Adams Bench is the work of Tim and Erica Blue. The winery is named after the school bench where students were sent as punishment when Tim was a boy in Indiana (The bench now resides at the Blue home).

Starting out as a winemaker, Tim, a trial lawyer in Seattle, peppered Andrew Will’s Chris Carmada with questions via e-mail. The relationship grew over time and Carmada remains a consultant to the winery.

Adams Bench is making very good wines that are striving for greatness (the reserve Cabernet reminded me a bit of a baby Quilceda). The winery is committed to maintaining itself as a small production operation. The number 1000 – for one thousand cases – is featured prominently on the winery’s logo.

Adams Bench is located in Woodinville and is open by appointment.

Wines:

Score

Name

Notes

$

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Adams Bench Red Wine “Reckoning” 2006

Blueberry and spice mix with blackberry and tobacco. A thick textured wine with generous amounts of oak and vanilla flavors. 86% Cabernet. Sampled at 70 degrees. 252 cases produced.

$34

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Adams Bench Reserve Cabernet “V” 2006

A rich, opulent, textured wine with coffee grounds, syrup, anise, and a perfumed aspect to the nose. Very well put together. Give 1-2 years or decant prior to serving. 75% Cabernet; 23% Merlot; 2% Cab Franc. Sampled at 70 degrees.

$42