This of course is my radar I am referring to. I am positive that there are avid fans of this winery out there, but it has only around two years ago that I was first introduced to the wines of Woodhouse Wine Estates. This winery produces 20,000 cases a year which is quite modest considering that many wineries produce into the hundreds of thousands. Most wineries that produce between 5,000 to 20,000 cases a year are considered small.
Located in Woodinville WA where they moved in 2004, Woodhouse Wine Estates makes some incredible wines at what I consider modest prices. A Syrah, Malbec and Bordeaux blend which are very good wines that go for around thirteen bucks. An outstanding tempranillo for twenty and a reserve merlot that knocks your socks off for thirty-five. You have to pay attention to the names of the wines because Most of them do not have the Woohouse Wine Estate stamped on the front of the labels. Many of the wines are named after family members or the last name of the owners. The Woodhouse Wine Estate name is generally found on the back of the label.
I had the opportunity to taste through a few of their wines recently and here are my impressions…
2008 Hudson Shah Syrah (Woodhouse Wine Estates)… $19.99
A bouquet of cherries and red plums backed by some wood tones. Soft and velvety mouth feel and sweet tannins with notes of anise, cherry, and red plums that flowed effortlessly across the palate into a fairly long finish. This is a good representation of Washington syrah. 90 points
2008 Hudson Shah Cabernet Sauvignon … $12.99
When I first smelled this cab, I felt there was some French influence on the wines. I mentioned this to Girard (Dave) and he told me the wine maker is Jean Claude Beck. (Definitely French) I say this because the cab had a green bell pepper nose that reminded me a lot of a young Bordeaux. The Bordeaux likeness continued on the palate with notes of black olive, green bell pepper and boysenberry with a spicy edge on the mid-palate. The finish is smooth and medium to long with hits of sweet tannins. A very nice effort in a Bordeaux style wine with a new world influence all for a mere thirteen bucks.
89 points
2008 Kennedy Shah Lavie En Rouge … $12.99
A blend of all five Bordeaux varietals… Cab Sauv. , Merlot, Petite Verdot, Malbec and Cab Franc with the addition of syrah, this wine was challenged on the nose with hints of dusty red fruit. Very herbaceous on the nose with notes of blackberry, caramel and pepper backed by sweet tannins and a medium to long finish. 87 points
2008 Hudson Shah Malbec (Wahluke Slope)… $12.99
Finally a malbec from Washington State at an affordable price that delivers! Yes, YEs, YES… A wonderful nose of Black licorice, plum and boysenberry. Round and plush on the front of the palate with dark fruit notes, cassis black currants with little black olive undertone and wood notes. This wine had a nice flow across the palate with intensity building into a fairly long finish that had hints of alfalfa on the back side. I loved this wine, and I especially loved the price of thirteen bucks. If you see this wine in the store, I suggest you buy it before it disappears. Most malbec from our great state run in the twenty plus range. This my friends is a steal. 91 points.
2006 Woodhouse Wine Estates Maghee Merlot (Rattlesnake Hills) … $34.99
This is obviously not one of their value wines. However, it delivers a lot of wine for the price. Fresh on the nose with notes of black currants and golden raisin. Sweet tannins support notes of blackberry, spice and hints of caramel. Cedar tones come through on the back of the mid-palate leading into a lengthy finish. The wine has intensity and is seamless across the palate. One of the best merlot I have tasted from Washington in the last six months. 92+ points.
2005 Dussek Cabernet Sauvignon… $35.99
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This was the only wine I was slightly disappointed in (Emphasis on slightly). A nose of burnt black currants with a slight hint of reduction. Round and plush on the front of the palate with spice, black currant and boysenberry notes. There are hints of black plum on the back of the mid-palate with a slight tannic grip. A little light on the finish which was a little disappointing considering the price of the wine. 87 points.
I hope that you take the time to search out the wines from this winery which until recently escaped my notice. I hope someday they put their name across the label (Woodhouse Wine Estates) with the sub-name underneath making it easier for us to locate their brand. For now however, look for Kennedy Shah, Hudson Shah, Maghee or Dussek and you will have found some great wines that are really good values. Cheers! Stan The Wine Man.
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