Riesling Producers (Rl)

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Efeste Evergreen Vineyard, 2011
Columbia Valley, WA $45

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ST/92 (Sold out at winery)

Made from one of the great and most distinct of Washington State's vineyards. High above the Missoula Flood plains, the very cool temperature and ancient soils of the site make some of the best wines in the State; characterized by great acidity and wonderful fruit character. 100% Evergreen Vineyard Riesling - Vines planted in 1995.

This Riesling has an unbelievable sense of balance, opening up with:
-white peach, honeysuckle and a beautiful lift from deeper mineral/slate notes.
-It passes across the palate with wonderful acidity and texture, finishing with a lovely attack of:
granny smith apple, mandarin orange, and persimmon.

If you like Thai food, then this wine is for you! --Brennon Leighton, Winemaker

Efeste, pronounced F-S-T is an acronym for Daniel & Helen Ferrelli – Patrick Smith – and Kevin & Angela Taylor. Daniel, a second generation Italian had been making wine in his garage forever,passing on the tradition of his family to his son-in-law Kev

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Poet’s Leap, 2012
Columbia Valley, WA $52

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91/RP

This label for Long Shadows Vintners in Walla Walla is a collaboration between former Ste. Michelle Wine Estates boss Allen Shoup and famed German winemaker Armin Diel (proprietor of the renowned Schlossgut Diel). They came together a decade ago to craft a Washington wine with an international perspective. This is the latest version, and it is superb. It opens with aromas of lemon, lime and slate, followed by flavors of Granny Smith apple and minerality. It’s a rich, round wine without being sweet.

Sonnet Vineyard at The Benches in the Horse Heaven Hills (59%) forms the basis for the blend. Planted in 2004 with German clones in close consultation with Armin, Sonnet gives the wine its delicious minerality. Yakima Valley's Phil Church Vineyard (27%) and Underwood Mountain Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge (4%) both contribute bright citrus and acidity. Tri-Cities' Sagemoor Vineyards (10%) adds a delicate hint of sweetness and a rich mouth feel.

*First vintage was 2005

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Who is Armin Diel behind Long Shadows Poet's Leap Riesling?

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-Owns Schlossgut Diel in Burg Layen, in the Nahe River Valley since 1802.
-Armin assumed management of the winery, a 12th century medieval castle and it’s prestigious vineyards, the best known being Goldloch (pebbles) (similar to great Rhiengau Rieslings), and Pittermännchen (slate) (more refined like middle Mosels), in 1987.
-Ten years later, Armin acquired Burgberg (quartz) (great dry Rieslings), another outstanding vineyard on the eastern side of Goldloch. All three parcels have been classified on an official ground tax map with the highest possible ranking since 1901, giving them status comparable to a Burgundy Grand Cru.
-Armin is president of the VDP-Nahe section. He is also a wine writer but never comments on his own wines.

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Owen Roe DuBrul Vineyard, 2011
Yakima Valley, WA $48

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Despite the fact that Chateau St. Michelle makes more than a million cases of Riesling every year, it is the oft-overlooked star grape of the Northwest wine regions. Begone, pinot gris. You're taking up good land that could be growing riesling.
Green apple, white flowers and peach flavors all mingle deliciously in this richly textured, just off-dry Riesling, which is buoyed on the finish by bright acidity. Stylish and tasty.

Drink now through 2018+.

Hugh and Kathy Shiels provided the fruit from their 27 year old block
of Riesling in the Yakima Valley of Washington. It yielded enough
perfectly balanced fruit for us to make 210 cases. The wine's natural
high-acidity and low pH with bright tropical flavors are consistent
with the finest Rieslings.
Vinification
Aged 5 months in Stainless Steel fermenters.
261 cases produced
1.1% RS

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What is happening with Owen Roe?

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Owen Roe Winery in St. Paul, OR is relocating their winery to the Yakima Valley in Washington. A brand new winery facility is being built on their Union Gap Vineyard (estate), and all winemaking will move there after 2013 harvest. Rumor has it Owen Roe will move their Oregon tasting room to an old nut barn in the Newberg area sometime in early 2014 (location to be announced).

As a side note, the "old" Owen Roe winery has been taken over by Lady Hill Winery, owned by ex-Owen Roe partner Jerry Owen, with ex-Owen Roe director of winemaking Erik Brasher as winemaker. Expect some amazing wines under the Radicle Vine, Procedo, Ad Lucem, Lady Hill and Pinnacle labels coming from them in the very near future.

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Tempus Cellars Evergreen Vineyard, 2012
Columbia Valley, WA $45

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Family-owned, boutique style winery located in Walla Walla. First vintage was spring of 2009

Tempus is a latin word meaning "time". One interpretation of the term loosely translates to ‘a series of firsts.’ We were inspired by this concept given all of the life milestones we hopped over in a short period of time. In the course of eighteen months, we moved to Walla Walla, started new jobs, got our first dog, got married, bought our first home, had our first baby and started our first winery.

Vines planted in 1995.

A warm growing season allowed us to make the driest Riesling we have produced. Ripe apricot and white peach, filled out with classic Evergreen minerality.

Coming from one of Washington’s premier Riesling sites, it’s redolent with peach, mineral and floral notes. It drinks almost completely dry with bright, crisp acids.