Winery - Thurston Wolfe
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A vivid, refreshing blend of 57% Viognier and 43% Pinot Gris seems to bring out the best of both. Viognier’s floral, orange and peach scents and flavors are supported by hints of honeysuckle and pear from the Pinot Gris. There is a little spritz to liven up the mouthfeel.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The blend is 70% Pinot Gris and 30% Viognier. The Gris provides the fruit base, with pear/apple flavors; the Viognier adds some light lemon and citrus blossom accents. This is a big wine, bone dry.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is 100% Petite Sirah, jet black, tannic and layered with hints of forest floor, fungus, dried leaf and wild berry. From the Zephyr Ridge vineyard, it’s quite astringent, clearly varietal in character, and a fine example of what can be done with this grape in Washington State.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Named The Teacher to honor the late Stan Clarke—a viticulturalist, winemaker and mentor to many in the Washington wine business—this is pure Cabernet. Astringent and tannic when first opened, it expands with air to reveal good varietal flavors of cassis and black cherry, with light herb and a streak of licorice. Slightly volatile and leathery, with good concentration.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
In 2009, it’s the Pinot Gris (at 60%) that dominates this two-grape blend; the rest is Viognier. It’s always a delicious wine, and here again the two grapes match up beautifully, with the Pinot Gris bringing flesh and rind from a variety of citrus fruits, and the Viognier adding orange blossom and tangerine.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Named for the winery dog (a rescue dog named Chance), this 80-20 Lemberger-Grenache blend is a lovely cherry/sunset color, and tastes like tangy pie cherries and rhubarb. Quite dry and showing more tannin than most rosés, it could stand up to simple grilled meats or burgers.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Here is a full-bodied, somewhat rustic, ripe, slightly pruny red blend. It’s a unique effort—34% Primitivo, 30% Lemberger, 22% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. Made into a broad, fruity, soft and lightly chocolaty red, it’s a perfect wine for pizza, picnics and parties.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The Howling Wolfe Zinfandel is a bowl of berries and chocolate, soft in the mouth, full across the palate, and ready for near-term drinking.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Thurston Wolfe pioneered Zinfandel in Washington. This is the seventh vintage from the Zephyr Ridge vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills, vinified to California-style alcohol levels of 15.5%. A fruit bomb to be sure, but along with jammy raspberries and strawberries you’ll find interesting nuances of pencil lead, oak and chocolate.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The blend is about two thirds pinot gris, one third viognier, all showing the heat of the vintage, and giving the wine a solid core of thick, pear-flavored fruit. The alcohol shows in the heat of the finish.
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