Terril Keary created a following for wine in the rural Thurston County town of Tenino, Wash., when he launched Scatter Creek Winery in 2005, and he used bottlings such as this dessert blend of Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon to help make introductions. Aromas of black currant, plum and smoke lead to a bright and fruity drink of matching flavors. A steady stream of raspberry acidity balances Keary’s traditional recipe for residual sugar (14%), and there’s even a faint touch of tannin for complexity. Sure, the components for this late-harvest style are far from traditional, and the name may raise some eyebrows, but it’s a delicious quaffer, especially when chilled well. It also grabbed a gold medal at the 2015 Capital Food and Wine Festival Competition in connection with the St. Martin’s University Alumni Association.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 48 cases
Alcohol: 14.4%
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