Drink Washington State 2014 Walla Walla Carmenere is all about comfort food.
I've been a fan of Walla Walla winemaker Brad Binko and his wines for two years. His first label is "Eternal Wines" his second label is "Drink Washington State." Both labels are reflective of his passion for wine and quality winemaking.
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| Winemaker Brad Binko pouring for guests. |
Brad also has a cool, not to miss tasting room in downtown Walla Walla. You will find he's not only a passionate winemaker, but also very into music. He brings in live music weekly to his tasting room. So, if you want to enjoy wonderful wines and cool music, his tasting room is the place to be.
"It is key to remember that Carmenere is spicy and should be treated as a condiment or seasoning. So be careful when seasoning your food.."
Over the last two years, I have also become if not fond, at least I've begun to understand and embrace Carmenere. Especially, Carmenere done the Washington way. It's about the spice and food pairing. And not necessarily about the "salad" or methoxypyrazines characteristics. Pyrazines are a subject I much want to discuss, but at a later date. For me, Carmenere is best served as a food wine.
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| Lovely, lovely meal. |
Tasting Notes 2014 Drink Washington State Enjoy Walla Walla Carmenere
Color: Dark ruby.
Nose: Medium plus intensity, cherry, spice, cracked white pepper, dried basil, celery leaf. Wonderful.
Palate: Medium body, fluid with creaminess, dry, cherry followed by a lot of spice, cracked pepper, celery, slate, super fine tannin, medium plus finish with dark fruit and some welcome acidity. Beautiful.
Day two: More fruit, with violets and lavender added, quite savory, not so spicy as day one, more a friendly sipper, with that creaminess in the mouth, orange rind mixed with currants and dried cherries, softly dry, fresh with light spice on the medium plus finish. Yum! In comfort drink territory. No salad here. Impressed.
Thoughts: This wine was fabulous with slow cooked beef stew! If I can, I always add some of the wine I am drinking to the meal I am preparing. The beef stew I did the same, used about 1/2 cup of wine. It is key to remember that Carmenere is spicy and should be treated as a condiment or seasoning. So be careful when seasoning your food, I STRONGLY suggest under seasoning the food you will pair with this wine. Because I have made the mistake of over seasoning.
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| Go easy on the seasoning when pairing this wine. Only salt needed. |
I should also note that this wine became more of a sipper by day two. It had a pleasant creaminess, enjoyable fruit, and was chill on the spice. Quite drinkable. I'd drink now and over the next three years. When you stop by his tasting room, mention I sent you.
Strongly Recommended.
State: Washington
Region: Walla Walla Valley
Closure: Natural Cork
ABV: 14.5%
SRP: $26
Winemaker: Brad Binko
www.drinkwashington.wine
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| A sample of Drink Washington State and Eternal Wines. |
Established in 2014 by owner and winemaker Brad Binko, Drink Washington State and Eternal Wines are located in downtown Walla Walla, Washington at 9 South 1st Avenue.
Brad grew up in Buffalo, NY and spent time at Northeastern University, University at Buffalo. He is a graduate of the WWCC Enology and Viticulture program. Mr. Binko is also a certified sommelier and ran the fine dining wine programs in Charleston, South Carolina before moving to Walla Walla to follow his dreams of making wine.
As a sommelier, he has tasted around the Washington AVAs and found certain areas that express the place and varieties to the fullest. You can tell he knows his stuff once you taste his wines.
Cheers!