2013 Pilot Light Reserve Syrah

Reserve Syrah
Red Mountain
Artz Vineyard
14.3% Alc. by Vol.

Hopefully we all have our inner Pilot Light. That spark that drives us to do something different, something daring and risky that ultimately leads to something great. We will do everything we can to keep that Pilot Light burning. Once in a while we have to look to the Pilot Light when we are questioning what we are doing for reassurance and affirmation of the journey. 

For me, Pilot Light is a name reserved for wines that I am especially proud of, wines that exemplify the reason I make wine and want to share with my friends and neighbors, it’s what keeps me going, doing what I am doing. 

I am pleased to introduce you to the inaugural “Pilot Light” of my winemaking career. The 2013 Pilot Light is 100% Syrah from Artz Vineyard on Red Mountain. 

The color of this wine is deep dark and seductive and draws you in with soft scents of black olives, cloves and sweet cassis. Tastes of sun-ripened warm blackberries, with a hint of spice are balanced with soft tannins and a smooth rich finish.

From the moment we harvested these grapes I knew we were dealing with something special. Through a textbook fermentation to 24 months of barrel aging, this wine continues to impress.

2012 The Descendant Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley
13.9% Alc. by Vol.

The Descendant is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% from Lewis Family Vineyard and 50% from Alder Ridge Vineyard.

This is a Cabernet lover's Cab. This wine demonstrates everything that winemakers love in this grape, from the firm tannins and balanced acid, to the deep rich dark flavors of ripe black cherries and soft cedar. This wine was aged on 100% French Oak which contributes to the warm vanilla and espresso finish.

This wine can be enjoyed now and will definitely age well and develop additional complexity over the next 5 years. 

2011 NOIR - Red Wine Blend

NOIR Red Blend
Columbia Valley
14.0% Alc. by Vol.

NOIR is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Syrah. 40% of the Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Lewis Family Vineyard and 20% from Alder Ridge Vineyard, with the Syrah also coming from Lewis Family Vineyard.  This wine was aged in 100% French Oak which lends to its complexity and balance.

The Cabernet Sauvignon provides a firm structure while showcasing the beautiful fruit from these two vineyards, releasing the signature flavors of ripe blackberries and blueberries. The Syrah adds in flavors of deep baked plum and a slight spice of black pepper. This wine finishes with a touch of vanilla and baked cloves. Enjoy this wine now or hide it away to savor the development of flavors over the next 5 years or so.

2014 Perseverance Viognier

Viognier
Rattlesnake Hills AVA
13.2% Alc. by Vol.

The 2014 Perseverance is comprised of 90% Viognier and 10% Roussanne from Konnowac Vineyard in the Rattlesnake Hills AVA. 

This Viognier has aromas of fresh picked peaches and honeysuckle, flavors of apricot and pineapple finishing with a slightly nutty taste.  Perfect with appetizers or as a simple glass on the patio. 

In our home, we often marvel at our youngest daughter’s one track mind to get what she wants at any cost and note that her “perseverance” will be a valuable asset in her future.  We couldn’t help but recognize the same perseverance in our efforts to bring this delicious wine to your table. 

2013 The Betrayal Chardonnay

Chardonnay
Domanico Vineyards
Yakima Valley
13.0% Alc. by Vol.

The Betrayal is made from some of the oldest Chardonnay vines in Washington State. The grapes came from Domanico Vineyards in Prosser, Washington. A small, family-owned vineyard that has been yielding premium wines in Washington since the mid-1970s. The name “The Betrayal” stems from this winemaker's desire to make a Chardonnay that can honor its place of origin –– while bringing out the best from this varietal by utilizing winemaking techniques to coax out the beautiful flavors and finish.

2013 was a very good wine growing year in Washington State. Long warm days and cool nights allowed the flavors to develop slowly in these grapes. We hand harvested and whole cluster pressed the grapes, minimizing handling. The juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks then transferred to 100% new French oak barrels for secondary fermentation and extended aging for 14 months. 

The result is a wine that has a beautiful golden straw color and scents of warm apricot and cantaloupe. The flavor is warm and creamy with hints of baked apples and graham crackers, finishing with smooth tropical fruit.

2012 Heart Box Red Merlot

Merlot
Yakima Valley
13.0% Alc. by Vol.

Heart Box Red will capture your heart. We named this wine after our oldest daughter’s practice of catching and locking our kisses in her “heart box” so she could take the kisses out whenever she needed one. She designed this label when she was 3 years old, it has been an icon of this wine ever since. Like us, you will find yourself wishing for one more pour of this delightful wine.
 
The 2012 Heart Box Red is 96% Merlot, blended with 2% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, all from Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. This wine was aged for 24 months in 25% new American Oak barrels and 75% once-used French Oak barrels.  

The deep red color glistens on your glass as you swirl, leading to smells of ripe berries and a hint of vanilla. Tastes of warm black cherries are complimented with subtle mocha flavors releasing soft tannins and finishing with a velvety light toast.

2012 "To Trust" Cabernet Franc Rosé

Cabernet Franc Rosé
Horse Heaven Hills
Alder Ridge Vineyard
13.2% Alc. by Vol.

Sometimes in winemaking, as in life, you encounter situations when you need to put your trust in others.  This 100% Cabernet Franc Rosé is especially important to us because it was crafted with the love and support of our friends and family during a time when events reminded us just how little we control our own lives and how important it is to value those we love.  Our village of support helped us to bring this fruity and silky Rosé from the Alder Ridge vineyard to your home. 

2012 Perseverance Viognier

Viognier
Columbia Valley
13.9% Alc. by Vol.

In our home, we often marvel at our youngest daughter’s one track mind to get what she wants at any cost and note that her “perseverance” will be a valuable asset in her future.  When we were considering names for our 2012 Viognier, we couldn’t help but recognize the same perseverance in our efforts to bring this delicious wine to your table. This 100% Viognier has a clean apricot aroma with a smooth and warm finish. A favorite at our home, perfect with appetizers or as a simple glass on the patio.

2011 BLACK - Red Wine Blend

Red Blend
Columbia Valley
14.0% Alc. by Vol.

Black combines multiple wines for its own unique flavor profile.  Black is a blendof 84% Cabernet Sauvignon from Alder Ridge and Lewis Vineyard, topped with 16% Lewis Vineyard Syrah and aged for 18 months in new 50% French and American Oak.  With its soft palate and hints of cherry and vanilla, Black is a beautiful glass of wine to be enjoyed today or in a few years.       

2011 Two Strangers Syrah

Syrah
Lewis Family Vineyards
13.6% Alc. by Vol.

The 2011 Two Strangers Syrah is a blend of two French varietals, 98% Syrah and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, both from Lewis vineyard. Like the name, these two “strangers from the same place” were aged together in 50% new French and American Oak barrels for 18 months to create a wine with toasty oak, raspberries and licorice tones. Pour a glass of Two Strangers for a new friend or an old friend and spark your shared love of a great wine.