2008 CAB FRANC WEINBAU
Washington > Wahluke Slope > Sagemoor Weinbau Vineyard

Washington grows the BEST New World cab franc, period, end of story. Sagemoor's Weinbau cab franc is EXPLOSIVE! Every year is it a challenge to give life to the fruit's shy nose and balance this against the huge flavors, depth, complexity, magic-in-your-mouth. 100% cab franc. 100% Sagemoor Weinbau. The flavors are never shy; dark fruits swirl magically in your mouth.

2008 CAB SAUV NORTHRIDGE
Washington > Wahluke Slope > Milbrandt Northridge Vineyard

As the weather continues to get weird-er every harvest, I count my blessings I have incredible fruit from Milbrandt's Northridge vineyard. This warmer vineyard ensures that my cab sauv ripens year-to-year without all those harsh tannins and "V8"-flavors that cooler climate, harder-to-ripen cab sauv is prone to. A splash of petite verdot and TA-DA! Currants, flowers, and chocolate, beautifully balanced. A fine tannic edge and subtle savory herb adds a little excitement. All this magic comes from the vineyard ... not too cold ... not too hot ... just right.

2008 DOLCETTO PURPLE SAGE
Washington > Wahluke Slope > Milbrandt Purple Sage Vineyard

The growers make my wine. I try not to screw it up. So when they tell me, "You should really buy some of the dolcetto," I listen. I wanted to make a fun, approachable, everyday wine inspiried by my favorite dolcetto role model, Pecchenio San Luigi Dolcetto. The result: spices, violets, lavender on the nose with cherry and raspberry filling the mouth. This wine will put a smile on your face.

2008 GRENACHE CLIFTON BLUFF
Washington > Wahluke Slope > Milbrandt Clifton Bluff Vineyard

Who drinks grenache? Before becoming a winemaker I do not recall ever drinking grenache. Grenache often plays back-up for Syrah, which is a shame because grenache by itself is glorious! Beguiling, mesmerizing perfume, subtle spice, and soft cherries on the nose followed by lively, dancing fruit on the tongue. This joyful wine has sent me on the quest to make a Chateauneuf-du-Pape inspired blend in the not-too-distint future.

2008 GRENACHE NORTHRIDGE
Washington > Wahluke Slope > Milbrandt Northridge Vineyard

G'DAY MATE! LOUD, LARGE, LOTS O' FRUIT. You will not forget this wine anytime soon. Have I mentioned I *LOVE* the Northridge vineyard? Blackberry, exotic spices, smoke on the nose. BIG, round, luscious, jammy blackberry and spices on the tongue. Big fruit with that famous Northridge faint dried orange peel terrior.

2008 MALBEC NORTHRIDGE
Washington > Wahluke Slope > Milbrandt Northridge Vineyard

I read an article about South America's mystery grape that for years had been confused with Merlot. The article said it was very similar to Merlot but had a spicer quality. Mis-remembering the name of the mystery grape I accidently ordered Malbec. I am an incredibly lucky person. THIS 100% MALBEC IS MIND BOGGLINGLY DELICIOUS! Intense African violets in the nose, filling the mouth with blackberry jam and a hint of chocolate, silky smooth. Aroma, taste, mouth weight in perfect harmony. Sometimes it pays to have an occasionally bad memory.

2008 MOURVÈDRE NORTHRIDGE
Washington > Wahluke Slope > Milbrandt Northridge Vineyard

How to become a winemaker ... taste, think, read. When people ask me for a wine book recommendation, the first book that comes to mind is Kermit Lynch's Adventures On The Wine Route. Mr. Lynch brainwashed me into becoming an instant Domaine Tempier Bandol fanatic. What is this moo-ved-rah he writes so passionately about? This wine is intense and polarizing ... you either love it or hate it ... there is no middle ground. Cosmic hazelnut biscotti aromas with oodles of dark fruit, a hint of orange peel, and a plush texture. Mr. Lynch, you and your book are to blame for this masterpiece ... thank you.

2008 NEBBIOLO CLIFTON
Washington > Wahluke Slope > Milbrandt Clifton Vineyard

The growers make my wine. The fruit tells me what to do. It took me a while to listen. I wanted to recreate the orgasmic experience the first time I had a Gaja Brunello, which is a very masculine wine. Instead, the Clifton Nebbiolo wanted to be pretty and feminie. So I brought out every beautiful quality I could: beautiful strawberry, rose petal, honey, faint jasmine on the nose, followed by strawberries, flowers, with a soft and loving caress in the mouth. I have fallen in love.

2008 PETIT SIRAH
Washington > Wahluke Slope > Milbrandt Northridge Vineyard

Petit WHAT? There is a reoccuring trend to my winemaking adventure. The growers ask: "Have you tried the Petit Sirah <wink> <wink>?" OK, you talked me into it, let's try my hand at making yet ANOTHER wine ... how about some Petit Sirah. This is a stunning wine and it is JAM-ER-IF-IC. Imagine the most amazing blackberry / marionberry pie. Add a dollop of whipped cream. Blend this into a smoothie. And you still are not even close to what this luscious wine delivers. ALWAYS listen to the growers! They know what they are talking about.

2008 SHIRAZ NORTHRIDGE
Washington > Wahluke Slope > Milbrandt Northridge Vineyard

Making this wine was a no-brainer. The first whiff slapped me silly and hollered, I AM A SHIRAZ! Respecting the grape's wishes I have imported oak barrels from Australia. Oodles of fruit, plum, spice, subtle cinnamon, milk chocolate. Close your eyes, you'll swear it was made Down Under! You will not confuse this LARGE, LOUD, LIFE-OF-THE-PARTY SHIRAZ with your typical syrah.

2008 ZINFANDEL NORTHRIDGE
Washington > Wahluke Slope > Milbrandt Northridge Vineyard

Butch Milbrandt really likes zinfandel. One year he challenged me to make a zin. California = ZIN ... Can Washington make a worthy ZIN? Look out Turley ... I'm coming for yah! Wild berry, spice, the right amount of jam will make you sit up and take notice.

A wine professional tasting my 2009 barrels asked, "How much Zin flavor and intensity is too much Zin flavor and intensity". We both laughed so hard tears came to our eyes. The verdict ... there is never too much Zin. Crank that knob to 11.

• Almquist Family Vintners
• 198 Nickerson Street
• Seattle, WA 98109
• 206 859 9400