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- Bullocks bid goodbye to Eye of the Needle Winery in Woodinville
- VineLines Dispatch #7: That’s a wrap
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- VineLines Dispatch: Harvest surrounding Lake Chelan
- Northwest restaurateurs purchase Basel Cellars in Walla Walla
- Hayden Homes CEO buys interest in Pepper Bridge, Amavi wineries
- Walla Walla Community College to receive $15 million gift from MacKenzie Scott
L’Ecole No. 41 2015 Old Vines Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, $15
Best Buy! A generation ago, Chenin Blanc was a variety that produced cherished wines along the West Coast. Fortunately, Marty Clubb has remained an ardent champion of this grape native to the Loire Valley, and he continues to secure contracts with four venerable vineyards in the Yakima Valley. Phil Church, Rothrock, Upland and Willard Farms each contribute to this bottling Chenin Blanc from vines planted in the 1970s, making this a legitimate “old vines” project done in a Vouvray style since 1987. Fanciful aromas of fruit cocktail, lemon pudding, peach taffy and sugar cane also pick up sweet herbal notes. However, the drink is presented deliciously dry and clean, loaded with fleshy orchard tree fruit flavors akin to white peach and Jonagold apple. Bright acidity, a hint of nectarine skin and minerality come together for a long finish. Enjoy with tuna, salmon, roasted chicken, pork and summertime salads.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 4,800 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
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