05 Aug Uncorked #16: Columbia Valley’s 2008 The Jack
Region: Walla Walla, Washington
I could say that this was my first ever Washington state bottle of wine, but I would be lying. When visiting Seattle a few years ago, I enjoyed many of the local wines and Washington state has a great selection of wines! I love how this bottle of wine gives a history of how the name came about. I wish they would have gone into more detail about this relative of theirs (and a little about the wine itself) but I am sure the label size was just too small. The label looks really cool too, but this font was so hard to read! I looks like the year is 288. Anyways, that is my criticism from having a graphic design background. So the wine…it’s a nice red blend. According to the website it’s blend from a lot of vineyards around the area:
88% Merlot – Pepper Bridge Vineyard – Walla Walla Valley; Milbrandt Vineyard – Columbia Valley; Stone Ridge, Columbia Valley
4% Cabernet Sauvignon – McClellan Estate Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley
4% Cabernet Franc – McClellan Estate Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley
2% Syrah – Lewis Vineyard, Yakima Valley
2% Petite Verdot – Stillwater Creek Vineyard
When it says blend, wow, it’s a blend, but a good one at that! The wine definitely has more of a Merlot feel. It was medium bodied, with hints of some cherries in it and I might be crazy, but I also think I could taste a little coffee. Maybe that is just me though associating it with Seattle 🙂
Would I buy it again? I guess. It’s a nice wine and we really enjoyed it but usually if I am going to pay higher than $12 for a bottle I will usually be adventurous and try a new wine. If you are wanting a blend, one guaranteed to have your dinner party enjoy, I would recommend this wine. I am just not sure if I will become a repeat customer.
Fun Wine Fact: Washington’s wine industry has become the fastest-growing agricultural sector in the state. The number of wineries in the state has increased 400% in the last decade, attracting two million annual visitors to Washington wine country and creating a two million dollar wine-tourism industry.
Pairs Well With: Chicken marsala, beef tenderloin, minestrone or veal Parmesan.
“If food is the body of good living, wine is its soul”
– Clifton Fadiman