Woodinville is a small town just about a 30 minute drive northeast of Seattle. We went there this past Monday to do some wine tasting. Jenise had already given me some suggestions on the best wineries to visit. Since most of the wineries grow their grapes and make their wine in eastern Washington, most of the wine tasting places in Woodinville are just tasting rooms and some wineries share rooms. Of the three tasting rooms I went to, only one was a true winery: Januik/Novelty Hill. Same winemaker for both wineries, but they are different companies.
Januik/Novelty Hill
Januik 2010 Riesling
Pale yellow with a light nose of citrus and peach with a slight hint of petrol. A touch of nice sweetness on the midpalate followed by a burst of acidity and then a tingly fruit finish. Nice riesling and I bought one bottle.
Novelty Hill 2010 Sauvignon Blanc
Pale, pale yellow. Oaky citrus nose (like fumee blanc). Nice midpalate with sparkling acidity on entry and oaky citrus. Nice medium finish of sharp lemon juice.
Januik 2010 Cold Creek Chardonnay
Pale yellow. Oak and mango on the nose. Midpalate is light oak with white fruit, especially peach, balancing acidity and minerals. Good finish with creamy acidity. Nice Chardonnay.
Novelty Hill 2007 Royal Slope Red
Rich ruby red. Cassis, plum and some rhubarb on the nose. Nice midpalate with red fruits, smooth tannins, balancing acidity, and a bit of green pepper. Medium to long fruit finish. Good sipper.
Novelty Hill 2009 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Nice crimson red. Oaky nose with some dark fruit coming through. Nice smooth midpalate of red fruits and blackberries with smooth tannins and juicy acidity with just a hint of green tannins. Medium to long finish of tingly dark fruit.
Januik 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia River Valley
Ruby red. Immediate impression of cassis on the nose with other dark fruits. Midpalate is blackberry with nice juicy acidity and grippy but smooth and ripe tannins. Medium to long finish of dark fruit and acidity. Nice cab. I bought one.
DeLille Winery
2010 Doyenne Rousanne
Straw yellow. Rich nose of light nuts (almonds or hazelnuts) and oak with a hint of peach. Rich midpalate of meaty nuts, stone fruits like peaches and apricots, great acidity and balance. Long luxurious finish of nutty peaches. Excellent wine and one of my top 10 white wines ever. I bought 3 bottles. Took one back with me and had it with panseared scallops cooked in bacon. Excellent match with the nuttiness in the wine matching up with the bacon and the fruit with the scallops.
2009 Doyenne Aix- Red blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mouvedre.
Deep purple red. Rich nose of blackberries and black raspberries. Midpalate has silky tannins with dark fruits and juicy acidity. Great balance. Nice medium to long finish of blackberries and smooth but powerful tannins. I bought 3 bottles of this wine.
2008 Doyenne Syrah – Northern rhone type syrah with 2% vigonier.
Deep purple red color. Huge nose of blackberries and a hint of pepper. Rich midpalate of dark fruit with dewberries and black raspberries predominating, silky tannins and balancing acidity. Great balance. Bought 2 bottles.
2009 D2 Classic Bordeaux blend
Deep ruby red. Cassis on the nose with some plum. Rich midpalate of cassis and dark fruit, superbly smooth tannins and juicy acidity. Long finish of dark fruit. Well balanced wine. Bought 2 bottles.
Part 2 will have the 3 remaining wines from DeLille and tasting notes for Amiva and Pepperbridge wines.
