Kiona 2010 Lemberger - Wine of the Week @KionaWine

Familiarity can induce neglect.

This is one of the first red wines I drank on a regular basis twenty + years ago. With the growth of local and regional wineries, I have to admit that my focus has strayed elsewhere. I am guilty of ignoring one of my first favorite Red Mountain red wines. My loss.

As October winds down thoughts of the coming holidays and holiday festivities are on my mind. This is also the season when friends and family ask me for wine recommendations. It's my pleasure today to recommend the 2010 Kiona Lemberger. I thoroughly enjoyed it over two days and smiled at the price I paid. Take this wine to the next party and your friends will be impressed at your good taste.

Lemberger?

Kiona Vineyards was the first winery in the United States to produce Lemberger back in 1980. Lemberger is a relatively obscure Eastern European grape that is sometimes known as Blaufränkisch. The vine grows exceedingly well on Red Mountain. Thirty years of working with the variety is proven by the quality of the the Kiona Lemberger.

Tasting Notes

Color: Clear garnet
Nose: Comforting, dark cherry, plum, rose, tar, black licorice, dark chocolate.
Palate: Big, mouth filling, dry cherry, edged with tar, plum, and dry sage, a lot of fruit front palate, acid on the gums. Very consistent over the first hour, the acid and tannin integrated well and expressed a plush palate with a long finish. A good match to the savory dinner of slow cooked steak with carrots, celery and mushrooms.

Day two: Earthy cocoa, currant, cigar box on the nose. Candy cherry on palate, not sweet, dry but with that candied intensity. Smooth drinking, still dry on the gums, fine tannin, luxurious mouth feel, medium light body. If I didn't know better I would have guessed Cabernet Sauvignon. Skip the food, on day two this wine screamed drink me.

Thoughts: The Kiona Lemberger was very good at opening and a good companion to the dinner I prepared. If you have wine leftover, you will absolutely enjoy it the next day. Drink today and over the next 5 years. Strongly Recommended.

Suggestion: The 2010 Kiona Lemberger is a great choice for stocking up your wine cellar. Stash away a case of this wine and open a bottle every 6 months over the next 6 years. You can thank me later for introducing you to a wonderful friend. Huge bang for the buck.

Winemakers: Scott Williams and Glen Fukuyama
AVA: Red Mountain
Estate bottled
Closure: Nomacorc
ABV: 13.5%
Paid: $11.80

Kiona Vineyards and Winery
44612 N Sunset Rd
Benton City WA 99320

Phone (Office) 509.588.6716
www.kionawine.com

Cheers!

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