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Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red Columbia Valley 2016

I found Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red 2016 at Costco for $11.99.  This is a fantastic buy since the winery sells it for $20 and online vendors sell it for around $17.  I have been finding great values recently in Columbia Valley reds and I hoped this would be another.

Firehouse Red is a blend of 31% Merlot, 27% Syrah,  16% Cabernet Sauvignon,  11% Cabernet Franc and the remainder is lesser amounts of 5 other grapes.  The winery website says that the grapes are pressed directly into the oak barrels for primary and secondary fermentation.  After 1 year, the individual lots are blended.

On the nose, I noted dried cherry and vanilla.  I really like Columbia Valley Syrah and that flavor jumps out to me in this wine with blueberry, dark chocolate and spice tones.  I really like this wine and it is a steal at $11.99.  I hope there will be some left when I return to the store.

Note:  The tasting room for this winery has closed but will reopen in the spring at a new location in downtown Walla Walla.

SC Wine Joe rating = 90 points










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