WASHINGTON WINE MONTH!
Washington has not one, but two months to celebrate local wine! March and August each bring 31 days of love for our state’s 1,000+ wineries, 400+ growers, and 80+ grape varieties. Look for the many events across the state, including the huge and always‑lively Taste Washington festival on March 21–22.
No travel required, though: swing into Humble Vine for
a full month of Washington wine tastings
and let us bring the celebration to your glass.
@ Humble Vine
Wednesday, March 4th
HOURS: 2-8 PM
Wine Tasting: $25
Caliche, Albariño Ancient Lakes , Washington $20
Caliche is a volcanic based soil that is very dense, porous, and helps retain moisture for the roots to find. This is great in eastern Washington’s dessert like climate. This wine is vibrant, mineral-driven and showcases lemon and lime, green apple skins, and tangerine pith. Crafted from a single vineyard in mineral rich soils, it offers refreshing salinity and a clean, zesty finish.
Humble Vine, “Rosso Blendo” Red Blend Columbia Valley, Washington $19
Now this is one Super Tuscan!.. From Washington! A classic Super Tuscan is 1: from Tuscany and B: made from blending Italian Sangiovese and French grapes, like Cabernet. Well, we found a feller twas’ willing to make that blend for us here in Warshington!.. The label alone will make you feel a little woozy. Bright acidity, and firm structure with notes of cranberry, cherry cola, rosemary, and a hint of cedar. A nice soft tannic finish.
Esja, Cabernet Franc “Dineen Vineyard” Rattlesnake Hills, Washington $31
Born to Icelandic immigrants, Liz (Tanya) Bjornsson uses her heritage as a central identity of the brand and its aesthetic. Bjornsson’s stated goal is to make lighter bodied, acid driven, “delicate” wines that are lower in alcohol than many Washington counterparts. This medium-bodied wine bursts with fresh raspberry and black plum leading to red cherry, with subtle black tea, herbs, and salty minerals on the juicy finish. It was aged in neutral French oak for 9 months, and bottled unfined and unfiltered for vibrancy. I love Cab Franc like these, fresh and fruity, and has very little green pepper notes. Looking at you France…
L’Ecole Nº 41, Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley, Washington $29
L’Ecole Nº 41 was the second Washington winery I ever heard of (after Chateau Ste. Michelle), and the third established winery in Walla Walla, founded in 1983! They have put Washington on a pedestal of approachable quality for the global market. Grown sustainable and handled gently to keep the fruit vibrant and fresh. Aged 22 months in small oak barrels, 20% of them were brand new. A dark raspberry aroma with wafts of earth, mint, rosemary and orange zest. A lightning bolt of acidity teams up with grippy tannins to support blackberry and black tea flavors. (93pts Wine Enthusiast)
