Columbia Valley Flight

We wanted to offer our wine club members a nice variety of wines from around the world, so back in 2002 LaVelle Vineyards began forging relationships with growers in the Columbia Valley, located in Eastern Washington. While Burgundian-style wines made from grapes in the Willamette Valley are superb, wines that are similar to the bordauex and rhone regions of France are often made with grapes from the Columbia Valley. We started with Cabernet and Merlot, but have in the last couple of years expanded our Columbia Valley Flight to include Viognier, Syrah, and our first Bordeaux-style blend named Trilogy.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Our Cabernet Sauvignon is a delicious, full-bodied wine. Upon opening, the wine features a delicate nose with hints of vanilla that extend to the palate. Its complex flavor profile suggests dark berries and plums, followed by nuances of chocolate grace a long, lingering finish. Its medium tannic structure will enhance suppleness and complexity as the wine ages. This wine is a natural with hearty dishes, such as steaks, roasts, and big pasta dishes in rich tomato sauces.

Merlot

This is a medium-bodied Bordeaux. Upon opening, LaVelle Merlot exhibits hints of oak vanillins that extend to the palate. Subtleties abound after ample breathing, beginning with a fruity nose and a fine, rich varietal bouquet. The Bordeaux presence graces the palate with hints of plums, chocolate, and cherries. This is a delicious, supple, fruity wine, ready to be consumed now, although its tannic structure will enhance the wine as it ages.

Viognier

For the first time we have decided to offer up this Viognier, a varietal originally from the Northern Rhone region of France. It's recent increase in popularity has sparked new vineyard plantings in the warmer areas of Washington state where we sourced the fruit for this wine. Our Viognier boasts an abundance of floral tones on the nose with the classic white peaches and almonds that backed up to well-defined acidity with light minerals on the finish, perfect for a warm summer afternoon.

Syrah

Syrah originated in the Northern Rhone region of France. It is also known in other "New World" countries (primarily Australia) as Shiraz. It should not be confused with Petit Syrah, a smaller, thicker skinned grape that produces a similar wine with a heavier body and more tannins. Aromas of violets and dark berries abound this wine, followed with first sip by an up front burst of currants and blackberries. The finish brings you a peppery black cherry and woody french oak that lingers for several moments at the back of your palate. Cheese pairings for this Syrah are Medium (not too sharp) Cheddar, Dry Jack, and harder varieties of Goats' Milk. Our Syrah is big enough to hold up to heavily cremed dishes such as Fettucine Alfredo. We'd also recommend Chicken Catchatorie and Pot Roast.

Chardonnay

Hints of white flowers and minerals are beautifully integrated with dried apricots, followed by star fruit and citrus blossoms on the mid-palate, all set against a refined texture that leads to a delicate, lean finish. Serve our Chardonnay as a slightly-chilled accompaniment to fresh fruit, and or a variety of imported cheeses such as a Brunet or a Triple Cream Brie.