Seattle Offline (Fall 2023): 2018 Merlot-heavy blends from Washington State

Event Planner - Online or Offline
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Hi, All. Based on some discussion in the Washington Wine thread over in Wine Talk, I thought I’d take the lead on planning an offline for sometime this Fall. Why Fall? Because that’s when I have some wines being shipped for this, and because Summers are a challenge for my family.

Theme: 2018 Merlot-heavy/dominant blends from WA State

Why 2018? I don’t really know, other than it was a good vintage and the wines will have a few years in bottle to show well. I have already bought eight different wines (two bottles each, except the Avennia is a magnum) that I’ll add to the kitty and maybe participants can cost share to even things out:

2018 Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Mountain (57% Merlot)
2018 Betz Family Clos de Betz Columbia Valley (55% Merlot)
2018 Substance BX Klein Vineyard Walla Walla Valley (41% Merlot)
2018 DeLille Cellars D2 Columbia Valley (67% Merlot)
2018 Long Shadows Wineries Merlot Pedestal Columbia Valley (82% Merlot)
2018 Sleight of Hand The Archimage Columbia Valley (48% Merlot, technically has slight more Cab Franc)
2018 Covington Cellars Lawson Mays Discovery Vineyard Horse Heaven Hills (60% Merlot)
2018 Avennia Winery Valery Columbia Valley (89% Merlot)

Who’s interested? We can figure out location and other details later, but let’s see if we can get some momentum (and some more wines) going.

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We are potentially in. I cross posted on CT what we have in our cellar, but plenty of choice, just not 2018 vintage. Any particular reason you chose that vintage only?

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Depending on timing I’d see about flying back. I’d like to suggest doing some older wines.

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I’m interested and would likely bring my partner.

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I simply chose 2018 somewhat randomly figuring that they’d be drinking well (early window) and there was a lot available at a good price from two retailers. I’m certainly open to other vintages too. Like I mentioned on CT, I think it would be nice to potentially do this at Seattle Wine Storage, but it would have to be an afternoon tasting due to their hours.

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Sure, good idea.

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It would be great to meet you both.

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Looking ahead at the calendar, what is the general availability on either Friday or Saturday, September 29 or 30?

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Either are good for me.

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I’d join! New to the forum but live in Seattle… could make those dates in September work.

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Any space for a newbie?

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We’ll see, Rook’. Kidding, of course. You’re welcome, Sir.

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I would be interested in joining as well

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I’ve been fairy offline lately but Lauren and I are free those days

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I’m interested and should be available for one of those dates.
I don’t have much in the way of interesting WA Merlot dominated wines, so I would be happy to cost share. Or I can seek out some. Either way works.

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Need to have a top 3 in FPL. :joy:

@Brandon_R let me know a final date as I’d have to book flights. If the 29th, it’d be great to do a 2pm lunch-ish event. Miss those days vs. nights.

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Okay, I’ll work on verifying sites, but I love the idea of a lunch and afternoon affair too. Stay tuned…

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I would like to attend.

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If there is still space, I would also like to attend. (Could probably make it on Saturday, but less likely on Sunday.)

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Update: I’ve spoken with Lee over at Seattle Wine Storage and he’s happy to have us use the communal room at SWS for an offline. The concern is one bathroom and limited room space. The main table has 10 (or 8…can’t recall) chairs with lots of space, as well as a sofa and a few “bar” stools, so space is limited. He’d like to see is keep it at 16 people or so. I know the dates discussed upthread differ from this by a week, so my apologies, but there were some conflicts.

UPDATE: Saturday, November 4 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

I simultaneously posted this here on WB and over on CT, so I’m going to go with headcount up to 16 people in the order that people expressed interest on both posts. So, the first back of people would be:

Me (1)
Chris Carey (2) - WB and CT
Eric (1) - CT
skifree (1) - CT
mclancy10006 (1) - CT
Blue Shorts (1) - CT
rogerjanss (1) - CT
Kris Patten (1) - WB
Brian Be (2) - WB
mqvn (1) - CT
Jenise (1) - CT
jmcmchi (1) - CT
Slye (1) - CT
Justin K (1) - WB

I’ll start with RSVPs from those 16 and, as we find that people can’t attend, we’ll continue on down the list. Please RSVP with your yes/no here. More details to follow…