Thursday, May 14, 2009

Wines Tasted in April

2004 Vin du Lac Cabernet Franc USA, Washington, Columbia Valley Wife loves this wine, I find it very pleasant. Low tannin level with a balanced amount of acidity. Notes of dried raspberries and potpouri. Paired well with the feta and sun dried tomatoes that were stuffed in the chicken breast. For the price I expect a bit more wow factor. I guess that my wife loves it so much that can count for the wow factor for someone. Would purchase again.

2006 Stevens Yes USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley Perfect bottle of wine for when you just need to grab something out of the cellar. Nose of cherry, cranberry and spicy oak. More red fruit flavors on the palate. Finish was short but clean. Would purchase again.

2000 Covey Run Merlot Barrel Select USA, Washington, Columbia Valley Always a great value wine. Would purchase again.

Non Vintage Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne Brut France, Champagne The more I have other champagnes, the less this inspires me. Bit of yeast and toasty aromas. Palate was very flat and lifeless. For the price I think that it is time to start passing on this and purchase other sparklers.

1995 Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvée Vintage Reserve USA, California, Sonoma County, Carneros Extremely dry. The fruit is fading a bit on this, but tastes very good. Need to drink the rest over the next six months.

2003 Territorial Pinot Gris USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley Tangy. Paired with sauteed chicken breast with a lime sauce. Nothing memorable about the wine, but it provided a pleasant flavor and aroma. Would purchase again.

2002 Columbia Crest Two Vines Sémillon-Chardonnay USA, Washington, Columbia Valley It's wine. Starting to get flat, fat and tired. Oak is showing through. Some nose and palate of tropical fruits. Would not purchase this vintage again.

2002 Cana's Feast Winery (Cuneo) Syrah Del Rio Vineyard USA, Oregon, Southern Oregon, Rogue Valley Decanted. There was a chunk of sediment about the size of my pinky finger. Slight heat on the nose with lots of dark fruit aromas. Palate was a bit thin, but the dark fruit flavors made up for the mouthfeel. Finish lasted a good long time. Would purchase again.

2001 Maryhill Fort Rock Red USA, Washington, Columbia Valley Very nice. Started off very spicy, made the italian sausage seem mild. Calmed down over an hour period. Slight hint of oyster in the background (a good thing). Would buy again.

2001 Three Rivers Winery Syrah Columbia Valley USA, Washington, Columbia Valley Really enjoyable wine. The fruit is starting to dry out a bit, but I am still getting blackberries and tart cherries. Smoky with a bit of earth thrown in for good measure. Decanted, but not a bit of sediment. Improved with air over two hours. Really like my syrah with about 5-6 years of age on it. Would purchase this vintage again for short term drinking and younger vintages for long term.

2004 Masquerade Merlot Klipsun Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain Just wasn't giving up much tonight. Think that the wine was served a bit too chilled. Color was very deep and dark. Nose had a little bit of cocoa powder. On the palate it was just lifeless. Hope that this wine is not on the downhill.

2006 Hence Cellars Riesling USA, Washington, Columbia Valley Nose was somewhat closed on this tonight. Not getting the typical diesel notes that I enjoy from this wine. A bit one dimensional and kind of drinking "simple". Not a good representation of what this wine can offer.

2004 Vin du Lac Cabernet Franc USA, Washington, Columbia Valley Drinking really well right now. Nose had a nice combination of tart fruits, spices and dried flowers. Raspberry and pommegranate on the palate. Finish was short but clean. Would purchase again.

2002 W. B. Bridgman Cellars Viognier Yakima Valley USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley Great value. Refreshing, but still somewhat lush. Tropical fruits on the nose. Would purchase again.

2005 Boudreaux Cellars Chardonnay Bishop's & Homestead USA, Washington Unfined and unfiltered, so this wine is cloudy. Not the same depth as the 2004 vintage. Wasn't giving up much. Not to say that the wine was bad, it was just very subdued. Hope that this opens up more with time. Would purchase again to try it in another year.

2002 Château Peyre-Lebade France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Listrac-Médoc Didn't pair well with the brie and prosciutto, made it a bit too bitey. Let it sit for a couple of hours and it got better. Had an odd smell to it that I can only discribe as a combination of mint and Smarties(candy). Had a hard time picking up any fruit on the palate. Definitely much different than the domestic wine I normally drink. Am thinking that this would have been better paired with a hearty meal. Not sure if it is designed to stand alone as an apperetif.

2005 Northwest Totem Cellars Cabernet Franc USA, Washington, Columbia Valley Just a tannic beast tonight. Hard to get anything out of this. Just bought some new Reidel Bordeaux glasses and wanted to try them out. Felt like the wine jsut got lost in the glass. Front palate was nice and then boom went the tannins. Totally puckered you up. Not showing well tonight. Would not re-purchase based on tonight, but it was much better at the winery.

2004 Ravenswood Zinfandel Lodi USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi Brought to Easter dinner. Didn't get a taste.

2003 Ravenswood Zinfandel Lodi USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi brought to Easter dinner. Didn't get a taste.

2003 Vin du Lac Sauvignon Blanc USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley Brought to Easter dinner. Didn't get a taste.

2005 Cedergreen Cellars Viola USA, Washington, Columbia Valley Brought to Easter dinner. Paired with ham and shrimp. Nice fresh flavor. Subdued aromas. Went well with the food, but by itself I think that it would be underwhelming. However, it might be nice on a hot day in summer.

2002 Columbia Crest Two Vines Sémillon-Chardonnay USA, Washington, Columbia Valley It was white, it was cold, it had alcohol. That is about all this wine had tonight. Really starting on the downhill slide.

2006 Des Voigne Cellars Sangiovese San Remo Seven Hills Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley Nose started off very closed but opened up a little after an hour. Predominant aroma was oak with some red fruits. I was disappointed at first sip as the wine was flat on the front of the palate. However, it really took off in the mid palate and the finish. Lots of sweet fruit and bright tannic structure. Would purchase again.

2002 Rex Hill Vineyards Pinot Gris King's Ridge USA, Oregon Nice table wine. Went well with grilled halibut in a dill burre blanc. Flavor really comes out when the wine is not as chilled as typical for a white. Would purchase again.

2005 Stevens Merlot USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley Big fruit aromas as soon as I popped the cork. Nose of cherries, blackberries and pie spices (cinamon and clove). More of the same on the palate. In the beginning the wine had a pretty soft mouthfeel, but after about an hour the tannins started to show up and dry out the wine. Good bottle of wine. Would purchase again.

2006 Boudreaux Cellars Chardonnay Bishop's & Homestead USA, Washington Had a hard time analyzing this wine tonight, but it was good. There was something on the nose that I think was toasted coconut, but just couldn't put my finger on it. There was a little bit of pineapple. Thick mouthfeel. Medium length finish with full flavors. Would purchase again.

2004 Waving Tree Sangiovese Estate USA, Washington, Columbia Valley Tasty midweek wine. Paired with chicken fried steak and thyme country gravy. Bit of acidity to clean the palate. Bright red color. Would purchase again.

2001 Woodward Canyon Estate Red Wine USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley Cherry campfire. Decanted, had a bit of sediment. Nose of cherries and an element that smelled like a campfire the next morning. Still some strong tannins on the backend of the palate. Drinking nicely, but not enough wow factor for the price point. Would not purchase again.

2003 Waterbrook Mélange USA, Washington, Columbia Valley Still a bit too tannic. Melowed out after about an hour in the glass. Will wait another year before I try the next bottle. Would purchase again.

Non Vintage Tulip Valley Cabernet-Merlot USA, Washington Brought to Easter dinner. Didn't get to taste.

2006 Hence Cellars Riesling USA, Washington, Columbia Valley Brought to Easter dinner. Didn't get to taste this, but it went quickly so everyone else seemed to enjoy it.

2006 Eagle Haven Madeleine Angevine USA, Washington, Puget Sound Brought to Easter dinner. I didn't get to have any, but my wife said she liked it. Would purchase again.

2003 Waterbrook Mélange USA, Washington, Columbia Valley Smokey and meaty. Tannins have integrated very nicely. More smoke. Nicely balanced. Would purchase again.

2001 Cana's Feast Winery (Cuneo) Two Rivers USA, Oregon/Washington A bit harsh. Didn't mellow over a two day period. Needs heavy food to settle it down. Would not repurchase.

2006 Pomum Cellars A. D. Dunn USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley Decanted. Slight haze on the top of the wine, makes me think that there is a high sulfite level. (that's the only thing I have seen to cause the haze on the wine). Color is like a slightly under ripe cherry still on the tree. Initially nose was fairly closed. Was picking up a good amount of oak, some mintyness as well as a very dusty component (think of going into an attic that has been closed up for a while. After a while there was some tart raspberry. Chewy tannins on the palate. Flavors of strawberry and more tart raspberries. The tannins really hang on for a while without being overbearing. Good finish. Would purchase again.

1996 Perrier-Jouët Champagne Cuvée Fleur de Champagne France, Champagne Amazing. This bottle of champagne was the best caramel apple tartlet I have ever had. The nose was heavy on yeasty dough. Front of the tongue picked up hints of caramel while the mouthfeel was like heavy whipped cream. Finished with a mouthful of tart green apples. Could get used to really good champagne!!!! Would purchase again for a special occasion.

2004 Gallagher U Brew Pinot Gris USA, Oregon, Yamhill County This fell off a steep cliff all of a sudden. Guess that the rest of it will be for cooking.

2002 Rulo Syrah Columbia Valley USA, Washington, Columbia Valley Still going along very nicely. Would purchase again.

2005 Stevens Sauvignon Blanc Pose #11B USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley Grassiness is starting to take over the tropical notes. Still very fresh and vibrant. Drink in the near future if you have any more. Would purchase again for near term drinking.

2006 Barrage Cellars Cabernet Franc Secret Weapon Boushey Vineyards USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley Popped and poured. Deep red/black core and a bright bubble gum pink rim. Slight bit of oak on the nose as well as dark roasted cocoa. After about two hours the nose closed up and didn't open back up again for the rest of the night. Flavors of rainier cherries, pomegranate and tart cranberries. Weight in the mouth was a little light with a bright tannic structure that tingled on the sides and back of the tongue. Finish didn't last as long as I would have preferred, but had a nice flavor profile. Would purchase again.

2004 Rutherford Hill Zinfandel Vintage Port USA, California, Napa Valley Brought to a tasting. Was concerned that this was going to be way too young, but came across very balanced. Nose of green and white peppercorns. Sweet balck cherry on the palate. Nice mouthfeel (silky) with a consistent flavor profile from the front to the back of the tongue. Good long finish, could see this aging for a while. Would purchase again.

2003 Waterbrook Chardonnay USA, Washington, Columbia Valley Heavy on the minerals. Very acidic, needed food to cut the taste a little bit. Not sure if I would purchase again. Still don't "GET" Washington chardonnay.

2002 Cana's Feast Winery (Cuneo) Bricco USA, Oregon, Southern Oregon, Rogue Valley Decanted. After one hour there were heady floral aromas and lots of spiciness. Good does of oak, but well integrated into the overall taste. After about two hours the wine started to close down and the taste went somewhat flat. Got more harsh as the evening wore on. Would purchase again if I were going to drink it quickly once the bottle was opened.

2001 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley USA, California, Napa Valley Decanted, fair amount of sediment. Still drinking quite nicely. Nose of plum and prune, with just a hint of tomato. On the palate there were ample tannins, some oak and more dark raisinous fruit flavors. Would purchase again.

2005 Cougar Crest Vivace USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley Wonderful QPR. Lots of fresh tropical fruit flavors. Nice mouthfeel and good dose of acidity to clean the palate. Will be buying more of this.

2002 Columbia Crest Two Vines Sémillon-Chardonnay USA, Washington, Columbia Valley Bit of butter on the front end, died on the back palate. Almost at the end of it's life.

2005 Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay USA, California, Sonoma County Was a little worried when I first poured this bottle as there were a bunch of what looked like little shards of glass. I had never seen tartaric crystals in the bottom of a glass. Wine was typical though a bit less oak and vanilla on this vintage. Good mouthfeel. Would purchase again.

2005 Rulo Syrah USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley Drank over two nights. First night was all about the smoke and the oak. Heavy aroma of dark roasted coffee and sweet pipe tobacco. Maybe a little over the top, but i really find the oak pleasing in Kurt's wines. Second night the smoke and oak had settled down quite a bit and the nose took on an unsweetened cocoa and brown butter element. There was more fruit on the palate, though the finish had shortened up considerably. Still very enjoyable, just a completely different wine after 24 hours. Would purchase again.

Non Vintage Cantine Collalto Prosecco Piave Italy, Veneto, Piave Great QPR. A really good standard every day sparkler. Crisp and refreshing, with just enough depth to keep it interesting. Would purchase again.

2007 Sleight of Hand Cabernet Franc Magician's Assistant Rosé Frenchtown Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley The bright strawberry pink color of this wine has faded to the color of a melted orange popsicle. Nose is also much more subdued with aromas of rhubarb. Still quite refreshing on the palate with hints of peaches and cranberries. Definitely at the end of it's life. Would purchase future vintages of this.

2002 Benziger Family Winery Port Sonoma County USA, California, Sonoma County Think that the winemaker filtered this port through a filter made of cigar tobacco. Nice element for a little while but it gets old quickly. Not much other smell or flavor other than the cigar. Smooth finish, not a lot of heat given the alcohol level. Would not purchase again.

2001 Il Vescovado Chianti Italy, Tuscany, Chianti Needs an hour in the bottle before it opens up.

2004 Chandler Reach Vineyards Corella USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley Really enjoy Washington sangiovese. Paired perfectly with the pizza. Would purchase again.

Non Vintage Va Piano Vineyards Bruno's Blend II USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley Have to get myself some more of this. Deep dark nose and flavors. The syrah component really shines through. But with the other elements it doesn't need to age quite as long as I typically like my Walla Walla syrah. Would purchase again.

2005 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Sonoma County USA, California, Sonoma County Consistent with prior bottles. Enjoyed quite a bit tonight. Fruit is settling down and there is a little bot more of the spice this time. Would purchase again.

2004 Chatter Creek Cabernet Franc Alder Ridge Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills Fourth bottle of the night. It was good, would purchase again.

2002 Cana's Feast Winery (Cuneo) Nebbiolo Del Rio Vineyard USA, Oregon, Southern Oregon, Rogue Valley Decanted, not much sediment. Color was very light red with a hint of orange peel. Right out of the bottle there was a huge nose of concord grape jam. After a little while the nose settled on more of a mixed berry fruit roll up aroma along with a bit of sour cherry. More cherries on the palate with strong grippy tannins. Very dry finish. Going to wait another couple of years before I open the last bottle. Would purchase again.

2001 Beaulieu Vineyard Signet Collection Beauzeaux USA, California, Napa Valley Very dark purple and heavy tannins. The tannins overpowered the fruit making the wine somewhat harsh. Did not smooth out even after six hours in the decanter. It was better when I had a piece of steak in my mouth, but there wasn't enough steak to go along with the entire bottle. Would not purchase again.

2000 Château de Cosse France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes Paired with lemon-rosemary brulee. Had a good dose of acid that countered the sweetness. Heavy apricot aromas. Would purchase again.

2002 Cana's Feast Winery (Cuneo) Sangiovese Two Rivers USA, Oregon/Washington Starting to come into it's own. Decanted, needed about a half an hour to open up. Rose petals and earth on the nose. Still a little tannic, but is starting to integrate nicely. Very good Sangiovese. Would purchase again.

2002 Cana's Feast Winery (Cuneo) Bricco USA, Oregon, Southern Oregon, Rogue Valley Consistent with prior notes. Decanted and drank fairly quickly. Very nice. Would purchase again.

2005 Boudreaux Cellars Chardonnay Bishop's & Homestead USA, Washington Really nice crisp Chardonnay. Wine is unfiltered and therefore is cloudy. Nose of oak and spice box. Good dose of acidity. Finish was mouthwatering and was still lingering ten minutes later. Would purchase again.

2006 Stevens Yes USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley Nice flavors of cherry and cinnamon. Nose had a bit of oak and vanilla. Went down easy. Would purchase again.