Owen Roe Winery with Ray Bloom from Vinum

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Wicked Cellars Tasting Notes Friday, July 6th, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Owen Roe Winery with Ray Bloom from Vinum $10 Tasting Fee Owen Roe Winery owner and founder, David O’Reilly, named his winery after Owen Roe O’Neill, the 17th century Irish warrior and patriot famous for opposing the English conquest of Ireland. The labels of his wines feature Irish landmarks and their names often conjure Irish legends and themes. Ireland naturally holds a fascination for O”Reilly since he was born and raised in strife-torn Belfast where he lost two uncles to sectarian violence. In his youth the family left Belfast for the more peaceful British Columbia. O’Reilly studied philosophy in California before discovering the magic of grapes, land and wine at a Southern California winery. While working for six years at Oregon’s Elk Cove (recently featured at Wicked Cellars) he met Peter Rosback, another winemaker with Irish roots. Together O’Neill and Rosback left Elk Cove to start Oregon’s Sineann Winery, and though O’Neill went on to open Owen Roe Winery in Saint Paul, Oregon, he maintains close ties with Sineann and his good friend, Rosback.

2011 Owen Roe Crawford Beck Vineyard Pinot Gris $23.99 In this beautifully crisp and clean Pinot Gris aromas of pear and pineapple are joined by notes of grapefruit and fresh honeydew. With a finish of orange peel and refreshing minerality, this Pinot Gris will pair nicely with oysters on the half shell, crab and other shellfish.

2010 Owen Roe Sharecropper’s Pinot Noir $26.99 This Pinot showcases bright floral and red berry fruit flavors predominant in the Willamette Valley and notes of Rainier cherry and juicy raspberry, enhanced by nuances of

mushroom, earth and tobacco in a well-balanced Pinot that’s drinking great right now. Rich red fruit and currants combine on the tongue, and just the right amount of acidity provides a texture uncannily similar to the 2008.

2010 Owen Roe Ex Umbris Syrah $31.99 The 2009 vintage of the Ex Umbris received 93 points from Wine Spectator and was named #25 on their Top 100 list. This wine was originally introduced as a one-time bottling in 2002 after a wild fire struck the vineyard’s surrounding hillsides. The residual ash and smoke resonated in the Syrah grapes, creating a very memorable wine. Year after year, Owen Roe is asked to develop a Syrah to keep the story of this wine alive! Now, nine vintages later, we hope you will enjoy this bold Syrah sourced from several exceptional vineyards in the Columbia Valley.

2009 Owen Roe Yakima Valley Red -Regularly $47.99, it’s on sale this weekend only $35.99 This signature Yakima Valley Red is a unique blend of our favorite varietals each vintage. In 2009, the dominant Merlot grape (59%) in this year’s blend offers enticing aromas of freshly cut flowers, plums and blackberries. With the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon (17%) and Cabernet Franc (24%), the palate consists of complex spice notes such as black licorice, cocoa and vanilla. The balanced tannin structure will aid in long-term cellaring, however, this velvety wine pairs beautifully with lamb, duck and rabbit entrees.

2010 Owen Roe “Rosa Mystica” Cabernet Franc - Regularly $47.99, it’s also on sale this weekend only $35.99 The Rosa Mystica Block Vineyard is a Cab lover's Cab Franc offering black color, ripe fruit, blackberry cedar nose and a ripe, rich textured finish.

2009 Owen Roe Red Willow Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon $72.99 - Come in for a rare chance to taste this amazing Washington wine (sorry, no re-visits on this one!) Showcasing the oldest block in the Red Willow Vineyard, this limited release of Cabernet Sauvignon offers old world aromas and flavors reminiscent of classic Bordeaux. Aromatic hints of licorice, leather, tobacco and pine needles are balanced by an elegant profile of coffee, rustic earth and olive.