TASTING NOTES

REDS

2005 Cabernet Franc
This Bordeaux varietal shines on its own, opening with aromas of cassis, sandalwood, dried rose petals and chocolate syrup. The palate is brimming with red plum fruit, black raspberry and cinnamon stick. Dried blueberry, bacon and caramel linger on the long satisfying finish.

2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
This vintage opens with notes of black currant, warm spice and an herbaceous nose of dried sage and fresh thyme. Dark red fruit fills the palate with notes of light pepper and toasted oak while lush cocoa bean and walnut shins dominate the long rewarding finish. This is a marvelous example of Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon at its best with a smooth softness that one must experience to appreciate.

2004 Merlot
This Columbia Valley Merlot is rich and full of deep lingering character showing dark cherry and brambly berry aromas. Tasters are charmed by its flavors of toasty blackberry, plum and vanilla bean with lingering notes of coffee, clove and dark chocolate covered cherries.

2004 Sangiovese
The perfect Italian food wine, this lively varietal temps with a clean herbaceous aroma tinged with tart cherry and spicy cinnamon. The first sip reveals deeper cherry notes and rich plum characteristics. The finish is bright and palate cleansing with just a hint of oak to complement the vibrant acidity that pairs so well with tomato based dishes.

2004 Syrah
This 2004 Syrah has already won much acclaim even before its release including an “Outstanding” rating in the Seattle Vintner’s Awards and two Gold Medals. Starting with a lively bouquet filled with subtle plum and dried fruits such as cranberry and cherry, this Syrah shows hints of allspice, redcurrant jelly and boysenberry on the palate leading to a finish of smoky leather and black cherry.

2006 Winemakers Red Blend
This vintage of our “Bordeaux Blend with a twist” has a gorgeous garnet red Bordeaux appearance.  Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, the structured palate begins with a ripe nose of boysenberry, fresh black cherry cranberry and dustings of Dutch chocolate.  The palate is darker with rich black fruit and juicy black currents ending on a bold finish of licorice, coffee, toasty tobacco, vanilla extract and dark chocolate.

2005 Zinfandel
Maryhill's well known Zinfandel is once again big and luscious with dark, broody licorice, black cherry preserves and dried currants. The peppery nose mingles on the palate with nutmeg, allspice and a touch of rich exotic Mijool dates, culminating in a long, lingering finish filled with smoky cedar, star anise and exotic spice tinged with dark cocoa bean.

RESERVES

2004 "Proprietors Reserve" Barbera
Maryhill's first Barbera is from our estate (Gunkel) vineyard near Stonehenge memorial. Our Barbera is one of only a few plantings in Washington State yielding approximately 700 cases of a delicious & intense version of this Italian variety.

2004 "Proprietor's Reserve" Cabernet Franc
A fine French black grape variety, it has long been used as a blending varietal for big Bordeaux style wines. Although a beautiful blender, it has proven it deserves to perform as a solo act. Aged in 1, 2 and 3 year old barrels of both American and French oak for 18 months.

2004 "Proprietor's Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon
The dark garnet red color of the wine follows through in the dark fruit aromas. Wild blackberry and black currant are tinged with anise and cocoa bean and the succulent palate shows Loganberry, Marion berry, spicy nutmeg and allspice. All these intense flavors carry through to the long finish flooded with soft smoky leather, toast, tar and dark chocolate.

2006 "Proprietor's Reserve" Chardonnay
New French oak barrels bring mellow toast and a light golden honey hue to this vintage of our Reserve Chardonnay. Beginning with enveloping aromas of roasted pineapple and plump Turkish apricots, the wine coats the palate with sumptuous flavors of poached pear, baked apple and soft tropical fruits. Creamy notes of vanilla bean, mango and soft toasted cashew butter linger on the finish.

2004 "Proprietor's Reserve" Grenache
This Grenache surely deserves the Reserve category. Soft aromas of earthy spices such as cardamon and anise lead to a palate of ripe cherry, red currant and raspberry. The finish of this classic Rhone Valley varietal is lively with notes of dried cranberry, cherry compote, nutmeg and fresh tea leaf.

2004 "Proprietor's Reserve" Malbec
This beautiful black grape provides intense blueberry flavor with highlights of cherry. Malbec, one of the most commonly planted vines in Argentina, is producing lush, prolific fruit here in the Columbia Valley. From its pleasing start to beautiful finish, this limited wine is sure to be remembered long after its short supply.

2003 "Proprietor's Reserve" Merlot
A stylish Merlot brimming with black cherry and boysenberry aromas that flow into flavors of baked plums and nutmeg infused in blackberry pie. 20 months in new and old oak barrels give the wine a smoky, toasty finish with cocoa and allspice notes.

2004 "Proprietor's Reserve" Sangiovese
Italian varieties have enjoyed some great success along the Columbia Gorge and here's the latest example. Black walnut, black cherry cough syrup and a fair amount of oak in the nose sets the stage for flavors of dried cherries with coffee and chocolate overtones. Good acidity and some brickishness makes this a lingering, satisfying wine and a great meal partner.

2004 "Proprietor's Reserve" Serendipity
Maryhill’s distinctive “Bordeaux” style blend is intense and brooding with its dark black fruit and baked cherry aromas which lead to palate filling flavors of dusky bramble berries tinged with licorice.  The long finish is overflowing with smoky Baker’s chocolate, peppercorns and spicy oak. 36% Cabernet Sauvignon (Conner Lee & Tudor), 26% Malbec (Lonesome Spring), 21% Merlot (Columbia Country) & 17% Cab Franc (Gunkel Estates)

2004 "Proprietor's Reserve" Syrah
Despite the dense purple/black appearance of this Syrah, it is elegant and complex.  The first impression is of toasty dark berries and black plum with subtle overtones of rosehips. The palate reveals earthier berries tinged with subtle toasty oak and anise leading to a spicy finish of clove, nutmeg and coffee.

2005 "Proprietors Reserve" Zinfandel
The wines color of deep maroon velvet gives a hint of the lush seductive flavors and aromas to come. This Zinfandel shows black currant, spicy cherry pie aromas and a tinge of French vanilla on the nose. The palate is flooded with deep, dark plum and rich blackberry notes that lead to a spicy finish of clove, dried ginger, caramel, dark chocolate and coffee essence.

Whites

2006 Chardonnay
This is an elegant Chardonnay that begins with clean aromas of soft apple, light pineapple and nectarine. Hints of toasty vanilla lead to a palate filled with poached peaches, vanilla bean and a deeper essence of pineapple. The long dry finish is laced with whispers of tropical fruit and delicate crème caramel.

2006 Gewurztraminer
One of the most aromatic varietals, this Gewurztraminer shows hints of light Fuji apple enhanced with aromas of rosewater and apricot jam. Fresh lychee is layered on the palate with gentle nectarine and dried ginger, all of which mingle with white pepper on the crisp lingering finish. Try this 'spicey' wine with spicy Thai cuisine or a savoury Alsace onion tart.

2006 Muscat Canelli
Our 2006 Muscat Canelli is a back by popular demand! A recent addition to our lineup is a delightful dessert style White wine produced from newly planted vines in our estate (Gunkel) vineyards "Stonehenge Bench" area. A veritable flower garden in your glass, this wine is redolent of peaches, honeysuckle and roses. Heavy, aromatic and sweet, this wine is for those with a penchant for the sweeter things in life. This will definitely be a sell-out wine again.

2006 Pinot Gris
A perennial summer favorite that will tempt your senses with lively notes of soft apple, peach and pear. On the palate the peach becomes deeper with rich flavors of nectarine and a subtle touch of pineapple, leading to a cleansing apple finish with a trace of citrus.

2006 Rose of Sangiovese
This perfect “patio sipper” entices with its delicate hue of crushed summer berries, continuing with soft nuances of fresh strawberry and rich ripe raspberry. It has a generous palate filled with succulent red cherry and red currant which lead to a fresh mouth watering finish touched with hints of tangerine, white pepper and star anise.

2005 Sauvignon Blanc
This unique wine emits a grassy and herbaceous nose that will leave you dreaming of springtime wildflowers. Ripe fruit gives this Bordeaux classic a refreshing, rainwater clean mouth feel complimented by a hint of green apple sweetness. If you prefer something in between sweet and dry, this could be your new favorite wine.

2006 Viognier
Year after year our top selling wine and constant Gold Medal winner. A seductive varietal, this Viognier will tempt you with its intense aroma of dried apricots, ripe peach and honeysuckle. The rich texture envelopes your mouth with flavors of baked peaches, soft French vanilla and a lingering hint of orange blossom.

2006 Winemakers White Blend
This luscious blend of four white varietals, 49% Chardonnay, 36% Sauvignon Blanc, 11% Semillon and 4% Viognier will remind you of rich summer fruits: ripe juicy melons, peaches and succulent apricots. The palate is full and creamy yet fresh with crunchy pear, green apple, lemon peel and honeydew nuances leading into a long finish tinged with honeysuckle and tropical kiwis.