregon wines. I'm sure you know of this place? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seattle LawDawg Posted October 12, 2006 Author Share Posted October 12, 2006 Do you know Perry Bishop of Bishop Wine Distributing? He's an old roommate of mine who represents Beune Imports (primarily Burgundy and other French stuff) but also some Oregon wineries. I last visited in 01, by now he might have bigger role in the local juice. At any rate, he's got a really good palette, so I'd trust anything yu see of his. That said, he tends towards more elegantly styled wines rather than big and juicy. When we were there, he took us to this winebar on Broadway(?) that essentially served nothing but Oregon wines. I'm sure you know of this place? Thats where I was drinking last night....and every Wednesday evening. It has a very unique name: "Wines on Broadway". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Thats where I was drinking last night....and every Wednesday evening. It has a very unique name: "Wines on Broadway". I really need to setup a tab with you and just have you start shipping me wine. I can barely remember what I did an hour ago much less all of the wines you recommend from that area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seattle LawDawg Posted October 13, 2006 Author Share Posted October 13, 2006 I really need to setup a tab with you and just have you start shipping me wine. I can barely remember what I did an hour ago much less all of the wines you recommend from that area. Or just get on expedia.com, get a plane ticket out here and we'll drink until we the valley runs out of wine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Or just get on expedia.com, get a plane ticket out here and we'll drink until we the valley runs out of wine. That's almost too easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaP'N GRuNGe Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Or just get on expedia.com, get a plane ticket out here and we'll drink until we the valley runs out of wine. So which of you will play Paul Giamatti's character and which Thomas Haden Church's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 So which of you will play Paul Giamatti's character and which Thomas Haden Church's? I'd probably be Thomas Haden Church. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seattle LawDawg Posted October 24, 2006 Author Share Posted October 24, 2006 I'd probably be Thomas Haden Church. Yeah, I can't even disagree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Yeah, I can't even disagree. I figured as much, not so much his knowledge of wine but his overall character. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seattle LawDawg Posted October 24, 2006 Author Share Posted October 24, 2006 I figured as much, not so much his knowledge of wine but his overall character. I'd definitely be the first one to hit a golf ball into the group ahead of us though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seattle LawDawg Posted November 2, 2006 Author Share Posted November 2, 2006 This year, I believe Charlie Hoppes (NW premier winemaker) will open a tasting room for Fidelitas on Red Mt. This is his own winery although he continues to make wine for quite a few other winery owners. Some other Red Mt wineries include Terra Blanca (makes good wine, including a great "Onyx" blend but has gotten a bit touristy), Seth Ryan, Tapteil, Kiona, etc. Well, another Wednesday evening has passed. Tonight, typical cold, wet Portland weather showed up and we moved from Pinots to Cabs by drinking a couple bottles of 2003 Fidelitas Cab. This is Hoppes' initial Cab from his own venture and he didn't disappoint at all. This cab, although young, is showing a lot of potential. Great balance of fruit and earth with a little wood up front. A nice leather & tobacco follow the big currant and cherry fruit. Definitely worth a drink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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