Greetings, Friends of West Seattle Cellars,

Extended Hours for our Saturday Tasting:
This weekend is the annual Auction of Washington Wines, a three-day series of wine events raising money for Seattle Children’s. Those events can be quite pricy and many are already sold out. But fear not—if you want to get a taste of what will be poured there this weekend, you’ll have a chance right here in the shop on Saturday when we’ll be pouring wines from Tranche Cellars. Once again we’ll have Andrew Murray on hand to pour for us. But because he needs to get to the Woodinville event by mid afternoon, we plan to start our Saturday tasting at noon. We’ll continue to pour until 5:00, as usual, although Andrew will need to leave early. The good news is, you’ll have plenty of time to fit this into your Saturday schedule. And you’ll be glad you did!

This Week’s Tastings:

Thursday, August 16, 5:30 to 8:00 pm — French Wines from the Loire Valley
This week we once again feature wines from the Loire Valley of central France. The Loire is the longest river in France, and along its course is one of the country’s largest and most diverse—and beautiful—wine regions. Almost every style of wine is produced here: red, white, Rosé, and sparkling, as well as exquisite dessert wines. The one signature characteristic they all share is their refreshing, food-friendly acidity. We’ll be joined this week by Maria Zeimet, of Grape Expectations, who will be pouring wines from a great representation of regions throughout the Loire. 

Maurice Bonnamy, Cremant de Loire Rosé  — An inexpensive yet delicious Rosé bubbly made from 100% Cabernet Franc. Grown on various forms of limestone soil, it is juicy and a bit spicy, with hints of red fruit and a pleasant touch of earthiness. 

Cave des Vignerons de Saumur, Vouvray “Rosnay” — The Vouvray appellation, in the Touraine district, is one of the most important in the Loire, and it is all about Chenin Blanc. This one is sourced from a single vineyard and is delicate and flinty, with notes of citrus.   

Domaine Bigonneau, Quincy  — Bigonneau makes wines in both Reuilly and Quincy, the latter being France’s second appellation created, just after Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Quincy is planted exclusively to Sauvignon Blanc and this one is fresh and aromatic. Perfect with shellfish, grilled fish, or goat cheese.   

Domaine Masson-Blondelet, Pouilly-Fumé “Les Angelots” — Like Sancerre, just across the Loire River, Pouilly-Fumé produces aromatic, flinty wines from Sauvignon Blanc, grown on the local limestone soil. This one, from an excellent producer, is fresh and smoky, with characteristic minerality. A classic pairing for any fish or shellfish, especially oysters.   

Henri Bourgeois, Coteaux du Vendômois Rosé — The Coteaux du Vendômois appellation is located north of Vouvray and is one of the few places you’ll find the grape Pineau d’Aunis (sometimes called Chenin Noir). It makes a lovely, light, peppery Rosé. 

Henri Bourgeois, Les Baronnes, Sancerre Rouge — When most people think of Sancerre, they think Sauvignon Blanc. But the region also produces delightful red wines, made from Pinot Noir. This one, from a family that has been winegrowers in the region for over ten generations, is fresh and aromatic with red fruit flavors and a touch of oak. 

Domaine de Noiraie, St. Nicolas de Bourgueil, “Les 7 Lieux-Dits” — St. Nicolas de Bourgueil lies within the larger Bourgueil region, located in the western part of the Touraine district. It produces red wines made predominantly from Cabernet Franc. This one is a blend of fruit from seven lieux-dits (named sites) in the AOC. It is supple, fruity, and aromatic and a great partner for grilled white meats or fish. 

Cave des Vignerons de Saumur, Saumur Rouge, “Les Pouches” — This 100% Cabernet Franc is sourced from vines aged 40 to 45 years in age, grown on tufa limestone soil near the city of Saumur. Red Saumur is fruity and elegant, with soft, easy tannins. It’s a red you could chill and enjoy with seafood or Asian cuisine. 

SATURDAY, August 18, NOON to 5:00 pm — Tranche Cellars
Since their founding in 2001, Corliss Estates has been producing some of the most stunning and sought after wines in the state. The wines from their sister winery, Tranche Cellars, which focus on different varietals and blends (and are easier on the budget), are every bit as extraordinary. They don’t do many tastings outside of the winery and we are thrilled that they have agreed to pour for us again this Saturday. We’ll be joined by Corliss’ Andrew Murray who is always delighted to share these wines with our customers. As we noted above, he needs to leave around 2:00 to pour the Tranche and Corliss wines at the Auction of Washington Wines, so we’re starting the tasting early. But we’ll continue to pour until 5:00, as usual. 

2016 Pinot Gris — Sourced from the high-elevation Lawrence Vineyard on the Royal Slope in the Columbia Valley, this Pinot Gris is intensely aromatic, with its richness and depth balanced by silky texture and fresh minerality.

2015 Slice of Pape Blanc — From the Tranche Rhône series, this year’s version of their ever-popular Rhône-style white is a blend of Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Clairette Blanche, and Picpoul Blanc. Native yeast fermentation and heavy stirring of barrel lees once again produced a wine with beautiful texture and complexity and great energy and focus.

2012 Barbera — For their Mediterranean series they produce this fragrant and seductive red from the northern Italian grape, Barbera. It is full of the vibrant cherry and plum fruit flavors typical of this high-acid, low-tannin varietal, balanced by subtle earthy notes. 

2013 Sangiovese — Their Sangiovese, from their estate Blue Mountain Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley, has rich fruit flavors of dark plum and savory notes of black pepper and dried herbs. A delicious Washington Sangiovese!

2013 Cabernet Franc Estate — Also from their Blue Mountain Vineyard, The Tranche Cab Franc is soft and floral with aromas of wildflowers and layers of dried blackcurrant. On the palate, it is rich and savory, with flavors of fig, blackberry, and dusty, mouthfilling tannins. 

2015 Slice of Pape Rouge — The 2015 Pape rouge is a blend of estate-grown Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah. A delicious Washington take on the classic red Rhône blend, it is deeply layered, with elegant texture and lush, earthy character. The perfect wine for your holiday table. 

2013 Syrah Estate — The Tranche Syrah is a blend of the most exceptional blocks within their Blue Mountain Estate Vineyard. The 2013 offering is intensely aromatic, with bright fruit flavors and silky, fine-grained tannins. “A classic example of cool-climate Syrah.”

Upcoming Tastings:

August 16, Thursday, 5:30 to 8:00 — French wines, from the Loire

August 18, SATURDAY, NOON to 5:00 — Tranche Wines, by Corliss

August 23, Thursday, 5:30 to 8:00 — French Wines

August 30, Thursday, 5:30 to 8:00 — September Collector’s Club wines. Open to all!

Our tastings are free and take place in the shop every Thursday, between 5:30 and 8:00, except as noted

Tom and Jan

West Seattle Cellars
6026 California Ave SW
Seattle WA  98136
206.937.2868
westseattlewinecellars.com

Hours:
Tuesday through Friday: 11:00 - 7:00 (later on Thursday for our free tastings)
Saturday: 12:00 to 5:00
Closed Sunday and Monday
Contact us at: info@wscellars.com