If you are driving along I-82 north of Tri-Cities, look out on your right hand side. Eventually you will see a massive cluster of vineyards (http://www.washingtonwine.org/wineries/goose-ridge-estate-vineyard-and-winery/) that dominate the horizon. This is the remote but absolutely gorgeous backdrop for Goose Ridge Vineyards. While they were initially based outside of Tri-Cities at their production facility, they set up a tasting room in Woodinville a few years back. Started by the Monson family, Goose Ridge was started in 1998 under the direction of Dr. Walter Clore, the Father of the Washington Wine Industry. The 1,900 acre vineyard is planted on a south-facing slope in Washington's Columbia Valley appellation adjacent to Red Mountain. Goose Ridge focuses on creating value priced Bordeaux and Rhone varietal wines. Their new releases were highly impressive.
While I would recommend that you visit their tasting room at their estate, located just outside of Tri-Cities, those based in the Seattle area can take advantage of their Woodinville tasting room. It had been a year since I had run through their lineup of wines and I was very impressed at their current offerings. Most of these wines are priced under 30 dollars. Head winemaker Andrew Wilson has crafted some fantastic new releases. For many years I have been a fan of their Chardonnay. Their new release, the 2013, was no exception (WWB, 91 points) and offered rich fruit flavors of golden delicious apple and bananas foster. This wine over-performs for the price. Many of their red wines have been kept back, particularly those from cooler vintages of 2010 and 2011. Their 2010 ‘Vireo’ was an exceptional value (WWB, 92 points) which showed rich and dense fruit flavors that were surprising considering the coolness of the vintage. This wine is drinking in its sweet spot. You can really see the skill of the winemaker, as Andrew Wilson got the most out of these cooler and more challenging vintages. Learn more about Goose Ridge Vineyards online at http://www.gooseridge.com/Wines/Reserve. You can find these wines at many area grocery stores like QFC and Met Market, as well as Northwest wine shops. Here are my reviews of the great new releasesfrom Goose Ridge:
2014 Goose Ridge Sauvignon Blanc- This wine begins with aromas of cut grass, unripe pear and a dash of Jalapeno pepper. Flavors of red delicious apple, poached pear and lychee with a nice cream finish. Finishes clean. Drink 2016-2020- 89
2014 Goose Ridge Vineyards 'GRV'- The ‘GRV’ is an enticing blend of 50% Viognier, 27% Grenache Blanc and 23% Rousanne . The wine begins with medium weight aromas of starfruit, gala apple, honeydew melon and poached pear. This leads to flavors of red delicious apple, lemongrass, green papaya with a vanilla cream finish. Very solid. Drink 2016-2021- 90
2013 Goose Ridge Chardonnay- The Chardonnay was aged 9 months in 100% French oak (57% new). This wine begins with aromas of brioche toast, honey, golden delicious apple and toasted oak. There are flavors of golden delicious apple, bananas foster and nice extraction. The cream finish lingers. Not for the weary. Drink 2016-2022- 91
2011 Goose Ridge Merlot- The wine was aged 22 months in 70% French, 20% American and 10% European oak barrels(60% new) before bottling. This cold vintage Merlot begins with aromas of tangerine rind, red cherry, red raspberry and dill. There are medium weight flavors of red cherry, boysenberry and sagebrush. Drink 2016-2024- 89
2010 Goose Ridge Cabernet- The Cabernet was aged 22 months in 55% French, 40% American, 5% European oak barrels (60% new) prior to being bottled. This wine begins with aromas of stewed prune, red cherry, dill and anise. This leads to flavors of cassis, anise and mocha with a slight graphite edge. Very polished. Drink 2016-2024- 91
2010 Goose Ridge ‘Vireo’- The colder vintage wine is a blend of 40% Syrah, 35% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. There is a heavy oak influence as they have aged this 25 months in 76% French, 14% American and 10% European oak. Head winemaker Andrew Wilson has done exceptionally well here. It begins with an absolutely gorgeous perfumed nose with rose petals, anise, creme de cassis and red bell pepper. Medium to heavy weight flavors of anise, creme de cassis, blackberry preserves and mocha coat the palate, alongside mild tannins. Simply delicious right now. Drink 2016-2024- 92
2010 Goose Ridge 'Sol Duc'- This wine begins with aromas of red bell pepper, cedar and red cherry. This leads to flavors of red cherry, red raspberry and vanilla. This wine has a polished texture and finishes smooth. Drink 2016-2025- 91
2011 Goose Ridge 'Sol Duc'- This wine sits in the glass as aromatically shut down and needing at least a one hour decant before serving. The wine has aromas of cedar, red bell pepper and sage in this herbaceous wine. There are flavors of red cherry, anise and spicebox. Lovely texture to this polished effort. Drink 2016-2025- 91
2014 Goose Ridge Riesling Ice Wine- Weighing in at 23.3% residual sugar the wine begins with aromas of vanilla creme brûlée, bananas foster and apricot preserves. This leads to flavors reminiscent of creme brûlée, French vanilla truffle, apricot preserves and a lingering finish. Gorgeous wine here that has some aging potential. Drink 2016-2025- 93
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