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Friends flew in from Atlanta at the end of September and we wanted to highlight the best of the local wineries for these loyal wine enthusiasts.  They have lived in Georgia for several years and were missing the opportunity to visit local wineries.  When they lived in Seattle we greatly enjoyed travelling to Woodinville for the Passport Wine Weekend.   This is a great way to discover the broad portfolio of Washington State wines.

Mission Hills Family Estate Winery

Terrace Restaurant

Our first stop was Mission Hill’s Terrace restaurant for a late lunch.  This just happened to be the last week the restaurant was open before closing for the winter.  We all enjoyed a leisurely meal of Charcuterie board and Canadian Wagyu Carpaccio with the suggested wine pairing.  Now we were well prepared for the wine tasting.

Side tracked to Shop!

It is difficult to go straight to the wine tasting area without first taking in the wine store displays.  Our friends are dog lovers and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to view this display in more detail.  

Wine Tasting

We chose the Legacy tasting.  There was an enthusiastic crowd at the tasting bar and our host was busy aerating a beaker of Quatrain with a magnetic stirring device.  One of our friends, who is a blood banker by profession, couldn’t help but inform that the same device was used to mix blood for testing.  This led to a strange wine tasting side conversation, including a rambling discussion of all types of surgical procedures!   

Anyway, here is the best part of the afternoon, the tasting notes.

Mission Hill No. 26 Sunrise Road Chardonnay 2014

From the Oliver vineyard,  Aged 9 months in 100% American oak.  Alcohol % 14.0 |TA 6.1 g/L.  My kind of lightly oaked Chardonnay.  Bright citrus flavours of lemon and lime with hints of vanilla and banana bread.

Mission Hill Prospectus Pinot Noir 2016

The Pinot Noir is Clone 777, Clone 115 and Clone 943.  Aged 10 months in French oak Barriques. Alcohol % 13.6|TA 6.1 g/L. 

Layers of wild strawberries, red cherries and brambleberry finish with delicate tannins.  Savoury notes and a subtle hint of herbal spice deliver a complex wine that leaves you wanting more.

Mission Hill Quatrain 2013

43% Merlot, 27% Syrah, 18% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14.5% | Total Acidity: 6.0 g/l . Hand harvested from Osoyoos (90%) and  Oliver (10%) vineyards in October 2013.  Aged 15 months in small French Oak barrels.

The Merlot dominant, full-bodied wine has generous notes of black currant, dark plum, chocolate and thyme.  An excellent concentration of fruit and spice with firm tannins and nice structure. It is very well balanced with a beautifully long finish.  The Syrah adding colour and depth to the wine <1>.  Great for drinking right now.

The Syrah/ Shiraz lovers can visit my earlier post  – Mission Hill Family Reserve Shiraz 2014

Mission Hill Compendium 2012

42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol: 14.2% | Total Acidity: 5.6 g/l . Hand harvested from Osoyoos (95%) and Oliver (5%) vineyards in October 2012.  Fermentation and extended maceration in small French Oak Fermenters. Aged in French oak barrels for 14 months.

The 2012 Compendium is distinctive with black currant, plum aromas and flavours of blackberry, black cherry, wild herb and star anise notes.  Elegant and concentrated, this wine presents a core of fruit accented by youthful tannins that will soften.  The finish is firm and mineral suggesting another decade of cellar time.  Be patient and allow more bottle ageing.

Quail’s Gate Winery

It was close to closing time when we arrived at Quail’s Gate Winery, but considering the hour the tasting room was still full.  We chose the Estate and Steward Family Reserve Wine tasting.

Wine Tasting

Quail’s Gate Dry Riesling 2017

The wine is dry, vibrant and zesty.  On the nose, you will find aromas of lime, orange blossom, Granny Smith apple and wet stones.  On the palate citrus flavours and orchard fruit, leading to a long, refreshing finish.

Quail’s Gate Chardonnay 2016

Crisp, full-bodied, well-balanced, medium plus acidity.  Green apple, vanilla, pear and savoury.  The influence of oak adds subtle notes of toast and vanilla and enriches the mouthfeel of this delightful wine.

Stewart Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2016

The mix of clones is grown from twenty-plus-year-old vines rooted in the ancient, volcanic soils of Mt. Boucherie Bench.   A truly elegant burgundy style pinot with gentle red cherry and raspberry flavours and classic forest floor undertones.  The tannins are polished with a long, peppery finish.  One of the best Quail’s Gate wines we have tasted.

Quail’s Gate Merlot 2015

2015 was a particularly warm growing season.  The Merlot was harvested in October at optimum ripeness.  The grapes were then crushed and fermented in stainless steel tanks using a mix of indigenous and cultivated yeast strains.  During the 3-4 week maceration period, daily pump-overs and gentle hand added complexity and gave the wine its rich dark colour. Barrel ageing in French oak for 18 months prior to blending.

The Merlot has aromas of black cherry, ripe plum and toasty oak. The palate is intense and full-bodied with structured tannins. Flavours of ripe red fruit, tobacco and leather mingle with characteristic black cherry and espresso notes.

Reference

1. Bordeaux Blended With Syrah, Wine Spectator, May 17, 2007