Staff Picks From the Pacific Northwest
Swick, The Flood White – 2022 $25.96
Joe Swick’s Flood is a perennial favorite of ours. We always look forward to the new vintage’s arrival and now the 22 is here. Swick is a low-intervention winemaker who sources grapes from organic vineyards in Washington and Oregon. He is masterfully skilled at blending. The Flood blends 7 varietals, each grown in their own single vineyard, and are vinified separately. They are macerated on their skins for 30 days and aged in old barrels. They are then blended and bottled. This year’s vintage leans toward a deeper and more intense than last year’s vintage. It is styled more like a Georgian wine with its amber hue and earthy aromatics. I found flavors of pineapple, tea, pine, and lavender. Give this baby plenty of time to open up. I found that it was most expressive on the fourth day. Delicious with a beefy washed rind cheese. – Chung Park, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Gramercy Cellars “Lower East,” Syrah – 2020 $28.99
Located in the Lower East corner of Washington State, Gramercy Cellars is crafting some of the most delicious and distinctive Syrah found anywhere in the world. Greg Harrington has created this particular cuvée to display world class Syrah at an affordable price, and he did just that! Aromatically, you are bound to be impressed with the contrasts on full display. Blackberry purée mingles with black olives and herbs to create something worth studying and enjoying. Texturally, the silkiness will make this far too easy to drink. Flavor wise, wow! A surge of black fruits and spices with even a hint of smoke make this such an exciting wine to pair with your next barbecue or lamb roast. Enjoy! – Alex Malecki, Sales Manager
Gramercy Cellars “Lower East,” Cabernet Sauvignon – 2020 $29.96
Savory herb, graphite, and meadow aromas get our attention and lead to a gorgeous palate of cherry and plum, subtle earthiness and espresso bean. This is a wine with great character that strikes an impeccable balance between freshness and opulent plushness, state-of-art Washington State red and classic old school Cab. And with a nice number of years in the bottle, it’s singing now and built for the long haul. Since becoming the youngest American to pass the Master Sommelier Exam at 26, Gramercy co-founder Greg Harrington dreamed of making his own wine. Working a harvest in Walla Walla, he knew that was where he, with wife and co-founder Pam, would make wines they loved. Together they believe “Elegant wines take some thought. Think Miles Davis versus Vanilla Ice. They take time to open up and develop but don’t fall apart in five years.” – Simon Gouldstone, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Troon Vineyard Vermentino – 2022 $31.96
Having fallen in love with the Troon Vineyard Syrah, I was excited to see a white wine of theirs show up at Astor, and a Vermentino no less! Despite the obvious differences between Southern Oregon and the Italian island of Sardinia, winemaker Nate Wall explains “our Vermentino hits the ripeness bullseye each year during harvest season, with acidity, sugars, and flavors all ripening at exactly the right time – this lets me know that Vermentino loves growing at Troon Vineyard”. Aromas of lemon grove, lime zest and tropical fruit great us on the nose and lead to a rich, crunchy palate of crushed green apple, tangerine, and hints of green and chamomile tea. As with all wines from Troon, no additives, acid or sugar adjustments, enzymes, or sulfur additions are used at crush, and fermentation occurs spontaneously with indigenous yeasts. Simon Gouldstone, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Pollard, “Pollard Vineyard”, Red Blend – 2019 $41.96
In 2014, after a career as executive director of the Washington State Wine Commission, as well as a local coffee roaster. Robin Pollard purchased a 10 acre estate vineyard located in the Upper Yakima Valley and got to work with her partner, Chris Camarda of Andre Will fame. An Estate Blend of Cabernet Franc (53%), Merlot (31%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (16%), this wine is the work of a practiced hand. Leading with Cabernet Franc in this blend, the aromatic intensity was gorgeous. Violet flowers and cassis backed by a reassuring cedar tone from oak aging. Merlot adds a plushness to the sip while the Cabernet Sauvignon adds structure and depth. Deep in black fruits with a touch of herbaceous tobacco leaves. The 20% new oak is perfectly integrated. I drank this wine with grilled Lamb, potatoes and a summer salad. – Evan Cucciniello, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Ken Wright Cellars, “Bonnie Jean Vineyard”, Pinot Noir – 2022 $69.96
Ken Wright is one of those producers you know you can rely on for stellar wines vintage after vintage. They may vary in character, but the quality is always there. Bonnie Jean has been a source for them since 2013 and even though the vines are relatively young at 13 years old, they’re planted on ancient marine sediment, producing outstanding wines. Refined, elegant, but with a dense core of concentrated fruit you’ll find tantalizing raspberry and cherry notes with baking spices, autumn leaves and a little black pepper. Pinot Noir is a hard grape to get right, but when it shines it can light up the whole night sky. – Amy Miller, Sales Manager
DeLille Cellars, Chaleur Estate Red – 2019 $86.99
DeLille Cellars is regarded as a top Bordeaux-inspired producer in Washington State, showcasing a tradition of quality and excellence over its 30-year history. Their 2019 Chaleur Estate may be the most powerful and concentrated wine of the vintage for DeLille. The foundation of old vine Cabernet Sauvignon (64%) provides an intense, deep richness. Creme de cassis, marionberry, leather and clove meld to create the initial perfume. The Merlot (24%) brings even more opulence and roundness to the blend, while adding notes of lingonberry, bay leaf and mocha. Cabernet Franc (10%) adds spice and freshness, while the Petit Verdot (2%) offers an ambrosial lift. The result is a wine of depth, complexity, focus and elegance that personifies the French word for warmth, chaleur. Decant and enjoy over several hours. – Simon Gouldstone, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant