To kick off Washington Wine Month we have a special feature on a great Washington producer of Washington Red and White wines. Alexandria Nicole is a small production, boutique winery. They have awesome tasting room in Woodinville but their main tasting room is located in Prosser, right down the street from Hogue. Producing roughly 10,000 cases of wine each year, Alexandria Nicole is probably known for their fantastic Viognier that is one of the best in the state and their excellent ‘Jet Black’ Syrah. They also have been experimenting with relatively unknown varietals to Washington such as Carmenere and Albarino – and the results have been novel and exciting. In fact they have over 23 varietals planted at their esteemed Destiny Ridge vineyard in Horse Heaven Hills. Alexandria Nicole also has a very strong following with their wine club. They even have a special room for all their wine club patrons at their Woodinville tasting room.

The new release wines were excellent across the board. Their 2015 Viognier (WWB, 90) was an awesome wine that showed wonderful richness and sexy vanilla cream and banana accents. Even better was their 2015 ‘Reserve’ Viognier (WWB, 91), which took on a slightly different fruit profile and a long finish with a rich mouthfeel. Their new release red wines were excellent as well. They have grown to have a strong following for their ‘Jet Black’ Syrah and their excellent new release, the 2014 ‘Jet Black’ Syrah (WWB, 92), showed wonderful richness and viscosity while maintaining a nice minerality. Learn more about these great wines at http://www.alexandrianicolecellars.com/ Here are the great new release wines from Alexandria Nicole.

2015 Alexandria Nicole Viognier- The 2015 Alexandria Nicole Viognier follows a long line of successful Viognier releases from this estate. Sourced from the Crawford Vineyard, this wine opens with aromatics of honeysuckle, orange blossoms, ripe pear and hints of nutmeg. There are flavors of vanilla cream, creme brulee, and bananas foster with hints of orange blossom. This has nice richness and intensity considering the price point. This wine is pretty difficult to resist right now. Drink 2016-2022- 90

2015 Alexandria Nicole Reserve Viognier- The 2015 Alexandria Nicole 'Reserve' Viognier is a fantastic effort from this hot vintage. This wine comes from the Destiny Ridge Vineyard and weighs in at 13.4% alcohol. The wine has aromatics of Bartlett pear, pink grapefruit blossom and cantaloupe. There are flavors of heavy whipping cream, golden delicious apple, nutmeg and a long finish with a rich mouthfeel. I tend to love the weight to this intriguing wine. Only 193 cases made of this fantastic wine. Drink 2016-2022- 91

2014 Alexandria Nicole 'Shepherds Mark' White Wine- The new release 'Shepherds Mark' follows the strong lineup of white wines by Alexandria Nicole. This excellent value wine opens with aromas of candied apricot, crushed white flowers and banana. This leads to flavors of banana, vanilla cream and hints of Pink Lady apple. This is exceedingly solid at this price point. Drink 2016-2020- 90

2015 Alexandria Nicole a2 Rose- The 'a2' Rose by Alexandria Nicole is a fruit driven wine that pairs beautifully with a bright summer day. This wine begins with aromatics of rose petals, red cherry, and suggestions of watermelon. There are flavors of guava, red cherry, strawberry and watermelon. Enjoy this in the short-term. Drink 2016-2019- 88

2014 Alexandria Nicole 'Destiny Ridge Vineyard' Grenache- The 2014 'Destiny Ridge Vineyard' Grenache by Alexandria Nicole is a pretty, floral effort that impresses from this excellent hot vintage. This wine has bright aromas of red cherry, dill, pomegranate and orange rind. This leads to bright flavors of red cherry, pomegranate seed, orange rind and suggestions of smoke. This is lively and fruity wine that will cellar beautifully for another five plus years. Drink 2016-2023- 91

2013 Alexandria Nicole 'Mr. Popular' Malbec- The 2013 Alexandria Nicole 'Mr. Popular' Malbec is a great effort that shows the potential of this varietal in Columbia Valley. Having a dense core the Malbec wine opens with aromatics of smoked meats, green bell pepper, white pepper and blackberry jam. This leads to dense flavors of blackberry preserves, coffee grounds, black cherry and black olive. Lithe and polished, the wine will cellar well into the next decade.Drink 2016-2025- 91

2012 Alexandria Nicole 'Gravity' Merlot- The 2013 Alexandria Nicole 'Gravity' Merlot is another great new release red wine from this estate. This wine starts with aromas of black cherry, mocha, anise and red bell pepper. There are medium weight flavors of blackberry cobbler, black cherry, black olive and a smoky edge. The wine is an excellent value at this price point, showing nice poise and an excellent array of fruit flavors. Drink 2016-2024- 91

2012 Alexandria Nicole 'Alderdale' Cabernet- The 2012 'Alderdale' Cabernet from Alexandria Nicole comes from their estate and is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet franc, 4% Malbec, with 2% Petit Verdot. This wine starts with aromatics of red bell pepper, anise, cassis and black olive. There are flavors of black cherry, anise, creme de cassis and coffee grounds. This delicious Cabernet has nice depth and range, showing some good aging potential. Drink 2016-2026- 92

2013 Alexandria Nicole 'Quarry Butte' Red Wine- This opens with aromatics of coffee grounds, leather, cassis, pipe tobacco and blackberry. There are flavors of black cherry, anise, sage and mocha. A bit leaner but tasty. Drink 2016-2022- 89

2013 Alexandria Nicole 'Little Big Man' Petit Verdot- The 2013 'Little Big Man' Petit Verdot by Alexandria Nicole is a serious release and one of the state's best examples of the varietal that I have sampled in the past year. The wine starts with aromatics of green bell pepper, sage, black cherry and hints of white pepper. This leads to flavors of black cherry, blackberry pie, anise and black olive. This chewy wine will cellar beautifully into the next decade.Drink 2016-2025- 91

2013 Alexandria Nicole 'Destiny' Red Wine- The 2013 'Destiny' red blend is an awesome wine by Alexandria Nicole that showcases excellent balance and fruit from this great vintage. This Cabernet dominant wine opens with aromatics of red bell pepper, black cherry, mocha and hints of white pepper. This leads to silky and rich flavors of black cherry, blackberry pie, anise and red bell pepper. This is solid and age-worthy effort that is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2016-2026- 92

2014 Alexandria Nicole Estate Cabernet (barrel sample)- 90-93

2014 Alexandria Nicole 'Jet Black' Syrah- The 2014 'Jet Black' is one of Alexandria Nicole's most popular wines. This new edition is a fantastic effort that comes at a good price point. This inky colored wine starts with aromatics of creosote, blackberry pie, black cherry and black olive. This leads to dense flavors reminiscent of black cherry, anise, cassis and blackberry cobbler. This forward style Washington Syrah shows nice richness while maintaining structure. This shows some good short-term cellaring potential. Drink 2016-2025- 92