William Pollard Jr | aka: Wild 4 Washington Wine

Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Happiness My wife gifted me with this bottle last week - just because I’ve been a good husband - a trend I hope to continue. I don’t know where she bought it, or how much she paid (it is a gift). I enjoyed every bit of this wine. Earthy aromas hit you after you pull the cork - wait, let it breathe. This wine has a gorgeous color, to me it looked smoky-ruby in the glass. I’m reviewing this wine on day two, and I’m very pleased with how the wine has changed from day one (day one was mostly fresh Bing cherry and tartness). There's ripe cherry, vanilla, leather, spice with a hint of toasted coconut underneath the nose. Dry Bing cherry, vanilla in the mouth, very smooth, and a bit of plum tartness - good mouth feel, medium body. This is a sunset wine or sipping wine. It does not have the aggressiveness needed for food, it’s just too dainty - and a bit sophisticated. I really like this Kiona wine, and it puts me in the mood for more Cabernet Sauvignon. Th...

Kiona 2006 Zinfandel This time of year, our SE Washington days are pleasantly warm with enchanting cool evenings. This makes for the perfect time of year to enjoy our Washington wines. If you are in the area, take in a desert sunset with friends and Washington wine - a real treat. Lucky me, I was gifted with a bottle of Kiona 2006 Zinfandel. I've been a fan of their Lemberger for two decades, so I was intrigued by this Zin. Of note on the back of the bottle: the fruit is harvested from their vineyards on top of Red Moutain! Certainly news to me. Kiona is one of the oldest wineries on Red Mountain. Tasting notes: Bright garnet color, very clear and clean. Nose: Ripe blackberry, with subtle pepper a hint of violets - and a whiff of cellery (subtle). Taste: In the mouth good feel, cooked fruit, tar, bright. Finish: With 13.5% alcohol it does not have the heat of other Washington reds - so you can savor the flavor. Good acidity is moderated with the perfect amount of medium tanin, and...

Last weekend I attended the 7th Perfect Harmony, fine wine auction & dinner benefitting the Mid-Columbia Symphony . This annual event is presented by the Tri-Cities Wine Society. Master of Ceremonies again was Pete Hedges of Hedges Winery - great job Pete. This was my 5th or 6th time attending this event - and it did not disappoint. A fantastic combination of great wines and food, live music by members of the symphony and an opportunity to take home some rare library wines. Once again, the event was held at Meadow Springs Country Club in South Richland. This is a beautiful facility, and a perfect venue for the event.  Service is always excellent. The wait staff was very polished and attentive. Empty glass? They bring another. With a glass of sparkling wine in hand, I perused the silent auction. The silent auction consisted of many donated items: hand-crafted ceramic art, metal sculpture, oil paintings, glass art, wood art, wine baskets, wine tastings and more, every year...