Thursday, November 29, 2007

Wines Tasted on November 29th

No record of any wines tasted in 2004

Wines tasted in 2005

2003
Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Sonoma
USA, California, Sonoma County
Not quite as impressive as past vintages. Fruit was hidden by excessive tannins. A bit one dimensional. Would not purchase this vintage again.

Wines tasted in 2006

2001
Covey Run Merlot Barrel Select
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Kept thinking that this was just an off vintage as most of the bottles I have had so far were a little too green. Opened one up last night to try and start getting rid of my stash and was a bit better than the last couple of bottles I have had. Got called away to do something else and left the open bottle on the table. Came back four hours later and the wine had opened up and was tasting very good. The green element was gone and there was plenty of dark fruit aromas and flavors. The mouthfeel was still a little thin, but what do you expect from a $5 wine? Next time I open one I will definitely let it sit out for a couple of hours before I start drinking. Would purchase again.

No wines tasted in 2007

Wines Tasted on November 28th

Wines tasted in 2004

2001
Ledson Merlot Reserve
USA, California, Sonoma County
No tasting note, but I do remember it was tasty.

No record of any wines tasted in 2005

Wines tasted in 2006

2004
Vina Estampa Assemblage
Chile, Central Valley, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley
Hoping that this is just an off bottle. Can't imagine that the wine would have gone down hill this badly in the span of 5 months. Fruit smelled stewed and there was a heavy aroma and flavor of vinegar. Poured half of it down the drain.

No wines tasted in 2007

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Wines Tasted on November 27th

No record of any wines tasted in 2004

Wines tasted in 2005

2002
Rulo Syrah Columbia Valley
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Smokey! Would purchase cases if I could. Rulo does such consistently good wines.

2000
Terra Blanca Merlot
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Wonderful wine, especially for the price. Tannins are still a bit in the forefront, could use a bit more time in the cellar. Would purchase again.

2003
Gallagher U Brew
Italy, Sicily
Good, Needs some air before it comes to life.

No record of any wines tasted in 2006

Wines tasted in 2007

2005
Tsillan Cellars Chardonnay
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
More of a california profile than Washington. Good dose of vanilla and oak. Aromas of nectarines, peaches and white pepper. Good balanced acidity and a thick mouthfeel. Finish lasted a good 30 seconds. Would purchase again.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Wines Tasted on November 26th

Wines tasted in 2004

1996
Opus One
USA, California, Napa Valley
Young and fresh. Popped out at you.

1995
Northstar Merlot Walla Walla Valley
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Past it's prime.

1981
Château Cheval Blanc
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Incredibly balanced. Smooth and supple.

No record of any wines tasted in 2005

Wines tasted in 2006

2003
Stevens 424
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
Wonderful stuff. Tim puts out good wine one after another. Decanted for one hour before pouring. Fruit forward with a good dose of smooth tannic bite on the back end. Enjoyable now, but should improve with a year or two in the bottle. Would purchase again.

2002
L'Ecole No. 41 Syrah Seven Hills Vineyard
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Good bottle of Syrah. I usually prefer them with at least 5 years on them, but this is hitting on all cylinders right now. Dark and brooding, lots of meaty aromas with plenty of fruit. Double decanted, then let sit for an hour before pouring. Would purchase again.

No wines tasted in 2007

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Wines Tasted on November 25th

No record of any wines tasted on this date.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Wines Tasted on November 24th

No record of any wines tasted in 2004

No record of any wines tasted in 2005

Wines tasted in 2006

2002
Stevens Cabernet Sauvignon Big Easy
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Yummy. Tim does some wonderful wines. Great nose right after the bottle was opened, lots of black fruits. Fruit forward palate, decent mouthfeel and medium finish. Decent amount of acidity that paired wonderfully with a rare slice of prime rib. Not sure if this will get much better, so will probably drink the rest of mine in the near term.

Wines tasted in 2007

2004
Stevens 424
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
BOOM!...Goes the fruit bomb. Was just crazy over the top fruitiness tonight. Aroma just jumped from the bottle and filled the kitchen as soon as I popped the cork. Copious amounts of raspberries, plums, cherries and blackberries on the palate. Good dose of acidity to round it out a bit. Tannins were "grippy" but not overpowering. Can't wait to see how this developes over a few years. Would purchase again.

Wines Tasted on November 23rd

Wines tasted in 2004

2002
Woodward Canyon Red Table Wine
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Would buy again only if I was planning on drinking the whole bottle quickly. This was two wines in three hours. Right after the bottle was opened, the nose had charcoal and black pepper with a faint hint of the 93 WC cabernet I had recently. The taste was somewhat flat, lacking any distinctive character. Came back to the wine three hours later and the nose had completly closed up. The palate had become bitter and sour, like sucking on a lemon.

No record of any wines tasted in 2005

Wines tasted in 2006

2004
Seven Hills Riesling
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Had with Thanksgiving dinner. A little too sweet for my liking. Nice complexity on the finish. Would purchase again.

2006
Georges Dubœuf Beaujolais Nouveau
France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Beaujolais Nouveau
Had with Thanksgiving dinner. It was about what I expected. Light color, high on the fruitiness level on the tongue. Not much on the nose. It reminded me of home brew wine. It was a interesting experience, but I don't think that I will do it again.

2003
M. Chapoutier Côtes du Rhône Belleruche
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
Had with Thanksgiving dinner. Nice quaffable wine. A little light in both color and aromas. Paired nicely with the dark meat of the turkey. Would purchase again.

2005
O'Reilly's Pinot Noir Oregon
USA, Oregon
Drank at Thanksgiving dinner. None of the earthiness that I like in pinots, but had a nice strawberry candy flavor. At the price it was a pleasent wine. Would purchace again.

2004
L'Ecole No. 41 Sémillon
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Corked

2005
Cline Cellars Zinfandel California
USA, California
Had with thanksgiving dinner. Unfortunately it was all gone before I got to it. Others said it was tasty.

Wines tasted in 2007

2006
Masi Bonacosta Valpolicella
Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella
Kick you in the teeth bright cherry flavor profile. Not much on the nose. Singular dimensional wine, but was great for the large group at the Italian restaurant. Would purchase again.

2005 - Consumed two bottles
Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'asti Superiore Le Orme
Italy, Piedmont, Asti
Purchased two bottles to go with a family style meal at Maggianos. Little bit of oak on the nose. Lots of ripe plum flavors on the palate. Decent finish. Paired nicely with the cream based pastas, but not so much with the salmon. Would purchase again.

1997
Shafer Merlot
USA, California, Napa Valley
Lots of sediment, left about an inch and a half of wine in the bottom. Bright color. Was on the downside, but still had a hints of tasty wine. Finish was clipped.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Wines Tasted on November 22nd

No record of any wines tasted in 2004

No record of any wines tasted in 2005

No record of any wines tasted in 2006

Wines tasted in 2007

2006
Hence Cellars Riesling
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Brought the magnum to Thanksgiving dinner at my parents house tonight. Figured, how often do you have the need to open up a magnum of Riesling. I really enjoy this wine. Very little residual sugar. Nice crisp acidity. The wine was served slightly too warm which brought out more of the oak profile. Was only picking up the slightest bit of the petrol aroma that I got off of the last bottle. Notes of pear and apple. Would purchase again.

2002
Columbia Crest Two Vines Sémillon-Chardonnay
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Brought to Thanksgiving dinner at my parents house tonight. I know I had a glass or two of this wine, but it left no lasting impression on me. I am going to have to say that it was probably consistent with prior bottles, as it didn't leave any new thoughts. Would purchase again.

2003 - Two Bottles Consumed
Columbia Crest Cabernet-Merlot Two Vines
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Brought this over for Thanksgiving dinner at my parents house. Nose was a bit closed and there was a very strong green stemmy element on the palate. The fruit seemed over the top fake, almost like cheap candy. Would not purchase again.

2004 - Two Bottles Consumed
Columbia Crest Shiraz Two Vines
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Brought over to my parents for Thanksgiving dinner. Did not get to try any of this wine. My cousin consumed one whole bottle of this so I figure it probably tasted decent. Would purchase again for a party.

Wines Tasted on November 21st

No record of any wines tasted in 2004

No record of any wines tasted in 2005

No record of any wines tasted in 2006

Tasted in 2007

2005
Mannina Cellars Sangiovese
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Very light color with a little touch of cloudiness. Color reminded me of unfiltered cranberry juice. Aromas of earth, flowers and a touch of orange peel. Oak was present on the palate with more elements of earth. Notes of sour cherry and lots of chewy tannins. Very pleasent drinker. Would purchase again.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Wines tasted on November 20th

No record of any wines tasted in 2004

No record of any wines tasted in 2005

No record of any wines tasted in 2006

Tasted in 2007

2005
Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay
USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros
Big Chardonnay bordering on obese. Huge nose of vanilla creamsicle. One of the best mouthfeels I have had in a wine. Felt like I was drinking cream on the front palate, without that gummy part of the cream in the throat. Flavors of creme brulee and cooked honey. Oak was present but not dominating. Acid structure in the beginning was enough to pair with dinner (lemon basil chicken) but the wine started to get tiring by the end of the evening. Really enjoyed this wine, but may have been a little over the top. Think of Holloween as a kid, you start off the night looking forward to all of the candy and it is very satisfying when you dig into the first few pieces. But by the end of the night your stomach hurts and the idea of stuffing one more item in your mouth doesn't sound so good anymore. Would I drink this with a bunch of friends? Yes. Would I split a whole bottle with my wife again? Not likely. Worth purchasing for the right scenario.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Wines Tasted on November 19th

Tasted in 2004

2002
Dunham Cellars Three Legged Red
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Fruit forward. Very nice early out of the bottle. Heavy on the oak as the wine sits. After 20 minutes in the glass you lose almost all of the fruit and have oak left. Nice wine to "drink", not the best to taste.

No record of any wines tasted in 2005

Tasted in 2006

2003
Owen Sullivan M Klipsun Vineyard
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Decanted. Still a bit young, could use a couple of years in the cellar. Really opened up when it was paired with a rare tenderloin steak. Good fruit flavors, balanced and a thick but smoothe mouthfeel. After a couple of hours the oak component started to show it's face. Reminded me a lot of the first time I tasted Cedergreen Cellars Thuja. Going to purchase more of this and let it age a bit. Will purchase again.

No wines tasted in 2007

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Wines Tasted on November 18th

Tasted in 2004

Non Vintage
Prager Winery and Port Works Petite Sirah Port
USA, California, Napa Valley
Very nice young port. Aromas of chocolate covered raisins. Flavor was dominated by the fortification. The wine was somewhat of an aftertaste. Goes nicely as an after dinner drink. Don't think that this would last more than a few years in a cellar.

No record of any wines tasted in 2005

No record of any wines tasted in 2006

Tasted in 2007

2004
Vin Du Lac Winery Cabernet Franc
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Nice dark color. Notes of green vegetables and mulling spiceson the nose. More green notes on the palate. Too much of a tannic bite on the tongue. Short finish. Wife really likes this wine, I find it a little too harsh. Would not purchase again.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Wines Tasted on November 17th

Tasted in 2006

Non Vintage
Meriwether Pinot Noir Discovery
USA, Oregon
Dry dry dry. Not much fruit or anything else for that matter. Just dry sparkling wine. Fit the bill for what I wanted it for. Going to use the rest of it this morning in momosas. Would not purchase again.

2000
Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Did not decant, but opened and let breathe for 2 hours before drinking. Heavy candy element. My wife pinned it as twizzlers. Not really my style of Pinot, prefer to have some mushroom or forest floor. After about 4 hours being opened the acidity took over and the wine fell apart. Decent drink, but didn't get me excited. Would not purchase again.

Tasted in 2007

2006
El Mirador Winery Counoise
USA, Washington, Walla Walla Valley
Can't say that I crave this wine, but it is very interesting. Very light coloring, kind of similar to a Pinot Noir. On the nose there are elements of blueberry and strawberry with a strong aroma of green peppercorns. Flavors were similar to the nose. Bit of sourness. Short finish. Was worth it one time, but would not purchase again.

Wines Tasted on November 16th

Tasted in 2006

2004
San Juan Vineyards Chardonnay
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Drank rather than studied the wine. Didn't seem to be overly oaked or buttery. That being said it was not a steely beast either. Good fruit flavor, but can't for the life of me remember what flavors they were??? Nice wine, would purchase again.

Tasted in 2007

2004
Waters Winery Interlude
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Really solid effort. Color of this wine was a little odd, reminded me of triaminic cough syrup. It was a light pomegranate. Nose had good amounts of dark fruit and a bit of smoke. Nice fruit forward flavor profile with light tannic bite. Medium length finish. After about three hours the wine became a bit dumb and one dimensional. Oak flavor started to dominate. Would purchase again.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Wines Tasted on November 15th

I have no record of drinking any wines on this date.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Wines Tasted on November 14th...

I have no record of drinking any wines on this day.

Wines Tasted on November 13th...

Tasted in 2005

2003
Bergevin Lane Calico Red
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Still a good idea to decant. Wine is slowly starting to mellow. Was still a bit harsh, but there are some really good things going on just below the surface. Would purchase again.


Tasted in 2006

2004
Waving Tree Sangiovese Estate
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Nice, light sangiovese. Needs food. By itself it was a little flat, but with red pasta sauce the floral elements came to life. Not as complex as chianti, but definitely good for a midweek pasta night. Would purchase again.

2002
Columbia Crest Merlot Two Vines
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Kept getting recommendations to try this wine. Was very impressed for the price. Going to go out and buy a bunch more for an everyday kind of wine. Needs to be decanted because of lots of sediment. Had a nose that reminded me of vintage port. Would purchase again.


No Wines Tasted on This Date in 2007

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Wine 2.0: Internet changes wine appreciation

Voluble Gary Vaynerchuk, 31, the host of "Wine Library TV," an online video show, has been known to lick rocks, suck leather and eat dirt while on camera, all to illustrate the unique properties of wine.

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