We’re pleased to welcome Bart Fawbush of Bartholonew Winery. Not familiar? Neither were we until Antoine Pin of Underground Winos fame came into the wine bar one evening with a brown bag and a gleam in his eye. We were packed that night and it took a while to get to Antoine’s mystery bag. The glass of red he finally handed to me was a dark, deep purple and the nose intense with ripe black fruit. This wine had perfect mouth feel for me and there was a depth of flavor that made me want to sit with a friend and ponder the questions of the world. At that point it was time to book Bartholomew Winery for a tasting.
The tasting is Thursday 4/14 and runs from 5pm to 7 pm.
Winery
Bartholomew Winery is one of the newest urban wineries in Seattle, located at the Old Rainier Brewery building (now the Tully’s building) in what used to be the basement of the brewery where beer was racked prior to bottling from the late 1800′s to the early 1980′s.
Bartholomew crafts spectacular red and white blends, focusing on familiar varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Grenache, and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as less familiar varietals such as Mourvedre, Carmenere, Viognier, and Rousanne.
Taste
2007 Bartholomew Orsa - Aptly named Orsa, the Latin word for beginning, this Rhone style red blend is the very first wine crafted for the Bartholomew wine label. Your nose and palate will appreciate the soft but tantalizing scents and tastes of perfectly ripened plums, brandied cherries and lightly peppered raspberries. This perfect balance of soft fruit and tannins pairs well with smoked meats, barbeque, hamburger, pasta with tomato sauce and anything chocolate. 69% Syrah, 13% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre. Columbia Valley. $22 / bottle
2007 Bartholomew Reciprocity - Our relationships with people and much of life is an exercise in reciprocity,a mutual give and take. The same can also be said about this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with the resurgent Carménère grape. A bouquet of cherries, white pepper, plum sauce, black licorice, cloves and soft leather will awaken your senses. Your palate will get a rousing dose of blackberries and black cherries on the initial attack, complemented by pepper notes,leather and spice across the mid-palate, and then a finish that lingers on.Extend this savory journey-in-a-glass with ribs, grilled lamb, fajitas, braisedpork, beef roast or steak and potatoes. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Carménère. Horse Heaven Hills. $28 / bottle
2007 Bartholomew Railway Red - The assault of plums, cherries, blueberries and vanilla in the Cabernet Sauvignon is tamed by the silky, smooth elegance of Pinot Noir, touched with strawberries and cream, and rounded out by the earthiness of Syrah and Malbec. Wait; what? Cabernet Sauvignon blended with Pinot Noir? That’s crazy! Unconventional – yes. Crazy – maybe. Wicked – absolutely! We say, “Just drink it!” 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Pinot Noir, 11% Syrah, 4% Malbec, Columbia Valley. $22 / bottle
2008 Bartholomew Viognier - This dry white wine expertly showcases the delicate yet rich characteristics of the Viognier grape: the breeze-blown fragrances of honeysuckle, apricots, pears and a hint of vanilla… It’s spring time in a glass! It’s the perfect complement to spicy Asian foods, like Thai and Indian cuisine. 100% Viognier. Snipes Mountain, Upland Vineyards. $14 / bottle
2008 Bartholomew Railway White - The citrus notes of freshly grated lemon peel and refreshing green apple will immediately rouse your senses. Take a sip… and taste the tartness of apples sweetened with a touch of cinnamon and brown sugar, just like Mom’s apple pie. Pair with salad greens with a light dressing, grilled chicken or fish…or even apple pie, if you dare! 71% Chardonnay, 12% Chenin Blanc, 17% Muscat. Columbia Valley. $12 / bottle
Happy Hour
All of our Thursday Tastings occur during Happy Hour. We have $4 glass pours and $4 food items. There is never a corkage fee on bottles.