Wine Making Notes
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General Notes and Observations For Beginners
Reviews of Commercial Wineries in WA State (2003 tastings, vintages varried '98-'02), * - ****
Apex, Bridgmann, Washington Hills ***
There is a single tasting room for these three wineries. I sampled the Apex and Bridgmann wines. I found nearly all
the Bridgmann wines very approachable but very average. These are everyday wines available for everyday prices at
most supermarkets in the northwest. The Apex wines are a step above the Bridgmann, marketed as the winery's premium brand.
Although overpriced for what they deliver, they are very well balanced wines.
Bonair **
I found most of the wines here a bit bland. The exception is their reserve cabs. However, these will require some
lengthy aging to reach their potential. I would guess 6-8 years.
Claar Cellars ***
The most flavorful Sangiovese I tasted on the tour and a great full bodied reserve Merlot.
Eaton Hill ***
Several different types of Cab Sav produced here. All with remarkably different flavor profiles resulting in an
interesting and educational tasting flight. In addition they produce a couple different port style wines including
a very unique "Bramble Port" blackberry port which is both fruity and very full bodied.
Horizon's Edge **
Their Pinot Noir is very interesting but not characteristic of the style. All of their wines tasted heavily oaked
to me, to an offensive degree. Interestingly, the owner of
this winery is the same as Maison de Padgett which I thought was excellent.
Hyatt **
The Merlot was notably oaky and tannic, somthing more in the vein of what I would expect from CA. Overall, I found their
wines unimpressive, average, commercial, etc.
Maison de Padgett ****
Yum, enough said. No? Ok. The wines that caught my attention here were the specialty wines containing the Malbec grape
variety. One was 91% Malbec blended with Cab Franc and the other was around 40% Malbec blended with, primarily, Cab Sav.
Both these wines had great body, fantastic amounts of fruit, and an aroma you could swirl and smell for many moons. The
downside is they're slightly costly, $40 - $60 / 750ml, but it's worth it. These are the wines you want to share with
others to illustrate what's possible in wine and broaden views on wine.
Paradisos Del Sol *
This maybe a step above Franzia.
Pontin Del Roza ***
Surprisingly delightful whites. Risidual sugars well balanced with flavor profiles and oaking.
My personal favorite was the Chinin Blanc '02.
Portteus ****
Excellent '01 Syrah, the spiciest encoutered during the tasting tour. It is simply packed with flavor.
In addition, the '99 reserve Cab Sav is one of the best I've tasted, chocolaty. However, not particularly
impressed with the Merlot.
Sageland **
Formerly known as Staton Hills, I was disappointed with the tastings since I once had a well aged Staton Hills
Cab Sav that was mind blowing. Their current Cab is unimpressive, as are most of their wines. My overall impression
was average, approachable, commercial wine.
Silverlake **
Reserve Merlots and Cabs heavily tannic and oaky. My mouth turned to cotton after tasting the estate reserve Merlot.
In my opinion, this is a flaw. Even a young full bodied wine should not be so unbalanced that is removes all moisure
from one's mouth. Maybe after 10 years there maybe somthing there, but I have doubts.
Teft Cellars **
Some decent approachable wines. Merlot was too oaky for my pallet. Good ruby style port wine.
Willow Crest **
Standard, "safe," wines.
Wineglass Cellars **
Again, not much to note here. Very middle of the road, safe wines. Their Zin was refreshing.
Yakima River * 1/2
The additional 1/2 star stems from their Soft Lemberg which was mildly delightful. However, the vast majority
of their wines are over-oaked, with an atypical heavy toast, and heavily sulfited.
Wine Making Photos
My first bottle of wine produced, a fortified Port-Style Raspberry wine.
Pressing my first batch of Yakima Valley Merlot grapes, the 2002 vintage.
