Saturday Research

Lodmell Cellars
Adamant Cellars
Trio Vintners
Stephenson Cellars
Dunham Cellars
Trust Cellars
Chateau Rollat Winery

That’s quite a line-up for a Saturday afternoon. While friends and I planned on visiting Trio, invited by Steve Michener (one of the three), we had not accounted for the crowds brought into town for a Whitman College event weekend. So rather than wait outside Trio, we ventured next door to Lodmell.

Lodmell is new; their first release was in May 2008. Planning on staying at or below (currently well below) 1,000 cases, they are a small lot winery to watch. They have a 2006 Sauvignon Blanc ($22), 2006 Chardonnay ($22), and 2005 Estate Merlot ($43) on the table. All fairly small lots. All able to age more before consumption. The whites each have a beautiful nose, bright and citrusy. High acidity. The merlot is tight. I’d like to try it in a year. Everything seems to be present; it just needs to loosen up. It could learn something from the blonde three-year-old running about the winery in her tiny blue dress and training pants, laughing no matter what.

Trio was still packed so we moved another door down to Adamant. The first thing to catch my eye at Adamant was the art on the walls. Appearing like sketches on canvas, there are images of hands and birds. Birds taking flight from an outstretched hand, or perhaps dancing a flirtatious routine in relation to the hand. I have always loved the aesthetic of sketches and these pieces are no exception, extended marvelously to canvas. Hanging against the blue wall they are expansive. Broadening. Creating a feeling of space, breath, grace.

What about the wine, you say? The wine, of course, is related to the art. As we discover, Debra, the owner who was pouring for us, is the artist as well. She’s working on a new show for Barrel Tasting: “naked men… and umbrellas.” Got my attention!

The first wine was a red blend, Columbia Valley, 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot. Good solid blend. But the 2006 Winemaker’s Select ($30), a 50/50 Cab/Merlot Walla Walla Valley blend took my fancy. And it wasn’t just the gold patina-finish label. It was elegant (yes, I used that word). It was slightly less tannic than the first blend and had a more balanced mouth feel. The syrah was lively and lovely, but my top vote was for the 50/50 blend.
They’re selling wax top magnums of the Winemaker’s Select for $61. Classic good looks. I do still recommend their 2006 Syrah, on which you can find more press. And keep an eye out for their next Rosé – Ruby Ruth No. 2. The 2007 was a doozy and sold out fast, so be ready for the 2008.

Speaking of rosés… We did eventually make it to Trio Vintners, where I spoke with Denise Slattery and Steve Michener (who had invited me to come tasting in the first place). More on that to come, but I would be remiss if I did not announce immediately that Trio Vintners has opted to increase their donation to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation from 10% to 20% for all 2007 Trés Rosé sales. Fantastic! Pink wine with a pink ribbon. I never knew I could love the color pink so much.

Seriously, folks. Did you catch that?! You can buy this rosé, drink this rosé, and help cure cancer! You better believe I bought the wine.

(Images from lodmellcellars.com, adamantcellars.com, triovintners.com)

Tagged as: Adamant, buy wine, cabernet sauvignon, Columbia Valley, good wine, Lodmell, merlot, rosé, syrah, Trio, walla walla valley, walla walla wine, walla walla winery, walla walla wines, washington wine, wineries