Wine drinkers are creatures of habit. 

We find a wine we like.  We memorize the label. 

We look for that label when we shop. 

When we see it, we grab the bottle and go.

It’s Wine Thursday!, our weekly

good-wine-at-a-good-price-

that-you-can-find recommendation,

just in time for the weekend. 

This week’s featured wine is a

long-time fan favorite that’s coming at 

us in a new package. 

Devotees of Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red,

heads up. 

You were probably accustomed to the old label

that featured the outline of an evergreen tree. 

Now the new label is highlighted by a cluster of pine cones

(at least I think those are pine cones) stretched

across the center. 

In any event, the wine remains unchanged. 

This is still one of the most ambitious,

and successful, red blends on the shelf. 

Tamarack includes no less than

nine different grapes in their Firehouse Red.

Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc,

Mourvedre, Grenache, Counoise, Sangiovese and Petit Verdot

come together to create a real crowd pleaser. 

The 2017 vintage tastes of tart cherries, plums and spices.   

It’s well balanced, medium bodied and moderately tannic.

I’m not sure why they chose to change the label. 

But I’m glad they maintained consistency of product. 

Year in and year out, this is a dependable representation

of a Washington red blend. 

Tamarack Cellars 2017 Firehouse Red is easy to find. 

Total Wine has it for $12.97.  It’s at Costco for $13.79. 

Fred Meyer and QFC  carry it for $16.99. 

The price at Safeway is $17.99. 

On line, you can order it from Empire Wine for $14.95

https://www.empirewine.com

or from Tamarack Cellars for $20 

https://www.tamarackcellars.com