A Big Time Chardonnay For A Little Price!

David LeClaire

2015 Coach House Chardonnay

I’m always on the look out for a good Chardonnay that is what Chardonnay lovers want – a good textured, creamy wine with a nice buttery soft texture without a ton of oak. And while you can find these for $35-50 pretty easily, it’s almost impossible to find a good one that’s under $20. Most in that price category are “unoaked” or lightly oaked – which is fine, but they tend to be light and crisp and lack that creamy texture people want.

I can’t tell you why we were able to get such a screaming deal on this delicious Chardonnay, but I can tell you it’s exactly what I was looking for. This wine from a tiny Washington producer is hand crafted and sourced from two vineyards in Yakima, then aged “sur lie” which means they leave the yeast sediment in the barrel while it’s aging to add layers of flavor.

And while 50% of this wine aged in new French Oak and the rest in previously used barrels, the wine gets its creaminess without being overly oaky at the same time.  Most wine at this price would be lucky if it was “oaked” with wood chips rather than new $1000 barrels.

Expect that buttery popcorn flavor with hints of pear and melon, and a subtle Meyer lemon finish with a good rich texture without going overboard. For this price I bought a case for myself at what was a one time winery direct deal!

https://madwine.com/chardonnay/93164-coach-house-cellars-chardonnay-2015.html

Napa Goes Big On Washington Cabernet

David LeClaire

By Sommelier David LeClaire

2015 Canvasback Cabernet – Red Mt.
90 Points – Wine Enthusiast
92 Points – James Suckling
92 Points – Wine Advocate
93 Points – Wine & Spirits

In 2011 after conducting extensive blind tastings between Napa Valley and Washington Cabernet Sauvignons, Duckhorn Vineyards was so excited about the quality and character of the wines from Washington State, and in particular the exceptional Cabernet Sauvignons from Red Mountain, they decided to invest in Washington.

Working with legendary Washington vineyard manager Dick Boushey, they began cultivating relationships with the growers who farm some of the appellation’s most esteemed vineyards, as well as planting their own vineyards. This was one of the first ever serious investments in Washington from a well respected Napa winery. As with all Duckhorn wines, they needed to name the wine after a duck, so they came up with Canvasback, a duck native to the Pacific Flyway. 

This wine has received some pretty lofty scores, with 4 esteemed publications all giving it 90+ points, as it has notable presence and depth with a creamy fine-grained texture and gorgeous flavors of black plum, marionberry, with notes of nutmeg and hazelnut. Yet it’s the restranied nature of this wine that had the critics impressed, as it drinks more like a French Bordeaux than a big juicy Washington Cab.

The balance comes in part to it’s Bordeaux style makeup, with 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc with 20 months in barrel 98% French oak barrels. Duckhorn is going all in on Washington Cabernet. And if you want to see what Napa is up to in Washington, give this a try!

Old School Wine From An Old School Winemaker

David LeClaire

’17 Thurston Wolfe “Dr. Wolfes Red”
Horse Heaven Hills Vineyard – WA

Dr. Wade Wolfe, a geologist who started his legendary career as a winemaker for Chateau Ste. Michelle in 1978, is as much of a grower as a winemaker and still has his roots firmly planted in the vineyards.

Wade Wolfe ~ Thurston Wolfe, Yakima Valley

Founding his own winery nine years later in the valley, last year he and his wife Becky celebrated their 30-year anniversary as owners of Thurston Wolfe Winery. They are not the new kids on the block obviously, and frankly, have been one of the most consistent and reliable wines from Yakima for a very long time

I am sure Dr. Wolfe would appreciate it that I refer to him as old school, which also means that he still makes wine the old fashioned way, without any coloring components or modern additives that a lot of the hot new young winemakers secretly embrace to make their flashy wines taste more appealing.

That’s why I was so impressed with the Dr. Wolfe’s Family Red – I know it’s ONLY grapes, made in barrels, no tricks up the sleeve. And for a wine under $20 these days that is becoming harder and harder to find. His 2017 signature red blend is 62% Zinfandel, 29% Petite Sirah for depth, and a little splash of Lemberger which added light spicy hints and elevated the entirety of the blend.

The 2017 vintage could have not been any better, and this wine has a nice deep red color and dark fruit aromatics. It’s balanced and has notes of dried dark cherry and mocha and coffee bean

David

Mouth Wide Shut: A Physical Improv Comedy

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Classic comedy reimagined! This fun interactive show pushes the boundaries of physical humor. In Mouth Wide Shut, our experienced improvisers use your suggestions to create stories, laughter, playful kinetic energy, and a few surprises using only physical humor…without any words. Inspired by silent movies, classical mime, and groups like the Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil. From the producers of Seattle Theatresports.

The post Mouth Wide Shut: A Physical Improv Comedy appeared first on Visit Seattle.

Mouth Wide Shut: A Physical Improv Comedy

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Classic comedy reimagined! This fun interactive show pushes the boundaries of physical humor. In Mouth Wide Shut, our experienced improvisers use your suggestions to create stories, laughter, playful kinetic energy, and a few surprises using only physical humor…without any words. Inspired by silent movies, classical mime, and groups like the Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil. From the producers of Seattle Theatresports.

The post Mouth Wide Shut: A Physical Improv Comedy appeared first on Visit Seattle.

Mouth Wide Shut: A Physical Improv Comedy

Gravitate

Classic comedy reimagined! This fun interactive show pushes the boundaries of physical humor. In Mouth Wide Shut, our experienced improvisers use your suggestions to create stories, laughter, playful kinetic energy, and a few surprises using only physical humor…without any words. Inspired by silent movies, classical mime, and groups like the Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil. From the producers of Seattle Theatresports.

The post Mouth Wide Shut: A Physical Improv Comedy appeared first on Visit Seattle.

Mouth Wide Shut: A Physical Improv Comedy

Gravitate

Classic comedy reimagined! This fun interactive show pushes the boundaries of physical humor. In Mouth Wide Shut, our experienced improvisers use your suggestions to create stories, laughter, playful kinetic energy, and a few surprises using only physical humor…without any words. Inspired by silent movies, classical mime, and groups like the Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil. From the producers of Seattle Theatresports.

The post Mouth Wide Shut: A Physical Improv Comedy appeared first on Visit Seattle.

Mouth Wide Shut: A Physical Improv Comedy

Gravitate

Classic comedy reimagined! This fun interactive show pushes the boundaries of physical humor. In Mouth Wide Shut, our experienced improvisers use your suggestions to create stories, laughter, playful kinetic energy, and a few surprises using only physical humor…without any words. Inspired by silent movies, classical mime, and groups like the Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil. From the producers of Seattle Theatresports.

The post Mouth Wide Shut: A Physical Improv Comedy appeared first on Visit Seattle.

Inside Story: Adventures in Storytelling

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An exciting exploration of storytelling in several exciting forms. These talented cast of improvisers is inspired to create stories from your true-life secret, personal, and funny stories. It’s The Moth meets Whose Line is it Anyway, only less formatted, more spontaneous and out of control fun! Come share an Inside Story.

The post Inside Story: Adventures in Storytelling appeared first on Visit Seattle.

Duo Comedy Showcase

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The Duo Comedy Improv Showcase is Seattle’s ONLY improv open mic. Each show features multiple two-person teams doing what they do best: creating spontaneous scenes on the fly that are so hilarious, quick-witted and perfectly constructed, it’s hard to believe they are made up on the spot. Using suggestions from the audience to fuel the funny fire.

The post Duo Comedy Showcase appeared first on Visit Seattle.