Kansas native David Volmut credits his Italian heritage with his appreciation for wine, which began around his parents’ dining table. As a result, he’s made Italian varieties his focus at Wind Rose Cellars on the Olympic. He is a product of Yakima Valley College’s wine program and trained in the Yakima Valley, and this work with Barbera from Red Heaven Vineyard ranks among the best efforts of his career. This vintage of Omaggio, Italian for gift or offering, represents just third time he’s bottled Barbera, and he devoted 30 months to 50% new French oak barrels. Black cherry and mocha aromas are joined by blackberry, crushed brick and smoked meat. There’s sweet cherry on the attack to the palate, followed by Western serviceberry and plum on the midpalate. Delicious depth to the structure is provided by sandy tannins, making for just the right about of grip to hang with the Indian spices at the end. Among his suggestions for food pairings are grilled meat, Eggplant Parmesan, stuffed peppers and tangy barbecue fare.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 125 cases
Alcohol: 15%
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