2011 Betz Rousse
Bottle Notes

2011 Betz Petite Rousse – Bottle Notes

Betz Family Winery was founded in 1997 by Bob & Cathy Betz. Critical acclaim from local and national wine publications has put Betz Family winery at the forefront of Washington wines alongside Cayuse, Leonetti and Quilceda Creek. Although the winery was recently sold to Steve and Bridget Griessel (with Bob Betz remaining on as the winemaker) I expect quality will…

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2005 Outpost Petite Sirah
Bottle Notes, Petite Sirah

2004 Outpost Petite Sirah Howell Mountain – Bottle Notes

Outpost sits atop Howell Mountain and strives to make world class Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Grenache from an amazing estate vineyard. Thomas Rivers-Brown has been the winemaker from the very start. He has also gone on to start his own winery, Rivers-Marie, all the while making truly exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon for Schrader amongst others.

Buying Wine, Random Musings

New to Washington Wine? Check out Sleight of Hand, Gramercy & Force Majeure

Every once in a while someone wanting to expand their wine hobby asks me: What Washington wineries should I check out? My first inclination is long-time favorites like Cayuse, Quilceda Creek or Leonetti, but the reality is your not-yet-born child is more likely to land a spot on the Cayuse mailing list than you are. Quilceda Creek and Leonetti also…

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zinfandel corks
Buying Wine, Zinfandel

What’s Your Price for Zin?

Every wine consumer seems to have a “line in the sand” price for certain varietals. For Napa Cabernet, many draw the line at $100. Top flight Pinot Noir and Syrah from California draw wide support up to the $50 price point. For Zinfandel the threshold seems much lower. That point for Zinfandel seems to be right around $40. Why is…

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