FRESHPRESS. April 18, Arrowleaf balsamroot grows near Heaven s Cave Cellars in Washington s Horse Heaven Hills.

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1 FRESHPRESS April 18, 2012 Arrowleaf balsamroot grows near Heaven s Cave Cellars in Washington s Horse Heaven Hills. (Andy Perdue/ Wine Press Northwest) Fresh Press is a weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest magazine. In each edition, we review recently released wines from Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho. Feel free to forward to your wine-loving friends and family. For more information on our tasting methods and review process, please go to the last page.

2 Spotlight: Stag s Hollow Winery Sunnyslope Road, Caldwell, ID Twenty years ago, Larry Gerelus bought his vineyard in Canada s Okanagan Valley, but he continues to explore viticulture beyond British Columbia for Stag s Hollow Winery. A troublesome frost pocket in his Okanagan Falls vineyard led him to plant the early ripening Spanish grape Tempranillo, first brought to prominence in North America by Earl Jones winery in Roseburg, Ore. Early results at Stag s Hollow have invigorated Gerelus. I want to be the Abacela of the Okanagan, Gerelus said. I want to be unique, and I know it s important not only to do things differently but to do them well. Gerelus has a tradition of success, thanks in large part to Dwight Sick, whose winemaking led Wine Press Northwest to name Stag s Hollow our 2012 British Columbia Winery of the Year. Just as Abacela, Stag s Hollow has delicious track record with Syrah, including gold medals at the Northwest Wine Summit for the 2008 Syrah and best of class award for its rosé from Syrah. Given the success we ve had with it, I truly believe Syrah in the Okanagan Valley can show its identity in the world, Sick said. His skills go beyond Rhône varieties and his succulent and fun whites. Last year, he produced two Merlots worthy of our top rating of Outstanding! including the upper-tier 2009 Renaissance. The Heritage Block red blend from 2008 also was Outstanding! And despite two stressful vintages, Stag s Hollow boosted production from 6,500 cases in 2010 to 7,500 last year. The tasting room features 15 wines, and more are planned with 100 cases worth of Tempranillo in barrel. We ve got 1 acre already producing, with another 3 acres of Tempranillo being planted with three clones, Gerelus said. We re looking at Albariño and Dolcetto, too. This winter, Sick toured Abacela s Tempranillo plantings, and Jones made quite an impression. He is passionate to the point of almost being possessed about (Tempranillo), and I don t think he d deny that, Sick said. He s got that spark when he talks about it, which is a very admirable attribute. It s a three-prong operation at Stag s Hollow with Sick in the cellar, Gerelus in the vineyards and wife Linda Pruegger managing the business. Gerelus and Pruegger are refugees from the oil industry in Calgary, Alberta, where he managed pension and benefits programs, while she worked sales and transportation. Sick spent two decades in the airline industry before deciding to take winemaking classes. He arrived at Stag s Hollow in 2008 after working at Pentâge Wine Press Northwest s 2011 B.C. Winery of the Year. It s working for us, which is good because Larry and I probably see each other more than we do our wives, Sick said. Life is too short. You ve got to enjoy your job. It s unlikely you ll find a more physically fit winery team. Both owners are avid skiers, and Sick commutes from Penticton to the winery on his bicycle. I m looking forward to spring so I can stop riding the trainer, he said. I feel like a gerbil on an exercise wheel. The Corkscrew Trail he rides continues to grow in stature. Wild Goose Vineyards & Winery, our 2009 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year, shares a fence with Stag s Hollow. Nearby are the estate plantings for 8th Generation Vineyard our 2012 B.C. Winery to Watch and the cult Blue Mountain Vineyards. Those who know us will say when they hear of our award, Finally. It s about time they got some publicity, Gerelus said. But some of the locals still don t know that we even exist. They ask where I work and they ll ask, Is that a new winery? As word spreads, don t be surprised to see Stag s Hollow as Canada s first member of the Tempranillo Advocates Producers and Amigos Society (TAPAS). If they will let us, Gerelus said with a chuckle and perhaps with fingers crossed. Spotlight: Stag s Hollow Winery Excellent. Stag's Hollow Winery 2009 Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, $28. For more than a decade, we have admired Cabernet Francs from British Columbia. The Bordeaux variety is traditionally one of the last grapes in the Okanagan Valley (at least those not left hanging for ice wine). This example from Stag s Hollow is a beauty, with classic aromas of plums, cocoa powder, cranberries, cedar and a hint of tell-tale leafiness. On the palate, it reveals flavors of black cherries, black tea and high-toned red fruit, all backed with gorgeous acidity and modest tannins. (135 cases, 14% alc.) Excellent. Stag's Hollow Winery 2011 Syrah Rosé, Okanagan Valley, $19. This top Okanagan Valley winery blended 91% Syrah with Viognier and Muscat for a delicious and delightful rosé. This opens with

3 Spotlight: Stag s Hollow Winery aromas of fresh wild strawberries, rhubarb, rose petals, apricots and peaches, followed by inviting flavors of Rainier cherries, raspberries, strawberry jam and watermelon. This is bone dry and the perfect wine to enjoy all summer long around the grill. (200 cases, 13.1% alc.) Outstanding! Stag's Hollow Winery 2009 Renaissance Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, $28. Winemaker Dwight Sick continues to raise the quality and profile of this Okanagan Valley winery on the Corkscrew Trail near Okanagan Falls. This amazing Chardonnay opens with inviting and intriguing aromas of Lemonhead candy, lychee, jasmine and lanolin, followed by elegant flavors of tangelos, Mandarin oranges, lemon oil, payayas, kiwis and coconut. A bit of barrel comes out with a mild buttery note on the midpalate and finish, all backed with mouthwatering acidity. Enjoy this with butterflied scallops in a cream sauce. (90 cases, 14.2% alc.) Excellent. Stag's Hollow Winery 2010 GVM, Okanagan Valley, $28. Our 2012 British Columbia Winery of the Year is making its name with Rhône varieties, and here s a superb example of an unusual white wine, with two-thirds of the blend coming from Grenache and the rest Viognier and Marsanne, both white grapes. The wine offers intriguing aromas of lemons, sesame seeds, watermelon, bananas, lychee and kumquats, followed by pretty flavors of lemons and tropical fruits. It s a dry wine with a lovely line of minerality throughout. We would recommend this with scallops, raw oysters or linguine with a cream sauce. (94 cases, 13.6% alc.) Outstanding! Stag's Hollow Winery 2009 SHV Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, $25. Our newly crowned British Columbia Winery of the Year shows why it was our pick for the award with this stunning Pinot Noir. This wine from estate grapes uses the 667 and 115 Dijon clones, and the grapes were harvested Oct. 10, the same day an Arctic front came through the Northwest and frosted many of the regions grapevines. This opens with aromas of raspberries, vanilla, black currants, lime zest, minerality and a hint of smokiness. On the palate, it reveals flavors of raspberries, blood oranges, black tea and dark chocolate, all backed with juicy acidity and silky, sensual tannins. (13.8% alc.) New releases we ve tasted Cabernet Sauvignon Excellent. Gamache Vintners 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $28. Using grapes from vines they began planting 30 years ago, the Gamache brothers have a Cab that shows remarkable varietal character, with aromas of cedar, cherry, coffee and bell pepper, followed by delicious Old World aromas of black currants, crushed leaf, blackberries, cherries and dark chocolate. It is a beautiful wine on the palate. At nearly four years of age, this is reaching a level of maturity that is making it quite drinkable. (614 cases, 14.9% alc.) Recommended. Wild Goose Vineyards 2009 Kerry Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Okanagan Valley, $30. This estate vineyard designate red from Wild Goose is done in an Old World style with aromas of red curant, bell pepper and black olives, supported by flavors of pie cherry and cassis with delicious acidity. Its balance of acidity and managed tannins makes this more foodfriendly than many Northwest Cabs. (150 cases, 13.5% alc.) Merlot Excellent. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2009 Merlot, Okanagan Valley, $30. Not much north of the U.S.-Canadian border, Burrowing Owl has built a destination winery that is nothing short of remarkable. In addition to the winery and picturesque vineyards, Burrowing Owl has a 10-room guesthouse with stunning views of the southern Okanagan Valley and the Sonora Room Restaurant, which focuses on ingredients from the region s abundant providers of artisan cheeses, breads, fruits and vegetables. This Merlot is a perfect complement to the Burrowing Owl experience, with aromas of pie cherries, earthy oak, raspberries and sesame. On the palate, it is loaded with ripe fruit, including black currants and raspberries. Rhys Pender, a Master of Wine living in British Columbia, suggests pairing this with coq au vin. (5,852 cases, 14.5% alc.) Excellent. Gamache Vintners 2008 Estate Merlot, Columbia Valley, $24. In 1982, Bob and Roger Gamache began planting wine grapes on a plateau above the Columbia River near the town of Basin City, Wash. Most of their grapes were grown for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. In 2002, they launched their eponymous winery and now have a tasting room in the Vintners Village in the Yakima Valley town of Prosser. This superb Merlot shows off aromas of ripe dark fruit, including boysenberries and black cherries with hints of milk chocolate. On the palate, it reveals flavors of cherries, dark berries, dark chocolate and modest oak. This is drinking beautifully right now but

4 New releases we ve tasted should also continue to evolve for several years. (335 cases, 14.7% alc.) Excellent. Maryhill Winery 2009 Proprietor's Reserve Merlot, Columbia Valley, $25. Winemaker Richard Batchelor held back fewer than a dozen of his best barrels of Merlot for this reserve-level wine. Batchelor, a native of New Zealand, worked in California before heading north to one of Washington s largest wineries. This delicious Merlot opens with aromas of black cherries, chocolate, minerality, rose hips and a hint of cedar, followed by rich, dark flavors of black cherries, blackberries, dark chocolate and underlying herbal notes. (290 cases, 14.5% alc.) Recommended. Maryhill Winery 2009 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $17. Since the late 1980s, Merlot has been an important grape in Washington and has virtually mirrored Cabernet Sauvignon in production. In 2009, nearly 27,000 tons of Merlot were harvested in Washington. This example from a top destination winery in the Columbia Gorge opens with aromas of cherry tomatoes, cinnamon, dusty cherries and alder plank. On the palate, it offers ripe flavors of blueberries and boysenberries, all backed with a fair bit of tannin. (1,585 cases, 14.2% alc.) Recommended. Wild Goose Vineyards 2009 Merlot, Okanagan Valley, $20. Adolf Kruger purchased land in the Okanagan Valley in 1983 and planted grapes. He launched Wild Goose in 1990, and he and sons Hagen and Roland have added vineyards and wines over the decades. This Merlot shows off aromas of cherry Jolly Rancher candies, sweet pipe tobacco and spices, followed by bold flavors of cherries, cranberries and raspberries with an herbal undertone. The tannins are on the bold side, so pair this with a sizzling marbled steak fresh off the grill. (400 cases, 14.8% alc.) Cabernet Franc Recommended. Gamache Vintners 2008 Estate Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $24. The Gamache brothers farm several hundred acres of wine grapes in the Columbia Basin north of Pasco, Wash., and their wine is crafted by winemaker Charlie Hoppes, owner of Fidelitas (the Gamaches also own five acres of undeveloped land next to Hoppes on Red Mountain). This Cab Franc opens with aromas of blueberries, mocha, plums and black pepper, followed by flavors of smoked game meat, blueberries, black licorice and a touch of leafiness. It s a fairly bold wine with all the components in balance. (323 cases, 14.9% alc.) Outstanding! Maryhill Winery 2009 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $17. Maryhill, which has quickly developed into one of Washington s premier destination wineries, brought on winemaker Richard Batchelor just prior to the 2009 harvest, and even though he was a newcomer to Washington, his inaugural efforts have been superb. This Cab Franc is an instant classic, with aromas of dark plums, black cherries, minerality and elegant leafiness. On the palate, it reveals flavors of dried cherries, dark fruit compote, pomegranates and a hint of fresh rosemary, all of which lead to notes of milk chocolate on the finish. This wine has tons of bright acidity and a fair bit of tannin and oak, all combining with the delicious fruit for a wine that simply shines. (775 cases, 13.6% alc.) Sangiovese Excellent. Maryhill Winery 2009 Proprietor's Reserve Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $20. Sangiovese has struggled to shine outside of its native Tuscany, but more and more Washington wineries are working with the grape and learning to coax the best out of it. Maryhill winemaker Richard Batchelor s reserve-level Sangiovese opens with aromas of black currant candy, blueberries and Cherry Garcia ice cream, followed by bright flavors of cherries, blackberries, leather and tobacco leaf. It has just a hint of oak and is backed with sturdy acidity and tannins. (287 cases, 14.6% alc.) Excellent. Maryhill Winery 2009 Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $17. Maryhill Winery, our 2009 Washington Winery of the Year, makes some version of Sangiovese annually, whether it s a big red wine or a suave rosé. This is the former, and it s a charmer. It opens with aromas of oak, sarsaparilla, cinnamon and even something that reminded us of exotic garam masala spice. On the palate, it shows off flavors of Wine ratings All wines reviewed here are tasted blind after being submitted by producers. They are rated Outstanding, Excellent and Recommended by a tasting panel. Outstanding: These wines have superior characteristics and should be highly sought after. Excellent: Top-notch wines with particularly high qualities. Recommended: Delicious, well-made wines with true varietal characteristics. Best Buy: A wine that is $15 or less. Priced are suggested retail and should be used as guidelines. Prices are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

5 New releases we ve tasted black currants, black cherries and more intriguing spices. We loved the structure of this wine, which will pair beautifully with grilled meats, stews or lasagna. (800 cases, 13.8% alc.) Recommended. San Juan Vineyards 2009 Sangiovese, Yakima Valley, $23. Tucked away near Friday Harbor, Wash., San Juan Vineyards is about as far away from traditional Washington wine country as you can get. Yet San Juan is crafting superb wines using grapes from both sides of the Cascades. For this Sangiovese, the winery headed to the arid Yakima Valley for its fruit. The resulting wine opens with aromas of dark chocolate, blackberries, blueberries, a hint of sizzling bacon and a whisper of oregano. On the palate, it reveals flavors of black cherries, blackberries and a hint of tar, all backed with sturdy tannins and acidity. (222 cases, 13.8% alc.) Malbec Outstanding! Gamache Vintners 2008 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $28. A few years ago, winemaker Charlie Hoppes embraced Malbec as Washington s next great grape, and his intuition is proving to be true. Hoppes, a Ste. Michelle alum and owner of Fidelitas, also makes the wine for this winery with a tasting room in the Yakima Valley town of Prosser. This is a rich, ripe, delicious red with aromas of oak, boysenberries, clay and Tennessee cedar, followed by bold flavors of juicy blackberries, Marionberries, huckleberries, black olives and berry jam. It s backed with bright acidity and sturdy tannins, but nothing gets in the way of the superb fruit. (387 cases, 14.7% alc.) Recommended. Gecko Cellars 2008 Malbec, Wahluke Slope, $20. Gecko Wine Co. is the parent company for Gecko, Lion s Oak and Michael Florentino in Woodinville. The grapes for this tasty Malbec came from the warm Wahluke Slope, a region considered by many to be the backbone of the Washington wine industry because of its consistently warm temperatures and ripe grapes. This example opens with aromas of blueberries, Marionberries and cedar, followed by tangy flavors of fresh-picked plums, black tea, black licorice and dark, ripe berries. (154 cases, 14.5% alc.) Dolcetto Excellent. Wind Rose Cellars 2010 Dolcetto, Columbia Valley, $18. Owner/winemaker David Volmut estimates about 20 acres of this Italian variety are planted in Washington, and he manages to find enough for this wine, which includes 14% Barbera and 9% Tempranillo. It recently earned a silver medal at the Finger Lakes Wine Competition in New York, so it is showing consistently. It opens with aromas of poached plums, blueberries and cedar, followed by flavors of pomegranates, fresh cranberries and blueberries, all backed with a rush of acidity and a long, easy-drinking finish. (75 cases, 13.9% alc.) Grenache Excellent. Maryhill Winery 2009 Proprietor's Reserve Grenache, Columbia Valley, $20. Grenache has a fairly lengthy history in Washington, though the tender variety doesn t always fare well in the Columbia Valley s occasional harsh winters. Thus, the noble grape from France s Rhône Valley has never had the opportunity to be a star here. Maryhill is doing its best to change this perception, and it makes a delicious Grenache year in and year out. This is a superb example with aromas of cherries, minerals and a blueberry milkshake, followed by easy-drinking flavors of blueberries, Marionberries, blackberries and Rainier cherries. Light tannins and a round mouth feel give way to a tasty finish. (452 cases, 14.8% alc.) Barbera Excellent Maryhill Winery 2009 Barbera, Columbia Valley, $17. This variety is the third-most-planted red grape in Italy, after Sangiovese and Montepulciano. It is best known in the Piedmont region in northwest Italy, where everything plays second fiddle to the great Nebbiolo. Barbera is nothing more than a niche grape in Washington, but that doesn t mean it can t make a delicious wine, as it has here. This new release opens with aromas of dusty blueberries, black currants, rose hips and blackberries, followed by flavors of black cherries, leather and blueberries. Modest tannins don t get in the way of all the delicious fruit. (588 cases, 13.1% alc.) Counoise Outstanding! Michael Florentino Cellars 2008 Counoise, Columbia Valley, $25. Counoise is one of the rarest grapes in the Pacific Northwest. Its origins are in the southern Rhône Valley, where it is transformed most famously into Chateau de Beaucastel. The red grape seems to do very well in arid Eastern Washington, where it has been grown successfully in small quantities for more than a decade. If you aren t familiar with Counoise, this would be a great introduction. It opens with aromas of dense dark blue fruit, black pepper, plums and caramel. On the palate, it s equally exotic, with flavors of blueberry jam, Bing cherries, juicy raspberries and mild oak. This is perfectly balanced and will pair well with grilled meats or a hearty Italian dish with red sauce. (56 cases, 15.3% alc.)

6 Northwest wine regions Multi-state appellations Columbia Valley: This multi-state appellation is 11 million acres in size and takes up a third of Washington. Established in Columbia Gorge: This multi-state appellation begins around the town of Lyle and heads west to Husum on the Washington side of the Columbia River. It was established in Walla Walla Valley: Walla Walla Valley: This multi-state appellation is in the southeast corner of Washington and around Milton-Freewater, Ore. Established in Snake River Valley: This is in southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon. It covers 8,263 square miles and was established in Washington Yakima Valley: The Northwest s oldest appellation (established in 1983) stretches past Wapato in the west to Benton City in the east and includes Red Mountain, Rattlesnake Hills and Snipes Mountain. Red Mountain: Washington s smallest appellation is a ridge in the eastern Yakima Valley. It is 4,040 acres in size. Established in Horse Heaven Hills: This large appellation 570,000 acres is south of the Yakima Valley and stretches to the Oregon border. It was established in Wahluke Slope: Approved in early 2006, this huge landform north of the Yakima Valley is an 81,000-acre gravel bar created by the Ice Age Floods. It is one of the warmest regions in the entire Pacific Northwest. Established in Rattlesnake Hills: This appellation is in the western Yakima Valley north of the towns of Zillah, Granger and Outlook. The appellation is 68,500 acres in size with about 1,300 acres of vineyards. It was established in Puget Sound: This sprawling appellation is in Western Washington. It stretches from the Olympia area to the Canadian border north of Bellingham. It also sweeps through the San Juan Islands and to Port Angeles. Established in Snipes Mountain: This is one of Washington s oldest wine-growing regions. At 4,145 acres in size, it is the state s second-smallest AVA. Grapes have been grown on Snipes Mountain and at the adjacent Harrison Hill (also part of the AVA) since This AVA was approved in Lake Chelan: This area in north-central Washington is almost entirely within the Columbia Valley. It is a young area, with the oldest vines dating to About 250 acres are planted here. It was approved in Naches Heights: Approved in 2011, this area near the city of Yakima has fewer than 50 acres of grapes planted. Oregon Willamette Valley: Oregon s largest appellation stretches roughly from Portland to Eugene. Established in Ribbon Ridge: This is the Northwest s smallest appellation at 3,350 acres. It is best known for its Pinot Noir and is within the Chehalem Mountains AVA. It was established in Yamhill-Carlton: This is a horseshoe-shaped appellation that surrounds the towns of Yamhill and Carlton. It was established in The District was dropped in Chehalem Mountains: This is the largest within the Willamette Valley. This 62,100-acre appellation is northeast of the Dundee Hills. It was established in Dundee Hills: Many of Oregon s pioneer wineries are in the Dundee Hills within Oregon s Yamhill County. The appellation is 6,490 acres in size. It was established in Eola-Amity Hills: This important region stretches from the town of Amity in the north to the capital city of Salem in the southeast. It is 37,900 acres in size. It was established in McMinnville: The hills south and west of the Yamhill County city of McMinnville are more than 40,000 acres in size. It was established in Umpqua Valley: This Southern Oregon appellation surrounds the city of Roseburg north of the Rogue Valley. It can produce Pinot Noir as well as warm-climate grapes. It was established in Rogue Valley: The Northwest s southern-most appellation surrounds the cities of Medford and Ashland, just north of the California border. It is known for its warm growing conditions. Established in Applegate Valley: This small valley within the Rogue Valley is known for a multitude of microclimates that can result in wines of distinction and complexity. Established in Southern Oregon: This AVA encompasses the Umpqua, Rogue and Applegate valleys and Red Hill Douglas County. It was established in Red Hill Douglas County: This tiny appellation just 5,500 acres is within the Umpqua Valley. Fewer than 200 acres of wine grapes, primarily Pinot Noir, are grown here. Established in British Columbia Okanagan Valley: In the province s interior, this 100- mile valley stretches from the border in Osoyoos to Salmon Arm in the north. Most wineries are near Oliver, Penticton and Kelowna. It was established in Similkameen Valley: This warm valley is west of the southern Okanagan Valley. It was established in Vancouver Island: This marine-influenced appellation is in the southwest part of the province. Established in Fraser Valley: This farming area is in the Lower Mainland, south of Vancouver. Established in Gulf Islands: This appellation includes approximately 100 islands spread out between Vancouver Island and the southern mainland. Established in 2005.

7 About us Wine Press Northwest is a quarterly consumer magazine that focuses on the wine regions of Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho. Annual subscriptions are $20. Click to subscribe. Editor-in-chief: Andy Perdue editor@winepressnw.com Managing editor: Eric Degerman edegerman@winepressnw.com Advertising inquiries: Parker Hodge phodge@tricityherald.com 2012 Tasting methods Recent Releases are evaluated under strict conditions to ensure objectivity. Northwest wineries submit wines to Wine Press Northwest for evaluation by Wine Press Northwest s tasting panel. After wines are received, they are stored for at least two weeks and a third party serves them blind, meaning the tasting panelists do not know the producer. In addition, the panelists are served glasses of wine and are not able to view the bottles or their shapes prior to tasting. Wines are stored in temperature-controlled conditions, allowing them to be served at perfect cellar temperatures. Price is not a consideration in these evaluations, nor is a winery s advertising activity with Wine Press Northwest, as the magazine s editorial/wine evaluation activities and advertising/ marketing efforts are kept strictly separate. The panel has a combination of technical and consumer palates. If at least three of the four panelists consider a wine technically sound and commercially acceptable, it is included here as Recommended. The panel may also vote the wine as Excellent or Outstanding, our top rating. Wines considered unacceptable by the panel are rejected and not included. Reviews are grouped by variety or style and listed alphabetically by winery. Prices listed are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. To ensure we maintain an international perspective, our tasting panelists judge thousands of wines annually at various competitions, including: Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition, Riverside International Wine Competition, Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, Indy International Wine Competition, Virginia Governor s Cup, Sonoma County Harvest Fair, Grand Harvest Awards, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru, Washington State Wine Competition, Seattle Wine Awards, Northwest Wine Summit, British Columbia Wine Awards, New York Wine and Grape Foundation Competition, Tri-Cities Wine Festival, Capital Food & Wine Fest, North Central Washington Wine Awards and Idaho Wine Competition.