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Wine Press NW Spring Issue Recognizes CDA Cellars Whites
March 19, 2009
Recent Releases for Spring 2009: Whites
Here are the white wines reviewed in the Recent Releases section of the Spring 2009 issue of Wine Press Northwest.
Coeur d'Alene Cellars 2007 Chardonnay
Washington, 358 cases, 14.3% alc., $20
Outstanding! Warren Schutz spends a great deal of time driving between Idaho's Lake City and Washington's wine country, in this case, Stillwater Creek, Lonesome Springs and Smasne vineyards. The miles are worth it, beginning with aromas of inviting oak, cotton candy, creamy butterscotch and a hint of citrus. The mouth feel is amazingly smooth and creamy, then the fruit arrives with Pink Lady apples, tropical acidity and grapefruit peel in the finish. Enjoy this with crabcakes.
Coeur d'Alene Cellars 2007 L'Artiste Viognier
Washington, 242 cases, 14.3% alc., $24
Excellent. Here's the pride of this Idaho winery's white program, and it's named after watercolor artist/co-owner Sarah Gates. Five well-respected Washington vineyards - Milbrandt, Stillwater Creek, Elephant Mountain, Lonesome Springs and McKinley Springs - produce aromatics of lemon custard, grapefruit, toasted oak and sweet marshmallow. There's some rounded heft on the entry of tropical fruit, but the bright citrus acidity wipes away the viscous midpalate.
Coeur d'Alene Cellars 2007 Viognier
Washington, 424 cases, 14.3% alc., $20
Excellent. Here's a hedonistic Viognier that's sure to please many of those willing to branch out from Chardonnay. Lemon, sandalwood and oregano aromas and flavors are done in a rich way within the structure that is opulent and oaky. Enjoy this with fowl or Mexican cuisine.
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