If there is a constant star in the world of Washington wines, that star is Brian Carter. Since his arrival in 1980 to the small Washington wine industry (only sixteen wineries) to today (over 600 wineries and growing weekly), Brian Carter’s influence has helped propel the industry to the international presence it deservedly commands. His involvement as winemaker, consultant, and guide to dozens of wineries has helped elevate Washington wines from a regional industry to an international powerhouse. Among Brian’s many accomplishments: the only three-time recipient of the Pacific Northwest Enological Society’s Grand Prize, twice touted ‘Winemaker of the Year’ by Washington Magazine, while at Paul Thomas his 1983 Cabernet outscored most of the wines including a Chateau Lafite-Rothschild at Windows of the World in New York and he was awarded Grand prize from Pacific Enology Society for his 1986 Chardonnay.
The Brian Carter Collection epitomizes his commitment to quality, taste, and terroir. The six European-style blended wines are the culmination of his years as a premier Washington winemaker. With his connections to the best vineyards in the state, he is able to source the perfect grapes from the best growers in Washington to help achieve his vision of wines with balance, dimension, and depth.
Taste
2010 Oriana
Latin for ‘golden lady’, Oriana utilizes two grapes originally from the Rhone Valley of France. The core variety, Viognier, is rich in aromas of peaches and apricots and Roussanne deepens the peach character and adds a hint of melons. The blend is finished with Riesling to add a touch of pears and apple blossoms. This richly textured wine finishes with food friendly acidity.
2011 Abracadabra Rosé
Abracadabra Rosé is a blend that uses the same great red varietals used in other Brian Carter Cellars wines. The 2009 inaugural release is a blend dominated by Sangiovese and displays a vibrant pink color and aromas of ripe strawberries with more subtle notes of peaches and orange blossoms. On the palate is a bountiful fruit backed up by deliciously crisp acidity.
2008 Tuttorosso
Italian for ‘all red’ the Tuttorosso Super-Tuscan style blend salutes the maverick winemakers who broke with tradition to create a new category of wines from Tuscany. A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, there is a hint of white truffles, wild ripe blackberries and dark chocolate.
2008 Byzance
French for ‘luxurious’, Byzance is carefully crafted from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. The 2007 vintage was furthur enhanced by the additon of the varitals Counoise and Cinsault. Deep Garnet in color, the wine has complex aromas of dried cherries, rose petals, bay leaf, white pepper and clove. Balanced for food, and age-ability, the wine has dark fruit and spice flavors which linger on the palate.
2008 Corrida
Spanish for ‘bullfight’ this blend was modeled after the noble Tempranillo based blends of Spain. The wine also contains Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Granacha. A beautiful dark garnet color greets you with aromas of blackberry, rose petals, cedar and spice. Plenty of fruit flavors envelope the mouth along with soft tannins and a long juicy finish.
2007 Trentenaire
French for ‘of thirty years’ this blend features the biggest little grape in Bordeaux: Petit Verdot. It also contains Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Occasionally used in small quantities, Petit Verdot is almost never used as the core grape for blending, making this a bold statement of what Washington terroir is capable of producing. Intensely dark in color, the wine opens to aromas of Boysenberry, plus hints of violets and cedar spice. On the palate look for age-worthy tannins and plenty of stamina.
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. (Value over $20)
