NV Bookwalter Lot 18 Red

[dananne]

Columbia Valley, Washington. Kathy took us for a visit one evening during the offline last August, and we spent some nice time visiting with Jerry and Jean Bookwalter while sampling their Viogner, but we didn't get to their reds that night. When Anne and I stumbled on this at a local wine shop here in Atlanta, we picked up a few bottles. Great stuff. Decanted during evening. Color is just lighter than purple, but very deep and dark. Aromas of blackberry, rose petals, and spices, with full flavors of blackberry, plum, semisweet chocolate, and a peppery spiciness on the long finish. Velvet tannins hold the whole package together, and they require a bit of decanting to soften (or hold it for a couple of years). Yummy stuff. Somewhat of a kitchen sink blend of 54% Cab, 39% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 2% Syrah, and 2% Cab Franc. 14.5% alc is integrated and no heat. Paid $15 for it.

We had 2 bottles over the last 3 days with consistent notes.

[wondersofwine]

Your tasting note brings back memories of that evening. I will have to try some Bookwalter reds if I come across them.

[dananne]

Anne and I are heading back to Washington this summer, probably in June. We plan to stop back at Bookwalter.

They are distributed by Grapevine Distributors in NC, if that helps.

[Drew]

Really like the reds of Bookwalter, particularly their merlot. Thanks for reminding me to look for some.

Drew

[dananne]

Didn't get back to Bookwalter this summer during our trip, though we had a nice dinner next door at Tagaris -- our only Tagaris complaint is that they listed all of their new release wines on the menu as available by the glass, but then they told us that we couldn't actually order them that way. And those were the ones we really wanted to try!

Anyway, as to the Bookwalter, still working through the lot 18, and the tannins have really started to slip away, leaving a very fruity, yummy drink (not an unbalanced one, however). Still have a few left, and we'll probably try and drink them over the next year or two. At this rate, extended cellar time is no longer needed. In fact, we didn't even decant the latest one.

[Innkeeper]

Before discovering the Finger Lakes we used to drink box after box of their Rieslings. Good stuff.

[dananne]

Had another last night after the white flight, and the chocolate note was noticed by everyone. Still going strong. Only have a couple left at this point.