Zinfandel
Maryhill Vineyards 2003 Proprietor’s Reserve (about $36): A big, plump, fruit bomb if there ever was one. Loaded with dark currant and berry flavors, the wine may be too fat for some tastes. It’s over 15% alcohol and balanced by 1.4% sugar, which makes the wine almost borderline port-like, so take note. Another thing that […]
Tempranillo: A Nice Alternative to Cab
If you enjoy red wines, you may recall my suggestion a few weeks ago to take a step off the beaten path and try Lemberger for a change of pace. Although it’s not exactly a mainstream varietal, it’s got plenty of appeal for fruit-forward wine drinkers and won’t cost you a small fortune. This week […]
Sparkling Wine
Argyle Winery 2000 Brut (about $19): From Oregon’s Willamette Valley, this sparkling wine features citrus aromas with layers of pear, baked apple and vanilla flavors that melt into a long, yet crisp finish. Widely distributed and available locally at several wine shops and grocers.
Viognier
Fairview 2004 (about $18): This wine from South Africa really impressed me with its multi-tiered flavors of pear, dried apricot and hints of orange and citrus. It should pair well with a wide variety of lighter seafood and shellfish dishes. Available at Compass Wines in Anacortes and the Purple Smile in Bellingham. Domaine Astruc 2004 […]
Purple Smile Provides Another Great Wine Venue for Bellingham
The Purple Smile, located at 1143 11th Street in Bellingham has been up and running for a couple of months and provides local wine enthusiasts with another great venue for sampling and purchasing wines. Owner Jeff Wicklund has really done a fine job of establishing his shop in the heart of Fairhaven’s business district. Wrapped […]