Jake Kosseff
OWNER, JAKE KOSSEFF WINE CONSULTING
Blowfish Asian Café, Cascadia, Campagne —Jake Kosseff’s been around, baby. And he’s got the palate to show it. That’s why back in 2006, when Seattle Met put together its restaurant dream team, Kosseff was our fantasy sommelier. Today his consulting business helps restaurants design their wine programs.
WHITE
NV Pacific Rim White Flowers Sparkling Riesling, $15
Yakima Valley, Washington
Tasty sparkling wine is always worth noticing, especially at a good price. This wine is crisp, floral, and fruity.
2007 Sleight of Hand Cellars The Magician, $17
Columbia Valley, Washington
Good gewürztraminer is rare, but this one is dry and rippling with an acidity that keeps floral, nutty aromas at bay, allowing the fruit to shine.
2008 Januik Bacchus Vineyard Riesling, $20
Columbia Valley, Washington
A beautifully balanced wine that is ever-so-slightly sweet, with screaming citrus and stone fruit.
2007 Chehalem Pinot Gris Reserve, $24
Willamette Valley, Oregon
A pinot gris that actually has character—how strange! It is dry and complex with rich pear and citrus flavors and an exciting, mineral acidity.
2008 Maison Bleue La Vallee du Soleil Roussanne, $25
Yakima Valley, Washington
A new small producer showing up a lot of established producers with Rhône whites. From Olsen Vineyard, the roussanne is dry, moderately oaked, and full of creamy peach, orange, and lemon verbena.
2005 Tranche Cellars Chardonnay, $30
Columbia Gorge
The spitting image of a really good white Burgundy, but unmistakably from Washington. This chard is full bodied, dry, and moderately oaked, with racy yellow apple, fresh cream, toast, and butter notes.
RED
2007 Saviah Cellars The Jack, $14
Columbia Valley, Washington
A supergood, supercheap full bodied cab blend from winemaker-owner Rich Funk. It’s rich and structured, full of black fruit, cocoa, and baking spice. Yum!
2007 Wallace Brook Pinot Noir, $15
Willamette Valley, Oregon
This is a second label for Adelsheim, but they’ve gone to great lengths to keep it from being associated with their brand. The best cheap Oregon pinot noir I’ve had, with juicy cherry and strawberry, spicy herbs, and surprising complexity.
2006 Waters Forgotten Hills Vineyard Syrah, $40
Walla Walla Valley, Washington
Just beginning to show its character, this syrah is superdense and intensely flavored, tasting of brooding blackberry, smoke, and creosote—not for the weak spirited.
2006 Boedecker Cellars Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, $45
Willamette valley, Oregon
This pinot grown at Momtazi, one of the best vineyards you’ve never heard of, has laser beam wild cherry flavors balanced by green herb and roasted boletus mushroom.
Published: September 2009
It would be great if there were links to the wineries and/or stores that sold these wines
Very interesting!
Agree with Thairu, a great list from Jeffrey Dorgan and others, but don’t make it so hard for us to follow up and find these wines if we want to try them…links would have been perfect….The Stevens Divio and the DeLille AIX are great!!
Really looking forward to trying out John Howie Steak in Bellevue’s Bravern – there has been a lot of talk around John Howie’s new establishment and from what I’m hearing so far, it’s really that good – a steakhouse w/ not only a dream team, but with soul – locally owned, locally sourced products, etc.
If you are looking for Watermill’s wine go to www.watermillwinery.com, they have an online store where you can buy the wine. Enjoy!