Wines Tasted in February

2004 Owen Sullivan Cabernet Franc Champoux Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills - Really nice bottle of wine. Color was the color of strawberry jam and it was completely cloudy. Had a hard time picking out any one element in the nose, but they were all working together in harmony. Good heavy mouthfeel. Tannins were present but really balanced with the rest of the wine. Smoothe finish. Would purchase again.

2003 Cougar Crest Merlot Estate Grown USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley - I have a feeling that this wine was fined and filtered to the maximum allowable levels. The color in the glass was redish purple and the surface of the wine was like a deep undisturbed lake. Could have used it as a mirror. Interesting nose, a bit of sweaty sock. Also, the heat was coming through on the nose though not on the palate. Good dose of oak with sublte hints of black fruits. Nice wine, but not sure about the price point. Would not purchase again.

2000 Nuvola Vecchia Toscana IGT Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT - Very closed at first. Not much nose and the taste was blank. After about two hours the nose softened up and there was a nice aroma to the wine. The taste was still very flat. Wouldn't purchase again.

2004 Boudreaux Cellars Chardonnay Bishop's & Homestead USA, Washington - Great stuff. Great balance of oak, fruit and minerals. Full mouthfeel almost like cream. Good bit of acidity to keep the wine from being too heavy. Would purchase again.

2005 Canon de Sol Viognier USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Was a bit worried that this might be on the downhill side, so figured it was a good night to open it up and see. It was singing! Powerful nose of honeysuckle and jasmine flowers. Also detected a slight aroma of pan seared scallops. Beautiful mouthfeel somewhere between honey and cream. Flavors of peach and pear. balanced yet crisp acidity. Would purchase again.

2002 Soléna Zinfandel Woolridge Creek USA, Oregon, Southern Oregon, Applegate Valley - Still a bit hot on the palate. Nice flavor but may be able to use a little more time in the cellar to calm down some more. Lots of dark fruit. Interesting but there are other Zins a lower price points that deliver a better QPR. Would not purchase again.

2002 Kirralaa Shiraz Bushvine Australia, South Eastern - Tasted against syrahs from California. Not as much up front fruit as the CA's. Very good, but complex. Good wine to think about. Would purchase again.

2004 Owen Sullivan Cabernet Franc Champoux Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills - Strawberry jam jumps from the glass. Light purple color. Bit of spiciness. Really enjoyable. Would purchase again.

2002 Amavi Cellars Syrah USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley - Paired with a med rare ribeye steak. Good depth of flavor, nice and rich. Smokey with a good amount of fruit. Dark fruit flavors. Tannins have integrated nicely. Would purchase again.

2003 Challenger Ridge Pinot Noir USA, Washington, Puget Sound - Strawberry and oak on the nose. Not much on the palate. Easy drinking, but nothing all that memorable. Would not purchase again.

2003 Boudreaux Cellars Merlot USA, Washington - Very complex but smooth wine. Lots of dark fruit on the nose. Hard to pick out one aroma. A little bit of cherry, some blackberry and cocoa powder. On the palate there was a hint of herbaceousness. Still had some nice tannic structure. The finish was silky and lasted a good long while. Would purchase again.

1995 Il Mandorlo Chianti Classico Riserva Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico - Had at a small italian restaurant on their half priced wine night. Bottle had the most sediment I have ever seen. Unfortunately I didn't get to see this until after the bottle was poured. Wine was poured like coca-cola. Heavy sediment in glass affected texture and taste. Due to the size of the glasses and how much was poured there wasn't much nose. Barring those issues the wine was very flavorful. The tannins were very resolved. Flavors of blackberry and raisin(think this had to do with the sediment). This would be great with an hour of decanting and proper treatment.

2006 Mark Ryan Chardonnay USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Yellow coloring with just a hint of green. On the nose there is cinnamon, vanilla and pineapple. Good acidity and viscous mouthfeel. On the palate it tastes like a pineapple upside down cake with some vanilla buttercream frosting on top. Really wonderful chardonnay. I don't typically enjoy WA chardonnays, but this one is on par with my other local favorite Boudreaux. Would purchase again.

Non Vintage Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs - Methode Champenoise USA, California, Sonoma County, Carneros - Nice quaffer. Decent price for a sparkling wine. Wouldn't use it for a significant milestone, but if you want something bubbly on a standard night this works fine. Would purchase again.

2001 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley - Very good pinot. Popped and let sit out for an hour. Smokey, cherry scents with lots of cherry on the palate. Nice clean finish with well integrated tannins. Would purchase again.

2005 Merry Cellars Sangiovese USA, Washington - Nose was a bit closed at first. got a bit spicier with time and paired well with a boglonese sauce. Alcohol level was really high for this (14.9%) and you could tell from the heat on the palate. Thinking that this wine was made in a "big" style. not any of the suble floral elements of Chianti. For the price point there are better expressions of Sangiovese out there. Would not purchase again.

2004 Mission Hill Shiraz Reserve Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA - Really nice the first hour, but then goes downhill fairly quickly. Right out of the bottle there is a huge freshly cracked black pepper nose. Lots of spice and little fruit, not that that is a bad thing. Paired well with stew. Would purchase again.

2004 Gallagher U Brew Zinfandel USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi - Used predominantly for cooking with one glass left over for drinking. Still a bit of the funkiness on the nose. Think that is just what you get with the homemade wines. It's wine and that is about all.

2006 Ravenswood Zinfandel Lodi USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi - Good for a weeknight, but doesn't live up to prior vintages. Nose was very subdued for a zin. Really nice that the alcohol was in check. Enjoyed for what it is. Would purchase again.

2001 Plum Creek Cabernet Franc USA, Colorado - Surprisingly good. Bought this when I was out in Colorado so that I would have a wine from there. Didn't taste beforehand. Was very smoothe. Could be cellared for a few more years. Would purchase again.

2003 Stevens 424 USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - I think that i could pick one of Tim's red blends out of a blind lineup due to the distinct buttered corn aroma. This bottle was no different. Dark purple color. the dark fruits that once dominated the nose of this wine have retreated into the background. What's left is a cornucopia of secondary aromas. A little bit of tobacco, some mint, black pepper and spices. Flavors are dominated by the sweet toast of the oak, but not so much to be overpowering. Nice finish that lasted a while. Would purchase again.

2004 Nefarious Cellars Pinot Noir Vista Hills USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley - Beautiful bottle of wine. Color was ruby with a hint of orange. Nose had all the funky pinot characteristics that I love. There was a healthy dose of wet earth and mushrooms, a little bit of strawberry twizzler and some baking spices from the oak. Mouthfeel was silky. Would purchase again.

2002 DiStefano Sogno USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Decanted one hour prior to tasting. Should have been two hours. Started off very heavy on the oak, but with time it mellowed and allowed the fruit to come forward. Paired with sirloin fondue. The salt and fat on the meat really smoothed out the wine. Would let this sit in the cellar a couple more years to see if the oak will intigrate more. Would purchase again.

2003 Stevens Cabernet Sauvignon XY USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Drank with a valentines dinner of chocolate espresso rubbed steak. This wine is more of a girlfriend wearing leather as opposed to your wife wearing lace. The wine jumps out of the glass with black fruits and sweet tannins. Slaps you around a little bit and tells you to come back for more. Doubt that this will be a long lived wine, but in its youth it's fun. Would purchase again.

2000 Waterbrook Meritage Red Mountain USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain - On the way downhill. Decanted due to lots of chunky sediment. Maybe let this sit int he decanter for a bit too long. Didn't have dinner for an hour and by the time we got to it there was just a flash of fruit left. After another half an hour the wine was dry and a bit lifeless. Not much nose to speak of. Palate had high acid and a sour taste. Finish was short and clipped. Should have drank this a while ago. Would purchase again in it's youth.

2002 Stevens Cabernet Sauvignon Big Easy USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Fist bottle ever purchased from Tim. We thought about keeping this for posterity, but wine is not an item to be collected...It is designed to be consumed and enjoyed. Color still had a dark core with just a hint of bricking at the edges. Decanted, with just a bit of sediment in the bottom. ose was fairly closed tonight, not getting much. On the palate there was lots of tart raspberries and bitter chocolate. The wine still had some very strong tannins and the acidity kept it fresh and lively. Would purchase again.

2002 Columbia Crest Two Vines Sémillon-Chardonnay USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Good wine for the money. Green'ish gold color. Sour apple nose and palate. Good wieght with a nice to just heavy acidity level. Would purchase again.

Non Vintage Roederer Estate Brut Anderson Valley USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley - Very dry. Lots of yeast, and mildly biting mouthfeel. Was nice for a gifted bottle, but would probably choose something smoother for a personal purchase.

1998 Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve USA, California, Napa Valley - It was good. Sitting in the decanter there were elements of bacon fat. When swirled it brought out aromas of licorice and blackberry. The tannins were very smoothe. This is drinking very nicely right now. Would purchase again for a special occasion.

2002 Brian Carter Cellars Tuttorosso USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Maybe could have used a bit more time to settle down. Still quite tannic and overpowering the fruit. Typically I look for rose petals in my sangiovese, but this was more about big than subtle. Plesant wine but never developed into anything memorable. Would not purchase again.

2005 Red Sky Sémillon Rosebud USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - It was good. Just the right balance of floral, butter, and acidity. Smooth with a great mouthfeel. Paired well with chicken alfredo. Would purchase again.

2004 Waving Tree Sangiovese Estate USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Paired with lamb chops. Nice tasting wine, but as with prior bottles it fades very quickly. Need to drink this within an hour of opening. Bit of rose petal and spice on the nose. Would purchase again.

2006 Hence Cellars Riesling USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Nice dry riesling. Balanced acidity, clean nose and lots of tropical fruits on the palate. Softened the heat of the Thai food we were eating. Would purchase again.

2001 Pontin Del Roza Sangiovese Angelo Pontin USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Decant...This young wine throws so much sediment. Color...Pinkish/red with orange tones towards the edges. Earthy floral scents and bright flavors. Best domestic Sangiovese I have ever tasted. And no one seems to know that this wine exists. Well, that just leaves more for me.

2005 Benson Vineyards Viognier Estate USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Notes of honeysuckle and pineapple. Nice bit of acidity but still smooth. Don't chill too much or it brings out too much of the acidity. Paired nicely with roasted salmon and an avacado salsa. Would purchase again.

2006 Stevens Viognier Divio USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - I really do just adore Viognier. Just enough acidity for food. Plenty of foral notes, primarily honeysuckle. Good mouthfeel. Finish could be a bit longer. Would purchase again.

2000 Travignoli Chianti Rufina Riserva Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Rufina - Paired with truffle and mushroom risotto. Aromas of rose petal and rosemary. Nice bit of acidity to cut through the food without being overly obtrusive. Still tasted young and fresh. On the palate there was a slight hint of pomegranate. Would purchase again.

2004 Cedergreen Cellars Thuja Conner Lee - Radar Hill USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - The oak monster came out to play tonight, but he was in a very good mood. There was just the right balance of sweet vanilla and fruit on the nose. The palate was a bit racy with more sweet oak and fine grained tannins. The wine was dominated by oak, but in all the right ways. Think of the difference between an old oak tree being turned into cabinets at Home Depot or being hand done by a master carpenter. Would purchase again.

2003 Columbia Crest Shiraz Two Vines USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Dark color, really stained the teeth. Bit of a minty nose with lots of dark sweet fruit flavors. Not bad for the price but definitely uninspiring. Would purchase again for mid week pizza night.

Non Vintage Tefft Cellars Nebbiolo Dual Century 1999-2000 USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Still very tight. The tannins have a long way to go. Tasted over a three day period. On the third day it was still somewhat tight and very dry. Needs a few more years to soften up.

2001 Buty Rediviva USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley - Decant. At least a tablespoon of sediment in the bottle. Extremely complex wine. Was not able to pick out any specific flavors, but it all went together nicely. Pair this with a rich cut of meat, the fat helps take the wine to the next level. Would purchase again.

2002 Columbia Crest Two Vines Sémillon-Chardonnay USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Golden color. A bit one dimensional, but very good for the price point. Decent mouthfeel with balanced acid. Would purchase again.

2002 Columbia Crest Merlot Two Vines USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Dark color. Lots of fruit and heavy on the sweet toasty oak. Not complex by any means but it is tasty. Would purchase again.

2004 Stevens Cabernet Sauvignon XY USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Drinking wonderfully right now. Nose of buttered corn, a bit of mintiness and black fruits. Mouthfeel was awsome. Tannins are resolving quite nicely and there is just enough acid to keep it from being flabby. Great wine, would purchase again.

Wines Tasted In January

2000 Columbia Crest Chardonnay USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Nice everyday wine. Would purchase again.

2004 Gallagher U Brew Zinfandel USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi - Still a bit young. Could use some more time in bottle. Try again in three months.

2001 Seven Hills Syrah Walla Walla Valley USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley - Inky black. Lots of smoke and earth on the nose. Smoke continues on the palate with a good dose of mint. Dense wine with good mouthfeel. Would purchase again.

2002 Red Truck Winery USA, California - Nice everyday wine. Losts of dark fruit flavors. Drink young. Would purchase again.

2001 Atalon Merlot USA, California, Napa Valley - Nice, but not exciting. Lots of dark fruit flavors. Pleasent, but not complex. Not to be saved for a second day. Lost all fruit and was so tannic that it was nearly undrinkable. Open bottle and drink up.

2005 Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay USA, California, Sonoma County - Initially served too cold, which muted the nose and flavors. After it warmed up it came back to it's reliable standard. Light on the butter this vintage with more elements of crisp apple. Decent acidity. Would purchase again.

2006 Rulo Combine USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley - This wine had almost no color to it. There was very little nose or palate on this. It was almost exclusively about the acidity. Nice crisp mouthfeel and razor sharp acidity. Not much else. Would not purchase again.

2005 Bota Box Shiraz USA, California - Took a while out of the box to come around. Initially there were lots of fake fruit aromas. Almost like drinking liquified candy. After about an hour in the glass there was a distinct smell of just lit match. A bit of smoke on the back end of the palate. Next time will probably decant a bottles worth and then pour from there to see if it opens the wine up a bit more. Would purchase again.

2006 Isenhower Cellars Cabernet Franc Road Less Traveled Weinbau USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Drank over two nights. First night popped and poured. Tons of sweet fruit on the nose along with copious amounts of toasted oak. The palate was dominated by flavors of raspberry preserves. Wine was enjoyable but a bit over the top with the fruit and oak for my tastes. On the second night the oak had really started to integrate into the wine. The fruit was still there but not slapping you around quite as much. There was also a bit of baking spice on the back of the palate. Will wait at least another year before popping the next bottle. Would pruchase again based on the impressions of the second night.

2004 Owen Sullivan Cabernet Franc Champoux Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills - Light in color and very cloudy. Looked like cranberry juice. Took a while to open up. Aromas of green pepper corns and green bell pepper, slight hint of oak. Light mouth feel with tart fruit flavors on the palate. Tannins are nicely resolved. Short finish. Would purchase again.

2002 Silver Lake Chardonnay USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Past it's prime. Quite a bit of sediment in the bottle, but this was due to the fact that we had bottled this one ourselves at the winery. Not much fruit left on either the nose or the tongue. Opened up after about an hour, but it only gave you a little bit of oak as the dominant flavor. Cool to have a bottle with our personal lable on it, but would most likely buy this wine from the winery pre bottled in the future. Definitely a young drink.

2006 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Sonoma County USA, California, Sonoma County - Seghesio is back to par on this vintage. '04 wasn't so good, '05 was better and the '06 was in a word "nummy". Very dark color. Nose of blackberries, oak and just a hint of milk chocolate. On the palate there was lots of dark fruit flavors along with a healthy dose of tannic structure. Finish was medium length. Would have liked a little bit more weight on the mouthfeel. Tannins stay with you for a while. Sitting in bed writing this review an hour after having my last sip and my mouth still feels a bit dry. Would purchase again.

2004 Estampa Assemblage Chile, Central Valley, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley - Better than the last time. Maybe last bottle was flawed? Still a simple non complex quaffer. Good mid week pizza wine. Acid level is a bit high.

2005 Nefarious Cellars Riesling Antoine Creek USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Really enjoyed this wine. Color was starting to golden a little bit. Fairly complex nose, a little floral, some tropical fruit and one other really prominent aroma that reminded me some something but couldn't put my finger on it. Just a hint of sweetness on the palate. More tropical fruits. Medium short finish. Would purchase again.

2001 Landmark Pinot Noir Sonoma County USA, California, Sonoma County - Tasted very much like a high end Burgundy. Nose of forest floor and rasberries. Had a hint of Zinfandel. On the palate it was very light. I have not aquired the taste for pinot noir yet, but can tell when one is good. Had with pork tenderloin in mushroom sauce. Would purchase again if I were having pinot fans over for dinner.

2003 Fattoria di Petroio Chianti Classico Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico - Very muscular right out of the bottle. Needs about 15 minutes to mellow out. Good solid Chianti. Would purchase again.

2002 Piety Flats Mercantile Red USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Great mid-priced wine. Notes of char, vanilla and cherry. Still fairly oaked, could use a little more bottle time to settle down a bit.

2004 Chelan Estate Chardonnay/Viognier USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Refreshing. Enjoyable. Better a little colder than cellar temperature. Would purchase again.

2003 Sam Hill Winery Pinot Noir USA, Oregon, Yamhill County - None of the forest floor that I like, oh well. Good aroma but could not put a finger on what it was. Candied strawberries on the palate. Nice mouthfeel. No tannins to speak of. Not sure how long the second bottle will last.

2002 Forest Glen Zinfandel USA, California, Sonoma County - Bought this for cooking wine, with the idea that the little bit left could be consumed. Undrinkable!

2002 Ravenswood Zinfandel Lodi USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi - Bottle needs about 45 minutes to an hour to open up.

2003 Covey Run Chardonnay USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Very low oak level (if any). My wife found this crisp and refreshing, but I thought it was a bit dull. I tend more towards a Cali Chardonnay. Would purchase again if I needed multiple bottles at a good price for a party.

2002 Columbia Crest Two Vines Sémillon-Chardonnay USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Still drinkable. Starting to oxidize a bit. Aromas of overripe peach and oak. mouthfeel was a bit heavy, but also flat. Pretty much all of the flavors remaining can be contributed to the oak. Would purchase future vintages.

1999 J Vineyards & Winery Vintage Brut Russian River Valley USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley - Nose was somewhat closed, kept getting really nice whiffs of something but I couldn't put my finger on it. The palate was much more giving. Somewhat yeasty, nice flavors of green apple. Finish was crisp and clean. Went well with poached halibut. Would purchase again.

2002 Columbia Crest Merlot Two Vines USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Quaffable. After a three and a half hour commute home through the snow I just needed something to put down. It was tasty, but couldn't tell you anything about nuance. Would purchase again.

2006 Airfield Estates Pinot Gris USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - crystal clear with just the faintest hint of color. On the nose there were elements of pear and cinnamon. The palate had more pear. Balanced acidity to keep it refreshing. Really enjoyable bottle of wine. Would purchase again.

2005 L'Ecole No. 41 Sémillon USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Served it a little too warm. Not as smooth as other vintages I have had of this wine. Almost a steely component. Fruit was muted but that may be due to the temperature of the wine. Still quite enjoyable. Would purchase again.

2004 Stevens 424 USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Popped, poured and paired with beef stew. Still a very fruit forward wine. Aromas of black cherries on the nose. Tons more cherry and tart raspberries on the palate. Good balance of acidity. Tannins were a bit soft on the front end, but got crisp on the finish. Flavors lasted a good long time. Would purchase again.

2002 Morrison Lane Sangiovese USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley - Similar to good Chianti. The nose is full of dried flower petals. Nice acid structure and drying fruit on the palate. Would purchase again.

2003 Rulo Combine USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley - Wow, Wow, Wow, Wow, Wow! This was like being on a tropical beach surrounded by fresh cut pineapples. Powerful and refreshing. The level of acidity just cut right through the food. Had this with Spicy chicken breast with salsa verde and feta. Each sip cleaned the food away and gave you full force of the wine. Then you would have the next bite of food and it was like a brand new flavor each time. Think that I have found my new favorite white. Will definitely purchase again.

2005 Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay USA, California, Sonoma County - Going to have to go purchase more of this. Good solid everyday white. Nothing exciting, but tasty. Not as much butter as prior vintages and has a bit more steel to it. Crisp fruit and good acidity. Would purchase again.

2003 Cana's Feast Winery (Cuneo) Syrah Del Rio Vineyard USA, Oregon, Southern Oregon, Rogue Valley - Decanted, though the wine threw no sediment. Lots of red and black berries on the nose right out of the bottle. Wine developed a smokey tobacco aroma after a little while in the decanter. Still had an underlayment of blackberry and boysenberry. On the palate there was a bunch of sweet oak and mouth watering tannins. There was also a level of spice that you couldn't pick one flavor out of. Very enjoyable wine. Would purchase again, though it would have to be on sale as the QPR is a bit high on the price side.

2004 Gallagher U Brew France, Rhône - Needed a cup for cooking. Nose fairly closed and not giving up much. Touch of sweetness on the palate. Hoping that this will integrate a little bit over time. Tastes a bit too much like juice right now.

Non Vintage Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Blancs USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Great for mimosas. Dry and pleasent. Would purchase again for large group setting.

Non Vintage Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Blancs USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Great for mimosas. Dry and pleasent. Would purchase again for large group setting.

2003 Rulo Combine USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley - Consistent notes from the other day. Had to share a bottle with some friends.

2001 Ravenswood Icon USA, California, Sonoma County - Nice Value. Would purchase again.

2007 Stevens Viognier Divio USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Heavy aromas of apricot with just a hint of pineapple in the background. On the palate the apricot just kept going and going. Good mouthfeel with plenty of crisp acidity. Had some left and revisited it two days later. Still just as good as day one. Would purchase again.

Non Vintage Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs - Methode Champenoise USA, California, Sonoma County, Carneros - Very Dry. Nice, but the nose was a bit closed. Would purchase again if there weren't other options available.

1998 Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Willamette Valley USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley - Love that pinot funk. Wine decanted for about an hour before it really opened up. When sitting in the glass there was a lot of oak, but give it a good swirl and the funk comes through. The flavor was not nearly as exiting, but pleasent. Did not seem like it had any age on it at all. Went well with roasted chicken and sage cream pasta. Would purchase again.

2005 ÀMaurice Cellars Malbec USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - This wine was made for tired vampires. The nose was a combo of half roasted coffee and half blood. After a couple of hours in the decanterthe oak started to come through. Can't say that I picked up on any one flavor in the wine, but it was very tasty. Would purchase again.

2007 Sleight of Hand Cabernet Franc Magician's Assistant Rosé Frenchtown Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley - Can't pick much out of this wine tonight, but it is tasty. Would purchase again.

2001 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Veragold USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley - Corked. Not happy about this. Can't return to Winery.

2002 Roland Lavantureux Petit Chablis France, Burgundy, Chablis, Petit Chablis - Crazy levels of minerality. High level of acidity that needs food to cut through. Decent floral aromas. Think that this is an acquired taste and have to pair it with the right food. Would not purchase again.

2005 L'Ecole No. 41 Sémillon USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Really enjoy this wine year in and year out. It is my Chardonnay alternative. Nice light golden color. Nose had copious amounts of caramel and creme brulee. On the palate the attack was pure butter, oak and cream. Then the wine changed as it hit the back of the tongue to more of an acidic apple and pear profile. Really enjoyable wine. Would purchase again.

2004 Gallagher U Brew France, Rhône - This has been relegated to the cooking wine section. Nose was very medicinal. Not much palate to speak of. Finish was fakey and bitter.

2006 Stevens Yes USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Just a hint of buttered roasted corn on the nose, which is an element I find in Tim's wines. Simple yet bright fruits on the nose. Flavors were very nice with lots of red fruits. Weight on the palate is a little light, though not unexpected at this price level. Really great mid week bottle of wine. Would purchase again.

2002 Piety Flats Muscat USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - This died a long time ago. My fault, kept it way too long. Went down the drain after one sip.

2005 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Sonoma County USA, California, Sonoma County - Back on track after a down 2004 vintage. Loads of spice and a good dose of sweet oak. Still a bit too young for my liking so will leave the rest alone for at least another six months. Would purchase again.

2004 Gallagher U Brew Zinfandel USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi - Nose is still a bit off putting. Flavor has improved slightly but it is still a cooking wine for the most part.

2002 Waterbrook Mélange USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Really starting to come into it's own. Nice balanced flavors of dark fruit and spices. Tannins have integrated and the finish is getting longer (20 sec). Would purchase again.

2006 Boudreaux Cellars Frangiovese Desert Hills Vineyard USA, Washington - Decanted, drank over two nights. First night The nose was interesting, but a bit disjointed. Aromas of green pepper corns and violets, with a heavy dose of menthol. Seemed like the wine couldn't decide which varietal should dominate. On the second night the franc was the dominant element. Think that this needs to take some time in the cellar and settle down. Would purchase again.

2006 Animale Zinfandel USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Not what I was expecting based on my experience with Zinfandel. Very light wine that I would have guess was a Pinot Noir if it was served blind. Nose had elements of strawberries and black pepper. Very subtle wine that lets the fruit come through without covering it up with high alcohol or oak. Would purchase again.

2002 Yakima Cellars Cabernet Franc - Lemberger USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Still young. Needs time in the bottle to shed some of the tannins. Not sure if the tannins settling down will help the wine. Tasted more like port to me. Heavy raisin and alcohol flavors.

2004 Stevens 424 USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Decanted, though not much sediment if any. Sweet dark fruit aromas jumped from the decanter. Medium red coloring with just a hint of orange. Nose started out very sweet with black cherries, tobacco and French oak. As the evening wore on the fruit started to fade a bit and the toast on the oak started to come out more. Nice velvety mouthfeel with just enough tannic structure to give the wine some weight. Good finish, the wine hung on the palate for a minute or more. Not sure about the longevity of this wine as the structure is a little light. Drinking really nicely right now. Would purchase again.

2005 Pomum Cellars Shya Red USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Decanted, very little sediment. Let the wine open for about an hour before the first glass. Wine was very primary at first with an aroma similar to a mixed fruit compote. Really sweet (in a good way) on the palate. The wine changed about an hour in with the nose picking up an element that reminded me of freshly shucked oyster. Fruit on the palate started to settle down and the oak joined the party. Another hour in and the nose got dark (black cherry, plum) with a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg. Mouthfeel had a godo amount of weight without feeling too heavy. Finish was smooth and lasted a good 30 seconds. Would purchase again.

2003 Lake Chelan Winery Stormy Mountain Red USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Have had this wine about a half a dozen times. It's nice, but somewhat unremarkable. And tonight it suffered from a case of the girl next door hanging out with a group of supermodels. All by herself she's really sweet, but in the present company she just get's overlooked. Nose had some toasty oak with a little bit of tobacco. A bit of nondescript red fruit on the palate. Tannins were in balance with the acid. Finish was tart and on the short side. Nothing bad about the wine, just not all that memorable. Would not purchase again.

2005 Cadence Ciel du Cheval Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain - Could use some more bottle time. Nose of leather and toasty oak. Good flavors of dark fruits, but they were overshadowed by the tannins at this point. This has the stuffing to be a great wine down the road it just didn't want to play nice tonight. Would purchase again.

2005 Covington Cellars Tuscan Red USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley - Have had prior vintages of this and I think that the winemaker is going in the right direction, but is not quite there. This is what I would call a baby chianti. A little dirt and flowers on the nose. Cherries and wild strawberries on the palate. Finish was way too short. Unfortunately I think that you can get much more impressive wines from Italy that deliver all of the elements that this is going for at a much better price point. Would not purchase again.

2002 Maghee Cellars Merlot USA, Washington - Darkest colored wine of the evening with a blackish purple core. Nose had a balsamic vinegar aroma (not like VA, but more towards the aged stuff you'd put over strawberries). Flavor profile was like cooked fruit (take a batch of cherries and raspberries and smash them into a pot together and then boil the lot until it sticks to a spoon). They may have gone a little over the top on the ripeness of the grapes originally. Finish lasted for a minute or more. This wine has a great structure to it with just the right balance of tannins and acidity. Would purchase again.

2005 Benson Vineyards Sangiovese USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - My wine of the night from a uniqueness standpoint. However, most of the other wines were bordeaux varietals so this would stand out as differentiated. Really nice nose with elements of spice and dried rose petals. Aromas were just jumping from the glass. On the palate there were flavors of sweet pie cherries dipped in milk chocolate. Nice acidic balance and the finish was well structured. Would love to pair this with some simple tomato gravy. Would purchase again.

2003 Stina's Cellars Cabernet Franc USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Didn't spend nearly enough time with this wine to give it a proper assesment. The nose was not very distinctive and I was getting a fairly one dimensional flavor of cranberries. Unfortunately I have had a couple of mind blowing cab francs from Washington and I probably set the bar too high for the rest of them. This wasn't singing to me and so I moved on. My bad!

2006 Wynn Cellars (Dave Butner) Paragon USA, Washington - Really impressed with this first effort from an up and coming winemaker. Think that we can expect great things in the future. Nose was somewhat closed. Aromas of oak dominated. Nice mouthfeel with a slightly overly tannic bite that I think will settle down with some more age. There was more oak on the front of the palate but a vibrant flavor of Ludens cherry cough drops on the finish. Would purchase again.

1998 Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot Cold Creek Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Wet basement. Think that this has a slight TCA taint. Hard to get past nose. Starting to dry up a bit, though it had a nice flavor of sweet pipe tobacco. Tannins had resolved well and gave the mouthfeel of the wine a powdered sugar grit element that I enjoyed. Have a feeling that a different bottle of this could still be very tasty without the corked issue. Would not purchase again.

2004 Betz Family Clos de Betz USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Notes of buttered corn on the cob and freshly shredded kahlua pig. In the background I kept picking up a scent of burned rubber. On the palate were flavors of raspberry preserves and black cherries. Tannins were a bit too much at the forefront for my personal tastes. Would like to see this wine in another couple of years to see how everything integrates. Lots of fine elements, but a little bit disjointed at this point. Would purchase again.

2004 Quilceda Creek Red Wine Columbia Valley USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Unfortunately I think that QC wines need a bit more time in the cellar before they start to open up. This wine was starting to show some positive attributes at the end of the evening (3 hours in) but I will get to those later. Nose was somewhat closed at the beginning of the evening. I was getting what I can only describe as aromas of a pumpkin pie dropped in the mud (not a bad thing). Nose was a bit hot and liquered. I wanted more of the spice and dirt, but each time I'd give it a good sniff it felt like I was burning my nose hairs. Initial taste was dominated by tannins. This needs more time. Fruit was hiding and the finish was clipped. By the end of the night altough the nose was starting to close up, there were elements of blueberry pie starting to come out on the palate. The tannins (though ever present) were beginning to provide structure to the overall profile. Would purchase again and let rest in the cellar for 2-3 years before I started to drink them.

2005 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Blanc USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Not sure on the % breakout of this wine, but would imagine that the Sauv Blanc is the dominant force. Color was bordering on a St Patrick's Day parade, very green tint. On the nose there was a briny mineral element that I associate with oyster shells. This was counter balanced perfectly with razor sharp flavors of kiwi and pineapple. The finish was memorable and lasted for quite a while. The acid level was a bit low for my liking and so even though the flavor went on and on, it became somewhat heavy on the back palate. Overall a nice bottle of white, but next time I would pair it with food that had a touch of lemon as to add some acidic balance to the wine. Would purchase again.

2004 Boudreaux Cellars Merlot USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Wine was decanted for one hour and then put back in the bottle. Was then opened for tasting an hour and a half after that. Initial hot nose reminiscent of high alcohol. this is a quality I have found in Boudreaux reds even though the alcohol levels tend to fall in the 13-14% range. Blew off after a little time in the glass. On the nose there were elements of baking spices (primarily cinnamon) as well as a light roast coffee. Somewhat of a subdued fruit level on tha palate, but was picking up bits of blackberry and boysenberry. Tannins were in check. As always the mouthfeel was like heavy cream. Finish was a bit short which detracted from the overall enjoyment of the wine. Would purchase again.

2004 Boudreaux Cellars Chardonnay Bishop's & Homestead USA, Washington - Crisp acidity right off the bat that was very palate cleansing. Touch of vanilla from the oak that combiined well with the pineapple and star fruit flavors. My biggest takeaways from Boudreaux wines is that Rob is able to coax amazing mouthfeel into his wines. Wine starts out like a tropical creme brulee and then the focused acidity creates a clean finish. Would purchase again.

2002 Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay USA, California, Sonoma County - Fading fast. The cream and butter were taken over by a more acidic feel. This should be drank within two years of vintage tops.

2004 Walla Walla Vintners Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Popped and poured. Started very green, thought that the fruit might be underripe, but at 14.5% alcohol not sure how. Over an hour the wine improved slightly with more smokey notes. However, the green element never really went away. Tannins were present but not overwhelming. Not much fruit to speak of. Was hoping for more and I got dissapointed. Would not purchase again.

2002 Cana's Feast Winery (Cuneo) Sangiovese Two Rivers USA, Oregon/Washington - Singing this evening. Popped and poured, though could have used a decant to open up a bit. Rose petals and spice with a good dose of tannins. Pair with a roast leg of lamb. This wine goes wonderfully with lamb. Still a very big wine with lots of life ahead of it. Would purchase again.

2002 Château de Valcombe Costières-de-Nîmes Prestige France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Costières-de-Nîmes - Very young and tannic. Opened and decanted, drank with dinner 48 hours later. Still had a lot of tannins left. Had some interesting notes under the tannins, but at this point they are overshadowed. Would not purchase again without trying an older version to see how it evolves.

Wines Tasted In December

2005 Portteus Rattlesnake Red USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Right out of the bottle this seemed tight and a bit green. After a couple of hours open the fruit started to come to the front. However, the fruit tasted candied and a bit fake. There was a good dose of oak in the background with an element of toffee coming through. Almost no finish, the wine just sort of disappeared on the tongue. For the price it was alright, but I think that there are better options out there. Would probably not purchase again.

Non Vintage Dow Porto Trademark Finest Reserve Portugal, Douro, Porto - Not giving much up on the nose. Ultra sweet on the palate with flavors of cherries and raspberries. Fairly hot alcohol burn. Finish lasts a good minute. Not very complex, but a good dose of sweetness if you are looking for some desesrt. Would purchase again.

2002 JM Cellars Syrah USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Decanted due to copious amounts of sediment. Eucaliptus and blackberries on the nose. Lots of up front tannins that cut throught the richness of the braised short ribs. Once the food was gone the tannins were a bit harsh and overpowered the rest of the flavors. Hints of dark berries and oak. Finish was a bit thin. Not a great value for the price. Would not purchase again.

1999 Château La Fleur d'Or France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes - First Sauternes I have had. Much different than I was expecting. Not nearly as sweet. The balance between acidity and sweetness was perfect. Had all the elements of a very good non-desert white meritage, with a little sweetness on the end. Paired very nicely with an apple pie and whipped cream. Chose this wine tonight because it was the least expensive in the cellar. Thought it would be good to work my way up. Can't wait to try a higher end bottle.

2004 Stevens Sauvignon Blanc Legs USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Much better than the last bottle but the fruit is definitely fading. Glad that I opened this up now. Still really enjoyed the wine. Nice mouthfeel with a creamy finish. Would purchase the next vintage.

2002 Three Rivers Winery Meritage USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Crisp and fresh. Nice balance, went well with pork roast.

2005 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Rhône Belleruche France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône - Bright ruby red to purple color. Light hint of blood on the nose along with some green vegetal aromas. The alcohol seems to also come through on the nose and gives your sinuses the same kind of reaction when smelling hard liquor. On the palate there is a metalic hit right up front, like licking a stainless steel sink. Then there is a quick flash of sour cherries that dies on the mid palate. Very drying tannins. About ten seconds after you swollow the wine it comes back to bite you. Very sour/bitter finish that makes you wish that you had spit the wine out. Would not purchase again.

2002 Lynfred Winery Fred's Red USA, Illinois - Very nice for a value priced bottle. Was incredibly balanced, tannins had integrated and the fruit was very smooth. After being opened a couple of hours it picked up a ton of cigar tobacco flavors. If I could get this in Seattle I would definitely purchase again.

2003 Toad Hollow Merlot Reserve McDowell USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley - Was hoping for a repeat of the 2000 vintage. This is a much different wine. If tasted blind I would have guessed a pinot noir. Decanted, but no sediment. The color was a light strawberry with a nose that reminded me of candied cherries. Mouthfeel was a bit thin with a slightly higher level of acidity than I would have preferred. Wine smoothed out a bit over a three hour period. Will wait a couple more years to open the next one and hope that it improves. Would not purchase this vintage again, but would purchase the wine.

2003 Hedges Family Estate CMS USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - The wood is showing through a bit too much. Glimpses of nice fruit, but nothing memorable.

2005 Isenhower Cellars Wild Thyme USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Such a smooth mouthfeel. Feels like running some silk pajamas across your tongue. Aromas of kalua pig...combo of oil, pork, salt and hickory smoke. Tanninsreally started to show up after the wine was open for an hour. Flavors of dark fruit, orange peel and a bit of mint. Oak didn't show up until after the glass was empty, but boy howdy did it show up. Wonderful bottle of wine. Would purchase again.

2005 Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay USA, California, Sonoma County - Another good vintage. The butter level has been decreased while the acid level has increased. Notes of tropical fruit. Medium mouthfeel. Would purchase again.

2006 Airfield Estates Pinot Gris USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - crystal clear with just the faintest hint of color. On the nose there were elements of pear and whipped cream. The palate had more pear and a huge flavor of dried banana chips. Just a little bit of sweetness on the back end, but a good dose of acidity to cut through. Really enjoyable bottle of wine. Would purchase again.

2003 Soléna Pinot Gris USA, Oregon - Fabulous. Nice bright acidity. Well balanced fruit. Would purchase again.

2004 Chatter Creek Cabernet Franc Alder Ridge Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills - Red Berries. This is a fairly simple cab franc. Don't know that I could tell much varietal typicity. Decent mid week wine. Paired nicely with home made mac and cheese (extra sharp cheddar). Would purchase again.

2004 Avery Lane Merlot USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Good QPR bottle. Somewhat of a band-aid scent that blew off after a while. Good dose of sweet fruit flavors. The tannins were a bit lacking and so the back palate was somewhat flabby. Would purchase again.

2004 Pomum Cellars Shya Red USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Decanted, not much sediment. Gave it about an hour in the decanter. Seems like the oak was taking a front seat tonight. There was a little bit of a cinnamon note on the nose. Wine had an alcoholic touch on the front palate but then developed into a great mid palate. Notes of sour cherry, black raspberry and just a hint of green bell pepper. Finish was a bit too thin and the great flavors on the mid palate didn't stick around long enough. Wine was good tonight, but couldn't quite figure out what it wanted to be. Would purchase again. Revisited 24 hours later. Left in the decanter on the kitchen counter overnight. Oak had integrated much better and I was getting more spice notes on the nose. The wine was also much more complete in the front and mid palate. The hottness from the night before had blown off and I was getting a stong black cherry flavor. Finish was still a bit clipped. Leads me to believe that this may be more of a longer term hold to really get everything out of it.

2004 Stevens Syrah Black Tongue USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Really disjointed right out of the bottle. Took about a half an hour in the decanter to come around. Subtle nose of heavily smoked bacon. Dark fruits on the palate with a good full mouthfeel. Would purchase again.

2002 K Vintners Syrah Milbrandt Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope - Started out very closed. Took about four hours to start to come around. Never got all that complex. Was pleasant, but nothing remarkable. Will wait another couple of years before I open my next one. Would not purchase again, not good enough QPR.

2004 B.R. Cohn Zinfandel USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley - 2004 just wasn't a nice year to california Zins. The wine wasn't bad, just not very memorable. Right upon opening the bottle there was an aroma of stewed fruit. However, there was not much fruit to speak of on the palate. After an hour open, the wine turned into liquid wood. Both the nose and palate was like sucking on a piece of cedar. Mouthfeel had medium weight, but died fairly quickly on the back of the tongue. Not terribly sad to see the last of these bottles go. Would not purchase again.

2004 Boudreaux Cellars Syrah Desert Hills Vineyard USA, Washington - Popped and poured. Nose of smoked mushrooms. Wasn't getting a lot on the palate tonight. There was a nice crisp acidity on the finish. Would purchase again.

2002 Sterling Vineyards Merlot USA, California, Napa Valley - Day 1: Green. Seems to have a vegetal/leafy taste to it. Some interesting flavors hidden underneath that I hope will come out with the bottle open for 24 hours. Would not purchase again at this stage. Day 2: Didn't improve very much. Was a little bit softer tonight, but the green element was still very much in the fore front. Not bad enough to pour out, but I didn't enjoy it very much. Would not purchase again.

2002 Dunham Cellars Three Legged Red USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Still heavy on the oak, but settling down somewhat. Pleasant bottle of wine to drink, but nothing overly complex.

2003 Vin du Lac Viognier USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - For $5 I would purchase this wine just for the aroma. Reeally heavy scents of tropical fruit just jumped from the glass. Was too tart on the palate, made me pucker up like sucking on a lemon. Other people in the group liked it, but it just didn't do it for me. Would purchase again if I were serving it to other people.

2004 L'Ecole No. 41 Sémillon USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Always a good choice. Consistent performer. Well balanced. Creamy mouthfeel. Would purchase again.

2004 Cadence Coda USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Good and tasty. Bright tannins without being overly drying. Nose of tobacco, blackberries and bramble. Would imagine that this will smoothe out with some time in the cellar. Would purchase again.

2004 Estampa Assemblage Chile, Central Valley, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley - Much better than the last bottle. Still a bit too vinegary for my liking. Will drink up the last bottle I have soon. Would not purhcase again.

2002 Covey Run Merlot Winemaker's Collection USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Good QPR. Dark berry nose though somewhat simplistic. Nice smoothe finish. Would purchase again.

2006 Zolo Torrontés Argentina, Mendoza - Nice tropical fruit flavors. Consistent with prior bottle. Would purchase again.

2004 Illusion Cabernet Sauvignon Dionysus USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Tons of sediment in this bottle. Needed to decant. Very light nose of prune, but not much else. There was some bright acidity on the palate that made this wine pop. Good red fruit characteristics. Finish was short'ish but smoothe. Would purchase again.

1998 Aldo e Riccardo Seghesio Langhe Bouquet Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC - Floral nose of roses and violets. Nice acid level. People drinking this with me both thought the tannin level was still a little harsh, but I didn't get that at all. Doesn't jump out and grab you, but is a nice complex thinking man's wine. Would purchase again.

2003 Columbia Crest Merlot Grand Estates USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Great QPR. Lots of dark fruit and cocoa on the nose. Smoothe tannins. Finish was a bit clipped. Would purchase again.

2003 Columbia Crest Merlot Grand Estates USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Great QPR. Lots of dark fruit and cocoa on the nose. Smoothe tannins. Finish was a bit clipped. Would purchase again.

2006 Stevens Sauvignon Blanc Athought USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Drinking really well right now. Initially served well chilled and there were aromas of granny smith apples. As the wine warmed up there was a distinct smell of fresh baked rolls from Paradiso Italian restaurant in Kirkland. Flavors of star fruit and lime dominate. Good amount of crisp acidity. Paired well with a olive oil, garlic and crushed red pepper sauce on my pasta. Would purchase again.

2003 Matthews Cellars Syrah USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain - Big, dark and brooding wine. Color was nearly black. I was worried about the alcohol level (14.9%), but didn't pick up any heat at all. Nose had a big blackberry element and very little oak. Wine was mouthfilling and had a good long finish. Would purchase again.

2002 Chelan Estate Merlot Stillwater Creek Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - One big bottle of blueberry pie. Huge nose. After about an hour the tannins started to show through on the palate. Would purchase again.

2004 Chatter Creek Cabernet Franc Alder Ridge Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills - Consistent notes with last bottle. Simple but tasty. Would purchase again.

2000 Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley - Drank to celebrate the power coming back on after five days of dark. Decanted, copious amounts of sediment. Dark purple with a clear rim. Served with tenderloin steaks. Wine was initially served a bit colder than normal (56 degrees). Paired nicely with the steaks. Very balanced with a long finish. However, it was hard to pick out any one element to the wine. Did not impress me as much as the merlot, but still very tasty. Don't think that I would pay retail prices for this. After two hours the wine warmed up to mid 60's and it became an oak bomb. All other elements dissapeared. All in all enjoyable wine, but not at the level I was hoping for.

2006 Arlington Road Cellars Riesling Imperium Charbonneau Farms USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Nose was not giving it up that much tonight. Slight hint of oak, but it was definitely dancing in the background. Paired with a kung pau recipe, balanced nicely with the heat of the dish. On the palate there was a laser focused flavor of satsuma orange rind. Slightly sweet with alright level of acidity (would have preferred a bit more). Finish lasted a good minute. It was pleasant to drink, but maybe a bit too one dimensional to seek out. Would not purchase again.

2002 Cana's Feast Winery (Cuneo) Pinot Noir USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley - Much bigger style of Pinot Noir than I typically go for. Nose had a bit of oak and some strawberry. On the palate there was more strawberry and little green leaf. Enjoyed the wine but can't say that it made that big of an impression on me. Would not purchase again as I prefer a more feminine style.

Non Vintage Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut France, Champagne - Opened this up to drink while putting up the Christmas tree. Very strong nose. When I opened up the bottle it just filled the area with the smell. The only way to describe the aroma is to say that it smelled like a condom rubbed with liquid smoke laying on top of rising bread dough. The rubber element was unmistakeable, but I actually got some liquid smoke out of the pantry to double check what I was thinking. The wine tasted like a burning campfire smells. The mouthfeel was nice and on the heavy (creamy) side. Finish lasted a while, but I don't know if that is a good thing. Very interesting Champagne, but not one that I would go out looking for again. Would not purchase again.

Non Vintage Francis Coppola / Niebaum-Coppola Sofia Blanc de Blancs USA, California - Won't be purchasing this again. Metalic taste dominated.

2004 Gallagher U Brew Pinot Gris USA, Oregon, Yamhill County - Funk is gone. color is butterscotch. Nose reminds me of semillon more than pinot gris. Smoothing out. Looking forward to this as my go to summer wine of 2007.

2007 Stevens Viognier Divio USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Nose of peach with a hint of orange marmalade. Flavors were nice and refreshing though I couldn't put my finger on any one flavor. Nice mouthfeel with balanced acidity. Would purchase again.

2004 Waving Tree Sangiovese Estate USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Good drinking wine. Opens up nicely after about 2 hours. Light rose petal nose. Would purchase again.

2004 Columbia Crest Shiraz Two Vines USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Wow, this was not showing well tonght. Aroma of stewed tomatoes. On the palate there was more stewed flavors, this time of plums and prunes. Would not purchase.

2004 Desert Wind Vineyard RUAH USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope - Strong scents of buttered corn and oak. Kind of disjointed on the finish. Tannins have not resolved very well. If I was going to a wine "sniffing" I would really enjoy this wine, but the tasting kind of killed it. Would not purchase.

2005 Cougar Crest Viognier USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley - Had a taste at a Christmas party. Not giving much up on the nose, but may have been served a little too chilled. Hints of kiwi and pineapple on the palate. Very crisp acidity, which by itself was a bit over the top. May have improved with food. For the price there are better options out there. Would not purchase.

2004 Pomum Cellars Shya Red USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Nicely balanced wine. Dark fruit, oak and spice. Good mouthfeel and a finish that lasted a good thirty seconds. Would purchase again.

2005 Winemaker's Loft USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Heavy on the oak and somewhat one dimensional tonight. I remember it being better at the winery. Hoping that this is just an off bottle. Would not purchase again if it doesn't change.

2005 Stevens Merlot USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Drinking well right at release. Bit of an herbal element on the nose. Palate has a bit of blackberries and a floral twinge. Very soft mouthfeel, with just a hint of tannins on the finish. Definitely made as more of a near term drinker. Would purchase again.

2004 Pomum Cellars Syrah USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Huge nose on this wine. Scents of bloody meat and lots of gamey notes. Aroma pulls you into the glass and slaps you around a bit before letting go. Palate doen't quite match the aroma. Still very good, but does not have the weight to match. Subtle dark fruits with a little bit of smoke. Curious to see how this will develop, but it is hard to keep hands off right now because it is drinking so well. Would purchase again.

2005 Boudreaux Cellars Merlot USA, Washington - A bit tannic right out of the bottle, needed about an hour to open up. Nose of vanilla bean and lots of sweet bright cherry on the palate. Could use some more time to settle the tannins down. Would purchase again.

Non Vintage Graham Porto Six Grapes Portugal, Douro, Porto - Started off very hot and searing. Heavy aroma of tobacco and black licorice. On the palate it was pretty much the same. Hoping that this will develope some more interesting flavors. Right now it is a little too one dimensional.

2005 Stevens Sauvignon Blanc Pose #11B USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - This is designed for early drinking. Bright tropical scents and flavors. Just a hint of grassiness in the back palate. Would purchase again as long as I was planning on drinking within the first year after release.

2006 Bodega Emina Rueda Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda - Very crisp and acidic. Needed food to cut through. Nose was pretty tight, though pear, pineapple and unripe peach came through on the palate. Paired with a plate of manchego cheese, feta scalion spread and olives. Could see this being a great summer pick me up when it is really hot outside and you have shellfish grilling on the BBQ. Would purchase again.

2004 Bodegas Bretón Rioja Loriñón Crianza Spain, La Rioja, Rioja - Wine changed a couple of times over the course of an hour and a half. Initially not giving up much on the nose, but the flavor profile had bright berry flavors. After a bit the nose gave up a bit of oak and the flavors became fairly tart cherries. In the end the flavors took on more dark berries and the nose closed up again. Was a decent bottle of wine and would probably purchase again if i came across it in another restaurant.

Non Vintage Toad Hollow Crémant de Limoux Amplexus France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Crémant de Limoux - Very tasty. Think that this is a good QPR. Notes of tart apple and nice mouthfeel. Would purchase again.

Non Vintage Cantine Collalto Prosecco Piave Italy, Veneto, Piave - Slightly corked. But not bad enough not to drink it. Most everything was muted but we needed a toasting wine for a large group. Oh well.

2000 Yakima River Winery Shiraz Port USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - Very nice end to a Christmas feast with my family. This was a Syrah port. A bit spicy with hints of dried fruit. Finish lasted 15-20 seconds. Toward the end of the second glass the wine got a bit tired, dulling somewhat. Would purchase again.

Non Vintage Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Blancs USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Made into mimosas for Christmas brunch. Poured before the orange juice. No very heavy on the bubbles. Extremely dry with just a hint of green apple. Decent for mixing, but don't know about on it's own. Would purchase again.

2004 Nota Bene Cellars Syrah USA, Washington - Had a taste from a bottle that had been opened for two days. Couldn't finish the glass of wine. Fruit was all gone and all that was left was green tobacco flavors and tannins. Don't feel like I can make a reasonable judgment of this wine on the taste.

2006 Azienda Agricola Perazzeta Sangiovese Sara Toscana IGT Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT - Brought to my parent's house for Christmas dinner. Really simple wine. Not much coming through on either the nose or palate. It was wine, nothing more nothing less. Would not purchase again.

2005 Zenato Valpolicella Superiore Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella - Brought to parent's house for Christmas dinner. Nose of potpouri and spice. Very bright sweet bing cherries on the palate. Finish fell off very quickly. Not a terribly complicated wine, but tasty. Would purchase again.

2006 Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Alamos Argentina, Mendoza - Brought to parent's house for Christmas dinner. Color was very dark purple bordering on black. Nose had a little bit of leather and smoke. On the palate there was more smoke and some sweet dark berries. Wine finished fairly tannic. When paired with meatballs and gravy the finish was much more pleasant. Would purchase again.

2002 The Hess Collection Chardonnay Hess Select USA, California - Highly acidic, paired well with food(roast chicken, spicy corn soup). Satisfactory wine, but nothing special. Would not purchase again for the price($19).

2001 Three Rivers Winery Syrah Columbia Valley USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Really nice balanced wine. Almost black in color. Smokey aromas. Would purchase again.

2002 Covey Run Cabernet Sauvignon Winemaker's Collection USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Drank rather than analized. It was tasty. Would purchase again.

2001 Covey Run Merlot Barrel Select USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Last bottle. Not as deep as the previous bottle. Hint of mint. Good wine for the price. Would purchase again.

Non Vintage Rodier Pere & Fils Champagne Reserve France, Champagne - Good sparkler. lots of toasty elements. Nose of brioche and buttered toast. Crisp mouthfeel with more toast. Not much fruit to speak of. really enjoyed this with a slice of apple pie a la mode. Would purchase again.

2004 Fess Parker Syrah USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County - Popped and poured. Dark color. Nose of brown sugar, molasses and a bit of smokey bacon fat. On the palate there was more dark sugar along with a touch of mintiness. Finish was a bit short. All in all a solid effort. Would purchase again.

2004 Masquerade Merlot Klipsun Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain - Really tasty bottle of wine. Decanted for about half an hour before drinking. Lots of smokey dark fruit on both the nose and palate. Nice silky mouthfeel with just enough of a tannic bite for interest. Don't see this as being a long term drinker, but is well worth it right now. Would purchase again.

Non Vintage Yalumba Galway Pipe Australia, New South Wales - Nutty, butterscotch, raisins. Pleasing palate, the nose is a little weaker than I was hoping for. Nice mouthfeel. I would buy for myself as an everyday tawny.

1999 Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Willamette Valley USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley - Oh I miss pinot's with funk. However, this was nice in it's own way. Bright ruby red color. Nose of cranberry and cola. On the palate there was more cranberries and tart raspberries. Finish was very short. Paired well with seared duck breast. Decent bottle of wine, but wish that I could find more pinots with that mushroom/wet forest funk. Would not purchase again.

1999 Barón de Oña Rioja Reserva Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja - Very nice bottle of wine. Paired wonderfully with most of the meal (not so much with desert). Decanted, not much sediment. Right out of the gate this wine hits you with tons of saddle leather. Took about a half an hour to calm down and start to let the fruit through. Bright red fruits (pomegranate primarily) on both the nose and palate. The leather was still there along with some cedar cigar box aromas. Good acidity to match with the food. Would purchase again.

1992 C.H. Berres Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer - Started off that I didn't like the wine, but it was interesting enough to keep me drinking. Upon opening there was a heavy aroma of diesel. After about two hours the diesel started to mellow and there was an increase in the spice element. At this point the wine got much more enjoyable. Left a couple of glasses worth in the bottle for day 2 tasting. Will update tomorrow. Day 2 - Less diesel and more spice. Enjoyable, still needs spicy food to bring the wine out. Day 3 - Almost no diesel left. The residual sugar has really come to the forefront.

2005 Nefarious Cellars Gewürztraminer Antoine Creek USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Paired with spicy takeout from our local Mongolian grill. The sweetness nicely offset the spicy of the food. On the nose there was a distinct aroma of Smarties candy just out of the wrapper. After about an hour open, the wine took on more of an orange, lime and lemon peel nose. On the palate there were more citrus notes as well as a bit of coriander. Good mouthfeel, though the finish didn't last quite as long as I would have liked. Would purchase again.

2005 Stevens Syrah Black Tongue USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley - This wine is starting to settle down a little bit. Nice dark color. Still young and very fruit forward. Nose was not giving up a lot to me tonight. A bit of oak was coming through. On the palate there was plenty of blackberry liquor and black cherry flavors. Finish lasted a good 30 seconds. Paired with a chicken and sausage pot pie. Held up very nicely to the bold flavors of the dish. Would purchase again.

2004 Waterbrook Mélange USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Starting to mellow out. Tannins were in check. Decent mouthfeel and a touch of spice. Would purchase again.

2005 Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay USA, California, Sonoma County - Old standard. Not as buttery as past vintages. More apple notes. Good QPR year after year. Would purchase again.

2003 Red Sky Merlot USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Wine was served in odd shaped thick lipped glasses. Have a feeling that it took something away from the overall impact of the wine. However, it was still drinking nicely. Aromas of fresh popped popcorn along with a nice drizzling of butter. Tannins were well resolved and the mouthfeel was balanced and smooth. Bit of red fruit and aok on the palate. Was surprised at the alcohol level (15.31%) as the wine did not seem hot or over the top in any way. Would purchase again.

2003 Challenger Ridge Pinot Noir USA, Washington, Puget Sound - Notes very similar to the last bottle. Alright easy drinking red, but no varietal character to speak of. Would not purchase again.

Non Vintage Cristalino Cava Brut Spain, Catalunya, Cava - Very dry. Good toasting wine when there are a number of non champagne drinkers in the room. Would purchase again.

2002 El Paseo Valencia Spain, Valencia - Spicy. Would purchase again.

2004 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Sonoma County USA, California, Sonoma County - Nice bottle of wine. However, doesn't have the juiciness or spice of other vintages.

Non Vintage Francis Coppola / Niebaum-Coppola Sofia Blanc de Blancs USA, California - Won't be purchasing this again. Metalic taste dominated.

Non Vintage Francis Coppola / Niebaum-Coppola Sofia Blanc de Blancs USA, California - Won't be purchasing this again. Metalic taste dominated.

Non Vintage G. H. Mumm & Cie Champagne Carte Classique France, Champagne - Color was much darker than I would have expected, nearly identical to fresh squeezed apple juice. Bubbles were pretty large also. right out of the bottle this wine had a strong odor of animal urine. Not very dry on the palate and the flavor was pretty much non existent. Would not purchase again.

1999 Brian Carter Cellars Solesce USA, Washington, Columbia Valley - Decanted. Decent amount of sediment. Right out of the bottle it was very fresh and lively. Hints of smoke and brown sugar. Color was deep red. After about three hours in the decanter the color was start to brick. Still a fairly tannic and drying wine, but enough fruit on the back end to balance it out. This wine is drinking really well right now, but it has the stuffing to go on for a while longer. Not sure if it will improve any more though. Would pruchase again.

2003 Boudreaux Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon USA, Washington - Should have decanted this for both sediment and to give it a little more time to open up. Sweet nose of black raspberries and chocolate. More dark fruits and a bit of vanilla on the palate. The mouthfeel on the Boudreaux wines are what set them apart, just luscious. Would purchase again.

Non Vintage J. Dumangin Fils Champagne Brut 1er Cru Grande Reserve France, Champagne - Very good bottle of champagne. High level of yeasty aromas and plenty of apple and pair notes. Mouthfeel was thick and creamy. Really enjoyed. Would purchase again.