Welcome to Artisan Wine Gallery Blog
This is to announce to all of you who have signed our mailing list in the shop that we have enrolled you in our blog. Our intention in doing that is that you will get occasional emails about our events and weekly tastings, and that you will be able to stay in touch with an occasional post of your own.
We are pretty new at this, so I hope you are not being bombarded with all the little corrections to posts as we figure out how the member list works. Our aim is to develop this as an extension of the little community we enjoy in the shop on Saturday afternoons, a place to talk about wine and all the things in life that go with it.
If it doesn’t work for you to be on this list, I think there is someplace on the page where you can opt out (go ahead, break our hearts!). Also we would appreciate suggestions for how to make this site more useful, informative, or enjoyable. Little by little, with the help of our blog-gurus Leigh and Brian, we will iron out the wrinkles and co-evolve in some rewarding directions.
Thanks for your support, your friendship, and your patience!
Rich and Pat
Saturday, June 20 Wine Tasting
Last Saturday turned up about ten guests. Regulars (god bless ’em!) included Anne and Jerry, David and Kier, Mark and daughter Livvy, and Robin and Ian–she still suffering the aftermath of orthopedic surgery still managed to drag herself up the stairs for a little vino and crowd consolation. Also enjoyed new guests Will and Jane, who just (two weeks ago) moved to 4th Corner from Denver via Indiana (“guess we’re not in Indiana anymore, Toto”…).
Thought I was pouring the ’06 Legoe Bay syrah, but turned out to be the ’05, which was showing very well after a year in bottle—too bad it was the last of its kind! But we all think the ’06 is even better right out of the starting gate, and there is still plenty of that.
After the regular tasting Leigh and Brian brought some California friends (pretty rowdy!) for a special tasting of some especially delicious Northwest wines, including the Four Graces, Hestia semillon ’06, Isenhower merlot ’03, Cadence Ciel du Cheval cab ’02, Betz Clos de Betz ’04, and finishing with a Quilceda Creek CV Red ’05. All pretty yummy!
This week’s lineup will include:
- Brancott Sauvigon Blanc ’08 (NZ) “Tight and tart, with sharply focused grapefruit, lime and peach aromas and flavors”…$13 read more
- Abbey Page (Unoaked) Chardonnay ’06 (OR) “Elements of lime and kiwi combine with the dominant apple flavors”…$10
- Wrongo Dongo ’07 (Spain) “Juicy, straightforward blackberry and cherry flavors brightened by baking spices and cracked pepper”…$8
- Chateau Donjon minervois cuvee (France) “ripe fruit and chocolate aromas. Full and generous on the palate with a long, powerful finish supported by soft tannins”… $14 read more
- Legoe Bay Syrah (Washington- June Wine of the Month: “…dark cherries and red plums, a great value at $12!” read more
Saturday June 13 – Wine Tasting
I think we set some kind of record last weekend with the number of guests for wine tasting! Some regulars –Anne and Jerry, Steve and Mary Beth, Brian and Leigh (the force behind this blog), special return welcome to David and Kier, just arrived for the summer– and some first-timers from Oregon , Kansas, and even mainland Bellingham.
The cool weather made the reds the favorites for the day, with the OS red showing really well, which prompted us to open an OS R3 (its bigger brother) which was also a hit.
This weekend we are planning to taste:
- Dry Creek chenin blanc (Calif) – luscious notes of melon, peach, and lemon peel
- Four Graces Pinot Gris (Oregon) – rich and creamy texture, notes of peach, apricot, citrus
- Alberti 154 Malbec (Argentina) -dark cherries, raspberries and a hint of leather
- L’Oustal Blanc Minervois (France)- Parker 93 pts: “Lavender, marjoram, black pepper and black cherry on the nose lead to a velvety, expansive palate full of pure, sweet, almost honeyed black cherry essence. Vanilla, clove, and lavender add complexity…”
- Legoe Bay Syrah (right here!): June Wine of the Month: dark cherries and red plums, a great value at $12!
Saturday June 6 – Wine Tasting
Looks like another great Lummi Island wine tasting this weekend. Just finished tasting some new arrivals and gotta say…Yum!
As you know we have had some delightfully unseasonable warm weather this week, and to celebrate and top it off, we offer four great wines PLUS our new Wine of the Month.
for whites, we have the elusive Cloudy Bay sauvignon blanc, which put New Zealand on the map for the varietal some years ago. Lovely notes of lime, kiwi (honestly!), and grapefruit over a clean, stony frame. For those that like their whites with more body and a touch of sweetness, we’ll also be pouring the Brooks Amycas, a lovely blend of pinot gris, viognier, and riesling from Oregon.
On the red side, we’ll go with a Spanish favorite and a great buy, the Borsao red blend of tempranillo and garnacha, followed by the new OS Red, a big, soft Washington blend of cab, cab franc, and merlot.
We will finish with our new Wine of the Month for June, the just released 2006 Legoe Bay Syrah, made right here on Lummi Island. This time they have nailed it with mouthfilling, balanced notes of dark cherries and red plums. Special all month at only $12 per bottle!
2072 Granger Way