If your travels take you to the Pacific Northwest and the Seattle area, a trip to nearby Woodinville and Chateau St. Michelle is a must. I first set foot on the wooded 87 acre property during a festive jazz concert some 8 years ago and enjoyed their Cabinet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, the staples of the wine industry at that time.
Recently, Chateau St. Michelle was the favored winery at the elite Orange County Pacific Symphony Wine Festival at the five diamond Island Resort Hotel in Newport Beach. It was a choice event for just 300 guests, all that were allowed for this intimate setting.
Kyle Twitchell, the winery’s rep, poured the 2007 Eroica Riesling, the 2005 Artist Series Bordeaux and the 2005 Col Solare, all of which we have mentioned in previous columns as excellence in a bottle and a prime example of the exclusive flavors of Washington state.
Chateaux St. Michelle began making wine in 1934, the oldest winery in Washington, with grape growing in the eastern Washington Columbia Valley. The state is now the 2nd largest producer in the U.S. but still far behind California in number of wineries and acreage grown. It produces more than 20 grape varietals, about 44% red and 56% white.
Cabernet Sauvignon barely edges out Merlot as the state’s most frequently offered red. The long hot summer days in the shortened growing season, along colder nights, contribute to a superior growing ground for Cab and its big, heady bouquet and fruity character.
Kyle Twitchell of Chateau St. Michelle offers a 2007 Artist Series wine to guests at the Pacific Symphony Wine Festival. None is a more stunning example than the 2005 Col Solare which in Italian means “shining hill”. An unusually cool harvest gave the grape longer hang time and matured the fruit for intense sugar development. A blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, a partnership of Tuscany’s Marchese Antinori and 26 month aging, created a unanimity of mission and purpose: the most excellent wine ever to come out of Chateau St. Michelle.
The next Pacific Symphony grand tasting experience will be Saturday August 1. For ticket pricing and more information, visit www.PacificSymphony.org or call 714-876-2363.
Value Wines of the Month
• Chateau St. Jean, Sonoma, Pinot Noir 2006. $14. This wine is from Carneros and Russian River Valley growing grounds, Pinot Noir country in California. Lush cherry flavor envelopes the palate with an easy-feeling finish
• Colle Maggio, Italy, Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2005. $18. This red grape varietal is causing a stir for fans of luscious central Italian wines. This new kid in town is making some forget about Sangiovese.
• La Cereza, Temecula, Viognier 2007. $24.95. Pronounce it anyway you want, but call it the next big tasting white to eventually compete with Chardonnay. This one wins gold this year at the Pacific Rim competition with its tropical taste of ripe apricots and peach.
• Montes Alpha, Chile, Syrah 2006. $15. Benchmark for Chilean wines, premium wine without the premium price. Mountain vineyards give it a taste-now model of a French Rhone varietal.
• Pedroncelli, Dry Creek Sonoma, Zinfandel 2006. $18. Consistent quality from three generations of Pedroncellis. Jammy concentrated fruit sets the table for a structured, full mouth-feel. Pass the cheese pizza!
Wine Bytes
Firefly Grill and Wine Bar in Encinitas innovates its new Small Plates Menu and Wine Flight of the Night, served nightly in the bar. Menu items get down to half price during happy hours 4:30 to 6:30pm. Items like Tapas Trio and Sauteed Jumbo Shrimp are sure to please. Wine Flights are also half price during happy hours. Details at 760-635-1066.
Roll Out the Barrel, a great event produced by Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas, returns Sat. May 6 on location at Humphrey’s at Shelter Island San Diego from 5 to 8pm. It benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation. 456 wineries, live auction and concert included. Call 858-707-9474 for details.
Wine Vault & Bistro in San Diego’s Little Italy on India Street will present a Tablas Creek wine dinner on Tues. May 19, 6:30 to 9:30pm. A full 7 course dinner and great wines from the Paso Robles area for just $47.50. Call 619-295-3939 for your RSVP.
Wine Styles in Encinitas is uncorking something special on Wed. May 20. From 6 to 8pm, enjoy Italian Food and Wine with 6 wines paired with appetizers and desserts. $25. pp. RSVP at 760-633-0057.
Thurs. May 21 from 5:30 to 7pm, Holiday Wine Cellar welcomes winemaker Ryan Hill from Napa’s Hill Family Estate, who will be pouring his best. Cost is $15. and you can get details at 760-745-1200.
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