Event Review: RESERVE

Guest post by Juli Crompe.

Woodinville is home to almost 100 wineries, and one of the biggest weekends of the year to highlight them is Passport to Woodinville, happening this weekend (April 20-21st, 2013).
This year, they started a new tradition, a kickoff event to Passport of sorts, called RESERVE.

RESERVE was held at Columbia Winery and highlighted all 90+ point rated wines and limited bottlings. The list of wines available at this event was quite impressive, and I definitely found some new gems!

A sampling of the wines that impressed me...

2007 Brian Carter Cellars Solesce from Yakima Valley, $60 a bottle, 92 Points from Wine Enthusiast.

2009 Covington Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Klipsun Vineyard, Red Mountain, $60 a bottle, 92 Points from Wine Spectator. This, to me, is THE perfect Cab right now. It is drinking SO well; clean, smooth...amazing.

2008 Glen Fiona Syrah from Columbia Valley, $18 a bottle, 91 Points from Wine Spectator. For the price, this is a great value!

2012 Ross Andrew Meadow Rose from Columbia Valley, $14 a bottle, Limited Bottling. It is no secret that I am not a fan of roses, but this wine is quite delicious. Major blueberry notes fill your palate, a bit on the sweeter side but delicious for a summer evening, and a great price.

2011 Obelisco Estate Rose from Red Mountain, $35 a bottle, Limited Bottling. Surprise, surprise...I found TWO roses I like (and I actually found another...see the notes below!). This is the first rose for Obelisco and it is really smooth and easy to sip.

While the food was quite limited, these by far were the best food there! A new venture between a few great Seattle area restaurateurs including Joshua Henderson of Skillet, Hollywood Tavern is being transformed into THE burger destination in the Seattle area. If "The Hollywood Cheseburger" is any indication, it certainly will be worth the drive. The burger was moist, and the perfect balance with a bit of pickles, relish, cheese, carmelized onions, sauce and a great bun! Can't wait for them to open in Woodinville soon!

So far, the advertising for the new burger space looks like this. So excited for the opening!

More of my favorite wines that I really enjoyed...

2011 Chateau Ste. Michelle and Dr. Loosen Eroica (Riesling) from Columbia Valley, $22 a bottle, 93 Points from Wine & Spirits. A sweet, smooth and well balanced riesling!
2012 Gard Vintners Grand Klasse Rose from Lawrence Vineyards/Columbia Valley, $25 a bottle, Limited Bottling. Yet ANOTHER delicious rose!
2008 Kestrel Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon from Kestrel View Estates, Yakima Valley, $60 a bottle, 92 Points from Wine Enthusiast. Smooth and really well balanced.
Food: The Twisted Cafe is also a new addition to Woodinville, serving a Cuban pork with congri which was pretty good! I'm excited to check them out soon.

The wine list was quite long for this event so I didn't want to go on and on about all the great wines (a lot of them are great...that's the point of the event!), but I think this event will only continue to get better and better in the coming years.

And so we're at that time again that I'm saying: "Add it to the not-to-miss event list!"

- Juli

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