Recent Releases for Summer 2009:

Best Buys By Wine Press Northwest

Cayalla 2005 Red Wine, Columbia Valley, 25,500 cases, 13% alc., $12

"Excellent. Firesteed is showing consistency with this brand, matching our rating from its debut vintage of 2004. It's a blend of Syrah (45%), Merlot (35%) and Cab Sauv that's fruit-forward in every direction with aromas of light cherries, strawberries, root beer and Graham cracker. Its flavors are reminiscent of a cherry cola with a juicy structure and ample tannins. The more you get into this, the better it gets. "

These days, wines pack more punch

Paul Gregutt, For The Spokesman-Review
September 27, 2006

"Howard Rossbach is making it his personal goal to fight the trend. The Seattle-based owner of the popular Firesteed brand of value-priced pinot noir and pinot gris has launched a new wine, Cayalla. It's a red blend from Columbia Valley grapes. "We worked hard to keep it under 14 percent alcohol," says Rossbach. "If wine is something that goes with food, then 12.5 to 13 percent alcohol is great. If you go up to 14.5 or 15 percent, that's a 20 to 25 percent increase in alcohol. That's a bit of a wallop! We don't like foods that are unbalanced. Why would we want wines that are unbalanced?"

MadWine
www.madwine.com

"A blend of Cab Sauvignon and Franc, Merlot and Syrah from the makers of Firesteed wines.   This clean, accessible Columbia Valley red wine includes mixed red and blue fruits, soft tannins and a medium to light palate weight. It's smooth and fruit-driven, with consistent follow-through flavors that are well integrated. The finish carries the slightest suggestion of oak."

88/100 Wine Enthusiast Best Buy

2005 Vintage

Gold � West Coast Wine Competition 2007
Silver , 88 Points �Highly Recommended� �Best Buy�� 2008 World Wine Championships

87 Points and "Highly Recommended" � 2009 World Value Wine Challendge

Bronze � 2009 San Francisco International Wine Competition

Bronze � 2009 Indy Internatioal Wine Competition

Silver � 2009 Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition

Bronze � 2009 Oregon Wine Competition

Bronze � 2009 Tasters Guild

Bronze � 2008 Dallas Morning News Wine Competition

 

2004 Vintage

Gold � 2006 American Wine Society
Silver , 87 Points �Highly Recommended� �Best Buy�� 2008 World Wine Championships
Silver � West Coast Wine Competition 2007
Silver � 2007 Grand Harvest Awards
Silver � 2007 Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
Silver � 2006 Seattle Wine Society Silver � Indy International Wine Competition 2006
Silver � 2006 World Value Wine Challenge
Silver � 2006 Tasters Guild
Silver � 2006 West Coast Wine Competition
86 Points �Highly Recommended� � 2006 Beverage Tasting Institute