The theme for WBW 34, hosted by Catie, is Washington State Cabernet, especially from the Walla Walla Valley Appellation. I have to admit that my knowledge of Washington State wine is limited, let alone wines from the Walla Walla region. Browsing through a lot of wine stores in NYC, there are plenty of wines from Columbia Valley, but rarely would I came across one from Walla Walla. If I find one from that region, it rarely fits my budget. Well, my luck changed last week when I found this wine, 2004 Pitch Cabernet Sauvignon from Astor Wines at $13 full retail.
The 2004 Pitch is made up of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot & 25% Syrah. 14.4% abv. Not only is this wine not 100% cabernet Sauvignon, it a wine made with grapes grown outside of the Walla Walla appellation. However, the back label says 'Bottled by Dusted Valley Vintners, Walla Walla WA'. Well, a wine made with grapes sourced from Columbia Valley and bottled at Walla Walla? This should satisfy Catie's theme for this WBW.
Tasting Notes
Color: Dark Garnet with purple hue.
Nose: Big Cherry and oak at first; also yielding hints vanilla after wine opens.
Palate: A real fruit bomb. Full of dark berries - cassis and cherries. Integrated with notes of vanilla and oak. Angular and slightly thin.
Body: Medium.
Finish: Medium, sweetness of fruit with hint of chocolate. A mild touch of tannins.
Comment: Match this wine with a grilled shell steak and portebella mushroom, not particularly a great match but it works. It would match better with a rich pasta dish or grilled pork chop with apple sauce. As far as QPR is concerned, even at $13, I can find wines of better QPR out there.
2 comments:
It is 78% cab and has merlot, cab franc, malbec. Kind of a bordeaux blend. Not bad for a $13 bottle of wine. Most Walla Walla wineries source fruit from out side the valley.
The great people at Dusted Valley are responsible for this affordable and aceeptable wine. Around here in the Northwest, (some call it " The Great Northwest" when it comes to wines) we have their version of 'Pitch' called 'Stomp'. Same wine. Same great value.
A rumor was that last years vintage was an overrun from another winery that was a $35 bottle. We couldn't buy enough of it! Living in Seattle, I get over to Walla Walla as much as possible.
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