Bookcliff Vineyards
by
Kathy Sullivan
Summary: Bookcliff Vineyards tasting room, located in a high foot-traffic area of downtown Boulder, has a great location. Be sure to stop by and taste their red, white and dessert wines. All wines are produced from grapes grown at the Bookcliff Vineyards in Palisade, Colorado.
The Bookcliff Vineyards tasting room is located in downtown Boulder, Colorado adjacent to the Pearl Street mall. This makes it easily accessible to foot traffic.
We met Ulla Merz,owner,at the tasting counter where she was attaching wine bottles to a pressurized system that protects open bottles of wine. Ulla commented that the system is the “best thing on earth.”
The tasting room shares a location with a chocolatier and at the tasting counter you will discover suggested wine and chocolate pairings. This is an ideal location for both Belvedere Belgian Chocolate Shop and Bookcliff Vineyards.
Several stools were available at the tasting bar. As we enjoyed tasting wines, a couple from Nebraska stopped by to taste wines. Several other people ambled in to taste wines. There were tables and chairs available near the tasting room counter so plenty of room is available for people to taste wines, enjoy a wine and chocolate pairing or drink a glass of wine. There is also a sitting area including a sofa. Behind the tasting counter, several paintings were displayed on the wall. They were made by the local artist, Molly Davis. The pictures were available for sale. One day Molly went to the vineyards and painted the Black Muscat grape, she called the painting John's Grapes.
The Bookcliff vineyard has 33 acres of vines in Palisade, Colorado. The vineyards are located beneath the Bookcliff escarpment. Grapes grown include Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, as well as orange and black Muscat. The winery produced about 1800 cases in 2007 and may see an increase to about 2700 cases in 2008.
By chance, we happened to observe an unusual bottle of wine. The bottle was painted by Keith Campbell an artist in residence at Red Rocks, an outdoor theater, where rock artists perform. Keith painted 100 bottles for Bookcliff Vineyards.
We tasted several Bookcliff Vineyard wines produced by Ulla's husband John Garlich, owner and winemaker.
White Wines
Visanne 2007 was a blend of 70 percent Viognier, 29 percent Roussane and 1 percent orange Muscat. The result was a floral aroma and taste with peach and green apple nuances. There was a long crisp apple aftertaste.
Red Wines
Ensemble 2004 was a blend of 57 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 38 percent Merlot, 3 percent Syrah and 2 percent Cabernet Franc. The wine’s aroma and taste was of black cherries and berries. The finish was crisp and fruity. Alcohol was 13.9 percent.
Friday’s Folly, a table wine, was a blend. The predominant grape in this blend was Cabernet Sauvignon. The taste was smooth and dry with tannins on the finish. This would be an easy wine to pair with food.
Merlot 2004 offered a red cherry and spices nose and taste. The finish was crisp with tannins and fruit on the finish. The alcohol was 13.9 percent.
Syrah 2007 offered pepper and dark fruit nuances. It was crisp with tannins and a long fruit aftertaste.
Cabernet Franc Reserve 2006 had pepper and dark red fruit nuances. It was very fruity. The finish was fruity and crisp with tannins.
Allegretto produced from American orange Muscat had an aroma with orange nuances. The taste was smooth with orange and a slight sweetness. Allegretto dried on the aftertaste.
Port-Style
Finali was a light red port produced from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and some Syrah and has 10% residual sugar. It had 18 percent alcohol. This is a great port for those who don’t care for the heavy bodied ports sometimes available.
Be sure to check out the events available in the tasting room. Live music is available for free every Friday night. The First Annual Harvest Dinner will be Saturday, October 25, 2008. Periodically, wine seminars are offered especially in the spring.
Bookcliff Vineyard's tasting room is a delightful tasting room to stop at for wine. Ask about the wine/chocolate flight or consider purchasing a glass of wine and pairing it with some Belgian chocolate available at the nearby chocolate counter.
Bookcliff Vineyards
15th Street just South of Pearl Street.
Boulder, Colorado 80302
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