2002 WRQ Wine Tastings
- White Dessert Wines on Thursday, 19 December 2002
- Washington Reds on Thursday, 21 November 2002
- French Bourgognes on Thursday, 10 October 2002
- End of Summer Wines on Thursday, 19 September 2002
- Big 3 French on Thursday, 15 August 2002
- California Cabernet Wines on Thursday, 18 July 2002
- High-End Blends on Thursday, 20 June 2002
- Washington Cabernet Wines on Thursday, 16 May 2002
- Tuscan Wines on Thursday, 18 April 2002
- Higher end Portuguese Wines on Thursday, 21 March 2002
- Syrahs Around the World on Thursday, 21 February 2002
- Sherry/Port on Thursday, 17 January 2002
Back To Top
1) Silvan Ridge, 2001, Oregon Early Muscat, 6%.
-Floral, Apricots. (Gus)
-Simply nice.
2) Moncalvina, Moscato D'Asti, 2001, Italy, 5%, $17.
-Fizz. (Gus)
-I agree.
3) Joh. Jos. Christoffel, 2001, Urziger Wurzgarten, Riesling Auslese, Germany, 8%, $28.
-Good.
-Agreed.
-Gone.
4) Terra Blanca, 1996, Late Harvest Riesling, Oregon, 8.1%, $14.
-Weak.
-Not typical - could be good with mild food.
5) Weingutl Eugen Muller, 2001, Foresterkirchen Stuck, Riesling Auslese, Germany $26.
-Grapefruit.
6) Rene Renou, 1998, Bonnezeaux, Les Melleresses, France, 13% $26.
-Peaches.
-Grapefruit.
7) Ochoa, Vino Dulce de Moscatel, Navarra, Spain, 2001, 11.5%, $18.
-Oranges.
-Peaches.
-Oranges and pears.
8) Casta Diva, Bodegas Guitierrez de la Vega, Spain, 14%, $20.
-Oranges thick.
9) Colle del Re, Albana di Romagna, Passito, Italy, 1994, 14%, $20.
-Boy, this one is good!
-No, disagree.
10) Tokaji Aszu, Hungary, 1983, N/A
-Raisins.
-Oxidized.
11) Carobbio, Vin Santo del Chianti Classico, 17%, $26.
-Not good - off, maybe?
12) Chateau Guiraud, 1er Cru, Sauterne, France, 1995, 13.5%
-Not my favorite.
-Will be good in time.
13) Moscatel de Setubal, Portugal, 1996, 18%, $18.
-Medicinal.
-One of the best.
-Heavy.
14) Domaine de la Rectorie, Cuvee Leon Parce, Banyuls, France, 16%, $21 (Red Dessert Wine).
-Weak.
Back To Top
1) Tamarack Cellars, 2000, Firehouse Red, $18.50
-Smooth, good finish - Gus
-A nice start; balanced, light - O
-Yes, a nice start.
-Very nice flavors.
2) Di Stefano, Mertiage, 1999, $14, 14.3%
-A bit harsh - Gus
-Not the best.
-I think it has promise, but not a wine for turkey.
-Seems thin after #1. - O
-Not impressed.
-Disappointing. Wet dog finish.
3) Januik, 2000. Columbia Valley, $20
-Fruity would be good with turkey and trimmings.
-Starting to get lush (the wine, not us!)
-Very nice
-Excellent, a little tannin.
-Very good, but not worth the price.
4) Waterbrook, Melange, 2000, $12.
-Good fruit, smooth finish - Gus
-A meaty undertone, very pleased.
-Fair.
-A melange of grass clippings and clean green. Fading to a hearty burgundy.
-Great wine for $12. Smells like a pinot, looks like a duck, walks like a duck.
5) Hedges, 3 Vineyards, 1999, $20
-Spicy & bright.
-Very good.
-Not impressive.
-Nice deep flavors.
6) Arbor Crest, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2000, $15.
-Not a blend, but nice enough.
7) J.M., Columbia Valley Cuvee, 2000, $21.
-Pretty tasty.
-Yum.
-Very good!
-I would serve this to friends.
-Very good, assertive with a little tannin.
8) Ryan Patrick, 1999, $39 on sale for $29.
-Odd; nice aftertaste, but watery until that kicks in.
-Pretty label...too bad about the wine.
-Not a good as advertised (sorry Dave).
-Agree - muddy bouquet, heavier tannins than would compliment a thanksgiving dinner.
-A blend gone wrong, candy-like flavors.
9) Columbia crest, 1997, Cabernet Sauvignon, $15
-Nice cab, good finish. - Gus
10) D2, 2000, $26.
-Very good slurpable.
-Excellent. Great blend. Slurpable is right.
11) Chatter Creek, 1999, Cabernet sauvignon, 13.6%
-Needs a moment to breathe, but then has a smooth finish - Jane Reenard.
-Wasn't wild about this one.
-Pretty nice Washington Cabernet.
-Not well balanced - one-dimensional. The Keanu Reeves of Washington wines.
12) L'Ecole No. 41, 2001, Schoolhouse Red, 13%
-A journeyman wine.
-I like! Good with anything drinkable. - Jane.
-Only fair.
-Not anything to write home about.
-Nice flavors, good for near term drinking.
-Not bad, but not one or their best wines, try the Schoolhouse Rock instead.
13) Woodward Canyon, 13.1%
-A bit more body - drinkable. - Jane
-Yum.
-One of the better ones here tonight.
-Very nice flavors. Good or maybe very good everyday wine.
14) Columbia, David Lake, Cabernet Sauvignon, 1993, Red Willow Vineyard, $20 about 5 years ago.
-Special!
-Very special, soft fruit. Pity its not something easy to get these days.
-Seems to have aged too fast; a little tired out.
-Soft, drinkable, but not memorable...like a Meg Ryan movie.
Back To Top
1) Savigny-Les-Beaunx, 1999, 13%, Catherine et Claude Marechal, $17.89+tax
-Started out nice, then seemed rough
-Opposite
-An elegant savage with domesticated farm animals (As they've all escaped the barn now (empty bottle) I can't reassess).
-I liked the earth tones (Gus)
-Good (Gary)
2) Pommard, La Chaniere, 1999, Catherine et Claude Marechal, $26.47+tax
-Dry
-Good (Gary)
-Barnyard
3) Mercurey, 2000, 12.5%, Catherine et Dominque Derain, $19.00+tax
-Very dry
-Some lift after tasting
-Light
4) Vougeot, 1º Cru, Les Cras, 1998, 13.5%, Domaine Francois Legros, $27.58+tax
-Liked it
-Yep liked it, too. Grew on me and smoothed out.
-Sour. Dry.
5) Morey-St-Denis, Vielles Vignes, 1999, Jacky Truchot, $28.61+tax
-Smooth and nice name.
-So dry it sticks to the roof of your mouth.
-Liked label.
6) Gevrey-Chambertin, Vielles Vignes, 1998, 13%, Geantet-Pansiot, $36.00+tax
-Really great finish. Pepper with good fruit. (Gus)
-Don't wait to drink it. The good parts of the taste fades.
7) Nuits-Saint-Georges, 1º Cru, 1999, 13.2%, Denis Mugneret, $48.00+tax
-Delightfully scratchy.
-Nice cherry, slight leather. My favorite.
-Ditto. My favorite. (Rob)
-Emily likes leather not me if _____ to wait.
8) Vosne-Romanee, 1º Cru, Les Suchots, 1999, 13.5%, Domaine Chantal Lescure, $43.89+tax
-Light dry.
-Beginning of the horse's ass (see label)
9) Clos de Vougeot, Grand Cru, 1999, 13.5%, Domaine Chantal Lescure, $57.87+tax
-Great. Earthy, but good balance.
-Corked. The heartbreak of 2,4,6 Tcanoriasis.
-Slightly bitter finish.
-Damp, slightly mildew.
-Damp paper.
-The smell of Ireland peat and a taste of tanned leather strap.
-Nice wine, but I lagged.
-Good. 4 thumbs up.
10) Chateau La Cardonne, Medoc, 1998
-What is this doing here?
-Nice
-Auslaender!
-Haven't been finished yet.
-Finally finished by a desperate taster.
11) Pinot Noir, Bourgogne, Louis Jadot
-Nice, dry finish.
-Fine, but not too memorable.
-Solid wine, with french fries.
-It's fine for what it is.
-Very solid.
-Sour.
12) Chateau Des Jacques, Moulin-a-Vent, Louis Jadot, 2000
-The windmill really blows.
-It's a German red wine.
13) Gevrey Chambertin, Domaine Rene L'eclerc, 1999, $25+tax
-Sulfur
-I tried to like it because Gary brought it.
-It's alright.
-Thumbs up.
-Not bad - "pal mal"
Back To Top
1) Porca de Murça, Portuguese White Wine, 2000, 13%, $10
-Light, refreshing and perfect for those hot summer days like we had in early September. (Gus)
2) Fuente del Conde, Spanish Tempranillo Rosé, 2001, 13%, $9
-Fragrant with crisp fruit Wish I'd had this on that nice summer day we had this year.
-Don't go there!
3) Owen Roe, Abbot's Table, Columbia Valley, Red Wine, 2001, 14.6%, $22
-Taste of fruit; no tannins (Gus)
-Warm, spicy, a wine to cozy up by the fire
-Fruit just keeps going deeper. It's rich.
-The best wine of the evening
-Buy; Drink it.
-Tonight's winner.
-Finished first
4) L'Ecole Nº41, Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Red Wine, 1997, 13%
-Yummy; great tannins (Gus)
-At first I thought it was too metallic, but it opened up and was quite good with the hot peppers.
5) Silvan Ridge, Oregon Willamette Valley, Pinot Noir, 1998, 12.9%
-12.9% maybe that is why it was OK.
6) Diablo Creek, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, 2000, 13%, $11
-Spicy or peppery (Gus)
-Nice bottom! -Mae West
7) Domenico de Bertiol, Proseco di Conegliano, Italian, 11%, $10
-Great with the smoked mussels (Gus)
-Light, dry, very nice
8) Waterbrook, Columbia Valley, Merlot, 1998, 13%
-Bad bottle. Returned to McCarthy and Schering for exchange or refund.
9) Havens, Merlot, Napa Valley, 1998, 13.4%
10) Chateau d'Oupia, Minervois, French, 2000, 13%
-Good, good, good
11) Kings Estate, Oregon Pinot Gris, 2000, 13%
12) Bernkastler Badstube, Riesling Kabinett, 1999, 8%
13) Condesa de Leganza, La Mancha, Spanish, 1998, 12.5%, $11 (Best Cellars)
-Nice!
Back To Top
1) 1999, Chateau Labory de Tayac, Margaux, Bordeaux, 12.5%, $22.49
-Bold with a nice finish. (Gus)
-Nasty. (Walter)
-Bad tobacco
-This is nice. (JAS)
-Very nice; fruit not overstated; balanced; nice on palate.
-Not to be taken internally. (Gary)
2) 1999, Chateau Bel-Air, Pomerol, Bordeaux, 13%, $24.99
-Dark chocolate goes well with this wine. (Gus)
-Rougher than expected.
-Nice, but very small. (Walter)
-Not very interesting. Alcoholly.
-I had to toss it away. (Alpa)
-Toss it. Toss it. (JAS)
-Please dispose of it; but don't kill the fish.
-Today it's infantcide. But in 5 years?
3) 2000, Vieux Mas des Papes, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, 14%, $26.99
-Drinkable. Good example of the region. (Walter)
-A good tasting wine. (Alpa)
-Hot! (14% Alcohol) Very nice.
-Even better in 3+ years.
-Cassis and pepper. I love it.
-I like it a lot. (Alpa)
-Nice drinkable sweet, but need some age. (JAS)
4) 1998, Louis Bernard, Gigondas, Rhone, 13.5%, $18.99
-Tinny. (Walter)
-Very good Syrah. Leather & berry.
5) 2000, Givry 1er Cru, Domain Joblot, Bourgogne, 13%, $33.99
-Gus, please put the fact that this is a Robert Kacher wine. Thanks!
-Bobby K. does it again. (Walter)
-Peppery? My favorite. (Alpa)
-Earthy.
6)1999, Olivier Leflaive, Pommard, Bourgogne, 13%, $36.99
-Nice, very characteristic pinot. (Walter)
-Some raspberry and earth. Good pinot.
Back To Top
1) Guenoc, 2000, 13.8%
-Very berry; cherry we believe
-Little tannins (Gus)
-Fruit-forward; drink now (Mike)
-Happy summer wine (Bart)
-Is it Cabernet?
2) Hess Estate, 1997, Napa Valley, 13%
-Only tannins on first taste (Gus)
-Spicy! (Todd)
-Soft & pillowy with nicely ironed creases (Bart)
3) Hawk Crest (by Stag's Leap), 1999, $13
-Oak, nice (Gus)
-Nice, if you like oak (Mike)
-Cloudy, smoky with overtones of hot rock (Bart)
4) Whitehall Lane, 1999, Napa Valley, $31, 14.2%
-Patrician (Bart)
5) Pellegrini Cloverdale Ranch, 1999, Alexander Valley, 13%, $21
-Nice, tasty, drink now!
6) Chappellet, Mountain Cuvee, 1999, 14.5%, $20
-Mineral, fruit, holds its alcohol.
7) Stag's Leap, Napa Valley, 1998, 14.1%
-Like a delightfully chatty woman friend.
-Best of show!
8) David Bruce, Santa Cruz, 1994, 13%, $18 (in 1996)
-Drink now!
9) Fetzer, Barrel Select, 1998, 13.5%
10) Stag's Leap, 1999
-Not the same as #7 Stag's Leap.
-Splendid, great finish!
-#7's brillant but kind of hard to take older sister who's probably a physicist.
11) Alexander Valley Vineyards, Wetzel Family Estate, 2000, 13.5%
12) J Lohr, Hilltop Vineyard, Paso Robles, 1998, 13.5%
13) Murphy-Goode, Alexander Valley, 1999, 13.5%
14) Joseph Phelps, 1995
Back To Top
1) Decoy 1999 Migration, Napa Valley Red, 14.5%, $25
-Well fitted together for a '99.
-Soft/Balanced
2) Cadence, 1999, Walla Walla Valley Red, 13.9%, $30
-Great Sunset.
3) Hedges, 1995, Cabernet/Merlot Blend, 13%, $8
-Very nice.
-Get more.
4) Charles Cimicky, 1998, The Red Blend, 14%, $18.50
-Gimmicky.
5) Matthews, 1999, Yakima Valley, 14.7%, $46
-Lovely; nice structure and astringency.
6) DeLille, 1999, Yakima Valley, 14.1%, $34
-Good with cheese and meat.
7) Hedges, 1999, Three Vineyards, 13.5%, $20
-Can I have another?
8) Quilceda Creek, 1998, 14.4%, $30
-Gone.
9) Pine Ridge, 1998, Onyx, Napa Valley, 13.9%
-Gone.
10) Matthews, 2000, Claret, 13.9%, $25
-Let's try this again.
11) Montebuena Rioja, 2000, Red Table Wine, 13%
-Where did you get this? It was fabulous.
12) Covey Run, 2000, 13.5%, $8
-I'll have this at my funeral.
13) Gundlach Bundschu, 1999, California Claret, No. 9, Bearitage, 13.6%, $14
-Could you say that again?
14) Estancia, 1998, Meritage, Alexander Valley, 13.5%, $16
-Great taste for the price.
15) Trey Marie, 1999, Tristine, 13.1%, $30
-Gone before I could taste it.
Back To Top
1) Terra Blanca, 1998, 13.5%, $28 (reg)/$20 (sale)
-Raisins!
-Excellent.
2) St. Michelle, Cold Creek Vineyard, 1999, 14.1%, $31
-Big, full, great finish - Gus
-Sweet - Suzie
-Thin & acidic.
3) Nelms Road, 1999, 13.7%, $22
-Tasty, but sediment on bottom - Gus
-Jammy - Jackie
-Spicy - Suzie
4) Sandhill, 1998, 13.5%, $24
-Smooth & Silky, nice finish - Gus
-Big bold full of tannins.
-Needs age.
-First bottle finished.
-Oaky & tannic; will age well.
5) Januik, 1999, 14.1%, $35
-Yum! - Gus
-Nice, not for aging.
6) Facelli, 1997, 13.5%, $20
-Splendid. - Gus
7) Preston, 1998, 13%
-Another big wine - Gus
-Candy, cherry flavors, mediocre.
8) Columbia Winery, 1999
-Peppery, tannins - Gus
-White pepper - Walter
-Candied flavors.
9) Kiona, 1999, 13%
-A bit over oaked? Might improve with age. - Walter
-Nice, needs to age.
10) Sagelands, 1999, 13.5%
-A bit nondescript, but shallow.
-OK, for its price.
11) L'Ecole No. 41, 1995, 13.2%
-Jammy - Gus
-Aging fast, drink it up.
12) Gordon, 1998, 13.7%
-Nice cabernet style, great for the price.
13) Caterina, 1998, 13%
14) Woodward Canyon, Carse Ridge, 1996, 12.8%
-Holding up well, will still be good in 5 years.
15) Reninger, 1999, Walla Walla Valley, 13.5%
-Very nice! Very Washington - raspberry, blackberry. - Walter
-Excellent.
16) Kiona, 1998, Yakima Valley, 13%
-Better integrated than the other Kiona.
-Nice wine.
Back To Top
1) Conti Contini, 2000 Sangiovese
-Bit thin & too light, but okay.
-Not impresed.
2) Fattoria del Cerro, 1997, Vino nobile de Montepulciano
-Nice flavor & structure.
-Rough trade.
3) Castelnuovo Berardenga, 1998, Viborello
-Very dry.
-Gone within a moment.
-Left Jonathan speechless.
4) Rocca Delle Malie, 1995, Ser Gioveto
-Rich, raisiny.
-Nice.
-Oakey.
-Good.
5) Zenato, 1999, Ricassa Valpolicella
-Nice, cherry flavor.
-The best...gone first.
-This would be the winner, if it was from Tuscany. Beware the wine merchant!
6) Il Grigio de San felice, 1997, Chianti Riserva
-Dry, full flavored.
-I liked the Greek.
7) Cetamura, 1999, Chianti
-A light weight chianti.
-Not memorable.
-A bit rough.
-no sturcture.
8) Selvapiana, 1999, Chianti Rufina
-Bad comparison to others.
9) Castello Banfi, 1998, Rosso di Montalcino
-Not much.
-I liked #9 until I found I brought it.
10) Banfi, 1999, Col di Sasso, $10
-Belch!
-A medicinal cheap wine with drinkable qualities.
-Dry, uninspiring.
-If you can make it through the musty thang, you are rewarded with cherries.
11) Altesino, 1998, Rosso di Altesino
-Earthy, musty, nice.
-It's drinkable.
-It's better than #10.
-Dry.
Back To Top
1) Garrafeira, Arrabida, 1992, $25
-Thin
-Empty (Walter)
-Too thin
-See comments on #1
-Cherries and caramel and herbal on the finish. Thin body.
-Too thin...but some is still left so...its great.
-Cherries and vanilla
-Everyone complains but not me, nice and brutal
2) Periquita Classico, 1992, $28
-Pleasantly aggressive
-Raisiny, but a bit metallic. (Walter)
-Does not age well
-Not empty says Bo, though not very balanced it's very drinkable.
3) Quinta dos Roques, Touriga Nacional, 1999, $20
-Tannic, acidic.
-Rasberries! This will be a great summer wine.
-A great wine...(Someone said its #5)
4) Quinta dos Roques, Alfrocheiro Preto, 1999, $20
-Empty (Walter)
-Spicy, but not bright
5) Cortes de Cima, 1999, $20
-Needs olives (Walter)
-Good body also would be good with lamb. Good fruit and lots of extraction, light tannin.
-Needs steak...
-Needs a portabella mushroom (vegetarian)
-Yummy. My fav. (Alpa)
-The best...it's gone.
6) Quinta de Cidro, Touriga Roriz, 1997, $19
-Good color, floral nose, finish is a bit flat and turns ugly.
7) Quinta das Pancas, Cabneret Sauvignon, 1999, $14
-Its a tart thing.
-Women should be thin, wine should not. (Odessa)
8) Quinta do Crasto, 1996
-Very earthy, wants a wild mushroom ragu over polenta.
-Ages well.
9) Porta dos Cavaleiros, 1989
Back To Top
1) Alice White, Shiraz, Australia, 2000, 13%, under $10
-Tart! (Mike)
-Sour, unripe?
2) Zonnebloem, Shiraz, South Africa, 1999, 13%, under $10
-Tannins, tannins, tannins.
3) La Vielle Ferme, Blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre, France, 1999, under $10.
-Watery; little body/flavor.
4) Barnard Griffin, Syrah, Washington, 2000, 13.5%, $30.
-Great burst of flavor. (Gus)
-Ditto. (Alpa)
5) Penfolds, Shiraz, Coonawarra, Australia, 1998, 13.8%, $22
6) Saint Joseph, Syrah, Offerus, France, 1999, 12.5%, $26
-Good tannins, flavor of cherries. (Gus)
7) Possum's Vineyard, Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia, 2000, 14.5%, $18.
-Totally vanilla (John) & (Gus)
-Oaky and some softness...good with lamb peppered steak.
-The best of the evening long possum aftertaste for 2 minutes.
8) Januik, Syrah, Washington, 1999, 14.1%, $31.
9) Bonny Doon, Syrah, California, 1998, 13.5% $25.
-Another good blast of fruit. (Gus)
10) Brokenwood, Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia, 1999, 13.5%
-Another good one.
11) D'Arenberg, Shiraz, The Footbolt, McLaren Vale, Australia, 1999.
12) Terra Blanc, Syrah, Washington, 1999, 13.5%.
13) Columbia Crest, Syrah, Reserve, 1999, 13%.
-Best or 2nd best of the night. Leathery, good aftertaste.
14) Columbia, Syrah, Yakima Valley, Washington, 13.5%, $15.
15) Shooting Star, Syrah, Lake County, California, 1999, 13%, $12.
16) KWV, Shiraz, South Africa, 12.5%.
-Strong tannins.
Back To Top
Tasters:
Dave Coder & Barbara
Gus Cardoso
Janet Scott
Dave Wright & Hollie
Marta Rojas
Signe Olausen & Walter
Emily Geballe
John Lockhart
Odessa Swan
Jackie Marr
Ann Testroet
Dave McClellan
Jonathan Pryce
Sherry Johnson
Dave Wright & Hollie
Mike Slass
Christine Nitzsche
Michael Go
Sherries:
1) Tio Pepe, Fino, Jerez, $16
-Light, crisp, just a hint of nuts.
2) Barbadillo, Fino, Sanlucar, $10
-Even lighter than the Tio Pepe. Hint of citrus.
-Great with apricots!
3) Valdespino, Amontillado, Jerez, $19
-Rich, full feel.
-A guy on a horse, a woman, and a chicken. How could you not like this?! (Jonathan)
-But what is the guy asking from the woman?
-Rich, full, real good. (Dave)
4) Hidalgo, Amontillado, Sanlucar, $16
-Much thinner and lighter.
-Great label, my s.o. liked it as well. I would look good in such a hat. We must develop the Creme Bruelee before jealous Albion develops the Beef Wellington! (Apologies to W. Allen) (Jonathan)
-Much better cold. Nice with lots of foods.
Ports:
5) Calem, 1994, Late Bottle Vintage, $23
-Brilliantly sweet like a mouthful cherries. Paired nicely with the toasted walnuts. (Gus)
6) Grahams, 20 Year Tawny, $49
-Wonderful with hazelnuts.
-Ooh, good.
-Smooth. Enjoyed this one the most this evening. (Gus)
7) Churchills, 1990, Vintage, $56
-Splendid. Great with the Stilton. (Gus)
8) Warres, 1985, Vintage, $88
-Nice, but 10 years later...? Yes!
-Yes, this very nice. It will certainly get better with age. (Gus)
9) Ficklin Vineyards, Ruby, $12 - $14
-My favorite. (Jonathan)
-The outliers from California still know what they are doing.
Back To Top