News
Wine Advocate # 185
Oct 2009 Jay Miller
2007 Sleight Of Hand Red Wine The Spellbinder 90 Points
Drink: 2011 - 2017 $19
Sleight of Hand's value priced 2007 Red Wine The Spellbinder is composed of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 14% Sangiovese aged in seasoned French oak for 11 months. It emits an alluring aromatic array of cedar, cinnamon, damp earth, cassis, and black cherry. Textured and savory on the palate, this sleek effort has enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years. It will provide prime drinking from 2011 to 2017.
2007 Sleight Of Hand Chardonnay The Enchantress 90 Points
Drink: N/A $24 (24)
The 2007 Chardonnay "The Enchantress" was fermented with native yeasts and aged sur lie in seasoned French oak before bottling without fining or filtration. It displays a classy perfume of biscuit, mineral, baked apple, pear, and a hint of tropical aromas. Creamy textured, round, and concentrated, this flavorful effort will provide pleasure for several years.
2008 Sleight Of Hand The Magician 88 Points
Drink: 2009 - 2012 $17
The 2008 "The Magician", a blend of 85% Gewurztraminer and 15% Riesling. Light straw-colored, it reveals an
expressive nose of spring flowers, baking spices, lychee, apricot, and tropical aromas. Crisp, dry, and intensely flavored, this lengthy effort should pair well with Asian cuisines over the next 3 years.
2007 Sleight Of Hand Syrah Levitation 91 Points
Drink: 2009 - 2019 $40
Sleight of Hand's 2007 Syrah "Levitation" spent 11 months in Burgundy barrels, 20% new. A glass-coating, opaque purple
color, it displays an alluring bouquet of wood smoke, underbrush, lavender, hung game, bacon, and blueberry. Round and plush on the palate, it has layers of savory fruit, excellent depth and grip, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. Drink this sexy effort over the next 8-10 years.
By Stephen Tanzer
NOV/DEC 09
2007 Sleight of Hand Cellars Syrah Levitation Columbia Valley 90 points
($40) Good bright ruby-red. Captivating if primary aromas of raspberry,
flinty minerality, white pepper and game. Rich and sweet in the mouth,
with kirsch and saline flavors enlivened by strong acidity and
underlying minerality. I like this wine's high pitch and its juicy,
gripping finish.
The August 2009 edition of Seattle Magazine named Sleight of Hand Cellars one of "The Next Cult Wineries" of Washington State. They also named out 2007 Magician as one of the top white wines under $20! Seattle Metropolitan Magazing also named the 2007 Magician as one of the Top 100 Washington Wines from this year!
Sleight of Hand Cellars was named as one of the top 5 new wineries in Washington State by Northwest Palate Magazine in the Nov/Dec 2008 issue.
The July 2008 edition of Robert Parker's influential wine rag, The Wine Advocate, bestowed some nice press upon Sleight of Hand Cellars, giving our 2006 Levitation Syrah 90 points. Hey, we'll take it...and yes, we know, scores don't matter....especially when the wine is sold out!
We wanted to post a couple of links to folks who have helped us out this past year, and beyond.....
Our original labels for The Spellbinder and The Magician were created by Mike Klay, rock poster artist extraordinaire. www.powerslidedesign.com
Our latest labels for the Levitation Syrah and Magician's Assistant Rose' were done by the amazingly talented Professor Phelyx. www.phelyx.com . Phelyx is also a world class magician, and we were honored to host him at our Spring Release Weekend here in Walla Walla.
Rich Funk, owner and winemaker of Saviah Cellars (www.saviahcellars.com) has been very generous to allow us to use his facility to make wine! Rich makes some awesome wines as well. Go check him out.....
Justin Wylie, owner and winemaker of Va Piano Vineyards (www.vapianovineyards.com), allowed us to use much of his equipment, including his truck and trailer during harvest! His generosity is unmatched in the valley, and for that we are grateful.
Eric Dunham, to whom I will be forever grateful, hired me in July of 2000 knowing that I had absolutely zero knowledge about making wines. He took me under his wing, and taught me to trust my instincts, and to not get in the way of great vineyards! Eric, many thanks to you, my friend! www.dunhamcellars.com
And thanks to Todd E. Doyle for the wonderful picture at the Sun Valley Wine Auction picnic; an event not to be missed.