Tag Archives: 14 Hands

Summer Sippers

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Screen Shot 2015-05-29 at 9.08.12 AMOur recent sunny May weather makes us think of summer sippers while it is still spring. So here are some recent releases of good-value whites and rosés that pair perfectly with warm evenings on the deck or patio.

14 Hands 2014 Sauvignon Blanc Washington State
Our favorite white wine is Sauvignon Blanc, particularly when it shows aromas and flavors of grapefruit. This beauty does just that, and pairs nicely with prawns or other fresh seafood dishes. It also is a refreshing crisp taste of summer to sip and savor on its own on the deck. ($10)

14 Hands 2014 Pinot Gris Washington State
After Sauv Blanc, our second favorite white wine is Pinot Gris, which also pairs best with seafood. Similarly refreshing, this Pinot Gris is rounded with flavors of pears and honeysuckle, and contains 2.5% Pinot Blanc. We recommend it to accompany seafood pasta. ($10)

Santa Cristina 2014 Pinot Grigio
This wine comes from an established growing region outside Venice, Italy. Think of orange blossoms and tropical fruit, and you’ll travel to the Tuscan sun without leaving your patio. In addition to seafood, this elegant and fragrant wine also pairs with chicken salad — or any salad, actually. ($12)

Santa Cristina 2014 Cipresseto Toscana Rosato
Cipresseto is one of the first rosés produced in Italy. Named for the Cyprus trees near the vineyards, this dry rosé blends Sangiovese and Canaiolo. Fermentation and time in stainless steel tanks generated a crisp wine with distinctive aromas of raspberry and jasmine. According to the tasting notes, its savory undertones mean it will pair well with tomato dishes or calamari.  ($14)

Other Summer Sippers from 14 Hands and Santa Cristina

  • Santa Cristina 2014 Campogrande, $12
  • 14 Hands 2013 Chardonnay Washington State, $12
  • 14 Hands 2013 Hot to Trot White Blend Washington State, $10

Samples were provided by 14 Hands and Santa Christina, both of which are part of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.

Cheers!
Margot and Dave

 

Pair this 14 Hands wine with the Kentucky Derby

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Screen Shot 2015-05-01 at 12.04.35 PM14 Hands Winery created a special wine to commemorate its continued partnership with the Kentucky Derby® on May 2 — but this tasty red blend from the Columbia Valley is a good value wine to drink even after the 141st ‘Run for the Roses™ is over.

The 14 Hands 2012 Kentucky Derby Red is a blend of 62% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Syrah, and showcases the juicy fruit character in grapes from Washington state.

At $12 bottle, you can’t go wrong! But be sure to buy it soon, since it’s a limited release and has already sold out at the winery. You can still find it in wine and/or grocery stores.

“Our goal when crafting this unique wine was to capture the fun yet sophisticated essence of the Kentucky Derby,” said 14 Hands winemaker Keith Kenison. “What makes this red blend so unique are the layers and structure you’ll discover with each sip, from dark fruit flavors to light touches of white pepper. We are always striving to make a style of wine that everyone can enjoy, and we think the Kentucky Derby Red Blend is perfect for those who want to take a taste of the Derby home with them.”

14 Hands kicked off Derby week at the sixth annual Taste of Derby™ yesterday (April 30). Several 14 Hands wines will also be featured on Kentucky Oaks day, today (May 1), and during Kentucky Derby day itself, tomorrow (May 2).

In other winery news, 14 Hands recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of its winery and tasting room in Prosser and was named “Hot Brand for 2014” by Impact for the seventh consecutive year. Special kudos to 14 Hands for being the list’s sole winner that wasn’t from California.

Thanks to 14 Hands for the sample of 2012 Kentucky Derby Red.

Cheers!
Margot and Dave

 

 

 

 

Good Value Reds for the Holidays

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If you’re looking for good value red wines for the holidays — for your dinner table or for a hostess gift — look no further. Here are four that we recently tasted and recommend: one from Washington state and three from Livermore Valley, located just east of San Francisco.

Screen Shot 2014-11-09 at 6.12.30 PMMurrieta’s Well The Spur, 2011 Livermore Valley ($25)
This unique red blend not only drinks well but also has a great label that is a perfect hostess gift. This Livermore Valley wine blends 31% Petite Sirah, 29% Petit Verdot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Franc, and pairs well with roasted and grilled meats, dishes with red sauces or rich cheese. Marietta’s Well is one of California’s original wineries, propagated in 1883 with vineyard cuttings from Chateau Margaux and Chateau d’Yquem in France. Need we say more? Oh, one more thing — Murrieta’s Well is owned by Philip Wente of Wente Vineyards, the country’s oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery.

Wente Vineyards Southern Hills 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore Valley ($18)
This estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon combines 76% Cabernet Sauvignon with 9% Petit Verdot, 9% Petite Sirah, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot. This is a great everyday wine that is well balanced, with a depth and intensity that showcases the character of the grape. Just like Murrieta’s Well, vines at Wente Vineyards were planted in 1883. Today the winery draws from approximately 3,000 acres of sustainably farmed Estate vineyards.

TateDog 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore Valley ($25)
TateDog’s slogan is “Great artisan wines at nice prices,” which perfectly describes the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon. This flavorful, award-winning wine has a beautiful nose with a long finish. While medium-bodied, it pairs well with a ribeye or stands alone without food.

14 Hands Vineyards The Reserve 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills ($30)
Launched by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in 2005 as a restaurant-only brand, 14 Hands introduced “The Reserve” label of wines sourced from the Horse Heaven Hills appellation in Washington state in 2012. This is one gorgeous wine, which received 92 points from Wine Spectator. This beauty would also pair well with a ribeye or a rich mushroom tart. And if you are in Prosser, stop by their new tasting room, which opened earlier this year.

Thank you to these wineries who kindly provided us with samples of their wines. Our sample policy can be found here.

Cheers!