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Elevation Cellars Monolith 2015: $50.00
Varietal Composition: Bordeaux-style blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec
Location: Columbia Valley AVA
Cases produced: 135 annually
Press: 2023 Seattle Wine Awards: Gold 92 points
Cellar Aging: Drink now or keep for another year
Tasting Notes from the Producer
This Bordeaux blend delivers vibrant cherry and dark berry flavors framed with dusky accents of mocha, loamy earth, dried tarragon and sage, with finely integrated tannins and freshly balanced acidity
Food Pairing
- Grilled Ribeye or Filet Mignon: The wine’s tannins and dark fruit notes complement the richness of a well-marinated steak.
- Beef Short Ribs or Braised Lamb Shanks: The wine’s structure pairs beautifully with the slow-cooked, savory depth of these dishes.
- Venison or Wild Boar: The earthy and spiced profile of game meats enhances the wine’s complexity.
- Duck Breast with Berry Sauce: The dark fruit flavors in the wine harmonize with the sweetness of a berry glaze.
- Mushroom Risotto: Earthy mushrooms bring out the wine’s herbal and mineral nuances.
- Pasta Bolognese: The rich tomato and meat sauce pairs perfectly with the wine’s robust flavors.
- Hard Cheeses: Aged Cheddar, Gouda, or Parmesan complement the wine’s tannins and dark fruit profile.
- Cured Meats: Salami, prosciutto, or beef jerky balance the wine’s richness with salty, savory flavors.
- Eggplant Parmesan: The wine’s acidity balances the tomato sauce and cheesy layers.
- Grilled Portobello Mushrooms: The meaty texture and earthy flavor are a natural match for the wine.
- Dark Chocolate Tart or Truffles: The wine’s dark fruit and cocoa notes align beautifully with bittersweet chocolate.
About Elevation Cellars:
“We elevate our wine to be about the experience.”
Elevation Cellars was founded when the owners met atop a ski resort, at “elevation.” Our philosophy is to make red wines, especially Bordeaux style, that are meant to age and be laid down for years in cellars.
A Few More Details
The grapes are sourced from Red Mountain, Stillwater Creek and Stone Tree vineyards. The Cabernet Sauvignon in our Monolith comes from Red Mountain which is located in Benton County, Washington which incorporates Tri-Cities. It is known for the best grapes in Washington state.
The Cabernet Franc and Malbec come from Stillwater Creek, which is located in the new Royal Slope Ava in the Columbia Valley.
The Merlot and Petit Verdot come from Stone Tree which is located in the Wahluke Slope Ava, near Yakima.
the 2015 Monolith a classic left bank Bordeaux and is comprised of Cabernet France, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Then the wine is aged in new French Oak for two years.
Source: https://www.elevationcellars.com/
Sailor Vineyards Schooner Red Reserve Marechal Foch 2021: $40
Varietal Composition: Marechal Foch
Location: Puget Sound AVA
Cellar Aging: Drink now or keep…
Short-Term Aging: 3-5 years is typical for Marechal Foch wines, allowing the wine to develop more complexity while retaining its vibrant fruit.
Tasting Notes from the Producers!
“Clear, deep purplish, fresh, medium bodied, flavorful, dry.”
Food Pairing
- Red Meat and Game
- Grilled steak, roast beef, or lamb chops pair beautifully with Marechal Foch’s dark fruit and earthy notes.
- Game meats like venison or duck enhance its rustic and savory character.
- Barbecue and Smoked Dishes
- Barbecue ribs or pulled pork complement the smoky, toasted elements often found in Marechal Foch wines.
- Smoked sausages or brisket work well with its rich and fruity profile.
- Mushroom-Based Dishes
- Mushroom risotto or dishes featuring wild mushrooms highlight the wine’s earthy undertones.
- Cheese and Charcuterie
- Aged cheddar, Gouda, or blue cheese match its robust flavors.
- Pair with charcuterie like salami or prosciutto for a savory balance.
- Rustic Comfort Foods
- Hearty stews, shepherd’s pie, or meatloaf provide a great match for Marechal Foch’s richness.
- Tomato-based pasta dishes, like lasagna or spaghetti Bolognese, also work well.
About Sailor Vineyards:
Once upon a time …. no, really …. true story; these two sailors, Claire and Kit, home from their respective travels, met in the driveway of mutual friends. The event was simple, an informal dinner, and the rest is history. Their vineyard, planted in 2009, became the focus of their formidable combined energy & it naturally flourished, soon becoming a great gathering place for family & friends, arriving from all points of the compass to tell their travel tales. Good company, good wine, time well spent!
A Few More Details
Our Truly “Estate Bottled” wine is produced solely from our own estate grown French hybrid grapes known as Marechal Foch. Commonly called just plain “Foch” (foesh), this deep purple grape is anything but plain.
We keep it simple here at Sailor Vineyard, growing the vines less densely than modern practice and tending and harvesting our dry-farmed vines by hand and with minimal intervention. The vines were selected for their natural disease resistance and great cold hardiness…not to mention they make a deliciously rich, red, all round good wine which pairs well with impunity.
We designed and built our winery modelled on the old European family gravity wineries. Primary fermentation and pressing takes place at vineyard level. The wine is then syphoned down into the barrel mezzanine and finally down to the lower winery for bottling, labelling and storage. Organic farming practices. We planted our Marechal Foch vines in 2008. Ethos: Cool climate, dry farmed, low intervention, no added sulfites, old-world style.
Label: Our wine label features a soaring albatross. The name of our operation is Sailor Vineyard, named for all sailors. Albatrosses, can soar, unflapping, for 100’s of miles. The owners, Kit and Claire Africa were both sailors before becoming vintners and in their opinion, albatrosses are the best sailors of them all.
West Seattle Wine Cellars 