2016 Canoe Ridge Vineyard The Explorer Red Blend, Horse Heaven Hills
91 Points, Wine Spectator Best Buy, Wine & Spirits
Tasting Notes
As legend has it, explorers Lewis and Clark noticed a ridge resembling an overturned canoe on their Columbia River journey, inspiring our Canoe Ridge Vineyard name. Established in 1989, Canoe Ridge Vineyard is one of Washington State’s leading wineries, offering true varietal character made for everyday enjoyment. From our estate vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills to the surrounding Columbia Valley, winemaker Bill Murray selects from the very best grapes to create each varietal offering.
About the Explorer
For the wine enthusiast with a true Northwest taste for adventure, The Explorer by Canoe Ridge Vineyard reflects the natural beauty and terroir of our Horse Heaven Hills vineyard overlooking the Columbia River.
Lovely aromas of ripe blackberry and plum with refined oak notes of vanilla and clove spice. The rich fruit carries through on the palate with jammy flavors of cherry and black fruit preserves. Layers of complexity and soft tannins allow this wine to linger pleasantly on the palate with a long finish.
About the Vintage
The 2016 growing season started quickly with warm temperatures across Washington, encouraging vigorous vine development. By late June, however, temperatures cooled considerably, creating optimal growing conditions for fruit maturation. In late summer, rain came to the vineyard and helped ease vine stress, while the vineyard teams worked tirelessly to ensure the canopies and fruit clusters would produce top-quality grapes. Early ripening red varietals are well-developed with bright fruit notes. Longer-ripening red varietals, like Cabernet Sauvignon, will show more savory characteristics than in years past, and should make for cellar-worthy wines.
94 Points, Beverage Testing Institute Gold, Cascadia International Wine Competition
Tasting Notes
Bright pineapple and honeysuckle scents mix with flavors of ripe pear and honeydew melon for a rich, elegant texture on the finish.
Vintage Background
The 2021 growing season in Washington brought some of the warmest summer temperatures on record, and ultimately, a promising vintage with exceptional quality and flavors. A modest yield of smaller, beautifully ripe fruit was the theme across our Washington estates. Whites, especially aromatics, express high, mouthwatering acids, nice minerality, and very fruity and floral notes.
AVA Background
67% Wallula Vineyard, 33% Canoe Ridge Vineyard
Known for its many varied microclimates (cool, warm, windy, hilly, flat), Columbia Valley acts as an umbrella AVA under which many of the state’s sub-AVA’s fall. While it contains 99% of wine grapes grown in Washington State, 6,851 of its acres are unique to the Columbia Valley and do not overlap another sub-AVA in the state.
Specs
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
AVA: Horse Heaven Hills
Harvest Date: October 2021
Aged: 8 months in barrel, 30% new French oak
TA: 7.48 g/L
pH: 3.92
Alcohol: 14.2%
Gruet Brut Sparkling
90 points, Smart Buy, Wine Spectator No. 1 Sparkling Wine: Top 100 Values of 2019 Top 100 Best Buys of 2018, Wine & Spirits Double Gold, 2022 SF Chronicle Wine Competition
Tasting Notes
Brut NV was our first wine released in 1989. As the predominant grape used in Champagne, we wanted our first sparkling wine “to express the finesse of Chardonnay.” -Laurent Cruet This Brut is straw yellow in color, with gorgeous apples on the nose and palate. Round mouthfeel, dense and silky with a long finish and a touch of sweetness.
Specs
Varietal Blend: 80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir
AVA: American
pH: 3.07
Acidity: 7.6g/L
Alcohol: 12%
RS: 8 g/L
Aging: Aged sur lees for a minimum of l8 months
What’s Included
6-bottles:
2x 2016 Canoe Ridge Vineyard The Explorer Red Blend, Horse Heaven Hills
Founded in 1984, Cruet Winery specializes in Methode Champenoise sparkling wines. Family driven, the New Mexico-based winery produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay-based sparkling wines and a small collection of still wines, with roots originating from Gilbert Cruet’s Champagne house in Bethon, France. More than 25 vintages later, Cruet Winery has achieved unprecedented acclaim and remains a favorite of the nation’s top sommeliers.
Canoe Ridge Vineyard is one of Washington State’s most recognized wineries, with its namesake vineyard established in 1989 in the Horse Heaven Hills American Viticultural Area. Varieties are focused on Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The name comes from a ridge by the vineyard located along the mid-Columbia River, near the town of Paterson. The famed explorers Lewis & Clark named this crest of land as the journeyed down the Columbia River in 1805. From the river, the adventurers thought the ridge resembled an overturned canoe. The Walla Walla-based winery marked its 20th anniversary in 2014.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
Red, White & Bubbles - $15 = 10.71%
Hey hey…how’s about a little fact check before publishing The 2016 Explorer Red Blend did not get 91 points from Spectator, the 2015 did. They did review the 2016 however:
88 Points. Dark and rather brooding, with currant, bitter chocolate and bay leaf accents that persist toward fine tannins. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2024. 3,950 cases made. Tim Fish
Enthusiast on the Explorer:
87 Points. Green herb, chocolate and cherry aromas are followed by ripe dark-fruit flavors. It could use a bit more acid and tannin structure to stand it up, but it’s pretty tasty all the same. — Sean P. Sullivan 12/31/19
Wine Advocate also chimed in on the '16 Explorer:
88 Points. 2016 The Explorer Red is an uncomplicated red blend that showcases Cabernet tones with the softness of Merlot. Aromas of blackberry, dark plum, sage, dried herbs and an oaky expression waft out of the glass. Medium to full-bodied, the wine shows a focused and balanced structure then lingers on the finish with soft herbal notes and dark red fruit. Drink 2020-2026. 3,939 cases produced. Anthony Mueller May 21,2020
That tastings.com/BTI 2021 Chard review referenced:
94 Points. Gold Medal. Exceptional. $15. Best Buy. Yellow straw color. Interesting aromas and flavors of spicy pineapple cake, toasted brioche, banana, and vanilla cream with a satiny, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a sleek, interesting, medium-length finish that exhibits touches of pineapple slices in cream, spicy poached apple, acacia honey, and apricot with a suggestion of oak flavor. A delightfully balanced and elegant Chardonnay that will be quite versatile, balancing New World tropical fruit and Old World acidity. 3/3/23
@kaolis Also maybe a little name checking as well. Cruet??? “ Founded in 1984, Cruet Winery specializes in Methode Champenoise sparkling wines. Family driven, the New Mexico-based winery produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay-based sparkling wines and a small collection of still wines, with roots originating from Gilbert Cruet’s Champagne house in Bethon, France. More than 25 vintages later, Cruet Winery has achieved unprecedented acclaim and remains a favorite of the nation’s top sommeliers.”
So after that fun with the AI art, here’s my thoughts on this. It seemed an odd combo until I saw the “Red, White, and Bubbles” theme. Still odd to have them in the same offer – wonder if both companies are part of one of the wine mega-conglomerates that seems to have taken over many things?
Canoe Ridge is a semi-premium winery and is known for good quality red wines which are more expensive. I think I got some long ago from the old W site. Though I don’t think they are up there with some of the super-premium Walla-Walla producers. Canoe Ridge does have a winery in Walla-Walla which is where I visited them (many years ago), but these are sourced from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA in the Columbia Valley. Many WA wineries grow in and source from that region.
Both the white and red are part of a lower-mid-end, lower-cost option that is produced in fairly large quantities and available in grocery stores in the NorthWest. Generally for these I’d say they’d be $10-14 with the usual “10% off if you buy 6” thing, but MSRP is higher.
I have tried the Explorer on occasion (probably not this vintage) and generally agree with some of the notes @kaolis posted. It’s certainly not bad and in most parts of the country you’ll have a hard time finding this, or even any fairly good $12 wine. Though in general I am not fond of this type of merlot-heavy blend, which accounts for my lukewarmness on this. On the other hand it would be a fairly good non-offensive wine to serve with a dinner to people who are not accustomed to reds but willing to try it. It will be less sweet and fruity than central California red blends. (that’s a plus to me.)
@chefjess@rjquillin I’d say not an official report because the ones I’ve had are probably not this vintage. Being (mostly) in the Northwest I can find a wide variety of OR and WA wines that are often not available at regular outlets in other parts of the country. Plus visited many wineries and talked to winemakers.
And I had thoughts about this wine that I’ve tasted in the past but don’t want to make it sound like a negative because I think it’s excellent at being what it was designed to be. Several wineries here do low-priced blends which tend to be quite good overall, but most make more premium wines. I’ve always assumed it was often from the surplus lots after selecting the ones for their premium wines, usually single-varietal, though there are some excellent Rhone-style (syrah-based) blends too.
Maryhill has one called Winemaker’s Red and the blend can change a lot from year-to-year.
Was going to add I’d really recommend this combo because I think it’s a great way to be introduced to wines from the region and most won’t be able to find these in grocery stores at these prices. Plus the half-case ´penalty’ isn’t bad.
The chardonnay should be very good and well-liked by most, though again I have not had this one recently.
And the Gruet is, well, Gruet. I think we all know it’s hard to avoid here, but yes it’s always nice to have around. Now make it the Sauvage, it would be even better.
2016 Canoe Ridge Vineyard The Explorer Red Blend, Horse Heaven Hills
91 Points, Wine Spectator
Best Buy, Wine & Spirits
Tasting Notes
About the Explorer
About the Vintage
Specs
2021 Canoe Ridge Vineyard Expedition Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills
94 Points, Beverage Testing Institute
Gold, Cascadia International Wine Competition
Tasting Notes
Vintage Background
AVA Background
Specs
Gruet Brut Sparkling
90 points, Smart Buy, Wine Spectator
No. 1 Sparkling Wine: Top 100 Values of 2019
Top 100 Best Buys of 2018, Wine & Spirits
Double Gold, 2022 SF Chronicle Wine Competition
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not all vintages for sale online, $210.00/case MSRP
About The Winery
Gruet Winery
Canoe Ridge Vineyard
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Jul 24 - Tuesday, Jul 25
Red, White & Bubbles
6 bottles for $69.99 $11.67/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $124.99 $10.42/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2016 Canoe Ridge The Explorer Red Blend
2021 Canoe Ridge Vineyard Expedition Chardonnay
NV Gruet Brut
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
Red, White & Bubbles - $15 = 10.71%
Hey hey…how’s about a little fact check before publishing
The 2016 Explorer Red Blend did not get 91 points from Spectator, the 2015 did. They did review the 2016 however:
88 Points. Dark and rather brooding, with currant, bitter chocolate and bay leaf accents that persist toward fine tannins. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2024. 3,950 cases made. Tim Fish
Enthusiast on the Explorer:
87 Points. Green herb, chocolate and cherry aromas are followed by ripe dark-fruit flavors. It could use a bit more acid and tannin structure to stand it up, but it’s pretty tasty all the same. — Sean P. Sullivan 12/31/19
Wine Advocate also chimed in on the '16 Explorer:
88 Points. 2016 The Explorer Red is an uncomplicated red blend that showcases Cabernet tones with the softness of Merlot. Aromas of blackberry, dark plum, sage, dried herbs and an oaky expression waft out of the glass. Medium to full-bodied, the wine shows a focused and balanced structure then lingers on the finish with soft herbal notes and dark red fruit. Drink 2020-2026. 3,939 cases produced. Anthony Mueller May 21,2020
That tastings.com/BTI 2021 Chard review referenced:
94 Points. Gold Medal. Exceptional. $15. Best Buy. Yellow straw color. Interesting aromas and flavors of spicy pineapple cake, toasted brioche, banana, and vanilla cream with a satiny, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a sleek, interesting, medium-length finish that exhibits touches of pineapple slices in cream, spicy poached apple, acacia honey, and apricot with a suggestion of oak flavor. A delightfully balanced and elegant Chardonnay that will be quite versatile, balancing New World tropical fruit and Old World acidity. 3/3/23
fwiw
@kaolis Also maybe a little name checking as well. Cruet??? “ Founded in 1984, Cruet Winery specializes in Methode Champenoise sparkling wines. Family driven, the New Mexico-based winery produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay-based sparkling wines and a small collection of still wines, with roots originating from Gilbert Cruet’s Champagne house in Bethon, France. More than 25 vintages later, Cruet Winery has achieved unprecedented acclaim and remains a favorite of the nation’s top sommeliers.”
@normanl0
/showme bad advertising copy writer drinking cruet of champagne, oil painting 19th century style
So after that fun with the AI art, here’s my thoughts on this. It seemed an odd combo until I saw the “Red, White, and Bubbles” theme. Still odd to have them in the same offer – wonder if both companies are part of one of the wine mega-conglomerates that seems to have taken over many things?
Canoe Ridge is a semi-premium winery and is known for good quality red wines which are more expensive. I think I got some long ago from the old W site. Though I don’t think they are up there with some of the super-premium Walla-Walla producers. Canoe Ridge does have a winery in Walla-Walla which is where I visited them (many years ago), but these are sourced from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA in the Columbia Valley. Many WA wineries grow in and source from that region.
Both the white and red are part of a lower-mid-end, lower-cost option that is produced in fairly large quantities and available in grocery stores in the NorthWest. Generally for these I’d say they’d be $10-14 with the usual “10% off if you buy 6” thing, but MSRP is higher.
I have tried the Explorer on occasion (probably not this vintage) and generally agree with some of the notes @kaolis posted. It’s certainly not bad and in most parts of the country you’ll have a hard time finding this, or even any fairly good $12 wine. Though in general I am not fond of this type of merlot-heavy blend, which accounts for my lukewarmness on this. On the other hand it would be a fairly good non-offensive wine to serve with a dinner to people who are not accustomed to reds but willing to try it. It will be less sweet and fruity than central California red blends. (that’s a plus to me.)
@pmarin
I’m not sure how to quote a comment correctly so this was the best I could do. They are both owned by Precept Wines
@pmarin This almost reads like an unofficial lab rat report;
is it supposed to be an official one?
@chefjess @rjquillin I’d say not an official report because the ones I’ve had are probably not this vintage. Being (mostly) in the Northwest I can find a wide variety of OR and WA wines that are often not available at regular outlets in other parts of the country. Plus visited many wineries and talked to winemakers.
And I had thoughts about this wine that I’ve tasted in the past but don’t want to make it sound like a negative because I think it’s excellent at being what it was designed to be. Several wineries here do low-priced blends which tend to be quite good overall, but most make more premium wines. I’ve always assumed it was often from the surplus lots after selecting the ones for their premium wines, usually single-varietal, though there are some excellent Rhone-style (syrah-based) blends too.
Maryhill has one called Winemaker’s Red and the blend can change a lot from year-to-year.
Was going to add I’d really recommend this combo because I think it’s a great way to be introduced to wines from the region and most won’t be able to find these in grocery stores at these prices. Plus the half-case ´penalty’ isn’t bad.
The chardonnay should be very good and well-liked by most, though again I have not had this one recently.
And the Gruet is, well, Gruet. I think we all know it’s hard to avoid here, but yes it’s always nice to have around. Now make it the Sauvage, it would be even better.
@chefjess @pmarin @rjquillin Maryhill Winemaker’s Blend, although it’s been a forever, was always more than reliable for the price.
@pmarin thanks for the insight which I now have
Buying a case for the naming of the trio
Staying for the comments!
Happy Fourth!