J Bookwalter "Notebook" Red Blend 2021
J Bookwalter "Notebook" Red Blend 2021
Columbia Valley, Washington
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Tasting Notes
The 2021 J Bookwalter "Notebook" Blend showcases a striking medium purple color with vibrant ruby hues. On the nose, it offers an enticing bouquet of ripe cherry and rhubarb, accented by hints of baking spices. The palate reveals a delightful medley of Rainier cherry, red currant, and red plum flavors, all balanced by juicy, vibrant acidity. Silky tannins provide a smooth, velvety texture, leading to a long, satisfying finish that lingers pleasantly.
This blend is both rich and refreshing, with the interplay of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Malbec creating a harmonious and dynamic wine. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with a meal, the 2021 J Bookwalter "Notebook" Blend delivers -
Story
The story of J. Bookwalter Winery is one of family heritage, deep roots, and a centuries-old commitment to the land. For ten generations, the Bookwalter family has been entrenched in American agriculture, culminating in the establishment of J. Bookwalter Winery in 1982 by Jerry Bookwalter. Jerry, part of the ninth generation, transitioned the family from traditional farming into viticulture. He played a pivotal role in managing the plantings of the renowned Sagemoor, Bacchus, and Dionysus vineyards before becoming the vineyard manager of the prestigious Conner Lee Vineyard, which remains a vital grape source for the winery. Jerry's son, John Bookwalter, grew up in these vineyards but left in the late 1980s for a successful sales and marketing career. He returned in 1997 with a renewed vision for the winery, making significant improvements and expansions that solidified J. Bookwalter's reputation.
Under John Bookwalter's leadership, J. Bookwalter Winery has evolved from one of Washington’s oldest wineries into one of the Pacific Northwest's most recognized boutique wine brands. Their wines are uniquely themed around literary concepts, reflecting a playful nod to the family name. This creative branding, coupled with their commitment to supporting literacy in Eastern Washington, underscores their dedication to both quality and community. In 2021, John entrusted the winemaking responsibilities to Jeremy Santo, a highly regarded winemaker, ensuring that the winery's tradition of excellence continues. Today, J. Bookwalter is celebrated for its exceptional vineyard sources and meticulous winemaking, producing some of the world's finest wines.
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Somm Notes
WINEMAKING NOTES:
For the first time, Notebook Red Blend is vintaged. Using all 2021 fruit from throughout the esteemed Columbia Valley, Notebook 2021 offers the same great value, but with new and distinct characteristics. Previously, Notebook used vertical blending, the practice of blending multiple different vintages, which allows wine makers to manipulate the products
taste, and finish. With the 2021 vintage, you get the same easy drinking red blend, but with a little bit of charm from the 2021 growing season.
PAIRING RECOMMENDATION:
Classic pepperoni pizza or a charcuterie and cheese board with all the accouterments
Two things:
One - I love a well thought out brand and with other wines named after literary terms like conflict, protagonist, sublot, and others named after something book related - notebook and readers. It's a delightful turn at branding - chef's kiss.
Two - I love when a region that is not as widely recognized really produces a stunner. Bookwalter wines do just that, consistent quality, and a depth of complexity that makes the argument that you shouldn't sleep on Washington wines - especially those reds!
An hour max drive from Seattle, and you can find yourself sipping some Bookwalter Wines at their tasting room in Woodinville. Enjoy the occasional live music and food on their outdoor patio.
J. Bookwalter Winery is dedicated to the community and the advancement of Washington state wines. Their commitment to literacy and education is demonstrated through corporate giving to local charities, including The Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia, Hugo House in Seattle, the King County Library System Foundation, and the Columbia Basin College Scholarship Foundation. Active in the Tri-Cities community, John Bookwalter and his team participate on boards and committees such as Visit Tri-Cities and the Tri-City Cancer Center. Additionally, John has served as chair of the Washington State Wine Commission and, along with his wife Gretchen, has been an honorary co-chair of the Auction of Washington Wines, highlighting their dedication to both community and industry support.
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Region
VINTAGE NOTES from the Winery:
Despite a challenging spring with cold spells sweeping through the Columbia Valley in April, the 2021 vintage produced exceptional fruit, albeit in fewer clusters. However, a three-week heatwave in June during the harvest season led to smaller berries and fewer clusters. Despite this, the fruit maintained great acidity throughout the remainder of summer, resulting in concentrated flavors with strong tannins
COLUMBIA VALLEY AVA
Nestled east of the Cascade Mountain range, the Columbia Valley AVA stands as the heart of Washington's wine country, boasting a staggering expanse of over 11 million acres, of which more than 99% are dedicated to vinifera grape cultivation. The region, designated in 1984, spans central, south-central, and southeastern Washington, as well as north-central Oregon. Named after the mighty Columbia River, which shapes its landscape, the area benefits from a rain shadow effect, creating an arid and semi-arid desert environment perfect for grape growing. With an average annual precipitation of merely 6-8 inches, irrigation is essential, although the ample waters of the Columbia River and its tributaries provide ample sustenance for the flourishing vineyards.
Characterized by a diverse array of soils, shaped by the cataclysmic Missoula Floods over 15,000 years ago, the Columbia Valley boasts loess-covered gravel and slackwater sediment, with basalt forming the bedrock. These well-drained soils, coupled with the region's warm, dry temperatures during the growing season, offer growers unparalleled control over grape development, resulting in consistently high-quality wines with minimal vintage variation. Additionally, the prevalence of own-rooted vines enhances varietal typicity, contributing to the region's reputation for producing wines of distinct character. As a testament to its significance, nearly all of Washington's sub-appellations are situated within the Columbia Valley, making it the cornerstone of the state's renowned wine industry.