ABOUT: The Applegate Valley AVA has a handful of stellar wine producers and Cowhorn is at the very top of the list. It's within a friendly driving distance of Seattle and is a great place to visit, as well as the cute 'lil town Jacksonville. Cowhorn Winery is off in it's own little corner of the AVA, cranking out expressive, stylish wines made from Rhone grape varieties. I paid the busy biodynamic practitioners a visit and tasted through some crazy good wines. Nothing flashy or heady, rather wines of precision with nervy energy and room for development. Things are happening in the Applegate Valley AVA. TASTE: Writing and talking while taking thoughtful tasting notes is a challenge. This is a polished version of the chicken scratch in my notebook: "An expressive version of Grenache for sure...flavors and aromas of strawberries and raspberries that haven't gone overly-ripe and jammy. The flavors are crisp and dry. A strong fissure of salinity runs throughout, adding complexity. Medium body, acid and tannin, a perfect wine for the dinner table. Very easy going and can be as complex as you choose to make it. Would go well with a deep and varied menu". PAIR: Garlic fried eggs, Jalapeno tofu bahn mi sandwich, cheddar scones, and baked eggplant and potatoes with tomato sauce.
