Tasting notes and comments from Woodinville trip on 11-14. Yeah, it’s been that long since I’ve updated this blog. What can I say? I’m hoping to do better in the New Year.
Isenhower - This is a new tasting room that dad and I were really happy to hear about. We’ve been fans of their wines (especially the Cab Franc, also called “The Roa
Maison Bleue - as mentioned, they share a space with Isenhower. I hadn’t heard of this winery at all until the joint tasting room opened up. They make a very nice Viognier and we also tried a nice Grenache. From what I read on their website, they concentrate on Rhone varieties. I look forward to tasting more of what they have to offer.
J Bookw
alter – Another great example of a tasting room opening up on this side of the mountains. Dad and I had been to their Richland location once (many years ago) but now that they’re local we’re there much more frequently. Their tasting room (also called a “tasting studio”) is really nice. It’s huge and is located next to Mark Ryan and Ross Andrew…a triple threat. The wines are very good and can be found in all price ranges. The Subplot and The Protagonist seemed to be everyone’s favorites on this trip. Oh, and the names of the wines have a literary theme which I think is great! Neat place all around.
Ross Andrew - As always, this was a great stop. Ross is as nice and as welcoming as can be. And his wines…wow. He had a new 
Cabernet/Syrah release that was great and almost got purchased by me…until I had his damn Cabernet. I buy his Cab every time I’m there, even when I go in thinking that I won’t; I can’t stay away from it! I also can’t keep them around the house and drink them as soon as I buy them. Seriously, this is one of my favorite Cabs right now. All the wines are stellar, but that Cab…
Adams Bench - What a nice treat to be able to visit them again! They aren’t open often but happened to be pouring today so we stopped by. Once again I loved the Myth – a Cab Franc/Merlot blend. All three wines were very good and I don’t believe I saw anyone leaving empty handed. Erica Blue (one of the owners) was pouring and really having a good time talking with everyone. As a result, she made it an enjoyable experience for everybody – it’s always contagious to be around people that love what they’re doing.
Pomum - This was his once a year release and a great time was had by all! The new release was “Tinto” which is a Tempranillo (80%) and Cabernet (20%) blend. 
Great wine! The other wines that were being poured were the Syrah and the Shya Red – a Bordeaux blend that I flip for. The music was good, the passed appetisers looked great (I was holding Vegas so we didn’t sample anything – much to his disappointment!) and everyone there seemed to be having a great time. In fact, I didn’t want to leave!
Hestia
– They were tasting the new Cabernet and the new Merlot, both were fantastic! The new Merlot is all bright fruit, very little tannins and absolutely wonderful! The Cabernet is young but drinking really well. Good fruit here too although (as expected with a Cab) a bit more tannins. I loved both and bought both. I don’t know that I’ve ever been here and not left with at least a couple bottles.
William Church - The latest release of Bishop’s Blend is here and it’s fantastic! We stopped by for a quick taste and to say hello to Margot (from Write for Wine) who 
was there talking to people about social media. William Church is one of the Woodinville wineries that is active on Facebook and Twitter. They’ve even incorporated a neat new contest. You’ll have to check them out to see what I’m talking about.
Patterson - We always look for an excuse to stop here. Sometimes we stop with no excuse at all. This time we could blame it on the Malbec. 
Patterson Cellars just released a 2006 Malbec and it’s fantastic! I’m not always wild about Malbec on its own so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m so glad I didn’t just pass it up thinking that I wouldn’t like it. I loved it – even bought a bottle! As usual, we loved the people there too.
Baer - Arctos release party and a super-duper sale on Ursa…of course we had to stop by! As is always true with Baer – everything was fantastic. 
The Ursa is consistently one of my favorite blends in Woodinville. The blend in the Arctos changes from year to year but is also very good. I like it best when it is Cabernet dominant, which it is again. And I can’t wait until they release their Cab Franc! They’ve never done a Cab Franc varietal and I’m betting that the wait is going to be well worth it.
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