PRESS

Wine Press Northwest just reviewed our Reserve Cabernet and gave it their highest rating! Outstanding!

Once again, Woodinville, Wash., winemaker Shane Howard earns our top rating for one of his reds.  Expressive oak tones don’t outshine the fruit from Stillwater Creek, Conner Lee and Kiona vineyards as both the nose and the palate are filled with black cherry and blueberry.  In the background are hints of cracked black pepper, toasted cashew, lavender and mint.  It shows remarkable balance of acidity and tannin, then brings a finish of chocolate-covered espresso bean.   95% Cabernet Sauvignon  - 5% Merlot  -  55 Cases

 

More New Ratings from Wine Press NW

Excellent.  Pondera Winery 2008 Merlot,

Columbia Valley, $28.

It’s rare for us to comment about the color of wines other than a rose’, but there’s a remarkable inkiness to this Merlot that hints at fruitiness from boysenberry, blueberry and Marionberry.  Warm oak yields tones of anise and chocolate as tannins build slowly from the midpalate on back. It finishes with espresso grounds and black tea.

 

Excellent. Pondera Winery 2008 Consensio,

Columbia Valley, $33.

Shane Howard’s blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (58%), Merlot (27%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Malbec carries aromas blackberry fruit leather, cinnamon toast, coffee, black pepper, potting soil and alfalfa. The palate features pie cherry filling, fresh blueberry, mint chocolate and graphite, all held tightly together by taut tannins.