Washington's Finest: Sleight of Hand Cellars

Hi all!

In case I did not mention during my last visit, I have included below Classique’s lineup of new wines from Sleight of Hand Cellars from Washington State.  These boutique style wines received top press (Rand Sealey – Washington State Review, Parker, Spectator, Enthusiast, Wine and Spirits, and Tanzer - http://www.sofhcellars.com/News.aspx), and represent the highest quality fruit from the most prestigious vineyards throughout Columbia Valley and Walla Walla.

These wines are highly allocated! Thus if think that you would like to have one of these wines on your wine list, please let me know ASAP, as I only have a grand total of 2 btls - 2010 Archimage (45% Cabernet Franc, 43% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot), 3 cases - 2011 Spellbinder (42% Cabernet Franc, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Syrah, 12% Merlot, and 11% Sangiovese), and the 2 btls-  2010 Illusionist Cabernet… I know, right? (I actually never say that in real life, so I thought I would trot it out in this email announcement!)

2010       Archimage          $40.00

This vintage is composed of 45% Cabernet Franc, 43% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot from the Blue Mountain, Red Mountain and Va Piano vineyards. It exhibits a brilliant ruby color and enticing aromas of raspberry, cherry, plum, crushed roses, mulberry, sandalwood and anise. The dark fruit flavors are thick and fleshy, yet deep and focused, underlain with black licorice, bittersweet chocolate, French roast and stony minerals. The back reveals sensations of macerated berries, roasted nuts, spiced cherries and plums, leading into a integrated oak (50% new French) and satiny tannin finish that lingers on and on….March 2013 Review of Washington Wines - Rand Sealey

2011       Spellbinder         $15.75

The 2009 Spellbinder is a blend of 42% Cabernet Franc, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Syrah, 12% Merlot, and 11% Sangiovese. Fragrant cherries, herbs, and spices lead to a savory, ripe, pleasure-bent red perfect for quaffing with pizza and burgers. This balanced lenghty effort can be enjoyed over the next 4-5 years…

2010       Illusionist Cabernet        $40.00

Blended with 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, this is a classically styled Cabernet Sauvignon. It displays a brilliant ruby color and a rich, smoky nose of wild blackberries, Bing cherries, black currants, attar of rose, sandalwood, cigar box, olive, rosemary and sage. The dark fruit flavors are wrapped around a deep core, underlain with black licorice, dark chocolate, Sumatra roast and scorched earth minerals. The back reveals notes of squeezed berry juices, cherry liqueur, crème de cassis, roasted chestnuts, mocha, pencil lead and toasty integrated oak (60% new) and leads seamlessly into a deep, penetrating finish that shows fine fruit acids (.61 g/100ml) and fine grained tannins on the lingering, well defined finish….March 2013 Review of Washington Wines - Rand Sealey

You can find more here @ Sleight of Hand Cellars http://www.sofhcellars.com/ , http://www.sofhcellars.com/About-Us.aspx

and/or below. 

Cheers!!

Adam Pashea

(314) 267-2414

Classique Wine & Spirits

Sleight of Hand Cellars

Launched in 2007, Sleight of Hand Cellars has but one focus, and that is to craft exceptional wines from exceptional vineyards here in the state of Washington. The winery has only been in operation for a short time, but in that time, Sleight of Hand Cellars has been named as one of the "The Next Generation" of up and coming wineries in Washington State by Seattle Magazine in July of 2008, as well as  one of "The Next Cult Wineries" by the same magazine in August of 2009. These articles, along with some great scores along the way, only push us to strive for making even better wines, year in and year out.

As we have said before, we have never been more excited about a vintage than the 2010's; but with harvest in full swing, and near perfect grape growing conditions translating into unbelievably intense, flavorful fruit, we are already looking forward to the day when we can sit down and open the 2012's and we can't help but wonder if 2012 won't surpass even the 2010's.

This has been an incredible year for the winery and we are extremely excited not only about this year's vintage, but also about the long term future of the winery. We are deeply grateful to all of our supporters; but especially to the members of the Wine Illusionist Society for all their encouragement and loyalty. We will continue to try to exceed your expectations. Keep an eye on your emails, as we are working on trying to put together something special for Spring Release Weekend for members of the wine club.