Tax Day at Akdeniz

Please join me for a short notice Tax Day wine night at Akdeniz, a favorite Turkish restaurant in Midtown West. The wines will be a selection of WA State wines, 1 white and 4 reds.

Here is a link to Akdeniz' menu

Just a reminder of our usual rules:

The cost of this event is $38 and is for the wines and corkage. You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and appetizer ). There are very few restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine for a low corkage.

NOTE: Meetup has started charging a "Partner Fee" that is above and in addition to the listed price of the event. It is annoying and confusing, but there is nothing I can do about it. It comes to approximately $4 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. MEETUP+ members are exempt from this charge.

Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $6 service fee.

Lastly: NO DRINKING AND DRIVING

The Wines (notes will be distributed at the dinner):

2022 JM Cellars Grenache Blanc Boushey Vineyard ($32) - I have NO NOTES on this one! But I like WA State Grenache Blanc, so let's try this one together. My only bottle, so I'm not sure what I'll do if we love it!

2022 Brook & Bull The Silent Ode ($18) - 54%c Malbec, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petit Verdot, and 9% Cabernet Franc. This was a mystery wine from Full Pull. Here is what they said, "
This is a four-variety Bordeaux blend, with Malbec taking the lead at a tick above 50%. The remainder is split between Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot (not necessarily in that order).
The winemaker is something of a Malbec specialist. At one point, she had a label that focused almost entirely on this variety.
There are four vineyards involved here, all beginning with the letter 'S'. Two of them are in the Walla Walla Valley (Summit View, Southwind); the other two are on the Royal Slope and the Wahluke Slope.

This opens with a big exuberant Malbec-driven nose: marionberry and huckleberry complicated by violet and iron-tinged minerality. The palate is soft, juicy, inviting. While some sneaky polished tannins do appear on the back half (driven mostly by Cab and PV), this is at its core a velvety (14.6% listed alc), fruit-driven palate-stainer. I love the idea of our list members fanning out and bringing this to all manner of holiday parties, knowing that it looks, and drinks, like a near-fifty-dollar bottle of wine while costing about a quarter of that."

2021 The Walls Vineyards Stanley Groovy ($35) - CT 90.2, An oddball blend of Spanish grape types grown in WA state. Vinous 93 points, "The 2021 The Walls Stanley Groovy from Red Mountain is a unique and intriguing blend, featuring 37% Touriga Nacional, 16% Cabernet Franc, 13% Tinta Roriz, 13% Tinto Cao, 9% Souzao, 4% Mourvedre, 4% Grenache, and 4% Counoise. This distinctive Washington State wine offers aromas of black plums, blueberries, and plenty of earthy and peppery notes. On the palate, it finishes with crunchy tannins, moderate acidity, and a long, satisfying finish. A fun and complex red blend that showcases Washington's diverse potential."

2020 Force Majeure Syrah Force Majeure Vineyard Red Mountain ($80) - CT 91.6, JD 97, WA 94 points, "Made with 2% Viognier, the 2020 Estate Syrah is firm, floral and spicy with notes of plum and cherry reduction with hints of oak and bitter dark chocolate. Full-bodied, mineral and expressive, the palate is juicy with a food-friendly and spicy finish that will need some time in the bottle to settle. The wine rested for 18 months in 25% new French oak, all larger format."

2020 JM Cellars Syrah Old Vine ($52) - From WA State's Columbia Valley. Alcohol - 14.9%, 97% Syrah, 3% Viognier - Aged 20 months in 50% new French oak/50% once used French oak. Winery notes, "Our old vine Syrah is sourced from two of Washington’s most prestigious vineyards, Ciel du Cheval and Champoux vineyards. These vines, planted over two decades ago, produce a striking full bodied Syrah with excellent depth of character and bold flavors of black plum and tobacco. In the Rhone tradition, John co-fermented this Syrah with 3% Viognier to produce a deep purple wine with beautiful dark cherry aromas. The Old Vine Syrah is delicious now and pairs well with lamb skewers, tandoori chicken, and rich vegetable ragout."