Day 2 featured less tastings but an enjoyable dinner at Wild Ginger which boosts one of the best wine lists in the Pacific Northwest especially if you are into German Riesling!
Earlier in the afternoon we stopped at the Efeste Tasting Room in Downtown Seattle & Dinner at Wild Ginger.
- 2021 Efeste Riesling Evergreen Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley
Light style with pineapple, spice and sour apple. Simple but tasty. (86 pts.) - 2021 Efeste Rosé Oldfield Estate – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
65% Grenache/35% Mourvèdre. Still searching for my first good Rose from Washington. Minerals, raspberries, light floral and watermelon. Short finish. (87 pts.)
- 2019 Efeste Grenache Estate – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Red Moutain fruit. Spice, red fruits, scorched earth and floral notes. Good concentration and medium finish. A very nice wine. (91 pts.) - 2018 Efeste Paulie Stonetree – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope
Efeste had this set up perfect for me! This wine was opened and this was day 3. 33% Grenache, 25% Syrah & 42% Mourvèdre. White pepper, dust, spice, red currants, earth and minerals. A well blended wine that really showed well on day 3! (92 pts.) - 2018 Efeste Final-Final – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
45% Cabernet, 55% Syrah. This was also open and sampled on day 3! Black pepper, raspberries, cherry and earth. A solid effort that no doubt benefited by being open 3 days. (90 pts.)
- 2018 Efeste Syrah Jolie Bouche Boushey Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
Opened prior and day 3 review. Stainless steel fermentation. Black pepper, cherry, floral, coffee beans and blackberries. A bigger style Syrah but it all works and medium plus finish. (92 pts.)
- 2019 Efeste Cabernet Sauvignon Big Papa – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
French Oak barrel. Old vines and this wine is nice. Complex effort with black olives, blueberries, oak, plum and mild spices. This has a medium finish and would rival most Napa wines that cost twice as much. (93 pts.)
Some photos of their tasting room near Mariners Stadium.
Dinner at Wild Ginger Downtown Seattle did not disappoint.
Starter:
Thai Spring Rolls: Crispy spring rolls filled with vegetables and mushrooms. Lettuce, thai basil, cilantro and bean sprouts provided for wrapping. Served with a sweet-hot dipping sauce.
Wine: Wine Director Jason offered a Carafe of an amazing Riesling to pair with this.
- 2016 Selbach Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Spätlese – Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (7/13/2022)
Tasted at Wild Ginger and a recommendation from Somm Jason. Dried apricots, sour apple, spice and peach. Picks up some nice minerality on the finish. Bright acidity. Perfect with the food pairings. (92 points) $26.00
Soup: seven element soup
One of the unique culinary soup wonders of the world; a rich coconut curry chicken soup with fresh egg noodles, topped with crunchy fried noodles, lime juice and soy sauce.
Wine: 2014 Goodfellow Family Cellars Pinot Noir Durant Vineyard – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills (7/13/2022)
Very nice wine from Marcus. Rose petals, mushrooms, earth and red currants. This was a pop and pour and we drank this bottle at Wild Ginger. Improved over time with decanting. Excellent wine and no hurry to drink these. (93 points) Brought to restaurant.
Entree: chicken pad thai
A classic Thai noodle dish with chicken, fried tofu, egg, peanuts, chives and thin rice noodles.
Wine: 2006 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese * – Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (7/13/2022)
Off the list from Wild Ginger. First glass need some air but the second glass was magical. Apricots, stone orchard fruit, slate, peach and honey. This wine is in a great place but could age a few more years if you desire. (94 points) $80 on the list and amazing.
