 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| ||||||||||||
|
2008 Ink The 2006 Lumière Chardonnay was chosen as #50 on The Seattle Times Top 100 Washington Wines of the Year.   Paul Gregutt also gave it 91 points on his website, www.paulgregutt.com. He had this to say in the April 2008 Wine Enthusiast: 91 Sparkman 2006 Lumière Chardonnay, Columbia Valley $35 This tight, precise, concentrated and focused Chardonnay comes from Stillwater Creek, one of the premier white wine vineyards in Washington. Winemaker Chris Sparkman rolled the dice and used native yeasts; the fermentation lasted over five months. Though loaded with tropical and stone fruit flavors, this retains its acidic spine and finishes with plenty of toasty, buttered nut, barrel flavors. 90 Sparkman 2005 Ruby Leigh Red Wine, Red Mountain $40 This Bordeaux blend is half Merlot, the rest an even split of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Franc. It's lovely and light on its feet, with appealing floral scents rising above the tangy red fruits. Red Mountain flavors of gravel and graphite form a strong foundation, with lightly herbal, chocolatey tannins wrapping around the finish. It carries its 14.7% alcohol with grace and polish. 89 Sparkman 2005 Stella Mae Syrah, Red Mountain $40 The first edition (2004) of the Stella Mae was a big, jammy banger, its lush fruit buttressed with streaks of citrus. Though it hits almost 15% alcohol, this seems more refined, with more precision and texture. The citrus is still much in evidence, along with lighter red fruits such as pomegraqnate and wild cherry. You pickup some vanilla cream through the midpalate, and some heat on the finish.  Steven Tanzer also had nice things to say in his International Wine Cellar: 88 Sparkman 2005 Ruby Leigh Red Wine, Red Mountain Good ruby-red. Sweet, sappy aromas of bing cherry, dark berries and licorice, with an exotic element adding appeal. Fruit-driven and spicy, with good energy and cut to the wine's sweet fruit flavors. Very nicely balanced merlot that finishes with a brisk minerally element. 88 Sparkman 2006 Lumière Chardonnay, Columbia Valley Barrel-fermented with wild yeasts; aged on the lees with plenty of batonnage. Aromas of nectarine and nutmeg. Sweet, plump and easygoing, with enticing peach and apricot fruit flavors lifted by spicy and floral nuances. Finishes with good spicy length and complexity. 89 Sparkman 2005 The Darkness Syrah, Yakima Valley Good bright ruby-red. Varietally expressive nose offers black cherry, game, brown spices, menthol, oak char and a floral topnote. Lush, sweet and seamless in the mouth, with flavors of exotic dried fruits and spices. Finishes quite round, with suave, horizontal tannins and sneaky persistence. 2007 Ink May 10, 2007 Pacific Northwest Wine Of The Week Sparkman Cellars 2004 Ruby Leigh |
|
||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
