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theCompass mobile application is a winery, brewery, and distillery locator for North America. |
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Portteus Vineyards
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The Winery's Story begins when Paul Portteus first started making beer at age 19, having had an uncle who was a home winemaker/brewer. While majoring in philosophy at University of Washington, (Paul grew up on Mercer Island -- a suburb of Seattle), he took an extended tour of Europe by motorcycle, discovering the Bordeaux region. From this experience, Paul became quite serious about wine. After college at University or Washington and marriage to Marilyn, Paul started discussing the winery business with family friend Americo Rafanelli in the Sonoma Valley. He originally considered starting a winery in Sonoma, but after seeing some information on the fledgling Washington wine industry, he decided to locate to Eastern Washington, closer to where he grew up. So in mid-1980 Paul brought his family to the Yakima Valley, and after months of searching for a proper vineyard site found his current location in March of 1981.
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Directions
We're about 7 miles off I-82 in the heart of Yakima Valley wine country: 1. Take I-82 to exit 54 (Zillah). 2. North at end of ramp onto Old Yakima Valley Highway. 3. After 0.6 miles, Right onto East Zillah Drive. 4. After 0.5 miles, Left onto Lucy Lane. 5. After 2.0 miles, Right at stop onto Highland Drive. 6. After 0.9 miles, Left onto Houghton Rd (driveway). 7. After 0.4 miles, Right (follow main drive).
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Bistro Red
The 2005 Bistro Red is a blend of 45% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Franc and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. Black huckleberry, vanilla and strawberry or passion fruit, depending on your point of view.
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Cabernet Franc
Produced under our 2nd label, Rattlesnake Ridge, this very ripe style Franc has been well received at our tasting room. This estate bottled Franc shows delicious candy like red fruit flavors with rich chocolate eclair and birthday cake notes.
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Cabernet Sauvignon
Build-a-house-with-it oak and vanilla by the quart. Licorice and bright blackberry finish.
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Chardonnay
Portteus Chardonnay is made in the classic "white burgundy" style, barrel fermented, montrachet yeast, sur lees until bottling. Ripe pear and butterscotch, licorice and buttered toast.
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Malbec
Originally grown in Bordeaux this variety is now found mostly in Argentina and in the United States. It's kind of like a spicy Merlot and has some similar aromas to Zinfandel. Very unique blueberry pie flavors with hints of black spice.
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Merlot
Ripe style of Merlot with 15% alcohol. One of my favorite renditions in a long time. Bright, rich, baked strawberry jam dominates this compact mouthful of a wine. I can guarantee that Miles from "Sideways" never tasted Washington Merlot!
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Petite Sirah
There's a hint of camp fire at the beach, and more serious than S'mores in a bottle, this is deep, dark chocolate eclair and a few wild huckleberries.
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Port
We use only our own estate grown fruit in every bottle. This 2003 Port is a blend of our Cabernet (85%) and Syrah (15%). Flavors of dark chocolate-covered black cherries.
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Rattlesnake Red
Rattlesnake Red was first introduced in 1989 and has become our single largest bottling annually. We use the same high quality grapes from our estate vineyard that go into our varietal wines. This 2005 blend: Cabernet Sauvignon (67%), Sangiovese (17%), Zinfandel (12%), Syrah (4%), Cedar, red currants, black raspberry, and a dash of black pepper.
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Rattlesnake Ridge Red
This year's blend is Cabernet Sauvignon 68%, Syrah 17% and Sangiovese 15%. Hope that adds up to 100%! This is an Italian style wine whatever that means. Try on earthy and dryer than past versions? This is one of the best wines on the market at this price point and will age beautifully. Still great with pasta or spam!
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Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Same as the regular bottling except that the reserve is aged in all new French oak barrels. This is a huge favorite at the winery and sales are second only to the Zinfandel.
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Reserve Merlot
Fruity like the 1999 with a little more structure, still delicious.
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Sangiovese
Planted in 2000, this is our fourth vintage of Sangiovese. This '05 offers the scent of camp fire, and the taste of spicy, wild huckleberries over a chocolate eclair.
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Syrah
Our older, mature Syrah vines are now producing Syrahs that continue to improve every year with the 00 setting a mark that will be hard to beat. A mouthful!
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Zinfandel
Our zins are typically pepper-packed and bold, able to stand up to any spicy sauce, or warm the coldest heart. Out 2005 zin has a fragrance of rose petals, a deeply satisfying dark chocolate filling with black currant and a black pepper finish.
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