The Bunnell Family Cellars 2007 “VIF”

*Bottle #82: The Bunnell Family Cellars 2007 Columbia Valley VIF
*Price Tag: $30 (Homie hook-up for me this time though)
*Running Tab: $1,139

A rarity that the wine industry stills holsters close to its heart and main functioning is the concept of “family.”

With the major holidays of the year nearing, this concept is reflected upon, acknowledged, appreciated and even tried. However, I believe it to be an innate human characteristic to have a general, overall draw and respect to the concept of family.

This rarity is held with high honors in the wine industry as well, with the concept being slapped on labels for more than just a marketing ploy, but as a mission statement for the winery itself.

“Family Cellars,” “Family Estate” or “Family Winery” are all titles that are not loosely coupled.

One such story is that of The Bunnell Family Cellars. After harvests spent with Chateau Ste. Michelle, Kendall-Jackson and Beringer, Ron Bunnell branched off on his own to create small lot, hand-crafted Rhone-style gem factory from the greater Columbia Valley and posting up in Prosser. Referring to his specific blending practices, Ron’s wines are “vins de l’esprit,” meaning “wines of the creative spirit.” To take the experience one step further, Ron’s wife, Susan, brings a “culinary flair” to their tasting room with her acclaimed cookery. Together, they offer Prosser an exclusive bon vivant escapade.

Workaday Wine – A Look at Kamiak’s New Releases

Last week on a cold and blustery Thursday afternoon, we sat down to get some work done, which means we fired up our laptops and opened two bottles of wine. The wines of the day were a white and a red by Kamiak Wines, a Washington venture (produced and bottled by Gordon Brothers Family Vineyards) whose family ranch dates back to 1907. Kamiak takes its name from Chief Kamiak of the Yakama Tribe who, according to the story, initiated irrigation of the Columbia Valley back in the mid-1800′s.

The two wines we tasted (and finished, you should know) were the 2008 Windust White and the 2007 Rock Lake Red. These are two value wines with a low price-point making them easy to pick up and easy to drink, and quite frankly, made an afternoon of work damn enjoyable.

These are workaday wines. They do exactly what they’re supposed to do–they get the job done, and they do it with a bit of flair.

Bottleology – Nodland Cellars with Tim and Tracy Nodland

Please pay attention—I have a discovery to announce.  Immersed in the wine business as a Sommelier and Wine Writer, I’m always on the hunt for inspiring greatness. In particular, I look for those that are genuine, and I seek wines that are unique and apart from the main stream.  My intention is to also be the first to discover that special something.  On this day, I’d like to make it official that Tim and Tracy Nodland of Nodland Cellars in Spokane, Washington offer me just that.  Here’s the Bottleology look-behind-the-bottle.

T-N-T: On an immediate “cool note,” Tim is a musician who put himself through college as a guitarist touring nightclubs throughout the western United States. Later, he got a job booking bands with a talent agency.

“I worked with ‘hair’ bands in the late 1980s and at one time had eighteen metal bands on the road all over the country. I still play guitar, but now I usually play jazz and my performances are a little more laid back than what I was doing with music in my early career,” Tim said.

Tracy–a stunning woman with Sicilian looks and charm–loves to oil paint.  Her murals can be found on the winery walls, with titles like, “I Love My Job” and “Submerged In My Work.” Tim says, “She can also take anything and arrange it to make it look beautiful.”

Together they collaborate and channel their creativity into making wine.

2007 Renato Ratti Colombè Dolcetto d’Alba

*Bottle #81: 2007 Renato Ratti Colombè Dolcetto d’Alba
*Price Tag: $15
*Running Tab: $1,139
*Purchased At: Garagiste, Seattle

I’m on this wine mailing list that I happen to believe was one of the innovators of Seattle-area online wine retail – Garagiste.

Whossawhat’s it? Yeah, it’s a neat concept. Their Web site defines itself as so:
“Garagiste:\ga-räzh-eest\ n fr. garer to dock, to protect
1. a passionate winemaker who creates fine limited production wines(occasionally in his or her garage)
2. a selective, Seattle-based retail emporium dedicated to the wine artisan and consumer…”

And they do so through email.

They’ve received numerous nods from Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Paul Gregutt, the Seattle P-I (RIP print!) and creator John Rimmerman got buzz for a 2008 Innovator of the Year title.

Needless to say, this “loosely-Seattle-based” retailer does amazing business, through their multi-daily email blasts not only detailing the wine but enabling the consuming to get to know the wine and winemaker better than most opportunities.

Back when I was more eager about spending money early last year, I purchased a few bottles from Garagiste (and got exceedingly lost in Sodo trying to find the warehouse to pick it up). One of them being this week’s 2007 Renato Ratti “Colombè” Dolcetto d’Alba.

From My Cold Dead Hands: The NRA and Wine

Wine has a wide appeal, it’s true. Wine clubs pop up in some of the damnedest places. The newest, perhaps, and certainly the rootinest-tootinest, is the National Rifle Association Wine Club.

You wouldn’t think–at least I wouldn’t–that a day of shoot-’em-up would be topped off with a glass of 2007 Jean Philippe Blanquette de Limoux or 2006 Chateau Douley Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, but those are just two of the wines offered in the NRA’s wine shop, and they haven’t even dubbed them “freedom wines.”

The wine club is a fundraising effort; ten percent of each sale goes to support the NRA. According to their website, buying wine from them will protect the Constitution:

Support the National Rifle Association and America’s second Amendment rights by purchasing your wine through the NRA Wine Club and have the convenience of home delivery on the finest wines that vineyards all over the world have to offer.

Your purchase will directly benefit the NRA’s continuing support of America’s Right to Keep and Bear Arms and the other basic freedoms of the American Culture. The NRA Wine Club has been founded on these principals and is bringing you the finest wines that are available.

The NRA’s spokesman Andrew Arulanandam is reported as saying, “NRA members like the freedom to choose an adult beverage of their choice.” Ah, the freedom of redundancy.

Club founder Martin Stewart Jr. was perhaps a little less pontifical: “Get ready to sip . . . savor . . . swirl . . . share . . . and enjoy!” he said. Well spoken, sir.

So grab your favorite stemware and firearm, but perhaps not at the same time.

Round Table: Walla Walla, Pt. 3

We brought back so many wines from our trip to Walla Walla this year that we decided to split them up into four Round Table segments. In this third part, we examine the Cabernet Sauvignons that we snagged in the land o’ many rivers. Stay tuned for Part 4, where we delve into the many Syrahs in Walla2.

The Cabernet Sauvignons

Whitman Cellars
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Walla Walla Valley
$36

The Whitman Cab Sauv combines seriousness and glee in the manner of Mary Poppins. On the nose, you get some green pepper and other vegetal notes, along with a hint some Juicy Fruit gum. On the palate, it’s earthy and textured along with tart, sweet fruits and a Bing cherry finish. Really well balanced and structured, this wine has a little something for everyone. You may find yourself singing, “A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down…”

Dusted Valley
2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley
$45

Thick, rich, chewy and viscous, this Cab has the texture of a late-harvest, though it isn’t. It’s an artery-clogger in wine form. Most interesting on the attack, it has some earthiness and a little funk, along with suggestions of chocolate covered cherries. Big and lush, the flavors meld together on the mid-palate, and slowly fade through the long finish. This is a wine that eats like a meal.

David Egan Recommends

Dave Egan, member of the WINO Round Table and proprietor of Vino Verité, loves to help his customers find just the right wine. So, we asked him what he’d recommend for Christmas dinner. Here’s what we found out.

We love matching wine with food. Christmas dinner might be a little tough, but there are so many wines out there that we can always find something perfect for your particular dinner. That said, here are some suggestions that might work with standard Christmas menus.

First off, let’s talk white. You’ll need something that can stand on its own, as an aperitif, as well as something to have with the meal. For a wintertime dinner, I’d suggest something both rich and elegant–something like the 2007 Domaine Pierre Noire Blanc du Moulin ($20). It’s 60% Rousanne and 40% Viognier from Horse Heaven fruit.

Then for the main course, I’d suggest a good Pinot Noir for turkey–maybe a 2006 Animale Pinot Noir Reserve ($32), which is tangy and well-structured, and for extra points, it’s made right in Ballard!

If the entrée is ham, the pairing range opens up a lot, but I’d suggest something a little fuller to stand up to the saltiness of the ham. The 2006 Bonair Cabernet Franc ($15) is substantial and delicious, and just a steal at the price. Cabernet Francs are coming on strong in Washington State now, and with good reason. They’re full, rich and just a touch rustic, which is great for those long winter nights.

Top Ten Reasons To Celebrate Wine in The New Year

As we approach the ‘tween years of the new millennium, there are many things to be excited about in the world of wine. Our own Chris Chan has compiled a list of things you should definitely be checking out next year. Hell, do it now.

By Christopher Chan

#10. Tasting Rooms

There are over 100 wineries within thirty miles of downtown Seattle, and that means many, many places to celebrate wine! So much wine, so much time (a whole year) to visit, view, sip and decide before you buy! Just remember to be cool and courteous just like the tasting room staff, and you’ll have a blast. Plus, no glasses to wash afterwards!

#9. Wine Bloggers

There’s an old saying about opinions… everyone’s got a pair and now there’s more than a “million” reviews, recommendations, and write-ups on wine. In fact, this June, Walla Walla will be hosting the 2010 Wine Blogger’s Conference. Read some, write some, heck… don’t cost nothin’. So, get your iPhones ready, and come and get your “blog” on, or if you’d rather…“tweet” this!

Domaine Notre Dame des Pallieres 2006 Gigondas

*Bottle #80: Domaine Notre Dame des Pallieres 2006 Gigondas Red Rhone Wine
*Price Tag: $17
*Running Tab: $1,124
*Purchased At: Vino Verite, Seattle

Translated Web sites make me giggle.

Being a linguistic of one tongue (excluding two years of Spanish from high school that I don’t remember enough of to even consider my skills as pigeon), I have no room to talk. However, when punctuation ceases to exist and words are used in 100% literal context, it has to make you laugh.

I’m reading the site of this week’s wine, brought to you by the two cousins that run Domaine Notre Dame des Pallieres in Southern Rhône.

Exhibit A:
“In the field, the successive generations, working the land planting vineyards, building the firm to watch if Provencal style, digging cellars, all they have contributed to give these places an atmosphere of calm happy that we feel when the first visit.”

I love calm happy.

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