Walla Walla Wine Cellar

It’s out! The K Vintners MCK. And guess who has some? We do, and we want to share it with you!

This stuff is fascinating. On the nose, there’s the aroma of Spring. I smell crocuses, green grass, sun-warmed green peppers, and… I know this might sound weird… wet seal and mossberries. For those of you from fishing communities in Bristol Bay, Alaska, that might make sense.

The mouth his rich mid-palate, tannic, with chocolate, cherry and citrus. The citrus element is typical of Washington State syrahs.

Long finish…… still going….

MCK weighs in at a whopping 15.5% alcohol, but I wouldn’t have known. (Danger, Will Robinson. Danger!)

With only 37 cases produced, and no other allotments to retailers, we are privileged to offer you Motor City Kitty. We think it’s super fun. If nothing else, you’ll friends will love the name.

Tempranillo: It is considered by some to be the King of Spanish wines. Tempranillo produces some incredible, long lived, reds that are like nothing else. Tempranillo is the Major Grape in two of Spain’s most famous wine regions, Rioja and Ribera del Duero, which have long dominated as Spain’s most popular red wines. The grape tends to create sexy, full-bodied reds that can be packed with enough stuffing to live well over 20 years in age.

While this grape calls Spain home, other states and countries have been experimenting with the grape. Argentina, Washington, Oregon, and yes…California are all home to tempranillo plantings. It is one of Justin’s favorite red varieties and makes some truly amazing wines. In Walla Walla, wineries such as Seven Hills Winery, Cayuse and K Vintners have all worked with the grape and have been successful. We think it shows good potential in Washington. And Umpqua Valley in Oregon is producing some impressive juice too. Check out Abacela, for example. And here’s a great article from last winter on their Tempranillo.

This time let’s talk about a varietal from Southeastern France. Not one of the most common varietals in Washington, but certainly one that deserves mention.

Justin has written the following description.
Grenache: A major variety in Southeastern France in regions such as the Rhône and the Languedoc/ Rousillon, Grenache is also very prominent in Spain (where it is known as Garnaxta/ garnacha) and in Australia. In the US there are plantings in California and Washington and Oregon. Wines made with Grenache can range from medium bodied and fruity to big, tannic and austere. Although it is often a used as a blending grape, it works great on its own. It is most common blended with varieties such as mourvedre, cinsault, counnoise, syrah and many other minor Rhône varieties. Perhaps the most widely recognized style is the “GSM” (grenache, syrah, mourvedre). While they have been making blends like this for years in France, the past five or so years there has been an upswing in popularity and production of these wines globally. I find them to be some of my favorite style of blends. They produce unique flavor profiles and textures not often associated with the major varieties.

While grenache is very young to Washington there are some producers making some great wines with it. In time I look forward to it having a significant impact on Washington’s wine industry. Many believe the state is well suited to grow the Rhône varieties, I hope we are right.

Try it out. K Vintners “The Boy” 2005 is a fine example of some big Walla Walla Grenache (88% Grenache, 12% Syrah). Look for other examples in your local stores or order a bottle of “The Boy” from us. But get some of this on your palate and see how it jives.