Hailing from New Orleans and having been exposed as a child to the unique indigenous foods of the Big Easy, Doug McCrea spent many a morning whiling away time in the cavernous kitchen of Commanders Palace in the Garden District while his grandfather visited with the owners as they consumed beignets and black chicory coffee.
At an early age, he gleaned a fount of knowledge of the marriage of wine and food, which is a key ingredient that drives the styling and finished blends of Salida wines. “I believe in symbiotic companionship, producing a range of choices that offers the wine consumer several options for food pairings, both from single varietal wines and blends,” says McCrea.
McCrea was one of the state’s pioneer winemakers of Syrah and Rhône varieties in the early ‘90s (McCrea Cellars) and under his latest effort, Salida, is now championing Spanish varietals grown in Washington.
“It [Salida] seemed consistent with my desire and passion to pursue grape varietals that are not common, but represent a very significant statement globally,” says McCrea. “It’s not that I seek the role of pioneer, but that our state is still in its rather formative years and I love the opportunity to explore the unknown rather than to follow a common path.”
McCrea has teamed with veteran Gino Cuneo (g. Cuneo Cellars) in what the two mavericks are billing as “The Latin Corner,” bringing Cuneo’s Italian varietal wines and McCrea’s Spanish style wines under a single roof. “Visitors can expect nothing less than exceptional quality wines that will bring them to new places they’ve rarely experienced, and to enjoy a singularly unique venue unlike any other downtown location,” says McCrea. The tasting room is located across the street from The Marcus Whitman Hotel.
Salida 2012 Yakima Valley Mataro, $23
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Mataro is an alternative Spanish name for Monastrell (also known as Mourvedre in France).
Nose: Lovely aromatics of strawberry and rhubarb compote, dark red currant, white pepper spice and licorice.
Taste: Suave and supple, with smooth tannins and concentrated flavors of beautiful high-toned red fruit, leather, anise, thyme, black pepper and crushed pebbles. A complex and layered red wine.
Salida 2013 Yakima Valley Garnacha Blanca, $20
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Also called Grenache Blanc in France, the origins of this variety emerged from Spain.
Nose: Abundant aromas of white flower, lychee, tropical citrus, macadamia nut and stone minerality.
Taste: This full-bodied white wine shows focus and intensity, fronted with a creamy plush texture that leads to vibrant flavors of tangerine citrus, lemon oil, quince, fennel bulb and Spanish almond. The flavors weave in and out on the minerally-edged finish.
Salid 2012 Graciano
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Rarely bottled as a solo varietal, this vintage marks the debut of Salida’s Graciano.
Nose: Black and dark red fruit, spice and black olive.
Taste: Balanced and tangy, displaying medium tannins and expressive acidity over layers of black berries, dark red cherry, licorice, sassafras and pepper spice. Finishes long, a trust worthy companion for tapas and other Mediterranean dishes.
Salida 2012 Yakima Valley Tres Viño
Editor’s Choice – Excellent
A blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Monastrell.
Nose: Red cherry, currant, white pepper, truffle and graphite.
Taste: Seamless fruit flavors of macerated cherry and raspberry coulis that evolve to earthy flavors of warm spice, tobacco leaf and coffee notes. Smooth, round tannins persist on the finish.
Website: www.salidawine.com