Wine festivals and some wine release weekends are canceled. Numerous wineries are shutting down tasting rooms or taking special measures to deal with COVID-19 Coronavirus. Below are some event and winery updates as of today (March 14). However, this list does not cover all local wineries. Overall, the situation is changing daily. Therefore, check directly with your favorite wineries to find out their status. And please support the industry by stocking up on wine during this difficult time.
Tag Archives: Gard Vintners
Time to Try Gard
Gard Vintners was created in 2006 by the Lawrence family, who has been farming the Royal Slope, near Royal City in the Columbia Valley, for more than 45 years. We enjoyed some of Gard wines a few years ago, but hadn’t tasted any recently.
So we were delighted when we received three samples of Gard wines from Lawrence Estate Vineyards on the Frenchman Hills in the Columbia Valley AVA.
We had been told that Gard wines had developed over the years and indeed, that is absolutely right.
2009 Syrah Reserve packed a punch from the minute we opened the bottle.
Super dark, super ripe, super layered and super intense, this magnificent wine is smoky, earthy and powerful with a hint of black pepper.
Pair it with barbecued anything or a nice spicy bowl of spaghetti, or drink it alone, simply enjoying the lingering taste that builds sip after sip. (Released May 2012, $45)
2010 Syrah is an incredible value at $29. We recommend decanting this medium-bodied wine for an hour or two to truly experience its evolution into a rich and silky mouthfeel. Or better yet, cellar it for 2-4 years and prepare to be wowed. (Released May 2013)
2011 Don Isidro Red is a medium-bodied blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Syrah and 8% Merlot that will complement a meal such as roast beef, beef stew or even a good steak. At $22, this red could be described as an easy-drinking, food-friendly value wine that could grace any table. (Released September 2013)
Props to Gard winemaker Aryn Morell – we are adding Gard Vintners to our list of favorites.
Cheers!
What Have We Opened Lately?
We’ve had the pleasure of enjoying many, many wonderful Washington wines lately – and in a less-busy world, I would write separate posts about each of them. Unfortunately, busy is my middle name these days.
So here is a list (in alphabetical order) of Washington wines that we’ve celebrated in the last couple of months, and recommend — plus three of our Napa Valley and Sonoma faves too!
- Alexandria Nicole Cellars 2008 Destiny Bordeaux Blend
- Betz Family Winery 2007 Pere de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon
- EFESTE 2006 Jolie Bouche Syrah
- Fidelitas 2005 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- Fielding Hills 2005 Cabernet Franc
- Fielding Hills 2007 Cabernet Franc
- Forgeron Cellars 2006 Zinfandel
- Gård Vintners 2007 “Twenty Six” Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
- Gilbert Cellars 2007 Estate Malbec
- Goosecross Cellars 2005 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
- L’Ecole 41 2001 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- Michel-Schlumberger 2008 Cochons Sauvages Zinfandel (Sonoma)
- Ross Andrew 2006 Syrah-Cab Blend
- The Woodhouse Wine Estates 2005 Darighe Bordeaux Blend
- Titus Vineyards 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
- Va Piano 2008 Walla Walla Valley Estate Merlot
- William Church 2008 Two Spires Syrah-Cab Blend
Wait – there’s more! For my list of favorite wines at Taste Washington, see my post in Seattleite Magazine.
Cheers!