Here are five wines from the portfolio that exemplify the style and quality of boutique wineries along the West Coast.
Field Recordings Chenin Blanc 2011 Jurassic Park
GREAT VALUE: Three stars
Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County, Calif., $20
This one makes me wish more California wineries (and retailers, and consumers) took chenin blanc seriously: It is gorgeously lush, with flavors of quince, Asian pear and apple, accented with lime to give it some verve. Alcohol by volume:13.1 percent.
Free Run: Available in Virginia at Grape+Bean in Alexandria, J. Emerson Fine Wines & Cheese in Richmond, Oakton Wine Shop; on the list at Saison in Richmond.
Arterberry Maresh Chardonnay 2011
Three stars
Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Ore., $35
It’s stunning: racy with lemon curd, apricot and wild herbs. Lip-smacking, fist-pumping good. And this isn’t even the winery’s top chardonnay. ABV: 12.3 percent.
Free Run: Available in Virginia at the Barrel Thief Wine Shop & Cafe and Strawberry Street Vineyard in Richmond, Grape+Bean in Alexandria, Oakton Wine Shop, Wine Warehouse in Charlottesville; on the list at Buckhead’s Restaurant & Chop House in Richmond.
Rasa QED 2008
Three stars
Walla Walla, Wash., $55
A Rhone-style blend of syrah, grenache, mourvedre and a splash of viognier, it’s powerful, sleek and lush. It’s also a splurge, but a great example of what Washington state can do with syrah. ABV: 14.4 percent.
Free Run: . Available in Virginia at Basic Necessities in Nellysford; Tastings in Charlottesville; Camden’s Dogtown Market, Cellar to Table, J. Emerson Fine Wines & Cheese and Once Upon a Vine in Richmond; Clifton Wine Shop; Grape+Bean in Alexandria; Unwined (Belleview); Vienna Vintner; Vino Volo (Tysons Corner); Winestyles (Dumfries). On the list at Blue Goat in Richmond.
Headhunter Albariño 2012
GREAT VALUE: Two and a half stars
Paso Robles, Calif., $20
Likr sucking on an apricot at the nanosecond of peak ripeness. ABV: 12.5 percent.
Free Run: Available in Virginia at Camden’s Dogtown Market, Cellar to Table and J. Emerson Fine Wines & Cheese in Richmond; Grape+Bean in Alexandria; Oakton Wine Shop. On the list at 2941 in Falls Church, Magpie and Patina in Richmond.
Thurston Wolfe D.R. Wolfe’s Family Red 2011
Two stars
Columbia Valley, Wash., $22
This is a delightful red blend based on zinfandel (yes, from Washington!), with some petite sirah and lemberger to boot. Ideal for casual red-meat meals. ABV: 13.5.
Free Run: Available in Virginia at Arrowine and Cheese in Arlington, Ashburn Wine Shop, the Caboose Wine & Cheese in Ashland, Once Upon a Vine and Strawberry Street Vineyard in Richmond, Unwined (Belleview), Vienna Vintner, Wine Warehouse in Charlottesville; on the list at the Magpie in Richmond.
Three stars Exceptional, two stars Excellent, one star Very Good
Availability information is based on distributor records. Check to verify availability, or ask a favorite wine store to order through a distributor.
