Saturday, June 02, 2018

Pursued By Bear

When you receive an invitation to attend a special wine tasting with actor Kyle MacLachlan and winery owner, you pay attention. This event also happened to be close to my "Kid Sister's" birthday - so I impressed her with a birthday present to meet one of her favorite actors.

Kyle MacLachlan, known to many as his role as  Special Agent Dale Cooper in Twin PeaksPaul Atreides in the movie DuneJeffrey Beaumont in Blue Velvet Trey MacDougal in Sex and the CityOrson Hodge in Desperate Housewives the Mayor of Portland in Portlandia to name a few... as well as winning a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama


However, in Walla Walla he has another role as owner of Pursued By Bear - a winery featuring small lots of limited production of red wine and a lovely blushing rosé. Kyle grew up in Yakima, Washington, 90-miles from the Walla Walla Valley. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, he is only too familiar with the agriculture surrounding Yakima and Walla Walla. Also, this is more than just a vanity wine by some Hollywood resident, as Kyle actually gets out in the vineyards and is involved as much as possible with his winemaker, Daniel Wampfler. The winery gives him another opportunity to come home and visit family

The name of the winery is only too fitting considering it goes back to the early form of theater making reference to Shakespeare's A Winter’s Tale, in which the character Antigonus is directed to exit, "pursued by a bear."


How do I casually say, "Wine tasting with Kyle?"
Okay, so how are the wines?

Can I just be honest and not do the usual boring and predictable tasting notes? 
Oh my gawd! First off, the wines showed off their unique characters that we should expect in each variety. They were not muddied and there were no guessing games. Each grape's distinctive personality came through.

Baby Bear Syrah - 2014:  When it comes to Syrahs, I want to taste notes of "breakfast," and what do I mean by that? I want notes of dark berries, coffee, and toast - and all of those notes were there, including a bit of licorice and some "funk." How do I explain the notes of "funk?" It's funk in a good way - think lovely Old World French wine.

Pursued By Bear Cabernet Sauvignon - 2014
: I am a fan of a good Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon, and especially those with prominent notes of dark cherries, which this wine showed off. Also, I picked up
 a few hints of lavender and cassis. So how can you go wrong? Therefore, this wine didn't disappoint. The tannins were well balanced with a long finish on the palate. This is a wine that would enhance any special dinner, especially those meals served with beef, bold roasted meats, wild mushrooms, and I am thinking with sweet potatoes - actually any root vegetable.

Blushing Bear R
osé - 2017: Give me a glass of this wine without telling me where it's from and I would thank you for giving me a lovely glass of rosé from Provence. Crafted with the traditional French blend of Grenache, Mouvedre, and Cinsault. The pale pink wine was an elegant nose of rose petals, and to the palate it was crisp, with fruity notes of stone fruit, a bit of citrus, and ending with hints of rosemary. Just a luscious wine that you want to drink all summer long - besides saving a few bottles for the Thanksgiving table.

Yes, needless to say I was impressed with the wine, but also the host of the day - Kyle MacLachlan - and that he was - every bit of a welcoming host. As I stood in line waiting for an opportunity to speak with him, I couldn't help notice how personable he was, and how much time he spent with each one of his guests: to visiting with them and even helping setting their camera's to the right distance and light. It was also very Happy Birthday for my sister as she finally got to meet, "Special Agent Dale Cooper." 



Photo Credit: Seattle Times 


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