J. Bookwalter Winery, Notebook Red, Columbia Valley, Washington (Cabernet Based)

A TOP VALUE - Can't recommend it more... and at this price - doubt anything can touch it.

Overview of the Wine
The story of J. Bookwalter Winery is a story of family heritage, deep roots and a centuries-old commitment to the land. Ten generations of the Bookwalter family have been involved in American agriculture. But it was Jerry Bookwalter, generation nine and father of current company president John Bookwalter, who led the family into viticulture. After graduating from UC-Davis in 1963, Jerry spent 13 years farming in California’s San Joaquin Valley before moving his family in 1976 to the Tri-Cities in Washington State.

Once there, he firmly stamped the Bookwalter name on the state’s nascent wine industry. From 1976 through 1982, Jerry helped manage the plantings of three iconic vineyards – Sagemoor, Bacchus and Dionysus.

Grape / Blend
2021: 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 22% Syrah and 15% Malbec (this blend does change - the wine is a NV but does come in different editions - all have been tremendous) 

Origin
Colombia Valley, Oregon

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The number preceding the NV indicates how many Notebook blends we have produced. For over 35 years we have been crafting wines that are more compelling and interesting than single vintage and varietal wines by employing the centuries-old practice of blending wine lots from multiple vintages (Vertical Blending) with multiple grape varieties (Horizontal Blending). Each lot of wine is carefully selected each year for the Notebook Red Blend based upon the mature flavors of the older vintages and the vibrant fruit characteristics of the younger vintages. The result is a wine that offers, fruit, structure, approachability and exceptional value.

90 Points - Wine Enthusiast
There's a lovely sense of purity to the blue fruit aromas of this wine, which are accented by notes of herb, whole green pepper, coffee and cherry. The palate delivering more of the same, with a coffee note linger on the finish. There's a whole lot of quality and value to be had.

Highly Recommended - Ian Blackburn Wine Buyer  Don't buy this thinking its a $100 dollar wine that we are selling for less than $15 ... buy it because its a really good producer and these are the "leftovers" - nicely blended and guess what - there probably is a $100+ bottle or two blended into this baby to make it sing.  I have carried this for several iterations... the wine is SOLID and for a daily drinker - it doesn't get much better than this.  90 Points - Absolutely... Maybe 91.5!!!

Product size: 750ml