Sokol Blosser Evolution Lucky Edition

The Winery: Sokol Blosser
The Wine: Evolution, Lucky Edition
The Price: $14.99 at QFC (marked down from $21.99)

I previously reviewed Evolution (11th Edition), but a couple of bottlings have occurred since that review, so I thought I'd review it again. I'd been kicking around the idea for awhile, and now that Seattle (and the rest of the Pacific Northwest) is entrenched in a heat wave, it seems like the perfect time.

From talking with an employee of another winery, I learned that some wineries chemically manipulate some of their wines so that it tastes the same from year to year. Based on my observations, Sokol Blosser does not do this (my observations are supported by this statement from their website, "Every new bottling has its own subtle and fresh personality."). I point this out because the Lucky Edition is the best edition I recall them having produced.

The wine is a blend of Muller-Thurgau, White Riesling, Semillon, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat Canelli, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner. That's a lot of grapes!

The Lucky Edition seems brighter and a hair sweeter than I recall the 12th Edition being. It has a citrusy aroma. The wine has flavors of citrus fruit, apples and pears.

In addition to the great flavor, I love the playful nature with which Sokol Blosser treats this wine. The label poses the question, "Luck? Intention?" And this year, rather than calling it the 13th Edition, they went with Lucky Edition. I like that.

As I write this, I am sitting on my balcony, looking out over Lake Washington. It's 92 degrees, highly unusual for Seattle. The view, the weather, and the Evolution make me realize what a great life I have.

Des Voigne Cellars Website Update

When I reviewed Des Voigne Cellars San Remo 2006 Sangiovese I commented on the condition of their website (the word "raggedy" was used). Somebody posted a comment on the review that their website has been updated. I checked it out, and found that it is much improved.

Their new site is cool and attractive. I like that they have brought the musical theme of their wines to the website. The graphics are bold and very professional looking. I encourage you to check out their new site at www.desvoignecellars.com. And while you're there, you might consider snagging a bottle or two of their wine.

Woodinville Wine Cellars 2006 Indomitable

The Winery: Woodinville Wine Cellars
The Wine: 2006 Indomitable
The Price: $40 at Jack Cellars

This is the second wine from Woodinville Wine Cellars that I purchased at their recent tasting at Jack Cellars. Woodinville Wine Cellars calls Indomitable their flagship wine. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Cabernet Franc (25%) and Merlot (25%).

The bottle was stopped with a natural cork, and decanted about an hour before tasting.

Like the 2006 Syrah, this is also a very dark wine. The wine has aromas of blackberry, cherry and prune. This is a big, fruity wine. It has flavors of cherry and blackberry, with a mild pepper finish. The 2006 Indomitable has a very smooth, velvety feel to it. The wine is nothing short of awesome!

Quinta Do Feital 2007 Auratus

The Winery: Quinta Do Feital
The Wine: 2007 Auratus
The Price: $15.00 at Jack Cellars

Quinta Do Feital is a Portuguese winery. At the time of this writing, their website is not working quite right, so I really don't have much information on the Winery. Jack (from Jack Cellars) tells me that Auratus is Latin for golden, which is appropriate because the wine is very gold in color.

The wine has aromas of pineapple and honey, much like the other Portuguese wine I recently reviewed, the Gazela Vinho Verde. Unlike the Gazela, however, this wine is actually good. Also unlike the Gazela, this wine is not sparkling. This is a good wine. It has a creamy pineapple flavor. This would be a great wine to sip on the porch on a hot summer day.

Woodinville Wine Cellars 2006 Syrah Columbia Valley

The Winery: Woodinville Wine Cellars
The Wine: 2006 Syrah Columbia Valley
The Price: $30 at Jack Cellars

I'd never had any wine from Woodinville Wine Cellars until a recent tasting at Jack Cellars. All of the wines they were pouring were very good. I particularly enjoyed the 2006 Indomitable, which I may review soon if I don't crack it open before getting around to reviewing it.

The 2006 Syrah Columbia Valley was stopped with a natural cork, and was decanted an hour before tasting.

This is a very dark red wine. One of the darker wines that I've encountered. The wine has aromas of blackberry, prune and blueberry. The wine has big fruit flavors of blackberry and plum with a slight hint of blueberry and a barely perceptible mint flavor. It has a definite pepper taste, typical of Syrah, but it's not overdone.

This is an excellent wine, well worth the price.