New Folks At RhoneRangers.....

WINE TALK
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Will be out there for RR in a few weeks. The RR WebSite has put up the list of the participating wineries:
RRWineries

As the event comes closer, they usually put up a .pdf of the hand-out brochure so youse can do your homework. Nice touch & very helpful.

So doing a bit of homework for you-all.

A few new folks I’ve noticed that’ll be at RR this year:
CoiledWines: This is LesliePreston. Makes wine in Napa but gets her grapes from two vnyds over in Idaho. I’ve been mightly impressed by the Sawtooth wines over the last few yrs and am looking forward to trying her Syrah.
FolinCellars: Can’t find much out about these folks other than they make Syrah/Viognier/Tempranillo in the Rogue Vlly of Southern Oregon.
QuadyNorth: This is AndyQuady’s son, Herb, making wines in ApplegateVlly of Southern Oregon. His background is at BonnyDoon. The labels look a bit on the garish side I would say.
SkinnerVnyds: A new operation up in ElDoradoCnty. Just ordered a 6-pack to try afore the event.

Anyway, those are the new kids on the block for me to try at RR. Any more info that anybody has would be appreciated.

Thaaaaaat’s all, folks.
Tom

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Nice to see some newer Rhone rangers from Southern Or. This area has a lot of potencial- some really nice Viogniers and Syrahs.

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I’m very interested in your notes on Coiled Wines. From what I understand, the Snake River Valley AVA has the potential to produce some very interesting wines. I need her brother to bring out a bottle to taste for myself.

4

Where is this Geoff?

5

John, from what I understand, the Snake River Valley has less of an oceanic influence than Walla Walla but still achieves cooler nights due to the proximity of the Snake River. Volcanic soils have always held my interest and if Walla Walla is of any indication, Syrah could do quite well in the environment. i hope to get out to visit the region myself this year.

Here is pic I pilfered from Google:

6

Ch. Ste.Chappelle is the iconic winery in Idaho. At RR 4-5 yrs ago, the SawtoothWnry showed their Syrah and I was mightly impressed with it.
Very Rhonish/smokey in style and a great price ($16 as I recall). So I’ve always made a point to go by the Sawtooth table. Last yr, they
had a Viognier, I believe, that I liked quite a lot.
Leslie sources some of her4 Syrah grapes from Sawtooth. She’s an Idaho native, hence her interest in working w/ those grapes.
Tom

7

FWIW, here are my notes on Sawtooth from last year’s Rhone Rangers tasting:

Sawtooth Winery
2006 Viognier, Snake River Valley. Fermented 50% in stainless steel and 50% in older barrels, then aged in neutral oak. Ripe tropcial fruit aromas, big and mouthfilling with a smooth finish.
2005 Syrah, Snake River Valley. 86% Syrah, 7% Cinsault, 7% Mourvèdre, 1% Grenache. Blueberry and pepper with an herbal note, somewhat high-toned character, rich mouthfeel with a moderate finish.
Comments: This Idaho winery recently hired winemaker Bill Murray, who had previously worked at Acacia and Bouchaine in Carneros.

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The wife and I will be attending Rhone Rangers for the first time this year, and we have signed up to volunteer at the event. For those of you who will be pouring at the event, please make sure you say “hi” at the winery check in table. I will be there from 10:00am to 1:30pm signing the wineries in.

Looking forward to meeting some fellow Berserkers! [berserker.gif]

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Jeremy,

Will do - and right back at ya! I’ll be the frazzled looking guy who can’t find his table!!!

Are you going to any of the seminars?!?!? I’ll be taking part in the Grenache seminar on Saturday - stop by and say hi if possible!

Cheers!

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Larry,

Looking forward to it!

Unfortunately, because of some prior engagements, we won’t get in town until around 5pm, so no luck on getting to any of the Saturday events and seminars. Would have loved to be there!

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For those who can’t make it to the Grenache seminar on Saturday, here’s another option - purchase tasting samples of each of the wines and take part in the seminar ‘virtually’ from wherever you are! Check out the details here . . .

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Yes, my wine is one of the 8 included, but even if it wasn’t, I’d still think this is pretty cool . . .

Cheers!