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Lauren Ashton Cellars 2011 Cuvée Méline - Review @LaurenAshton_WA

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It's always a pleasure to discover a new to me Washington wine. Today, at 860 licensed and bonded Washington wineries, it is difficult for me to keep up, let alone attempt to review all their wines. Thankfully, some of those wineries reach out, introduce themselves and ask me to try their wines and review them if I like them.

Lauren Ashton Cellars, a Washington winery established in 2009, sent me this sample of their 2011 Cuvée Méline white wine. I was impressed.

Winemaker Kit Singh named his Woodinville winery after his two children, Ashley Lauren and Ashton Troy. The sophisticated labels on his wines have images reflecting his wife's European and Estonian heritage and culture. With a background in Chemistry, and a DDS, he studied viticulture and enology in Seattle and at UC Davis. He interned at DeLille Cellars in Woodinville and taught wine science at South Seattle Community College.

Cuvée Méline Tasting Notes

Lovely blend of my two favorite white varieties, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. This is a dry white wine with serious qualities.

Color: Straw with green highlights.
Nose: Round and toasty with vanilla, peach skin, kiwi and slate.
Palate: Honeyed, bright on the tongue, a lot of fruit initially with a dry your tongue slate finish. Lingering notes of peach, kiwi and green apple.

Day two: Wow! The peach was more present on the nose and palate with that fantastic dry, slate finish. Dry peach lingered amicably. Well done.

Thoughts: The Cuvée Méline is a classy white wine, perfect for pairing with raw oysters, sashimi, lobster and fried battered halibut. On day two I would enjoy this wine with the softest cheese, crusty bread dipped in olive oil and dried fruit. Respect the look of the label as it correctly denotes the quality of the wine in the bottle. Strongly recommended.

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Inspired by the wines of Europe and California, Mr. Singh has impressed with his 2011 Cuvée Méline.  I look forward to sampling the rest of the wines he crafts in Woodinville, Washington, where he is assuredly inspiring a new generation of winemakers.

AVA: Columbia Valley
Blend: 83% Sauvignon Blanc, 17% Semillon
Closure: Natural cork
ABV: 13.4%
SRP: $28
Sample provided by the winery

Lauren Ashton Cellars
Tasting Room
14545 148th Ave NE
Suite  211
Woodiville, Wa 98072

Phone: 206-504-8546
www.laurenashtoncellars.com
@LaurenAshton_WA

Cheers!
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