Bainbridge Island winemaker Matt Albee spent three years working at a Livermore, Calif., winery before he and his wife moved to Washington and entered the Northwest wine industry a decade ago. During that time, he’s developed relationships with some of the state’s up-and-coming vineyards, and Elephant Mountain in the Rattlesnake Hills overlooking the Yakima Valley is a rising star. He’s created this blend of white Rhône varieties — it includes Marsanne (20%) — with an oak-free approach. That explains the fresh and clean theme with Fuji apple, Bosc pear, lemon, Circus Peanut candy and orchard blossom aromas. The flavors are brimming with more lemon and pear, then finished with fresh apple sauce.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 91 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
Leave a Reply