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Wine of the Week! Barnard Griffin 2010 Merlot Tulip Label @BarnardGriffin

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 Disco is Not Dead - Drink Me!

One of the perks of living near so many wineries, is the pleasure of dropping in and tasting wine before buying. Sunday I popped by Barnard Griffin winery and enjoyed their $5 Tulip wine tasting. At the end of the tasting, my tasting fee was discounted from the price of my purchase. Where else can you try wine before you buy?

Tulip Tasting

The Barnard Griffin Tulip tasting lineup consists primarily of their traditional consumer label. The list will change with availability. Following is the list I sampled at this tasting. I was torn among three wines and decided on the 2010 Merlot because it said "drink me" the loudest. Go find this wine before it is sold out!

2012 Pinot Gris - Floral, fresh, with a tropical flourish. Almost bought this one.
2013 Fume' Blanc - Very tropical, gentle, relaxed, easy sipper.
2012 Chardonnay - Ginger, friendly, chill, "drink me."
2013 Riesling - Pretty, restrained, orange on the finish.
2013 Rose' of Sangiovese - Fresh and friendly.
2010 Merlot - Drink me now! Medium body, dry, great finish. See below.
2011 Cabernet Sauvignon - Good finish.
2012 Syrah - Juicy, big like, lilac powder. Almost bought this one too.

Tasting Notes 2010 Merlot Tulip Label

Color: Smoky ruby.
Nose: Candied lavender, wrapped in cherry cordial, with orange chocolate dust.
Palate: Lovely mouth feel, tart at opening, unwound in 30 minutes with friendly tannin, fluid mid-palate, orange, chocolate, cherry. Washington party in the glass! Perfumed, offset by a front palate with earthiness and grip. Got it going on! Especially attack and finish. Medium body, food friendly. Pretty wine. At 1.5 hours still delivering, bigger with dry velvet and coffee. Disco music needed at this point.

Thoughts: Surprising good match with dinner of grilled Tilapia with lemon juice, garlic, salt, rice wine vinegar, seasoning. On the side was grilled potato with salt, pepper, olive oil and butter. This is a terrific knock around wine. Huge value at this price. A little grilled food and this wine delivered the punch. Bring creamy, rich, smoky foods to pair against the berry fruit. Well done. Recommended + Wine of the Week. 
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Vineyards: Caroway Vineyards (Columbia Valley), Lonesome Spring Ranch (Yakima Valley) , Conner Lee Vineyard (Columbia Valley), Williams Vineyard (Columbia Valley), Vinagium Partners Vineyard (Red Mountain)
ABV13.4%
Closure: Natural cork
2413 Cases produced
Purchased at winery $17

Winery & Tasting Room
 878 Tulip Lane
 Richland, Washington 99352
 Phone: (509) 627.0266
 Fax: (509) 627.7776
 Rob Griffin, Owner, Winemaker
www.barnardgriffin.com

Related Post: Open for Tasting: Barnard Griffin Winery Remodel Update.

Cheers!
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