The '09 Deux is the second vintage of this blend I've carried. The 2007 was much more chardonnay heavy at 80%. The current version is 55% chardonnay/45% viognier from the Columbia Valley AVA (the chardonnay is from a vineyard in the Columbia Gorge; the viognier is from a vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills).
The 2009 Deux is a deft balance of citrus (chardonnay) and tropical (viognier) fruit notes. The nose hints more at the chard, while its texture and richness lean toward the viognier, making it a favorable match to a range of foods, from fatty sushi to aromatically sauced fish and white meat dishes.
Alcohol 14%
10 months aging in neutral French oak; 5 months sur lie
232-case production
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Kennedy's for $13/glass; $43/bottle
P.D. O'Hurley's @ West End for $13/glass; $33/bottle
The 2010 version of the always-non-vintage Black Dot is another unusual blend. This one is composed of 35% grenache/30% zinfandel/25% syrah/10% cabernet sauvignon from two vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA (the cab is from the 2008 vintage; the others from the 2009 vintage). The '09 version had primitivo in it; this "year's" has zin instead.
But before you experts out there say zin and primitivo are genetically the same, don't bet the house on it. Google the subject and you will find lots of disagreement and equivocation out there. I'm not a plant geneticist, but I do know that at least according to the TTB (the arbiters of what may and may not be placed on a bottle of wine produced in this great country of ours or brought into it), the two are not considered synonymous.
I can also assure you that while this version of BD (as I call it) is similar in texture and style, it's not synoymous with the 2009 version either.
Thisone shows off its grenache and zin with concentrated red fruit compote notes, rounded out by a syrah-like vivacity. It pairs well with grilled fare and pizza.
334-case production; each variety vinted separately in neutral French oak.
14% alcohol
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Beacon for $24.99/bottle
First & Vine for $29.99/bottle
Maslow 6 for $24/bottle
P.D. O'Hurley's @ West End for $13/glass; $33/bottle
Dovetail for $55/bottle
Kennedy's for $15/glass; $45/bottle
The 2008 Katydid is what is referred to as a GSM. That is, it's a blend of three grapes that are particularly important in the Southern Rhône. And thanks to our friends in Australia, it is a category that has caught on in may parts of the wine-making world. The '08 Katydid is a blend of 60% grenache/30% syrah/10% mourvèdre from two vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA.
Concentrated and kirsch-like in the Southern Rhône style (Alexis trained at Château Beaucastel), the ’08 Katydid shows expressive violet, cherry, licorice and dried tobacco notes. Pair it with grilled meats, the more char on them, the better.
277-case production; each variety vinted separately in neutral oak
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New York Vintners for $31/bottle