Skip to main content

Review: Vin du Lac 2007 Merlot "Barrel Select"

Today a musical pairing.

Vin du Lac 2007 Merlot "Barrel Select"

Last night I was watching music videos while enjoying a bottle of  Vin du Lac 2007 “Barrel Select” Merlot. Vin du Lac is located in lovely Lake Chelan, Washington. My favorite musical pairing of the evening was with the music video by award-winning British artist, Estelle and her song "Thank You”. For me, a good match.



At opening the wine was ruby colored, after 30 minutes it deepened to a dark garnet. The nose:  floral, slightly candied, whiff of sandal wood, cherry, vanilla, an herbal component appeared after 30 minutes along with some cola. After an hour spicy baked bell pepper appeared. I really grooved on the nose. Lip smacking flavors of cherry, vanilla, nutmeg, with soft to medium tannins. A medium finish on opening, it appreciably lengthened the longer it was open.

The Vin du Lac 2007 Merlot "Barrel Select" is very approachable. Not everyone has the luxury to wait an hour before drinking a bottle of wine. So it is always good to have bottles on hand which are ready to enjoy immediately. A tasty, medium bodied Merlot, if I were to pair with food instead of music, I'd pair this wine with grilled lamb, especially with a lamb Ghyro from my favorite Greek restaurant. This wine is still evolving, but is ready to drink today. Hold for a few more years for maximum appreciation. Recommended.

At Vin du Lac, the “Barrel Select” designation, indicates that these are their best, limited production, barrel-aged wines, made with grapes sourced from top vineyard suppliers. Winemaker Larry Lehmbecker crafts them in a classic, age-worthy style for immediate enjoyment as well as for cellaring potential.

A beautiful vacation destination on the east side of the Cascades, Lake Chelan has become a premium wine country destination. Winemaker Larry Lehmbecker is making superlative wines in the Chelan Valley. Only a two hour drive from Seattle, Vin du Lac is worth visiting.

Release Info:
Blend: 100% Merlot
Vineyards: Klingele Vineyard-Snipes Canyon, Stillwater Creek-Royal Slope, Michaela's Vineyard-Chelan.
ABV14.7%
Production: 376 cases
Release: Winter 2010
Closure: Real Cork
Sample provided by the winery.
Retail price: $34.99

Vin du Lac
Tasting Room Hours: Thursday – Sunday, Noon – 5 pm.
www.vindulac.com

Can't make it over to the winery? Vin du Lac can ship to the following states:
Alaska, Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington. Montana residents are required to provide a Connoisseur's license prior to ordering wine. Contact Vin du Lac at 866-455-9463 ext 130 for more information on shipping.

Cheers and Thank You!
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Spirit Review: Ole Smokey Tennessee Moonshine White Lightnin' @OleSmoky

Today I have crossed the line from wine to spirits. At 100 proof the Ole Smokey Tennessee Moonshine is definitely turning up the volume (ABV 50%). "Moonshine, white lightning, mountain dew, hooch, and Tennessee white whiskey are terms used to describe high-proof distilled spirits, generally produced illicitly...The word "moonshine" is believed to derive from the term "moonrakers" used for early English smugglers and the clandestine (i.e., by the light of the moon) nature of the operations of illegal Appalachian distillers who produced and distributed whiskey." Source Wikipedia My family is no stranger to Moonshine.  That is, my great-grandfather and grandfather were not strangers. Evidently the family occasionally produced their own spirits on their Oregon ranch. My grandfather told me about his younger brother getting into his dads stash with predictable results. Grandmother also told me stories about midnight runs and secretive deliveries d...
Read more

Review: Sho Chiku Bai, Unfiltered Sake

Last month in Seattle, I purchased a bottle of Nigori sake at Uwajimaya. Uwajimaya is one of the largest Asian grocery retailers in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve been visiting Uwajimaya for almost 40 years. When I was much younger, I’d buy model ship and plane kits, Japanese comic books (manga) and I never left without at least one steaming Humbow in hand. Today I buy the manga for my son; while I still enjoy the tasty steamed Humbows, now I never leave without at least one bottle of Sake in hand. Uwajimaya has a terrific selection of imported sake. This most recent visit, I left with a bottle of Sho Chiku Bai Nigori sake. Nigori sake is generally the sweetest of all sakes, with a fruity nose and a mild flavor, making a great drink to complement spicy foods or as a dessert wine. Typical sake is usually filtered to remove grain solids left behind after the fermentation process; however Nigori sake remains unfiltered, resulting in a cloudier beverage. Before serving, the bottle ...
Read more

Col Solare Cabernet Sauvignon. The style has changed.

“There is something special going on at Col Solare." In mid-June 2022, I began working for Col Solare winery on the Red Mountain AVA in Washington state. The Red Mountain AVA and Col Solare are famous for stunning Cabernet Sauvignon. That I knew going in.  We are not here to make more wine... We are here to showcase place. At the end of June 2022, Col Solare winemaker Darel Allwine retired. Darel had been winemaker since 2013. Prior, he had been Col Solare assistant winemaker for Marcus Notaro. Marcus had been Col Solare winemaker when the Red Mountain facility opened and was winemaker before we had our Red Mountain facility.  On July 1, 2022, Col Solare assistant winemaker, Stephanie Cohen, was promoted to Col Solare winemaker. I was present for this change. It was the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. Col Solare is the third winery I have worked for. I chose well.  Often, I am asked by Col Solare guests, as I was last week, “Tell me about Col Solare. Wh...
Read more