Just Another Rainy Day in Seattle

Seattle – Cabin fever is setting in…after all its only rained 40 of the last 42 days and this is the 15th weekend of rain...but who's counting? Yes, Seattle is living up to its rainy reputation this year...we were so spoiled last year with sunshine and 70's degrees in February.

So it looks like Golf is out of the question…after all who wants to wear chest waders and Goretex to play?

So wine tasting is a good distraction.

Destination – The Tasting Room - Post Alley near Pike’s Place Market.
And my luck Chris Dowsett the winemaker of Latitude 46 North named after its location on the map –Eastern Washington. Funny for some reason I remember living at 30 North/90 West…otherwise known as New Orleans. Enough with the GPS readings…on to the wine.
Chris (he) is on hand to educate, share blending stories and pass the day…

As a warmup I choose to start with a wine that’s actually from another Washington winery - Wineglass Cellars – The 2004 Chardonnay (In The Buff) $13 Crisp and clear because its never seen oak!

Now on to Latitude 46 North – the logo on the bottle looks similar to the Seattle Mariners.

1) 2004 Gewurtraminer Celilio Vineyard $20 – Nice surprise it’s a dry Gewurtz and very delightful.

2) 2004 Clifton Cuvee $18 This is a blend of 76% Syrah and 24% Grenache. Chris learned a lot of working with Shiraz (same grape-Aussie Spelling) from being an exchange student down under. This wine has nice start with fruit forward and very nice smooth finish from the Granache.

3) 2002 Vindication $29 Like to see that Chris bucking the (no Merlot) trend and is leading with 70% Merlot, 26% Cabernet, 4% Syrah. The wine doesn't qualify for being called a Meritage with syrah added, but is fantastic his premier wine. And this blend vindicates Chris as a fine wine maker.

The great thing about the tasting room is the tasting options…you can buy wine by the Taste (1 oz.), Sample (3 oz.), Glass or entire bottle.

Some items worth tasting during your visit…

Camaraderie Cellars2002 & 2003 Cabernet Franc $25 – The ’02 is better and is more representative of what you’ve come to expect in a Washington Cab Franc.

2002 Malbec - $32 What a wonderful delight to taste a 100% varietal that is normally just used in Bordeaux Blends.Some of the best Cabernet’s available for tasting are from Wineglass Cellars.
Listed in the order you should taste them:
2000 Cabernet Sauvignon $21
2000 Reserve Cab $28
2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Elerding Vineyard this is the biggest and its worth the price of $45.

Yes its still raining and wine tasting is one indoor sport you can use to pass away the winter doldrums.