Well, among the many good things I can say about the 2010 vintage is that it is over!! The last grapes are out of the winery. Now we are busy assessing what we have while trying to take a day off here and there to make up for a lot of long hours. 

In summary we harvested just over 100 tons of grapes from 11 different Washington vineyards.  This consisted of a dizzying 19 varieties this year including the addition of Graciano which I expect to use in the 2010 Corrida blend.  This intensely spicy grape is originally from the Rioja area of Spain and the results this year are exciting to say the least. In total for 2010 we have about 250 barrels of wine, which includes some 60 + separate lots.

The characteristics of the vintage were cool and wet which made for some challenges.  Indeed heat accumulation in warm areas like the Wahluke Slope where Stone Tree Vineyard is located was closer to what we typically see in the Yakima Valley or some 15% lower than the relatively warm 2009 vintage. While cooler areas experienced a less dramatic drop in heat some varieties struggled to ripen. I have often said that Washington's best wines come from the warmest sites in the cooler vintages and the coolest sites in the warmest vintages and this year's harvest definitely fits into the former category, with the vineyards in the Wahluke Slope, Benton City, Horse Heaven Hills and Snipes Mountain leading the way with excellent wines. Over all I felt that 80% of the wines were very good to excellent, with everything else being good. A few grapes suffered from lower sugars and the late rains forced us to inspect the fruit even more carefully than normal as we hand sorted. Ultimately this was a year when winemakers who have had more experience had the advantage.  Our emphasis on blending here at Brian Carter Cellars will be very helpful, together with our sourcing from a wide variety of climatic regions within Washington.  I feel that 2010 will give me a lot of 'colors on the palate' to choose from when it comes time to do my blends.

Varietal character is particularly strong this year, colors are intense in the red wines and tannins seem to be relatively soft and round.  While it is early to pick my favorite varieties I know there are some particular standouts among the Grenache and Merlot as well as all the white varieties used to make Oriana.

I'll let you know where things stand in our next Cellarmaster Newsletter when everything is racked and I have had a chance to really get a hand on each of those 250 separate barrels and I am looking ahead to the blends.

BC

We're doing it again! Brian Carter, our spectacular wine maker, is taking flight with Karen Binder (founder of the Madison Park Café) on another fabulous food and wine trip this spring and they would like you to join them!

This year Brian and Karen are traveling from the lavish Amalfi Coast of Southern Italy to the lesser-known but equally amazing provinces of Basilicata and Apuglia. Brian is particularly eager to sample Apuglia's Negro Amaro wine and Karen is excited about Sorrento's world-famous Bufala Mozzarella and the rare herbs and spices found in "Cucina della Basillicata."

Amalfi Coast

During this expedition from Campania to Apulia, you will feel the strong pulse of small communities that are somehow resisting the trend of globalization. We have designed this itinerary with several two and three night stays so you can really get to know each location, enjoy amazing feasts of locally sourced produce, seafood and meat while exploring excellent local wines and getting to meet fascinating people.

Sign up before Dec 31st and save yourself $150!! For those interested in more detail, please click on the following link to learn more and feel free to call our travel provider, M&G Expeditions, with any questions you might have: 503 715 5583.

Looking for last minute gifts? We have the perfect solution. Come check out our 3-bottle gift box.

Through New Years we are offering our Winter Wine Gift Box - A stylish 3-bottle box ready for wrapping. It includes our core collection of holiday red blends: the Byzance, LeCoursier, and our very popular Tuttorosso.

Regularly priced at $90, its just $56.00!

As always our Wine Club members get an even better deal at just $47.60.

Wait! There's more...We have not one, not two, but three wonderful wines for $20 and less. 

Vintage Closeout 2006 LeCoursier, our Merlot-based Bordeaux-style blend, normally priced at $30 is now just $15!  This is a 91 point rated wine and at this price it won't last long.

2008 Oriana - Brian's award winning white blend is just $20.

And our eclectic, 8-varietal magical blend - 2007Abracadabra is $15.

FYI - Quantities are limited for both the Oriana and Abracadabra.  Speaking of limited quantities....

Our Limited Edition Wines are going fast, so pick them up while they last.  The response to this year's special wines has been fantastic and many of you have asked about getting more so we want to let you know that we are almost sold out of the following limited edition wines.  Now you can't say we didn't warn you if they are gone.

2007 Corrida - our Spanish blend, 10 cases. Just named one of Washington's top 100 wines for 2010

2007 ONE - Stone Tree Vineyard Malbec, 9 cases

2005 Solesce, 25 cases- Just given a Platinum award in Wine Press Northwest's 11th annual Platinum Judging, in the best of the best in the Great Northwest.

January 27th Brian will be hosting a fantastic Spanish Style wine dinner at Tango in Seattle. Call for reservations at (206) 583-0382

February 12th Brian will be pouring our wines at Vino Bella in Burien

February 24^th How about an adventure to the Willows Inn on Lummi Island.  Guest Chef Kevin Davis of Blue Acre Seafood will be on hand to raise food and wine to new heights of culinary ecstasy. Call for reservations at 1-888-294-2620.

March 25^th Join Brian for another trip out of town at The Inn at Port Ludlow for a great Dinner. Stay the night and enjoy a walk on the beach the next morning. Call for reservations at (360) 437-7074

Brian and Mike want to conclude this year's final edition of Cellarmaster with a big thank you to all our valued guests and wine club members.  We'd also like to thank all our restaurant and wine shop partners, vendors, distributors and especially our fantastic staff for a tremendous year.