Corliss, a rising star at Washington State華盛頓的明星酒莊－酒食趣 WinEnthusiastic Taiwan

Those hours on the day before I met Corliss were not easy at all. First, because I had too many rollercoaster-like bottoms up with the lady from Mainland China the night before, my sensations went dull and I completely felt unlike to take any sip or smell the wine, regardless how good or bad the wine would be. Then, it was cold, rainning and I did not bring enough cloth to fight for the stong wind. After morning seminar, we went onto vineyard trip and lunch and more wine tastings at Tranche Cellar.... honestly and believe me, it was very tiring.

Look at the dark grey clouds !

That was absolutely not Washing Wine region I expected, however, reality is unpredictable

so it happened.

The temperature was under 50 degree Fahrenheit.
Finally, the rain stopped and everyone went on a small group to the host wineries.

Mine is Corliss!

I really appreciate to have the opportunity to be assigned to visit Corliss.
It is one of the rare and once in a lifetime valuable experience. Unexpected and so touching.

The story began 10 years ago.... when Michael Corliss and Lauri Darneille, a very loving couple who traveled frequently aorund the world and tasted lots great wines decided to create their own wines...

Before entering wine industry, Michael has been working in construction for year.

Once I walked in Corliss Estate, my eyes were immediately being attacked by the settings.
I spontaneously fell in love with the space. I enjoyed looking at their in-house decorations. Very warming, relaxing, lots natural lights shining the red brown bricks of the wall and the woods also the floors. It felt like the good old times and the time stopped.

There are so many coners for you to "think".

While I was searching on net, I found most information indicating that "Corliss Estate is not open to public". ohoh....such a pity! But if you really want to see Corliss in real, just write and ask them.

Back on the Corliss Wine Tour ......

Question: What is this ?
Its not something you see a dentist.
It is the spit off basin at the Corliss special made room for tastings.

The room is temeperature controlled, colored in white from the tasting table to the cabin tops.
Everyone grabbed a wine glass and the winery tour continued.....

Andrew, the winemaker at Corliss helped to explain the winery works.
What do you think about those in the silver racks?

Well, yes, more than usual, they are layers of wine bottles. However, there is a little story behind and beyond your imagination. A lor.... voila. At the bottom of each Corliss wine bottle has a red wax sealed vintage number. Corliss bottle their wines not labelling until the time they think the wines are ready. The red wax seal is the only identification before labelling. Brilliant, ah!

Before hearing it from Michael, I could obviously notice from their wine making facilities, Corliss is a young winery. Its wine making equipments look very clean and polished. There are stainless tanks for fermentaion as well as small oak barrels for wine aging. Their production undoubtly is limited.

The ostrich egg shape monster is a concrete tank for fermentation. Corliss found this in France?!
The narrower top and the beerbelly of the tank make the fermentation process going smooth by nature. How you may wonder.... Easy! Think about the fermentation byproduct, Carbondioxide. It creates a flow inside the tank, so no need to do the pump over or capping down, less interferers in wine making. Whoever creates this is genius!

Yeah.... my virgin Barrel Tasting~

At Corliss, they only use French oaks. Although oak is 5 times more expensive than oak, according to Corliss, they still ferment 80% of their wines in barrels. Above all, to get the right mouth feel is the principle reason.

my honored gift : 2003 Corliss Red

Corliss only would sell 80% of their wines and locked the remains in their wine library (underground cellar). 2003 is their first vintage and they released 2005 in 2010.

# 1 Corliss Syrah RSP USD$ 55
A wine from a very rocky steepy vineyard... with a touch of viognier
tasting note: Deep dark red, meaty dusty spicy, dark fruits, plums. full body a complex wine with depth. good tannin and mellow acidity mouthfeel still young.

# 2 Corliss Red RSP USD$ 65
It is a Bordeaux blending style of wine. Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot Malbec....
tasting note: dark puple red, liquorice like spice, dark fruits. Medium plus body, felt more acidity than #1, silky texture tannin still mellow end. In my note I wrote "柔但有架構, 溫文儒雅但很果決的男人!"

#3 Corliss Cabernet Sauvignon RSP USD$ 75
It is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominated wine however 6-15% some other Bordeaux grapes being added.
tasting note: dark purple red, black berries, pepper like spice, black currant, cedar. full body with silky tannin, very balanced, harmony, so complex and condensed, very elegant. This is my favorite Corliss.