William Pollard Jr | aka: Wild 4 Washington Wine

àMaurice Cellars 2009 Malbec - decanted. Washington's Best Malbec. Two weeks a go I visited family on Bainbridge Island. Bainbridge Island is a 30 minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle. I had not visited with my cousin José in three years. To celebrate the occasion I brought a special bottle of wine...àMaurice Cellars 2009 Malbec. This May I was in Walla Walla for Spring Release weekend. It's the weekend when Walla Walla Wineries celebrate the season and showcase new releases by opening their tasting rooms. While I stopped at several wineries, one of the wineries I visited was àMaurice Cellars - whose winemaker is Anna Schafer. This was my first time at the Walla Walla winery, but not the first time I had met the winemaker. My first meeting with Anna Schafer was at the 2007 Washington Wine Country Grand Gala in Yakima, Washington. Winemaker Anna Schafer in the tasting room. In 2007 I wrote, "These are not lazy, rural wines - but big, expressive urban wi...

Today I will be writing to catch up on all the delicious wine I experienced this weekend. Briefly, this is what went down. Checking the glasses before I begin pouring. Friday – AntoLin Cellars Sensory Tasting I conducted a private wine tasting and sensory class lunch, featuring AntoLin Cellars Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon. Review soon. Ed Luebben at the Wine Incubators. Saturday – Walla Walla Spring Barrel Tasting Went Walla Walla wine tasting with my friend, winery Architect Edward Luebben. We visited Leonetti Cellars, Corvus Cellars, Cavu Cellars, aMaurice Cellars and Garrison Creek Cellars. Review soon. Virtual tasting at L'Ecole Winery - it was an actual tasting for us. Sunday- L'Ecole 41 Perigee Vertical Tasting My friend Ben Simons, wine blogger at Vinotology.com , joined me for a vertical tasting at L'Ecole No 41 . This was a virtual and an actual tasting at the winery. They poured from their library the 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 20...

Taste Washington! 2012 Recommended Wines . I first met àMaurice Cellars winemaker Anna Schafer at the 2007 Washington Wine Country Grand Gala in Yakima, Washington.  Saturday, I had a chance to meet Ms. Schafer again. In 2007 I wrote, " These are not lazy, rural wines - but big, expressive urban wines, deserving of sunsets reflected off skyscrapers, fine meals in intimate settings and perfect for entertaining your cherished friends." Her intelligence, passion and focus still shine. It was great to see you again Anna. Winemaker Anna Schafer, sorry the photo is out of focus   All four wines she poured for me were very good, two of them were exceptional. Don't put off a trip to Walla Walla, you want to visit this winery. The Wines Viognier - Lovely, crisp fruit finish. Recommended. * Favorite: 2008 Columbia Valley Chardonnay – Loveliness... 100% Chardonnay, 314 cases produced, $28 retail. Winery notes . 2009 Syrah - Lovely, big, tasty. Recommended. * F...

Accused of Romanticizing Wine L ast week I met with a member of the wine industry. It was pointed out to me that I “romanticize wine”. This comment has fixed in my head, so I’m writing about it to purge it from my thoughts. Today, I looked up the definition of the word romantic ; the two definitions of “romantic” which could be applied to this observation include: 1. fanciful; impractical; unrealistic: romantic ideas. 2. imbued with or dominated by idealism, a desire for adventure,chivalry, etc. W ow. Is that what was meant? Are my views truly “fanciful”, “impractical” and “unrealistic”?  Yes, I do appreciate the story of wine, the presentation of wine and how great the wine experience can be – especially if the wine is really good. My attitude towards and my characterization of a "good wine" are admittedly influenced by the personality and passion of the winemaker. A n apt example of this, “romanticism” is my review of  àMaurice Cellars wine maker, Anna Schafer ...

Write that name down and remember it - Anna Schafer. How many of you know that earlier this year the 500th winery was bonded in Washington State? Some 200 wineries opened their doors in the last three years alone. As passionate as I am about wine, Washington wine, I am a creature of habit. Yes, I do tend to drink the wines I know. Well, guess what? This weekend I was bumped off my comfortable log in Yakima , Washington . Saturday I poured at the 2007 Washington Wine Country Grand Gala in Yakima , Washington . A truly deluxe fundraiser for Washington Wine Country. I was unexpectedly paired with Anna Schafer. Anna Schafer is the co-winemaker for her family owned àMaurice Cellars in Walla Walla , Washington . She my friends is the future of Washington wine. Did you write down her name? You should. Pouring with Anna Schafer I was fortunate to enjoy an hour in the company of an intelligent, serious and passionate Washington winemaker. She's engaging, knowledgeable and managed ...