The Magic Of Numbers

The Magic of Numbers I like numbers.  In fact, as many of you who have had a bottle of our Pieces of Red know, I am kind of a numbers geek.  So, imagine my surprise and absolute delight when I discovered that all of our Robert Parker scores add up to 459!!! Silence fills the room as the reader of this email ponders the meaning of 459 as crickets can be heard in the background. Hmmm. Maybe I need to explain.  For those with kids whom text a lot (especially before the proliferation of smart phones and their QWERTY keyboards) you can ask them or keep reading with everyone else. The number 4 on your phone keypad corresponds to the letter “I”, the number 5 corresponds to “L” and the “9” is a “Y”. ILY is the texting short hand for I Love You.  Or, to make things even more simple, people will simply text or write 459.  Before I got my iPhone, I would always sign off messages to my wife with 459.  Pretty cool, huh!? From Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Issue 196 Whitestone Vineyard & Winery is located on the shores of Lake Roosevelt and all of the fruit is sourced from their Lake Roosevelt Shores Vineyard technically located in the Columbia Valley AVA. Production is limited to 2400 cases. The Whitestone portfolio is impressive. It begins with the N.V. Pieces of Red #8that was raised in a mix of new and used barrels for 12-36 months depending upon the component.  Cedar, spice box, violets, tobacco, and assorted black fruits lead to a racy, savory, nicely balanced wine that displays some elegance in a wine meant for drinking over the next 5-6 years. It over-delivers in a big way. The 2007 Cabernet Franc was aged in mostly new French oak for 30 months. It displays exotic spices, dried herbs, violets, rose petal, black cherry, and black raspberry. Round, velvety textured, and nicely proportioned, it has enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years and will deliver prime drinking from 2013 to 2022.  The 2007 Merlot spent 32 months in 100% new French oak. An already complex array of Asian spices, herbs, sandalwood, early minerals, and black currant are followed by a ripe, rich, layered Merlot with excellent volume and length.  Drink it from 2013 to 2022.  The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon does not display the opulence of fruit from the 2007s noted above but it does deliver an enticing perfume, savory flavors, good depth and concentration, and lengthy, pure finish. It offers a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2023.  Lastly, the2007 St. Vincent’s Meritage is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc also aged for 30 months in new French Oak. Purple in color with an expressive, already complex nose, on the palate it is satin-textured, round, and impeccably balanced. It has enough structure to evolve for 2 to 3 years and, like its peers, will provide optimum drinking from 2013 to 2022+. Interested readers should check out the web page and act quickly. www.whitestonewinery.com Whitestone 2007 Cabernet Franc 92 pts (sold out) 2008 Franc will be released October 2011, pre-order now Whitestone 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon 92 pts $28 per bottle Whitestone 2007 Merlot 92 pts $26 per bottle (limited qty remain!) Whitestone  N.V. Pieces of Red #8 90 pts $17 per bottle Whitestone 2007 St. Vincent’s Meritage 93 pts (sold out) 2008 St. Vincent coming Spring 2012 Our Harvest Wine The leaves are starting to change; the grapes are nearing time to pick which means that Scared to Pieces must be coming out.  Scared to Pieces is a special limited edition blend we do in honor of the autumn season.  This year’s blend features Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon aged mostly in new French Oak for 30 months.  Rich spice and black currant highlight this perfect wine for drinking while pumpkin carving.   Join us tomorrow night, Friday September 30th from 6 to 9 pm for live music as we release this wonderful wine. For more information, please call 509-838-2427 or emailinfo@whitestonewinery.com or visit our tasting room in Spokane at 111 S. Cedar Street. 459 Michael Haig Winemaker