Skip to main content

Summer is for Purple Star 2013 Chardonnay and 2011 Syrah @purplestarwines

Is it summer yet? 

I have a new grill and it is getting daily use in the sunshine of eastern Washington. When I think grilled foods I also think wine. Are you looking for affordable delicious wines for summer? My friends at Purple Star Wines are producing tasty wines at reasonable prices.

These are perfect summer wines, serve chilled and enjoy with grilled foods.


Tasting Notes Purple Star 2013 Chardonnay
Color: Polished gold
Nose: Mineral, toast, pear skin, whiff of allspice.
Palate: Fresh pear, juicy, brioche, hint of cinnamon with pear skin on the lightly creamy finish. Tingle on the gums. Enjoyed with dinner and with the setting sun.

Day two: Lush, juicy, spicy pear, most of the action mid-palate, creamy pear, with a lingering floral flourish. Very good now and likely to improve in the bottle.

photo

Thoughts: Tremendous value in this Washington Chardonnay. No summer BBQ would be complete without a bottle of Purple Star Chardonnay. A balanced tasty white wine, refreshing and perfect for summer. I enjoyed this wine with grilled chicken, corn and potatoes. Recommended.

Blend: 100% Chardonnay
Vineyards: 95% Caliche Lake Vineyard - Ancient Lakes AVA, 5% Kiona Vineyard - Red Mountain
Closure: Natural cork
ABV 13.9%
Production: 1200 cases
Paid $9.99

Note: 15% of the proceeds from Purple Star Wines will benefit uncompensated care at Seattle Children's Hospital.

photo

Summer is for Syrah too! 

Do not be afraid of serving red wine chilled. In the summer months I prefer to put my red wine in the refrigerator before serving. If you think your red wine is too cold to enjoy, it does not take long in the heat to reach optimal temperature. I encourage you to try serving your red wines chilled this summer.

photo


Tasting Notes Purple Star 2011 Syrah
Color: Dusky garnet.
Nose: Coffee fresh ground, red fruit, lilac, focused and vibrant.
Palate: Boysenberry, blackberry, lavender, bright with berry and coffee on the finish, modest tannin at opening. Pretty.

After 30 minutes: Black cherry, acai berry and white pepper on the nose. More depth to the finish, drier, with blueberry and root beer. Mouth watering.
60 minutes: Deeper still, tannin more noticeable on the gums, bright finish.
Five hours: Acid driven. Distinct Syrah bright nose.

Day two: Inky dark color. Deep violets, tar, earthy leather, orange zest aromas. Silky mouth feel, dark fruit, black pepper, tar, medium body, bright with spice, boysenberry, cola, coffee on medium finish.

Thoughts: This wine wants tangy, crisp food. Pair with fresh seafood drizzled in lemon juice. Shrimp cocktail, Gazpacho, beef Carpacio, grilled sardines, and ceviche. Extremely versatile wine, think lemon juice and tomato based dishes and you will be happy. Recommended.



Blend: 100% Syrah
Vineyards: Weinbau (71%), Wahluke Slope AVA, Red Heaven (14%), Red Mountain AVA, Olsen (12%), Yakima Valley AVA, Emory (3%), Red Mountain AVA
ABV: 14.7%
Production: 1036 cases
Purchased: $15.99

Note: 15% of the proceeds from Purple Star Wines will benefit uncompensated care at Seattle Children's Hospital.



Like Purple Star Wines on Facebook
INFO@PURPLESTARWINES.COM
www.purplestarwines.com
@PurpleStarWines


photo
Amy and Kyle Johnson.

Winemaker Kyle Johnson has over 11 years of Washington winemaking experience and it shows in the quality of his wines. In 2008, he and his wife Amy Johnson decided to start their own label emphasizing family, friends and the enjoyment of wine. Purple Star Wines.

Amy and Kyle are in the construction phase of their new winery near Kennewick, Washington. Good luck guys!

Cheers!

Popular posts from this blog

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 must

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

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. Who are you