Alexandria Nicole Cellars knows how to throw a party! As regular readers know, we are members of ANC’s Club 1000. Regular readers also know that we join wine clubs because of their excellent wines, fine people and great events. So let’s take a closer look.

Excellent Wines: At the Feb. 21 release party, there were pours of the award-winning Block 17 Syrah, which was my favorite. According to the tasting notes: “Block 17 Syrah is distinguished by its deep, dark red and inky color followed with full-bodied rich bouquet of fruit aromas, hints of plum and rip fruit, toast vanilla, spices, with layers of smoke, cassis, cedar and chocolate flavors.” What makes this wine special is the co-fermentation with 4% Viognier, “adding nuances of smoky toffee.” Yum! “Paired best with peppered red meats, sausage, full-flavored meats and Barry White’s ‘Can’t Get Enough of Your Love.’ “

Other wines released at the party: 2008 Late Harvest Riesling (we’re not big white wine drinkers, but this will be amazing this summer on the deck with cheese or prawns and some smooth jazz); 2007 Lemberger (also known as Blau Frankisch in Austria and one of Dave’s favorites); and a toasty 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon that was smokin’.

Fine People: Jarrod Boyle is an incredible winemaker and his wife Ali (aka Alexandria Nicole) is involved in many aspects of the winery too. They both have their hands and talents in many other wineries (Heaven’s Cave and Altered State of Wines, to name just a couple) and they are tons of fun too. And then there are the wine club wizards, Vida in Prosser and Kathy in Woodinville. We adore all four of these people!

Great Events: This brings me back full circle to the beginning of this blog post. The wine release party was packed with people, excellent appetizers from El Gaucho and fine music from Wayman Chapman. The only problem was trying to applaud and dance with hands full of excellent wine and food!

Cheers!