Winter begins this week and we're firmly embedded in what I like to refer to as "red wine season."
Certainly red wines can be enjoyed any time of year, but with colder weather and the increase in indoor activities, red wines seem to be the ideal beverage for social gatherings or sipping while reading a good book in front of a cozy fire.
Thurston Wolfe Winery in Prosser has an excellent reputation for producing consistently good, flavorful red wines that should be on your must-try list. Here are my tasting notes on a few of the reds currently available:
2009 Dr. Wolfe's Family Red (about $16) - Winemaker Wade Wolfe planted some of the first primitivo vines in Washington, and his research was instrumental in showing that the grape was an Italian clone of zinfandel. Here, he has blended it with lemberger and petite sirah to produce a delicious red at an unbeatable price. Blueberry and herby cherry flavors melt into a soft finish with a touch of vanilla bean.
2009 Howling Wolfe Zinfandel (about $20) - This is a bold and beautiful zin from the Zephyr Ridge Vineyard in Washington's Horse Heaven Hills Appellation. Generous black cherry flavors on the palate are accentuated with spicy notes and a dash of black pepper.
2009 Burgess Vineyard Syrah (about $20) - Sultry and seductive, here's a syrah you can really sink your teeth into. Licorice and floral aromatics lead to dark cherry and cola flavors framed with an oaky, herbaceousness and a whiff of smokiness on the textured finish.
2009 The Teacher Cabernet Sauvignon (about $25) - Big and full-bodied, this cab opens up nicely with ample breathing time to reveal layered flavors of black currant, espresso, dark plum, and hints of baking spice. Outstanding!
2007 The Geologist (about $50) - This cabernet-based blend of four red varietals offers nuances of dark berry, dried cherry and savory herb. It's a huge wine that requires decanting for maximum enjoyment. Or, better yet, pop it in the cellar for a good three to five years.
For white-wine lovers, Thurston Wolfe has you covered with the tasty 2010 PGV pinot gris/viognier blend. The luscious stone fruits of the viognier are nicely balanced with the bright minerality of the pinot gris, resulting in a crisp, food-friendly white priced at about $14. I snagged some of the last bottles at the winery during a November visit, but I've seen it locally at the Barkley Village Haggen and at Compass Wines in Anacortes.
