For some time now, we’ve been pondering a visit to Adams Bench in Woodinville, but it just hasn’t worked out, either due to timing for appointments, us being in town on Sundays, etc. With all the great options in Woodinville, it’s easy to rest on your laurels and not try new things, especially when the options to secure a tasting are a bit more limited than the myriad tasting rooms all over town. This weekend, however, Brittany Tracy and I finally made it to the winery, and were more than impressed.

We’d been discussing visiting a few wineries in Woodinville before some evening events, and we’d put Adams Bench as one of the spots we were determined to get into. Even with the 520 bridge being closed for the weekend, it seemed like a solid Saturday idea, so off we went. While en route, we called over to see if we could make an appointment, and were pleasantly surprised to hear that they were open to the public in support of the release of the 2009 edition of the winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon, “The V,” ($49). So off we went, in search of a new winery to experience.

Just up from Woodinville’s Tourist District, Adams Bench is set on a slight incline, and you’re greeted by some great open space, a few horses on the property next door, and a grand, new(ish) tasting room. And if that greeting wasn’t enough, winemaker Tim Blue politely stepped away from some other guests he’d been speaking with to greet us at the door and invite us in to try the wines he and his wife Erica have built.

I’d had one glass of Adams Bench, a few years ago if my recollection serves, and Brittany had yet to try it. It was refreshing to give something “new” a whirl as we’re lucky to regularly get to try some of the best wine (in our humble opinions) that this country has to offer, and Adams Bench didn’t disappoint. We started off with “The Reckoning,” (in photo: left) a Bordeaux blend whose nose equaled its mouthfeel and taste, and possibly our favorite of the three we tried. That was followed by the new addition to the family, “The V,” (in photo: center) which has all the makings of something to open a few months (if not longer) down the road. A Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc blend, to which I’d remarked on Twitter that I got a “dryness,” if not a cooling vibe, in the middle, which definitely left me curious to try it again sometime soon. A solid blend of three great varietals, you can see that it should provide a bit of what each is known for, and is a welcome step away from the “CMS” blends we get accustomed to in these parts.

During our time in the tasting room, we’d had a few minutes to speak with Tim and the staff about the wines, which was super educational for these first timers. We’d also caught a glimpse of “The Myth,” (in photo: right), which I’m leaning towards as my favorite for the day, sitting on a side table. While it wasn’t one of the primary options being poured, Tim gladly obliged our request to try it, and I couldn’t be happier that he did, as we got a peek at a hefty dose of Cab Franc, which, like Petit Verdot, is regularly turned into beautiful wine on its own (Northstar PV, anyone?) when let out of its “blending grape” shell. At 50% Cab Franc and 50% Merlot, “Myth” reads like a risk in a bottle – a risk that I’m glad that the Blues took. And peeking at Google just now, it looks like the WAWineman agrees. I’d totally concur with that wine blogger on the great dark color, and a fun mix of spice and fruit on the mouth. Most certainly the only 50/50 Merlot / Cab Franc in the “cellar” at home, but hopefully not the last.

Needless to say, we took one of each bottle home, and will certainly be back for more.