Cole Sisson is always exploring. Having just returned from Madeira he has shared his beautiful new wines with me from, — his brand that takes the Long Shadows Vintners model of using great Pacific Northwest winemakers to craft unique, terroir-driven bottlings spanning Oregon and Washington.
If you find yourself on Orcas Island, do not miss out on his fabulous and quaint wine shop, Doe Bay Wine Company, which marks Sisson’s wine journey full-circle. Growing up on Orcas Island, Cole who returned home after fifteen years to realize his dream, with an incredible wine shop and awesome winery project. An advanced sommelier, many years back I recall meeting Cole for the first time during a glorious meal at famed Las Vegas outpost Michael Mina. Cole was a somm at RN74 Seattle before becoming wine director at Michael Mina at the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas. Cole has even sat for the Master Sommelier Exam. His Orcas Project wines are geared towards acidity and terroir and labels are crafted from local Orcas Island artists.
Cole has an outstanding new lineup.I love the new 2021 The Orcas Project Albarino (OB, 91) which is fresh and vibrant, showing the potential of this varietal in Washington. Do not miss out on his gorgeous new 2019 The Orcas Project ‘Red Blend’ Red Wine (OB, 92) which is made by Washington winemaking icon Chris Peterson. This has a great melange of red and dark fruits with considerable nuance. Learn more about this fantastic winery project at https://www.theorcasproject.com Here are the great new wines by The Orcas Project.
2021 The Orcas Project Albarino- The 2021 Albarino by The Orcas Project was made by Javier Alfonso and was sourced from the Dutchman Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. Pretty honeysuckle and lemon rind tones mingle with wet stone on the nose. The palate is bright with good verve and tension, as salty tones add to the high level of mouth-watering acidity. Enjoy now while the freshness remains. Drink 2022-2025- 91
2021 The Orcas Project Grenache Blanc- Made by Two Vintners winemaker Morgan Lee, this Grenache Blanc comes mainly from the Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA. Once on the nose this takes on starfruit and baking spice dusted soudough bread tones alongside hay and damp earth. The palate is soft and round with a generous mouthfeel and plenty of finesse. Finishing long with cream and minerals, this is best enjoyed over the next several years. Drink 2022-2025- 91
2019 The Orcas Project Pinot Noir- Sourced from Brick House Vineyards, this is an electric new 2019 Pinot Noir by famed vigneron Doug Tunnell. Citrus rind and red cherry candy play well with freshly tilled soils and shades of wet stone on the nose. The palate is fresh and vibrant with lighter to medium bodied red fruit flavors, with plenty of earthy undercurrents. Enjoy this beautiful, fresh and linear style of Oregon Pinot Noir with everything from salmon to game hens. Drink 2022-2032- 91
2019 The Orcas Project Tempranillo- For years Javier Alfonso has been flying the Tempranillo flag high in Washington State. This edition by Alfonso comes from the Dineen and Upland Vineyards and was stored in mostly once used oak (88%) prior to bottling. Wonderfully earthy on the nose, tobacco leaf and worn leather notes combine well with ripe dark fruits. The palate is smooth and refined with soft tannins that frame a good core of red and dark fruits with citrus rind and menthol undertones. Drink 2022-2032- 92
2019 The Orcas Project ‘Red Blend’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Red Blend’ is a GSM style wine made by Chris Peterson of Avennia fame. Mostly Grenache (46%) and Mourvedre (39%), this delivers smoked brisket, Asian spices and shades of bulls blood on the nose. The palate is smooth and inviting on the mouth, with layers of pretty red and dark fruits that collide well with smoky minerals and garrigue notes. Enjoy this beautiful wine over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 92
2020 The Orcas Project ‘Red Blend’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Red Blend’ combines 60% Cabernet Franc with the remainder Merlot. It comes off soft with ripe black currants, violets and coffee ground flavors with sagebrush accents. Already nicely evolved, I see no reason to cellar this. Drink 2022-2027- 90