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20something—the new vintage: This Saturday, November 21
By Kori ~ November 16th, 2009.
Are you between the ages of 21 and 30? Do you enjoy wine and yet feel a bit intimidated by it? Do you live in the Seattle area or have plans to be in the area this weekend? If you answered “yes†to all three questions, then 20something—the new vintage could be just the event for you. This Saturday, November 21, at Fremont Studios in Seattle, 20something attendees will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with more than 75 Washington winemakers who will be pouring their favorite $30-and-under wines.
Recently, I attended the 20something TweetUp hosted by the Washington Wine Commission that featured 15 wines which were a preview of what will be poured at the 20something event on Saturday (see my notes below). If those wines were any indication, it should be a wonderful event. In addition to fabulous wines, 20something will also be featuring culinary treats from some of Seattle’s hottest chefs. And what I think will be the best feature at this year’s event for those of you eager to learn more about wine, in general…the education stations. 20something attendees will: learn how to spot a flawed wine; understand more about the textures, flavors, and aromas of wine; and participate in interactive activities throughout the evening.
And if you aren’t exactly 20-something anymore, don’t be deterred. Those over 30 and “young at heart†are more than welcome. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the 20something—the new vintage website. And, if you purchase 20something tickets by today, November 16, you will be entered to win two tickets to “White Christmas,†playing at The 5th Avenue Theatre from November 28th through December 30th.
Here are the wines I tasted during the 20something TweetUp, listed in my personal order of preference, with my Twitter-style notes as well as Quality and QPR ratings:
2005 Côte Bonneville Carriage House DuBrul Vineyard (Yakima Valley, Washington): Bordeaux-style blend. Best of the bunch. Blackberry, black cherry, smooth, well-balanced. Yum!
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $50
2008 Syncline Subduction Red (Columbia Valley, Washington): Southern Rhone-style blend. Red fruits and floral notes. Smooth, well-balanced.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $18
2006 Five Star Cellars Merlot (Walla Walla Valley, Washington): A big, bold, Cab-like Merlot. I like it.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $32
2008 Barnard Griffin Syrah (Columbia Valley, Washington): Dark fruits, pepper, and a little earth. A little Australian Shiraz-esque.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $17
2008 O*S Winery Riesling Champoux Vineyards (Horse Heaven Hills, Washington): Slightly corked. Good acidity. Peach on nose and palate.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $20
2008 COR Cellars Alba Cor (Columbia Gorge, Washington): Pinot Gris/Gewurztraminer. Fresh, lemon zest, crisp acidity, long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $18
2005 Northstar Merlot (Columbia Valley, Washington): Another big, bold Merlot. Some earth and barnyard on this one.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 3 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $40
2008 Doyenne Roussanne Ciel du Cheval Vineyard (Red Mountain, Washington): Produced by DeLille Cellars. Floral, crisp, fresh. A nice surprise.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 1 bang for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $30
2006 Robert Karl Cellars Claret (Horse Heaven Hills, Washington): Bordeaux-style blend. Black fruits, a little pepper and spice, and some heat on the finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $20
2008 Sparkman Cellars Lumiere Chardonnay (Columbia Valley, Washington): Classic Chardonnay. Oak, vanilla, butter.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $25
2008 Bergevin Lane Calico White (Columbia Valley, Washington): Viognier, Roussanne, and Chardonnay. Dried apricots and floral notes on the nose. Crisp but slightly bitter finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Suggested Retail Price: $16
2007 Boomtown Pinot Gris (Columbia Valley, Washington): Produced by Dusted Valley Vintners. Hay aromas but a bit plain up front. Opens up on mid-palate, medium finish.
Quality: 2.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: NR (not recommended)
Suggested Retail Price: $13
2008 L’Ecole No. 41 Semillon (Columbia Valley, Washington): Love the L’Ecole label, schoolhouse drawn by a third grader. Tight nose, very dry.
Quality: 2.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: NR (not recommended)
Suggested Retail Price: $16
2006 Seven Hills Winery Malbec (Walla Walla Valley, Washington): Usually love Malbec but not feeling this one tonight. Too jammy.
Quality: 2.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: NR (not recommended)
Suggested Retail Price: $28
2006 Baer Ursa (Columbia Valley, Washington): Bordeaux-style blend. Lots of red fruits up front. Finish trails off though.
Quality: 2.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: NR (not recommended)
Suggested Retail Price: $35
To try these wines for yourself, make plans to attend the 20something—the new vintage event this Saturday at Fremont Studios.
Cheers!
Filed under: American Wine, Chardonnay, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris, Red Wine, Riesling, Roussanne, Semillon, Shiraz/Syrah, Washington State Wine, White Wine, Wine Activities/Events, Wines NOT To Buy (1 & 2 Star), Wines Over $25, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25
Kori,
It was great to meet you at the tweet up. I was the late arrival and met you afterwards. It was a nice mix of people and of wines. Thank you for your notes on the wines and for such a great website. I look forward to reading your posts.
Melinda
Melinda,
It was great to meet you too. So glad to hear you like our site. I’ll be checking out your site as well. Cheers!
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