Taste Washington! Recommended Wines.
It was my good fortune to stray from my tasting list at Taste Washington. Rushing from winery to winery, working through my list, juggling business cards, wine glass, camera, tapping out notes on my iPad, I took a breather and looked around. My attention was caught by the friendly ladies at the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center. They were pouring a vertical tasting of 2004 – 2009 Legends red wine blends. I should note that the wines they poured for me are not for sale. This tasting was a treat, a touch overwhelming and a privilege. I could have spent the afternoon and evening with these wines.
The Legends of Washington Wine Hall of Fame is a project of the Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center. Named after the late Dr. Walter J. Clore, the Clore Center will be a centrally located, must-see learning center that promotes Washington wine and food by engaging visitors to experience the diversity and quality of Washington’s wine and food products.
Legends of Washington Wine Hall of Fame Gala
The next Legends Gala is on August 12, 2012. This annual Gala will honor the newest Washington Wine Hall of Fame Inductee and the release of the 6th exclusive Legends red wine blend. Nominees are individuals who exemplify legendary status because of contributions and commitment to the Washington wine industry. Eligible candidates must have been Washington residents for 25 years and involved in the wine industry for 25 years. Nomination forms will be available on March 30, and submissions are due by April 30.
The wines poured for me were only available at prior Legends of Washington Wine Galas. If you want to buy the next release, you will have to attend the Gala on August 12th.
Vertical Tasting – Legends of Wine
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon by Rick Small, Woodward Canyon, Legends of Wine. Loveliness. Aging very well. 80% Champoux Vineyard, includes Sagemoor, Klipsun, Tapteil and Woodward Canyon. Released in 2006.
2005 Merlot by Ray Einberger, fruit, interesting, mid-palate, rests, lingers. Hand picked fruit, 18 month barrel aging, 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Released 2007.
2006 Genesis Cabernet Sauvignon, by Co Dinn, Director of Winemaking at Hogue Cellars. Very good, oh for a bottle to take home. Released 2008.
2008 Legends Blend, by Gordon Hill, enologist, now with Milbrandt Winery. Blend of 70% Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, touch of Malbec rounds it out. Oh wow, pink cake, dry, big but smooth. Wow. Released 2010.
2009 Malbec, by John Freeman. 90% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Pepper, fruit, incredible, round, tasty, bright finish, very good. Released 2011.
Wines listed here are the wines I liked and recommend. My favorite wines appealed to me because they expressed unique characteristics and quality, they are indicated by an “*” and are in italics.
Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center
POB 1228
2140 Wine Country Rd.
Prosser, WA 99350
Vineyard Pavilion
The Vineyard Pavilion at the Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center opened on June 30, 2011. This indoor/outdoor event venue is available for meetings, events, and weddings. On an annual basis, the Vineyard Pavilion will host the Legends of Washington Wine, the Prosser Wine & Food Fair, and the Moteur de Vine motorcycle ride. For more details, or to plan your next event contact them at info@theclorecenter.org or 509-786-1000.
www.theclorecenter.org
About Dr. Clore and the Wine and Culinary Center
Dr. Walter J. Clore began his life’s work in 1937 studying vinifera grapes and their potential for growth in Washington soils. His research, a cornerstone of the industry’s development, earned him official recognition from the Washington State Legislature as the “Father of the Washington Wine Industry”.
The Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center will be a centrally located, must-see learning center that will promote Washington State wine and food by actively engaging visitors to experience and realize the quality and diversity of Washington’s wine and food products. Fundraising has resulted in $5.5M including $3.4M in state & federal grants. To date, $1.7M has been spent on site infrastructure and the Vineyard Pavilion, a satellite building to the future Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center. The Center’s site, located off I-82 at Exit 82 on 24 acres overlooking the Yakima River, the Horse Heaven Hills and Rattlesnake Mountain in Prosser, Washington, was chosen because of Prosser’s distinction as the home of the largest irrigated agricultural research center in the United States (WSU-IAREC) where Dr. Clore began his research. Designed to complement its natural surroundings, the conceptual 15,000 square foot building and grounds will offer several indoor and outdoor venues for conferences, meetings, business and social gatherings and events. Additionally, the 2,000 square foot Walter Clore Vineyard Pavilion was completed in Spring 2011.
Related Post: Taste Washington! How I will Review 29 Wineries and 103 Wines
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| The 2009 and 2008 Legends of Wine, Red Wines. |
The Legends of Washington Wine Hall of Fame is a project of the Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center. Named after the late Dr. Walter J. Clore, the Clore Center will be a centrally located, must-see learning center that promotes Washington wine and food by engaging visitors to experience the diversity and quality of Washington’s wine and food products.
Legends of Washington Wine Hall of Fame Gala
The next Legends Gala is on August 12, 2012. This annual Gala will honor the newest Washington Wine Hall of Fame Inductee and the release of the 6th exclusive Legends red wine blend. Nominees are individuals who exemplify legendary status because of contributions and commitment to the Washington wine industry. Eligible candidates must have been Washington residents for 25 years and involved in the wine industry for 25 years. Nomination forms will be available on March 30, and submissions are due by April 30.
The wines poured for me were only available at prior Legends of Washington Wine Galas. If you want to buy the next release, you will have to attend the Gala on August 12th.
 |
| The 2006, 2005 and 2004 Legends of Wine, Red Wines. |
Vertical Tasting – Legends of Wine
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon by Rick Small, Woodward Canyon, Legends of Wine. Loveliness. Aging very well. 80% Champoux Vineyard, includes Sagemoor, Klipsun, Tapteil and Woodward Canyon. Released in 2006.
2005 Merlot by Ray Einberger, fruit, interesting, mid-palate, rests, lingers. Hand picked fruit, 18 month barrel aging, 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Released 2007.
2006 Genesis Cabernet Sauvignon, by Co Dinn, Director of Winemaking at Hogue Cellars. Very good, oh for a bottle to take home. Released 2008.
2008 Legends Blend, by Gordon Hill, enologist, now with Milbrandt Winery. Blend of 70% Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, touch of Malbec rounds it out. Oh wow, pink cake, dry, big but smooth. Wow. Released 2010.
2009 Malbec, by John Freeman. 90% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Pepper, fruit, incredible, round, tasty, bright finish, very good. Released 2011.
Wines listed here are the wines I liked and recommend. My favorite wines appealed to me because they expressed unique characteristics and quality, they are indicated by an “*” and are in italics.
Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center
POB 1228
2140 Wine Country Rd.
Prosser, WA 99350
Vineyard Pavilion
The Vineyard Pavilion at the Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center opened on June 30, 2011. This indoor/outdoor event venue is available for meetings, events, and weddings. On an annual basis, the Vineyard Pavilion will host the Legends of Washington Wine, the Prosser Wine & Food Fair, and the Moteur de Vine motorcycle ride. For more details, or to plan your next event contact them at info@theclorecenter.org or 509-786-1000.
www.theclorecenter.org
About Dr. Clore and the Wine and Culinary Center
Dr. Walter J. Clore began his life’s work in 1937 studying vinifera grapes and their potential for growth in Washington soils. His research, a cornerstone of the industry’s development, earned him official recognition from the Washington State Legislature as the “Father of the Washington Wine Industry”.
The Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center will be a centrally located, must-see learning center that will promote Washington State wine and food by actively engaging visitors to experience and realize the quality and diversity of Washington’s wine and food products. Fundraising has resulted in $5.5M including $3.4M in state & federal grants. To date, $1.7M has been spent on site infrastructure and the Vineyard Pavilion, a satellite building to the future Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center. The Center’s site, located off I-82 at Exit 82 on 24 acres overlooking the Yakima River, the Horse Heaven Hills and Rattlesnake Mountain in Prosser, Washington, was chosen because of Prosser’s distinction as the home of the largest irrigated agricultural research center in the United States (WSU-IAREC) where Dr. Clore began his research. Designed to complement its natural surroundings, the conceptual 15,000 square foot building and grounds will offer several indoor and outdoor venues for conferences, meetings, business and social gatherings and events. Additionally, the 2,000 square foot Walter Clore Vineyard Pavilion was completed in Spring 2011.
Related Post: Taste Washington! How I will Review 29 Wineries and 103 Wines