HOGUE

Clear varietal character with pure fruit aromas and flavors is the viticultural and winemaking focus of these wines. This fruit-forward character is the defining quality of wines from the Columbia Valley in Washington State.

Hogue Cabernet Sauvignon

Eastern Washingtons warm days and cool nights are perfect conditions for producing rich, complex Cabernet Sauvignon with excellent structure. The 2004 Hogue Cabernet Sauvignon is a full, fruity wine with intense aromas of black cherry, anise and vanilla, flavors of dark fruit, caramel and cocoa, and firm structure. This Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent companion to steak and pastas with a robust red sauce or, for a special treat, try it with dark chocolate.

Hogue Cabernet/Merlot

While Hogue produces varietal Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines we have also been blending the two to make a distinct Cabernet-Merlot for several years. This allows us to make a wine that highlights the impact of Washington State terroir and balances the distinct varietal characteristics of both Cabernet and Merlot. The 2003 Cabernet-Merlot has aromas of caramel and cinnamon with ripe, plummy fruit. On the mouth it comes across as well structured and supple showing balanced oak and fruit reminiscent of fresh cherries and strawberries mingled with sun-dried tomato, cinnamon, and subtle spice.

Hogue Chardonnay

During the grape growing season, Eastern Washington boasts warm summer days followed by cool nights, ensuring that grapes ripen fully while retaining ample natural acidity. Our 2003 Chardonnay shows that classic balance. Aromas are of pear, citrus vanilla, cream, and hazelnut. The wine has complex Chardonnay character. Bright pear and cream flavors abound on the palate with a roundness acquired from the barrel fermented portion (31%). The finish is crisp. This would be a great accompaniment to broiled wild King salmon or fettuccini with a white clam sauce.

Hogue Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc produces the classic crisp, dry wines of the Loire in France. It is also widely planted in California and South Africa. But in Washington, our combination of warm days, cool nights and a long growing season allows us to make a consistently ripe Chenin Blanc full of lively fruit character and good balance. The 2005 Chenin Blanc is medium-bodied with bright aromas and flavors of lemon, melon, mineral, and clover honey. The acidity and sugar are balanced, the finish dry. This Chenin Blanc would be great paired with Thai curry, pasta salad, or try it as an aperitif.

Hogue Fume Blanc

Making a consistently great Fum Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc) requires paying keen attention to ripeness. Picking at optimal ripeness makes a wine that tastes like a recently ripened peach or guava fruit with refreshing acidity. The 2005 Fum Blanc has aromas of grapefruit and guava, along with sage, peppermint and a hint of smokiness. On the palate are varietal flavors of grapefruit, with a bit of sage, coconut and dried fig. The wine is crisp, smoky and round with moderate weight and richness contributed by the Semillon (25%) added to the blend. The winemakers suggest paring the Fum Blanc with chicken salad or raw oysters.

Hogue Gewürztraminer

During the grape growing season, Eastern Washington boasts warm summer days followed by cool nights, ensuring that grapes ripen fully while retaining ample natural acidity. We let our Gewrztraminer attain a high level of ripeness before picking. The resultant wine has aromas of lychee and rose petal. The rich palate is medium-bodied, with lychee, true varietal flavors and a spiciness characteristic of Gewurztraminer.The winemakers suggest pairing the wine with Thai curries or dishes with a sweet peanut sauce.

Hogue Late Harvest White Riesling

Eastern Washingtons low annual rainfall and cool nights during the growing season make it the perfect area for producing consistently great late harvest wines. Hogue has developed a style with Late Harvest White Riesling that includes a moderate level of sweetness, richness, viscosity and crisp balancing acidity with just a hint of complexity from the noble rot, Botrytis cinerea. The 2005 bottling was produced from our best Riesling vineyards, which have the ability to ripen to the required 24+ Brix level. At that level of ripeness the wine develops its trademark tangerine/apricot flavors and being grown in the cooler climate of Washington State it retains its acidity and crispness. The 2005 Late Harvest White Riesling has aromas and flavors of dried apricot, tangerine, and powdered sugar with a hint of cocoa and mint on the finish. The wine has excellent sugar to acid balance. Excellent as an aperitif or paired with fruit sorbets, poached pears or warm apple crisp.

Hogue Merlot

Washington State has been touted as perhaps the best Merlot producing region in the United States. Hogue Merlot lives up to this reputation and delivers a warm and fruity wine with aromas of crushed raspberry, cherry, and lavender. This robust wine has a core of cranberry and cherry flavors with hints of vanilla and spice. With its long, fruit-forward finish and supple structure, the Merlot would go quite well with succulent barbecued pork or beef.

Hogue Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio continues to gain popularity throughout the U.S. Known as Pinot Gris in France, the grapes are named for their characteristic grayish color, but they actually take on a pink and even purple hue as they ripen. Pinot Grigio is a refreshing white with plenty of fruit character. The 2005 vintage has up front aromas of pear and white peach, with hints of almonds, vanilla and cherries. Flavors are similar: rich and soft, with pear and peach. Serve this wine with light pasta dishes, shrimp, chicken fettuccini Alfredo, or anything you would pair with Chardonnay.

Hogue Syrah

This is the third vintage of Hogue Syrah. Syrah's popularity continues to grow nationwide because of its flavor concentration and soft, forward fruit. In Washington we have identified areas within the Columbia Valley where the varietal does extremely well. The grapes are picked when the flavors are concentrated and very ripe. Weve blended in Merlot to add structure and richness with a touch of Sangiovese for spice. This is a very complex Syrah. It presents raspberry, caramel, and smoked meat aromas with a hint of menthol and oregano. In the mouth it comes across as supple and rich without being aggressive. It tastes of ripe cherry, pipe tobacco, game meats, and sage and would go well with spicy pan-Asian poultry and rice or noodle dishes.

Hogue Riesling

During the grape growing season, Eastern Washington boasts warm summer days followed by cool nights, ensuring that grapes ripen fully while retaining ample natural acidity. That even ripening gives Washington State Rieslings a trademark apricot and tangerine flavor that sets them apart. The 2005 Riesling opens with a mlange of aromas: orange blossom, jasmine, dried apricot, and tangerine. The palate is creamy, with apricot flavors. A naturally crisp acidity balances the slight sweetness, providing a refreshing finish. The winemakers recommend pairing the Riesling with a chefs salad, fresh spring rolls or sushi.