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| Fall is approaching, too fast some would say, but one upside is the resumption of our Saturday tastings. To kick it off, we are featuring new releases from one of our favorite local wineries. ANIMALE is a very small winery hidden away in the outskirts of pastoral Ballard with a total production of just around 200 cases.
There Matt Gubitosa, winemaker and head bottle washer a produces his hand crafted, full flavored red wines that emphasize each varietal's characteristics. Matt will be at the shop Saturday showing off his new 2008's. Come join us and check them out.
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| 2008 Petite Sirah - Yakima Valley $25 |
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91% Petite Sirah, 9% Syrah Grown on a barren, rocky, cool-climate, half acre site planted specifically for ANIMALE, this Petite Sirah a saturated purple-black, bursting with aromas of fresh blackberries and hints of citrus peel. The flavors are of ripe plum and berries, and an exotic but ephemeral spice/herb note. The wine is vibrant with food-friendly acidity, and a long but balanced finish. |
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2008 Merlot - Washington $22 |
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88% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petite Sirah Matt describes this as "more like a right-bank Bordeaux than any New World Merlot." The wine has a deep ruby color; complex fragrance of black cherry compote with notes of sage, spices and mixed dried fruits. It is full-bodied with concentrated flavors of dried cherries, cherry syrup, black pepper and tobacco, with zesty, balanced acidity and a lingering, invigorating finish. |
2008 Cabernet Franc - Yakima Valley $24 |
| Inspired by the great Cab Franc-based reds of the Loire Valley, ANIMALE"S Cab Franc has delicate and intriguing aromas combining blackberry, blueberry and plum mixed with herbs and spices. The wine is full-bodied and intense with flavors of strawberry conserves and plums, zingy acidity and ample tannins to assure years of aging. |
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - Red Mountain $28 |
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100% Cabernet Sauvignon, Kiona Vineyard from vines planted in 1973 The cool 2008 vintage made for a very late harvest at the normally too-hot, early harvest Red Mountain growing site. The long hang-time, and the age of the vines resulted in a complex, powerful and age-worthy wine. The wine has a deep garnet color, with aromas of mint, thyme and other spices at first that fade into blueberry and other black fruit and hints of leather. The Cab packs some firm weight and food-friendly acidity. It has an intense palate of blackberry, cherry and Italian prune, and finishes with candied fruit and black tea. |
2008 Syrah - Yakima Valley $25 |
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100% Syrah. Matt says this Syrah was "The latest-ever harvest date for ANIMALE, the cool-climate, long-hang time provided the usual massive Syrah for which ANIMALE is known." The wine is brilliant, deep purple-black with aromas of blackcurrant, blueberry, blackberry, and hints of vanilla, cinnamon, field flowers and Linzer torte. Its flavor is very full-bodied, and intense with flavors of cherries, chocolate, black raspberry and orange peel, and an elusive note of tropical fruit. |
| In Other Shop News: Matt Janke, former partner and long time associate with the wine shop, has opened a new restaurant Lecosho downtown on the Harbor Steps at 89 University Street. If you're downtown and hungry go look him up. |