Négociants Bob and Lauren Bullock have spent years establishing personal relationships with top wineries and vineyards around the state to deliver premium wines at affordable prices at Eye of the Needle winery in Woodinville. Bob believed this wine to be sold out until he recently discovered a case that had gone missing in the cellar for a few years. Easily considered a “library wine” due to additional cellar aging, this smooth full-flavored Rosé shows its age worthiness from first sip to finish. Get your hands on a bottle if you are lucky—or sign up for one of their “Private Eye” wine clubs and be one of the first in line for rare finds like this and other future releases.
Eye of the Needle 2012 Rosé of Merlot, $20
A pretty coral hue reminiscent of a Hawaiian sunset, this wine was made with Merlot sourced from Otis Vineyard, the site of some of the oldest red wine grape plantings in the state.
Nose: Lush aromas of cherry, kumquat, spice and orange blossom.
Taste: Polished and vibrant, offering creamy texture and complex old vine characteristics. Floral and mineral spice notes give fresh energy to the delicate yet full flavors of red cherry, rose petal, pink grapefruit and Satsuma orange peel. Exciting mineral notes linger on the sustained finish.
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Alcohol: 13.5%
Website: www.eyeoftheneedlewinery.com