Domaine Pouillon

With labels like Black Dot, Deux, Pierre, Blanc du Moulin and Katydid what’s not to love. Simple, to the point, descriptive…an editor’s dream really. And such is the case with a visit to Domaine Pouillon outside Lyle, Wash. What you see is what you get. It’s authentic…not pretentious. At Domaine Poullion, owners/winemakers Alexis and Juliet Pouillon celebrate their heritage in the form of juice in a bottle.

Exhibit A is Pierre, a blend of syrah and cabernet sauvignon. The moniker Pierre pays homage to Alexis’ father, Papa Pierre. Sadly, I saw two words that are the bane of wine tourists, “Sold Out.” Still not all was lost. I was able to tip my glass toward a picture of Pierre on the wall as I swirled and sipped my sample of Black Dot. As I experienced a lingering finish, I relished one of my favorite flavors – licorice. It struck a harmonic chord. (Isn’t it great that wine lacks flavors of lima beans, sweaty socks and seawater.) As they say on their website, “Sorry: offers of first borns, mineral rights, and ocean front property no longer accepted in trade for Black Dot.” I get it. Instead, I opted to exchange my Visa digits for two bottles of Black Dot beauty.

Rarely does the WineTrail Guy gush about a particular winery. This time however I’m unabashedly giddy about Domaine Pouillon. The tasting room and friendly staff are decidedly Columbia Gorge yet everything about the property and wine speak with a French accent. On this point, I reference Katydid as Exhibit B – a blend of Southern Rhône varieties that had me thinking Chateauneuf de Pape. Ooh la la mon ami.

Unedited.