Balsamroot Winery 2007 Edelzwicker

*Bottle #32: Balsamroot Winery 2007 Columbia Valley Edelzwicker

*Price: $18

*Running Tab: $434 (yowza!)

See that picture in the bottom right? That was at the adorable little house that is Balsamroot Winery, home of Ivan the Red, Endless Summer Rose, plentifully abundant antipasti boards and a pourer who claimed to not wear his wedding ring because he was above the restraints of symbolism. 

Later that night, after excessive wine-ing and a few dozen tequila shots down, we ran into said winerd who was acting much more like he just didn't believe in marriage, let alone the symbolism of the marital band not on his finger. Men. 

Fortunately for the unnamed cellar worker, the bad grape didn't ruin the bunch. Judy and Don Phelps, owners of Balsamroot Winery pride themselves on their wine and obviously the remaining good grapes of their employee cluster. "Nature, sunshine, good times, family and friends" are given unto each of their bottles, they claim, from some of the best land in Columbia Valley - the up and coming, almost an AVA, Lake Chelan Valley. 

Robust and flavonoid-packed reds, acidic and fruity whites, Balsamroot Winery whistles a similar tune to anybody making decent wines, but where they sing a little bit louder is with the Edelzwicker. Sounds like a big-boned, angry German broad, but it's merely half Riesling and half Gewurztraminer, traditionally blended from white varietals from Alsace in Northern France by bordering Germans. 

In an attempt to hold onto the warm weather that is dwindling up here in the Seattle area (yes, the sun does shine here from time to time), I drank this off-dry delicacy with the impression that the 1.6% residual sugar wouldn't give me a cavity.

And far from it - it was a refreshing balance of sweetness but astringency, fruity but light. 

The nose carried an air of honey - like your neighbor is baking something with it so you can just smell it from the window but you know you're not going to get to taste it. Makes your mouth water and is backed by apricot, nectarine and other warm-colored fruits, some minerality, lavender and spice. I was a little put off by something strange that took me swirling til my wrist hurt for me to figure out what it was - vasoline. Probably not the most appetizing smell but I went with it.

Glad I did - this was yummy! Judy's tasting notes were spot on: "Sweet but tart," big and juicy, acidic and crisp. I'm noticing Washington grown Rieslings, if plucked off the wine at a decent time, can be quite drinkable at any time. This should be served ice cold, however, because as the chill began to melt, so did the flavors. The Edelzwicker had a pronounced mid-palate but seemed to damper off in the finish. 

"Ed" was tasty but temperamental, big but delicate. You know how those German women are. 

Score: 6.5.