My answer is similar to Kris, have not tried and have allegiance to Treveri/Griebs. I’ve discussed selling some of my fruit to Treveri, but it is not enough to really fool with, a barrel of PN, and their vineyards on Naches Heights are reaching productive fruiting stage after 4-5 years.
We did have Tiriddis referred to us by Sarah Fewell at Cultura; yes, they often promote other wineries in the Yak, but never ones that don’t make good wine.
While I’m here, I wanted to comment on the passing of Kathy Shiels of DuBrul/Cote Bonneville. I met Kathy in ~2010 when I was writing a wine blog. I met her several other times through the years at events or private tastings at their home/winery in Sunnyside. Kathy was an extremely gracious, smart, and engaging lady, and was really it seemed to me to be the heart and soul behind their brand. She will be missed as a matriarch in the Yak.
That’s sad news, Chris. Thanks for updating the thread.
Kris / Chris, regarding Tiriddis, interesting that you both cite an allegiance of sorts to Treveri. It’s understandable to be sure (great value, great wine), but isn’t trying other wineries a big part of our hobby? I have zero iron in the fire for Tiriddis, but found a new sparkling wine project exciting, even if they’re charging more than Treveri.
Yes, Kris, I know you did cite where it’s made upthread. I was curious if you’d tried it yet, that’s all.
I am having a crossroads moment deciding why I’d want to try a contract sparkling for $53, 1 each BdB and Rose, from Zirkle/Floating Feather. I find the website a bit disingenuous saying they are pioneering the WA sparkling wine identity when DSM, Mountain Dome, Townshend, PacRim, and Treveri all came before them.
If I see it at a store I’ll commit to grabbing one.
My hobby in the Yak has slowed considerably since a) I grow my own, b) we’ve established our favorites, and c) our cellar is way beyond full. That said, I’m willing to give this one a shot and will find a reason to be in Prosser sometime when the tasting room is open. My employer has a relationship with Zirkle so I might get an (apple) industry discount. 
Drank the 2019 Kobayashi Marsanne on Saturday night. Wow! It has settled in nicely and was an absolute pleasure and a stunner. Not quite on the level of a great vintage Chave Blanc but certainly an equal to the 2011 or 2017. Not quite as viscous but brimming with orchard fruits and a nice undercurrent of acidity that sometimes is lacking in Northern Rhone whites. Travis makes damn good wine!
Has anyone had a 2015 Gramercy Columbia Valley Syrah recently? I am sitting on four bottles left from a case I bought years ago. It was in a pretty dramatic dumb phase this time last year.
Short answer, no. If I had that vintage I’d definitely try a bottle now. A lot (but certainly not all) CV syrahs peak at 5-7 years and with 2015 being one of the hottest (The hottest on record methinks) time could be against you as much as for you with that one. That said, Gramercy is very solid wine making and I think can have a long plateau which is in your favor.
I haven’t, but I’d hazard a guess its in a pretty good drinking wondow since it is YV and Rocks Syrah both very cool spots that need 5-7 years for my palate.
Rip one open, let us know.
I’ll pop the cork on Friday. Recent CellarTracker notes look promising.
It’s going to be too hot tomorrow for a Columbia Valley bruiser, so I popped the cork tonight. The full bodied expression is a bit of a shock to the system after ostensibly drinking only Champagne for the last year. At the end of the day, it’s drinking pretty well. Still a lot of fruit, but it is starting to recede and is showing more herb and olive notes than I remember. It’s got a little awkwardness but its flavors aren’t muted. I think I will wait another year before opening another. I think it’s still coming out of that dumb phase and will be better integrated later. It is improving with aeration. Doesn’t seem to be at any risk of decline in the near future.
Here comes the bacon fat! I got this case on steep discount - $15.00 a bottle - as I recall. Got a lot of enjoyment out of these for several years at that price.
Posted from CellarTracker
I’m so glad you posted this Brandon as I have become rather smitten with Chris’s wines over the last few years and you see zero posts about them here. While I have greatly enjoyed the regular $80 Cab, the Counterpart, and the SB, I have yet to try the wallet friendly versions. Time to remedy.
Nice, Dale. Yes, I’d give the wallet-friendly ones a spin for sure. Have you had anything from JB Neufeld?
Can’t imagine much better for $15!
Negative but I’m well aware of the BD love and intend to take part next Jan assuming there is an offering!
Trying to go thru some older wines in my collection.
Robert Karl Inspirstion Reserve Red 2007 was first up. 70% Cab, 10% Merlot and Franc, with balance PV and Malbec. Its a pull of the best barrels aged 24 -30 months in 100% new French Oak. Nose of dark fruits, violets, and some leather notes. Palate is medium + body with plum, black cherry, tobacco, leather, and medium acidity. Doesn’t really show like a 17 year old wine and went really well with prime brisket we smoked.
Nice, Kris. It’s rare that I see a WA wine from a winery I’ve never had a single taste of, but Robert Karl is one. Glad it showed well for you.
