It has been awhile since we featured SAPOLIL CELLARS and they have introduced a Chardonnay to their lineup so we wanted to give it a try. 100% CHARDONNAY - $18.99 - inaugural white wine release. It's a crisp unoaked Chardonnay, with fruit sourced from the Yakima Valley. It presents fresh pear and light citrus on the nose. With a surprisingly lush mouthfeel, it has a light and refreshing finish.

PATINA VINEYARD SYRAH - 100% Syrah - $35.99 - Walla Walla Valley AVA Enjoy this wine with its earthy and spicy nose, and full, soft mouthfeel of black cherries, leather, and light white pepper. The finish is long and pleasing with soft tannins.

PAPA LOVES MAMBO - $32.99 - This proprietary blend presents 70% Syrah, 20% Sangiovese, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Wonderful fruit expression is offered by the Syrah, a softness is presented by the Sangiovese, and the Cab - well, the Cab throws in a healthy touch of structure and tannins.

We will also be including three wines from HEAVEN'S CAVE. OVERLOOK 360 CABERNET - $19.99 - Wineries Tasting Notes: Brilliant deep garnet red in color, this Cabernet Sauvignon is a varietally correct wine. Classically expressive, it offers aromas of blackberry, cassis and plum alongside subtle tones of dried lavendar and sage. Upon first taste, the wine reveals an immensely powerful and muscular structure: massive, yet silky smooth from the front of the mouth to a lengthy finish. Rich, bright berry fruit and a pronounced cherry flavor (from the addition of 16% Cabernet Franc) intermingle with oak tones of sweet toast, cedar and a subtle touch of pepper and spice. With all its formidable attributes of alcohol, acid and varietal masculinity, the wine demonstrates an exceptional balance and youthfuness which virtually calls out for decanting, or opening an hour or so before drinking, to release its many complexities.

NOBILITY, LATE HARVEST RIESLING - $18.99 - Winery Food Pairing Notes: We have heard it all on this one; from popcorn to bleu cheese. A sure-bet pairing is to serve with pound cake, covered in fresh berries marinated slightly in the Nobility. De-lish! ************************ And, to finish off we will have their ICICLES ICE WINE - $19.99 - Winery notes: These Riesling grapes were sourced from our Destiny Ridge Estate Vineyard located in the Horse Heaven Hills Appellation. In keeping with the tradition of true Ice Wine, the fruit was left to hang on the vine weeks after normal harvest. Thus, flavors and aroma were allowed to concentrate and intensify until the grapes were hand picked in the pre-dawn hours of December 8, 2005, when temperatures fell to 12º F. The still frozen grapes were then slowly and painstakingly pressed over a span of 14 hours, yielding a mere 55 gallons of juice per ton. Using cold-hardy yeast, a necessary temperature of 50º F was sustained during a fermentation lasting several months. The slow and controlled process was greatly beneficial in the preservation of the bold and pronounced aromatics of the fruit. The wine was bottled on July 14, 2006.

Join us for an informal tasting where we explore new varietals or just enjoy a wine for what it is.

This Friday we will start with CANELLA BELLINI - "Wine Cocktail of Venezia" Bellini is a cocktail which, according to the original recipe, is composed of two parts of sparkling wine, one part of white peach juice (obtained from select, perfectly ripe peaches) and a few drops of wild raspberry. It is a classic aperitif, with an inebriating peach fragrance. Bellini, estate-bottled in clear, satin-finished glass bottles, is the result of the fruit drink processing technology perfected by Canella after many years of long and scrupulous research, which guarantees its naturalness. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Don't forget the sparkling wine for Easter Brunch - Mimosas - Pomosas (pomegranite juice & sparkling) or stir up your own Bellini's.

CHANDLER REACH VIOGNIER - Aromatic & expressive, with aromas of jasmine, honeysuckle, peach & spice, this white wine shows the perfumed quality of this varietal. The palate finds ripe apricots & tropical fruit, with a full bodied finish of crème fraiche. This may be a fit for your Easter Dinner.

We want to thank everyone for the support you have given us for the last nine years. We look forward to your continued support in these tough economic times.

Every small business owner is trying their best and most will survive. The "big boys" (Costco, Safeway etc.) will carry on no matter what - the little guys need YOU now.