Tag Archives: Chris Peterson

Full Pull Wines

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Full Pull Wines LogoOver the last six months, we purchased several different bottles from Full Pull Wines, the amazing online retailer based in Seattle. Since I can’t drink wine right now while I recuperate from knee surgery, this article features these Full Pull wines that we are looking forward to opening in the future. They are either 1) new vintages of wines we’ve enjoyed in the past; 2) new wines from winemakers we appreciate; or 3) wines we’ve never had before but are attracted to their tasting notes from others.

We initially wrote about Full Pull, the brainchild of owner (and excellent wine writer) Paul Zitarelli, shortly after its October 2009 launch. Paul sells wine through a mailing list. The process is simple. First, Full Pull emails you about wine their staff loves. Next, you request the bottles that appeal to you. Finally, you pick your wine up at the warehouse or have it shipped. Better yet, there is no monthly fee or minimum purchase. And the deals are worthwhile. Read on for details of the latest wines we ordered.

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Avennia Red Mountain

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Avennia Red Mountain tasting lineupSuperb winemaker Chris Peterson’s style remains consistent over the years, as we witnessed during our first time at Avennia Red Mountain estate winery last month. And we go back more than a decade. In 2012, we stopped by Avennia, then one of Woodinville’s newest wineries, and became immediate fans of Chris and managing partner Marty Taucher. At the time, we wrote that Avennia wines were “classic, complex, balanced, structured, true to varietal, and a showcase of the beauty of Washington grapes.” They still are. Read on for details of our visit and the wines we tasted.

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Passing Time Winery’s Inaugural Release

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Screen Shot 2015-05-10 at 12.44.32 PMPassing Time Winery was launched last June by Dan Marino and Damon Huard, two former National Football League quarterbacks and teammates with the Miami Dolphins. If you’re skeptical about the kind of wine NFL stars can make, think again.

We were delighted to pass the time with a couple of glasses of their first release, Passing Time 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon from Horse Heaven Hills.

This is not surprising to those of us who are fans of winemaker Chris Peterson, whom we first met when he co-founded Avennia with Marty Taucher in 2010. Chris is widely considered as one of the hottest winemakers in Washington state, and was named “Winemaker to Watch” by Seattle Magazine in 2013.

This inaugural Passing Time wine blends 86% Cabernet Sauvignon from Discovery Vineyard with 9% Klipsun Merlot and 5% Champoux Cabernet Franc. It shows a balance of fruit and mineral elements, with a beautiful mouthfeel and a chewy finish; this is an elegant, complex and expressive Cabernet that showcases the unique character of the grape in Washington state.

From Chris’s tasting notes: “This wine is opaque purple-black out to the rim, with beautiful, complex aromas of black cherry, cassis, vanilla, toast, fresh-cut violets, cedar, and hints of bergamot. The mouth feel is palate-coating, yet light on its feet with dark red fruits, vanilla bean, flowers, and balanced acidity to give lift and brightness. The well-structured finish is long and complex, promising a long life in the cellar.”

We encourage Cabernet lovers to keep their eyes on Passing Time winery, which plans to produce three Cabernets: from Horse Heaven, Red Mountain and Walla Walla. Rumor has it that they are already fantastic in the barrel.

AVA: Horse Heaven Hills
Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
SRP: $75
Cases: 500
Sample provided  by winery

Cheers!
Margot & Dave