2013 Buried Cane “Heartland” Red Wine $24.95

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Winery Tasting Notes: “Enticing primary aromatics of raspberry, boysenberry, and white pepper spice are complemented by subtler notes of vanilla and lilies. Wonderfully soft on entry onto the palate, this blend is rich with red fruit notes of raspberry, pomegranate and cranberry and finishes with a lovely lingering spicy note.”

Blend: 37% Syrah, 24% Grenache, 19% Mourvedre, 13% Cinsault, 5% Counoise, 2% Viognier
Alcohol Level: 15.4%
Cases Produced: 758
Winemaker Name: Kendall Mix
Maturity: Drink Now – 2022

Pairings:  BBQ/Smoked Pork, Beef, Lamb or Chicken.  Bleu or gorgonzola cheese, mushroom and spices

Staff Review:  DREW MOFFAT – This is a real treat for two simple reasons: winemaker Kendall Mix and the incredible Rhone grape varieties coming out of the Columbia Valley.  Let’s start with Kendall Mix.  First and foremost, Mix was a UC Davis grad who began his winemaking career with Chateau Ste Michelle in 1993.  After a decade, he moved away from that family to become winemaker at Tranche Cellars and Corliss Estates.  If you are familiar with CV’s history of sourcing wines, you know how fond we are of Corliss Estates.  They specialize in small production cab’s and red blends that consistently score in the mid-90’s from all the wine critiquing periodicals.  Thing is the Corliss wines retail for upwards of $75/bottle…so scoring the 2013 Buried Cane “Heartland” Red Wine at $25/bottle (wine club price reflected on receipt) it has an absolute sensational “QPR” or “QUALITY-TO-PRICE RATIO!”

Back to the fruit.  If you asked me about for my top three favorite growing regions in the US, the Columbia Valley would be in the mix.  Here are some interesting statistics of why

• Established in 1984

• 58% red to 42% white

• Washington’s largest viticultural region, covering almost 11 million acres (4,451,700 hectares) which represents a full third of Washington State’s land mass.

• The Columbia Valley contains 99% of wine grapes grown in Washington State – 50,316 acres.

• 8,080 vineyard acres of wine grapes are planted in the Columbia Valley AVA and not included in any other sub-AVAs in Washington.

• Columbia Valley’s vast size allows for a number of meso- and micro-climates.

• Vineyards are planted on predominately south-facing slopes, increasing solar radiation in summer and promoting air drainage in winter.

• Riesling, Merlot, Chardonnay, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon are the most widely planted varietals.

• Growing season of 180-200 days with annual rainfall averaging 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm).

• The Columbia Valley contains the American Viticultural Regions of Red Mountain, Yakima and Walla Walla Valleys, Wahluke Slope, Rattlesnake Hills, Horse Heaven Hills, Snipes Mountain, Lake Chelan, Naches Heights and Ancient Lakes within its borders.

• With the exception of Puget Sound and Columbia Gorge, all other growing regions in Washington are sub-appellations of the Columbia Valley.

Information provided by https://www.washingtonwine.org/wine/facts-and-stats/regions-and-avas/columbia-valley

With all that said, the wines created here are not just good…but GREAT.  The 2013 Buried Cane “Heartland” Red Wine is a perfect example of the best of what the Columbia Valley represents.  Stimulating aromatics, huge fruit flavors and a balanced acidity/minerality that completes the wine.  So I hope you will enjoy this wine as much as I do…screwcap means drink now whether it be at a BBQ, camping, home on the back porch or whatever reason you find fitting!  Cheers!