William Pollard Jr | aka: Wild 4 Washington Wine

Old dogs can learn new tricks. In another life, prior to the quarantine… we were discussing hosting a sweet Italian wine tasting. One of the wines I wanted to showcase was Moscato. Moscato is a slightly sparkling (frizzante) white wine made from the Moscato Bianco grape. One of the reasons I wanted to feature this wine, is because I do not drink Moscato. Seemed like a good enough reason.  2022 Pitulè, Moscato d’Asti DOCG Recently, I was tempted by the invitation to review a sample of a Moscato d’Asti DOCG. Moscato? My wine writing had been winding down prior to the pandemic, post pandemic I have become recalcitrant, reluctant, less eager to write. After some thought, "Do I still want to write about wine?" I bit. Yes, please send a sample for review. So happy I did.  FYI : Moscato/Muscat grapes are regarded as the oldest grape variety still in production. Because people enjoy sweet. Me too. The sample wine I received: 2022 Tenuta Neirano, Pitulè, Moscato d’Asti DOCG, 100% Mosc...

Another perfect wine and food pairing. Part of the discussion I have with guests, is how palates change over time. Mine certainly has. This year I've noticed that once again, I am enjoying Rosé more and more. I also share with my guests that a good food pairing will elevate both the food and the wine. Alone they are good, but enjoyed together, they can be so much more. Today I am sharing how well I enjoyed the Origium 2016 Garnacha Rosé by Bodegas San Valero . It was good, but was especially enjoyable with food. And it reinforced my viewpoint about elevated wine and food pairings. So very pleased with this wine and the dinner I prepared. Cariñena is the second Denomination of Origin (D.O.) of Spain. The regional capital, Zaragoza, is halfway between Madrid and Barcelona and just two hours from France. The climate is continental, Grenache, Tempranillo, and Macabeo are the predominant varieties grown, along with the indigenous Cariñena variety. Also grown are Merlot, ...

Oh mama...fantastic wine. My Pinot Noir drinkers often ask for recommendations of Oregon wines. Well, now added to my Strongly Recommended list is this Knudsen Vineyards 2015 Pinot Noir Estate Reserve, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon. It rocked! This wine came from their estate vineyard. Specifically, Block 1, Block 5 and Block 6, all French Dijon clone 777. Block 1 is the youngest part of the vineyard, planted in 2006 at a higher elevation of 755-840 feet, it provided added brightness, freshness and aromatic expression. 2015 was an extraordinary vintage. Growing conditions produced a stunning Pinot Noir from Knudsen Vineyards . Bud break was a month earlier than normal, with early warm weather. The growing season tapered off to normal by September, providing a break from the heat and the development of balanced, concentrated fruit for harvest. And it shows in this beautiful wine. Tasting Notes Color : Clear rim, pale ruby. Nose : Soft, strawberry skin, low ...

You seldom encounter an Oregon Pinot Noir of this quality at this price.  "I’ve missed you Oregon Pinot Noir." I am strongly recommending the Real Nice Winemakers 2015 Black Magnolia Pinot Noir. My Pinot Noir drinkers will instantly appreciate this wine. And speaking to you non-Pinot Noir drinkers, this wine is the perfect excuse to try again. It is well crafted and priced reasonably. You can afford to give it a taste. I think you will be as pleased as I was. "Wow. Very good. Ready to drink. Big like." Tasting Notes Black Magnolia 2015 Pinot Noir Color : Pale ruby, clear rim. Nose : Medium intensity, earthy raspberry, savory spice, blackcurrant, strawberry jam. Pretty. Palate :  Medium body, fruity, bright red cherry, ripe strawberry, creamy, medium plus acidity, dry, pretty medium finish. Well done. 30 minutes : Medium ruby color. Tobacco leaf, candied fruit, ripe raspberry, perfume on the nose. Fluid, medium minus body, cranberry, cherry, str...

Drink now, thank me later. Have I shared how well I like Lodi wines? Well, yes I have. In 2016, I enjoyed visiting Lodi, California wine country and wrote about the wines I enjoyed and the friendly, passionate people I met in northern California wine country. "There is another California wine country destination worth discovering. It is not over-priced, it is not crowded and it is full of local charm and flavors. This is your opportunity to experience small town California wine country before everyone else."  see:  Lodi, California re-discover wine country and Wines of Lodi, California . Now that spring is transitioning to summer, and the digits are counting upwards, it feels like Rosé wine season to me. This time of year many wineries are releasing their Rosé wines just in time for Mothers Day. Or just because. The Klinker Brick 2017 Bricks and Roses Rosé is my style of Rosé. A blend of Rhone grape varieties, it was dry, crisp, focused, and...

My second experience with Loveblock Pinot Noir. Above the snow capped mountains of Central Otago, on the Bendigo Loop Road, lies a small Pinot Noir vineyard named " Someone's Darling. " Loveblock farms and grows these grapes in accordance with Organic Certification standards, Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand principles and low chemical intervention. Kim and Erica Crawford founded Loveblock wines . They tend to go by their first names when promoting Loveblock to avoid confusion with the well known company they sold and are no longer involved with - Kim Crawford. Loveblock is their return to the New Zealand wine industry. Erica is the founder and CEO and her husband Kim is the winemaker. Riedel stemware to properly show this New Zealand Pinot Noir. Tasting Notes Color : Medium ruby. Nose : Medium minus intensity, red fruit, sour, earthy, raspberry, smoke. Palate : Medium intensity, very dry, medium plus tannin, medium body, smokiness, dried raspberries...

Big bang for the buck here friends. Master winemaker Rob Griffin brought out the big guns for this wine;  Counoise, Cinsault, Durif,  Grenache, and Mourvedre. This is no ordinary Washington wine. One of my favorite jobs was working for the family owned Barnard Griffin Winery . Hand-selling wine, meeting and greeting visitors from around the world and sharing stories of Washington wine. These were some of my best experiences. Period. It also pushed me to learn more about wine. I strongly recommend seeking out the Barnard Griffin 2013 Cotes du Rob. Tasting Notes 2013 Cotes du Rob Red Wine Barnard Griffin Winery Color : Plum, cranberry highlights. Nose : Engaging, cranberry, pomegranate, breath of fresh earth, orange peel, graphite. Palate : Pleasant weight, bright, red berry flavors, dusted with light spice, electric on the tongue, modest spicy finish. Shy, friendly opening. 15 minutes : Soft berry and spice on the nose, a touch of armpit odeur. Très European....

A wonderful wine for elevating your holiday celebrations and meals. I distinctly remember my Pinot Noir "ah ha!" moment in April 2012. That particular wine epiphany led to a new appreciation and understanding of the Pinot Noir variety. Washington grape growers cultivate many, many premium grape varieties - Pinot Noir is not one of them. “There's a reason people drink Oregon Pinot Noir.” By embracing a world of wine outside of Washington, I finally gained an appreciation for one of the most sought after wines - Pinot Noir, especially Oregon Pinot Noir. Oregon produces truly stunning Pinot Noir. The Archery Summit 2013 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir is one of those wonderful wines from Oregon for elevating your holiday celebrations and meals. Strongly Recommended . Tasting Notes Color : Pale, clear ruby. Nose : Earthy strawberry and raspberry skin, orange peel, floral. Palate : Juicy strawberry/raspberry, orange pith, focused to middle, tingly edged, tasty me...

"A true Washington original." Gordon Estate is located in the heart of the Columbia Valley in Washington State. They are the oldest estate winery in Washington state and use only estate-grown grapes in making their hand-crafted Washington wines. In 1985, Jeff Gordon released his first small lot of Chardonnay wine produced from their estate vines. View of the Snake River from Gordon Estate winery. Gordon Estate, previously known as "Gordon Brothers," has been served at my table for over 25 years. I encourage you to discover the wines of Gordon Estate. A true Washington original. This is a well executed wine which satisfied my Chardonnay craving. Fresh, new world style with minimal oak. My speed. Grab an extra bottle if you have to share. $14.99 Gordon Estate 2014 Chardonnay – Gordon Estate, Pasco, WA. Strongly Recommended. Tasting Notes Color : Gold. Nose : Oh yeah. Terrific hit of Chardonnay, yeasty, nutty, with ginger, pear, fresh....

Just released 21 October 2015 At first taste I knew this would be a "Wine of the Week." Kudos to Josh and Amy Stottlemeyer for producing such an exceptional Washington Malbec. Expect more reviews of Stottle Winery soon. Stottle Winery and main tasting room is located in Lacey, Washington just off I-5 and north of the state capital, Olympia. Thoughts: Ready to drink now. Wonderful with food. Well done. Decanting for an hour showed the elegance and depth of this wine. Don't wait too long to purchase this vintage. Only 110 cases were produced. Strongly Recommended + Wine of the Week . ~.~ Tasting Notes Stottle Winery 2012 Malbec Elerding 6 Prong Vineyards Color: Dark purple. Nose: Candied plum, baking spice, clove, grape bubble yum in background. Palate: Spiced plum, berry spice, chocolate, focused to middle, medium body, cherry on the finish. Tasty at open and ready to go. Enjoyed the finish. After 15 minutes: Savory berry, sandal wood, spice. Wo...

Time for Red Mountain Syrah!  Many of my recent posts have focused on white and rose' wines. It's been two weeks of triple digit weather in SE Washington, so I have favored chilled wines. I am ready for a break from the heat. As much as I enjoy chilled white and pink wines in the summer, I still crave red wine, especially once the sun dips near the horizon. One of my favorite varieties is Syrah, Washington Syrah and Red Mountain Syrah. In that order. There's a quality and complexity to Red Mountain wines which titillates and gratifies the senses. This bottle of Kiona Vineyards and Winery 2012 Red Mountain Syrah did not disappoint. A worthwhile Wine of the Week. Tasting Notes Kiona 2012 Red Mountain Syrah Color : Bright Garnet. Nose : Violets, dark notes in background, soft soil, candied. Palate : Round, blue fruit focused to front, dry on the gums, tingle back of mouth, a little heat on the flavorful light finish. After 15 minutes : Broad nose, sarsaparilla...

Öküzgözü is one of Turkey’s five most import native grapes.  *Turkish Wine FAQ : It seems appropriate to add this FAQ to the top of this post. New to you varieties from different countries and producers merit clarification. Diren is the winery. Öküzgözü is the grape. Öküzgözü translates as the eye of the bull.  Derives its name from the fact that the fruit has large, black berries that resemble a bull’s eye.  Pronunciation of "Öküzgözü" is similar to: "Oh! + couscous + zoo"  Öküzgözü grape produces light/medium style wines. Often compared to Beaujolais wines. It can be served chilled. Native Turkish varietals include: Öküzgözü , Kalecik, Karasi, Bogazkere, Emir and Narince (first 3 red, last 2 white). These are the five most important native Turkish grapes. Turkey has 800+ indigenous grape varieties - it may be a founder nation for grape domestication around 7,000 years ago. During the long period of the Ottoman Empi...