Judith Henderson’s Wine & Country Living

I first became aware of Jean-Francois Pellet, winemaker for both Pepper Bridge and Amavi Cellars in Walla Walla, when I was with John Ash and Francois was winemaker for Heitz Cellars, Napa Valley.

Today, those fortunate enough to be in close proximity to Pellet will tell you when he is not tending to the vineyards and barrel rooms of Pepper Bridge and Amavi, he's a most helpful wine professional answering questions about viticulture, and sustainable agriculture.

Besides making wines for two wineries and managing vineyards, Pellet is also a founding member of VINEA, Walla Walla's sustainable agriculture organization: www.vineatrust.org.

My recent experience at Amavi's tasting room was exquisite. Pellet's, Amavi '09 Syrah showed exceptionally well in broad swatches of allegoric garnet, soft tannins, nose buried deep in the glass with a smear of crushed triple berry. First sip delivered muddled forest violets wrapping the tongue in dreamy ribbons of crème de cassis, ending in a long and winding road.

You can find the 2009 Amavi Syrah in your supermarket today for $29 dollars a bottle. However, I urge you to look for sales; I recently picked-up a bottle of this Syrah for $12.

Because you are a signature winemaker and so thoroughly entrenched in things that are good for us all, Jean-Francoise Pellet, yours truly, Judith Henderson of Wine and County Living, gives you 98 points of wine perfection for the Amavi '09 Syrah, a distinguished regional estate bottle. Congratulation Team Amavi!

Readers, until next week, "Eat Art Drink Imagination!"

Maple-Pecan Butter

2 sticks softened butter

½ cup pure maple syrup

1/3 cup pecans chopped fine

Method:

In a food processor, blend all well, turn mixture-out on a sheet of plastic wrap, roll with hands into two tight logs and refrigerate 6 hours. Slice thin and serve with a dinner of ham and Gruyere cheese omelets, cinnamon raisin toast, paired with a glass of Amavi '09 Syrahhellip; yum!

Hear Judith's food and wine commentary at www.chefjudithhenderson.com