The WAC Wine Club is proud to present for our March tasting an exciting exploration of French wines, from southern Champagne, heading east to Chablis and then to the Côte d’Or in Burgundy, specifically Côte de Beaune.

Pierre Gerbais Champagne Brut Nature L’Audace NV

A truly unique Champagne, the NV L’Audace Brut Nature is 100% Pinot Noir showing hints of exotic fruits, slight lemon peel bitterness and dried herbs. and opening fresh and mineral on the nose. This wine is bright and tightly crisp, yet these Pinot Noir wines from this southern region of Champagne show a remarkable complexity of flavors, are full-bodied, very pure and salty on the palate. The soils are Kimmeridgian, though there’s a sector where the limestone-clay mix is nearly identical to what you find in the Côte d’Or. Sometimes we forget how close Beaune is to Champagne, especially the Aube. If you grow up in the Aube, you actually live closer to Beaune than to Reims.

2013 Domaine Vincent Dauvissat Chablis 1er Cru "La Forest"

Carefully crafted by Vincent Dauvissat who ages this wine in Nevers oak in less than 10 percent new barrels, its beautiful form is apparent from the moment it’s poured-- bright, pale yellow with hints of dried yellow orchard fruit, flavors of chamomile, fennel seed, almond, and distinctly cool with stony tension. It tastes umami-rich and feels perfectly balanced, hinting at oyster shells on the nose - sappy, chewy and concentrated but quite dry.

2014 Domaine Vincent Dauvissat Chablis 1er Cru “La Forest” 

Premier Cru Chablis from the region’s left bank does not get much better than this. These wines are bright, pale yellow with a lovely perfumed lift to aromas, very Les Clos-like with flavors of pear, apple, anise, dried flowers, flinty minerality, citrus peel and a gently smoky top note. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, elegantly textural and racy, with a deep but tight-knit core, tangy balancing acids and a long, searingly saline, mineral finish.

Domaine Vincent Dauvissat - There have been largely only two Chablis camps among collectors: Raveneau and Dauvissat. Both superb, Dauvissat is the more traditional, classic Chablis style that every new producer seems to aspire to. 

Since Vincent Dauvissat joined his father René in the 1970s, the Dauvissat label has been a beacon of quality to every drinker and collector. Blessed with enviable holdings from Petit-Chablis through to the Grand Crus of Clos and Preuses, Dauvissat crafts wines of inimitable quality and longevity. Premier Cru La Forêt, (otherwise known as “Forest”), has a similar outlay with the classic Kimmeridgian soils and cool climate, generating the same sort of density and honeyed essence that the Grand Crus possess. 

2010 Louis Latour Volnay En Chevret 1er Cru

One wine critic after tasting this wine exclaimed, “Now, this is Burgundy!” Originating in the village of Volnay, south of Beaune and next to Pommard, the “En Chevret” is a parcel of vines located below the main road through town.  The 2010 color is intense dark ruby red with a mouth-watering bouquet of plums, strawberries, licorice, peppermint and pear.  The winery recommends pairing this with game and mature cheeses and they suggest veal with cream and morel mushrooms.

 
2015 Domaine de Courcel Pommard Grand Clos des Epenots 1er Cru

The Domaine de Courcel is a 400-year-old winery producing wines from seven different locations, all based in Pommard.  Le Grand Clos des Epenots is the largest plot in the vineyard and is located north of Pommard, at the start of the slope with ~60 year-old vines.  The wine is a deep ruby red color, offering aromas of blackberry, violet, kirsch and licorice.  This red unfolds nicely, leaving a complex finish that introduces an accent of bittersweet chocolate.

Barolo, the Wine of Kings and King of Wines

Not often do we have the chance to taste four different wines from the same winery (Vietti), the same region (Barolo), the same vintage (2015) and the same grape (Nebbiolo)—and we’re including a special white Vietti too. The WAC Wine Club is in for a special treat to start off the new year just right.

A word about the region, wine and grape: Barolo is one of the most prestigious, age-worthy, and collectible wines in the world. Like so many of the greats, Barolo is a fascinating expression of a particular place as experienced through the lens of a consistent grape variety, Nebbiolo. All wines from the Barolo DOCG must be 100% Nebbiolo, a grape loved for its rich nose and anise aromas with mouth-drying tannin and striking acidity.  Barolo is actually the fruitiest and most full-bodied of all the Nebbiolo regions in the Langhe, which is found in the Cuneo province of Piedmont in Northwestern Italy.  

It was at the end of the 1800s when Carlo Vietti started the Vietti Winery, right in the heart of the Langhe, on the highest point of the medieval village of Castiglione Falletto, in the very place where it is located today.  The winery remained in the family until the Krause Family purchased it in 2016.  Today, Vietti counts within its heritage some of the finest and most representative vineyards of the Barolo and Barbaresco areas and is universally considered to be among the best Italian wines.

2015 Vietti Barolo Brunate 

The grapes for this wine come from the historical cru Brunate, located in La Morra, on the south side towards Barolo from old vines. The wine spent about 30 months in French oak barrels and Slovenian oak casks.  Expect an intense ruby red wine with generous body, harmoniously balanced, velvety texture with a long rich finish. The wine shows ripe red fruit, lots of spices, violet, plums and intense tar, very typical for the Brunate vineyard.

2015 Vietti Barolo Castiglione

Grapes selected from small vineyards spread around the Barolo region are vinified and aged separately with slightly different processes to underline the singular characteristics of each parcel and terroir. The wine is aged for roughly 30 months in oak and barriques; all parcels are then carefully blended before bottling.  Aromas of plum, red ripe black and sour cherries with a hint of rose petal emerge from the glass while on the palate the flavor is classic, rich and potent, with notes of alpine herbs and a leathery finish.

2015 Vietti Barolo Lazzarito 

This wine is made from the single vineyard, Lazzarito in Serralunga d’Alba, from vines that average 36 years. This small vineyard enjoys a southwest exposure with clay and limestone soil with careful attention paid in the winemaking process.   Different from the others, the wine is deep garnet red in color, richly rounded with intense aromatics hinting of figs and plums.  Soft and sweet tannins are apparent followed by a long finish.

2015 Vietti Barolo Ravera

All grapes for this wine come from the single vineyard, Ravera, in Novello where the oldest vines were planted in 1935. This vineyard also has a southwest exposure with clay and limestone soil. The wine spent over a year on fine lees without racking.  Also intensely deep garnet red in color, this wine exhibits a classical and traditional robust structure with impressive tannins.  Expect distinct cherry notes with a touch of spice and menthol on the nose finishing with a firm impression of elegant fruit.

2021 Vietti Derthona Colli Tortonesi Timorasso

This white wine is made from an ancient grape variety that was on the verge of extinction.  Dry in style wines made from the Timorasso grape tend to be full-bodied with good acidity.  Having spent some time in stainless steel tanks and large oak casks Vietti’s Derthona shows nice complexity and refinement.  On the nose notes of ripe pear and peaches along with honey come through nicely.  The wine’s flavor profile proves gentle, soft and quite rich though very well balanced, without any edges.

PLEASE NOTE: This event will be held in the WAC Johnson Lobby Lounge.

Join us for a captivating journey through the vibrant cellars of Woodinville, the hidden gem that has played an instrumental role in shaping Washington's wine legacy. Dive deep into the stories, challenges, and triumphs of the region with an exclusive interview featuring the co-owner and winemaker of esteemed estates, Avennia and Liminal. Together, we'll uncork the history of wine evolution in both Woodinville and the wider Washington area, delving into the transformational changes over the decades and pondering the tantalizing prospects of the future. Raise your glasses to the symphony of terroir and talent that is Washington and Woodinville wine!

We will be tasting the following wines: 

2021 Oliane Sauvignon Blanc

The Story of This Wine. We believe Washington State can make Sauvignon Blanc that competes with any in the world. Oliane is barrel fermented in French oak using native yeast and aged on the lees for 7 months. It is bottled unfined to allow for greatest expression and complexity.

Winemaker’s Tasting Notes. “Pale straw in color with flecks of green. The nose is very complex and evocative, combining white stone fruit, grapefruit, a touch of summer peach, along with a little brioche, sun-dried hay, and a marine minerality. The palate is quite rich, yet cut through with an incisive minerality. Bright citrus and stone fruit lead, with a lot of complex hints of rubbed fennel, hibiscus, golden straw, and crushed flint. This quite concentrated, yet light on its feet wine, is singing right now, but should be very interesting to watch age for the next 7-10 years as well.”

- Chris Peterson, Winemaker

Past Vintage Scores

2020: 93, Owen Bargreen; 92, International Wine Report
2019: 92 & Editors’ Choice, Wine Enthusiast; 92, Vinous
2018: 92, Vinous
2017: 92, Jeb Dunnuck; 91 & Editors’ Choice, Wine Enthusiast

2020 Justine Rhone Blend 

The Story of This Wine. Justine reflects our belief that Washington is capable of producing world-class blends of grape varieties traditional to the Southern Rhône region of France. The name is in-spired by one of the great heroines of recent literature, who also sprung from the imagination of the Mediterranean. Dark, seductive, complex, with a chasm of depth. The Justine is a great reflection of Avennia’s mission of expression, and Washington’s generous terroir.

Winemaker’s Tasting Notes. “Showing a medium-dark garnet color, this wine starts with a beautiful nose of dark raspberry, pomegranate, and orange zest, and desert herbs. The palate is seamless and complex, with dark red fruits, violets, licorice pastille, and wet clay. This wine always shows well on release and can age for a decade plus in the cellar.” - Chris Peterson, Winemaker

94 points, International Wine Report

2020 Sestina Cabernet Sauvignon

The Story of This Wine. The Sestina is an ancient form of poetry from Medieval France. Just as a modern poet can fill this form with new expressions, we use the traditional Bordeaux blend to express Washington. Sestina is our vision for an old vine, complex blend where all of the components complement each other. This wine is designed for the cellar, so the emphasis is on structure, balance, and complexity.

Winemaker’s Tasting Notes. “The nose on this wine is classic Sestina, with black currant cordial, Damson plum, dark chocolate torte, licorice pastille, bay leaf, and hints of wet river stones. Deep and impactful on the palate, where the dark blue and black fruits are carried by notes of sweet herbs, dark chocolate, bee pollen, and graphite notes. While this is showing great now, Sestina is designed to age very well. Drink 2025-2045.” - Chris Peterson, Winemaker

94 points, Northwest Wine Report

2020 Arnaut Syrah

The Story of This Wine. For our taste, no one grows finer Syrah in the state than Dick Boushey. We make this wine with minimal manipulation using native yeasts, bottling unfined and unfiltered, to allow the “place” to shine through. We named this wine after the Provençal troubadour, Arnaut Daniel, who invented the Sestina poem form, thus creating a connection between our two flagship efforts.

Winemaker’s Tasting Notes. “This wine is quite dark in color, with aromas of black raspberry, plum and blackberry reduction, dried sage, and crushed rock. The palate is deep and quite savory, showing black fruits, licorice root, grilled pork belly, and black peppercorns. Though there’s plenty of fruit here, the savory elements are what sets this Arnaut apart. Give it a couple of years in the cellar and enjoy over the next decade and a half.” - Chris Peterson, Winemaker

95 points & Critic’s Choice, Northwest Wine Report

Liminal 2020 GSM Vineyard Series

Winemaking. Aged 16 months in a combination of French oak and concrete egg; blend of 46% Grenache, 28% Mourvèdre, 26% Syrah.

Winemaker’s Notes. Brooding black-red fruits, dark Amaro core, blood orange, bouquet garni. Large scaled with dark red fruits, salmonberry, Provencal herbs, and crushed stone mingling on a richly complete palate. Drink: 2024-2032.

91-93 points, Jeb Dunnuck

— Registration Closed —

An Evening Exploring the Northern Rhône Wine Region:

The Land of French Syrah

According to Wine Folly, the Northern Rhône may not be the epicenter of where the first Syrah vine appeared (which is about 35 miles southeast of this region), however it is the benchmark by which all other Syrah wines are measured. Syrahs from this area exhibit styles very unlike other regions across the world. The area is renowned for its steep terraces, unique trellises, diverse soil types from north to south and very famous appellations such as Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage, two areas on our tasting list. Alex Morrison, Certified Sommelier and veteran wine expert, will lead us on our Syrah journey.

Maison les Alexandrins Condrieu 2016

Maison les Alexandrins is the story of three friends combining the savoir-faire they learned from their parents and grandparents and the fruits from beautiful and historic terroirs. Nicolas Jaboulet, the 6th generation of a wine growing family in Tain l’Hermitage, Guillaume Sorrel, son of Marc Sorrel of Domaine Sorrel in Hermitage, and Alexandre Caso, a specialist in the terroirs of the Northern Rhône, joined forces in 2012. Today, Maison and Domaine Les Alexandrins produces Northern Rhône wines that are true and classic expressions of the Northern Rhône.

As the source of some of the most vibrant and powerful white wines in France, Condrieu is uniquely situated in one of the northern outposts of the Rhône River. It is the original Viognier appellation with a winegrowing history dating back well over two thousand years.

This unique wine exhibits aromas of exotic fruit, pineapple, acacia flowers, lychee and peach including very elegant and discreet aging notes of sweet spice. A honeyed smell may mislead you to think the wine will be sweet but the modern style totally appears dry on the palate. The finish is saline with beautiful bitterness and a flash of minerality buried on the finish.

Domaine Belle Hermitage 2013

Belle Hermitage dates back to 1933 when Louis Belle, a great winegrower, acquired some superb parcels of land in communes of Larnage and Tain l’Hermitage. When Louis transferred the land to his son Albert in the 1970s, the holding consisted of four hectares spread over two communes, Larnage and Tain. Together Albert (son) and Philippe (grandson) have built a modern winery giving them the means to produce great wines which respect the terroir of the individual appellations.

A rich, complex aroma of black fruit develops from the outset showing notes of blackberry liqueur, cassis and elderflower. Olive tapenade, smoked earth, black currant and hints of beef blood flow nicely to create a medium- to full-bodied wine. It is a balanced, yet concentrated and structured Hermitage, with an aromatic length. This Hermitage is a beautiful crimson with glints of dark purple—a wine so full of color it is nearly black.

E. Guigal Château d’Ampuis Côte-Rôtie 2014

The Guigal domain was founded in 1946 by Ḗtienne Guigal in Ampuis, a small, ancient village at the heart of the Côte-Rôtie appellation. It is overlooked by unique vineyards where vines and wine have been celebrated for over 2,400 years. Today it is run by third generation winemakers, Philippe and Eve Guigal, who now make some of the best wines of the Rhône valley. In 1995 they acquired the famous Château d’Ampuis, a historical and oenological marvel situated on the banks of the Rhône, that history has linked directly to the Côte-Rôtie appellation.

Matured in new oak that sees the same élevage as the single vineyard cuvées, the 2014 Côte Rôtie Château D'Ampuis boasts terrific ripeness and depth, with a Burgundian style in its perfumed red and black fruits, spice box, and dried flower aromas and flavors. With medium body, fine tannins, and terrific balance, muscular complexity and length, Château d’Ampuis defines what a great Côte-Rôtie should be.

2015 Jean-Baptiste Souillard St. Joseph Bergeron

Jean-Baptiste Souillard is a deeply serious young winemaker with an impressive background, having worked at Château Latour, Comte Armand and Jean-Luc Colombo, not to mention several stints abroad. He worked in Burgundy as well, and loving the region and their single varietal wines, he felt frustrated to see so many great terroirs from the Northern Rhône being blended. He then decided to make his own wines by sourcing grapes from single plots only. His first vintage was 2014 with all his wines bearing the plots’ names, like in Burgundy. The vineyards are mostly located at the top of the hill (with granite soils), which are the rarest in the Northern Rhône appellations.

The 2014 vintage expresses notes of peonies and talcum powder, black and red fruits with old wood, savory aromatics and an effortlessly long finish. For this particular Syrah, one can imagine drinking a whole-cluster-Burgundy faded by rose petals with magnificent, hyper-tense, savory notes, yet this is a wine that heralds from the Northern Rhône.

2018 Jean-Luc Columbo Cornas ‘Les Ruchets’

Innovation, passion and dedication are what drive Jean-Luc and Anne Colombo, whose contributions to Rhône Valley winemaking have remained unparalleled since 1984. The Colombos’ innovative approach in the northern appellation of Cornas has been nothing short of revolutionary. Their expressive, character-driven wines have helped breathe new life into this highly prestigious and acclaimed appellation. Jean-Luc, Anne and their daughter Laure, now head winemaker, continue to ensure the production of fine wines of typicity from major appellations of the Rhône Valley, as well as the Languedoc and Provence, while maintaining sustainable farming practices.

The 2018 Cornas ‘Les Ruchets’ leads off with hints of mint, fennel, crushed stone and blackberries. It's full-bodied and rich, expansive and generous without crossing over into being jammy, with savory notes of black olives and roast meat to balance out the ripe fruit and a lingering, softly tannic finish.