2005 WRQ Wine Tastings

Champagnes on Thursday, 15 December 2005

1.) Pierre Peters, ALe Mesnil-Oger, Blanc de Blanc, Brut, $40

-Austere

2.) Dumont et Fils, Champignoi-lez-Mondeville, Brut, $25

-Floral
-Lovely, bright flavors, crisp apple; nice finish

3.) Serveaux Fils, Passy-Sur Marne, Brut, $30

-Delightful; crisp; toasty.
-Floral, yeasty.

4.) Camille Saves, Bouzy, Grand Cru, Brut, 1999, $46

-Herbal nose; a bit of citrus.
-Very fruity.

5.) Pol Roger, Epernay, Extra Cuvee, Brut, Reserve, 1996, $68

-Robust bubbles; hints of pear.
-Smooth, more body than others. Slight amber color.

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Washington Red Table Wines on Thursday, 18 November 2005

1.) Syncline, Seduction Red, 2004, $16, (60% Syrah, 38% Mouverde, 2% Viognier)

-Delicious ripe cherry flavor; smooth finish (Gus).
-Nice - Like a clean Cotes du Rhone.
-A good syrah-type blend.

2.) Cadence, Tapteil Vineyard, 2003, $33, (56 % Cab Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 14% Cab Franc)

-Promising, but young.
-Excellent, but really needs years of aging.

3.) Cadence, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, 2003, $33, (48% Cab Sauvignon, 25% Cab Franc, 18% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot)

-Outstanding - more drinkable than Tapteil.
-Better than Tapteil.
-Enjoy this better than #2.

4.) Saviah, Une Vallee, 2003, $29, (61% Cab Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 10% Cab Franc)

-Big, earthy flavors, good tannin. (Gus).
-Nice, will not need age. Dark & extracted.

5.) Wineglass Cellars, Rich Harvest, 1999, $30 (50% Cab Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 17% Cab Franc)

-Really wonderful, jammy, great tannins. (Gus)
-Terrific. Not fond of reds normally, but this may change my mind!
-Has clearly improved with age - best nose of all. Really nice wine.
-Better & better as it opened - really good!
-smooth, you can really taste the effect of age.

6.) Seven Hills, Ciel du Cheval, 2003, $34, (Mostly Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Merlot, & a little bit Petit Verdot)

-May be the least of the Bordeaux blends but still a nice wine.

7.) Quilceda Creek, Columbia Valley, 2002, $37, (70% Cab Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Cab Franc)

-Seems a bit closed in and needs a few years.
-Agreed - has the makings of a very good wine, but not there yet.
-Very good, especially for a 2002. Will certainly benefit from Aging.

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Ribera del Duero Wines on Thursday,20 October 2005

1) Flor de Pingus, 2002, $50

-Astringent, but not unpleasant. May open up and mellow. Very thin.
-Floral nose, a bit thin, nice finish.

2) Dominio de Atauta, 2002, $37

-Light tannins.
-On the dry side.
-Light on palate, dry finish.
-Light.

3) Condado de Haza, 2001

-Kinda like #2.
-Bright cherry flavor, good tannins, tart finish.
-Barn yard aroma.

4) Tinto Pesquera, 2002, $27

-Fuller than the others, fruitier.
-Yummy fruit and mellow tannins.
-Not a lot of friut.

5) Emilio Moro, 2001, $30

-Great nose.
-Coffee.
-Fruity; light tannins; nice finish.

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Belgian Beers on Thursday, 29 September 2005

1.) Val- Dieu Blonde

-Spicy and flavorful at first, but not a lot of taste at the end. Makes me think of sipping beer on the beach. J
-Nice floral nose, crisp on the palate, light finish.
-Matches very well with blue cheese

2.) Dupont

-Bitter flavor, then a long lingering finish.
-Very earthy taste, has the bitterness and spice at the end that #1 lacked
-Very bitter finish and little too carbonated

3.) Diabolique, Cuvee

-Great floral nose. Reminds me of crisp juicy apple.
-My favorite so far
-Well rounded, fruity flavor. Great aroma
-Good flavor. Very easy on the palate.

4.) Gottenbier Bruin Pierre Celis Signature Selection

-Too hoppy for my taste

5.) St. Benardus, Tripel

-Great flavor. This tripel packs a wallop.
-Very good. Tasted kind of like a Duvel to me.

6.) Moinette Brune

-OK, folks are saying it is over hopped. I notice a sweet flavor, perhaps molasses or caramel.

7.) 2002 Gouden Calus, Grand Cru

-Tastes like a manhattan! This is fabulous.
-My favorite, very smooth and yummy – Alpa
-Like a spicy applesauce. - Rob

8.) Monks Sour Brown

-Sweet Tarts! Yummy!

9.) Oud Beersel Frambroise

-Cough medicine, only drinkable with dark chocolate raisins

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Summer Wines on Saturday, 13 August 2005


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Chatter Creek Wines on Thursday, 14 July 2005

1) Viognier, 2004, 12.5%, $15

-Floral, crisp apple, nice tart, finish.

2) Grenache, 2004, $15

-Light, good fruit, strawberry flavor.

3) Syrah, Lonesome Spring Ranch, 2002, 13.8%, $22

4) Syrah, Jack Jones Vineyard, 2002, 13.4%, $20

5) Syrah, Clifton Hill Vineyard, 2002, 13.7%, $30


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Super Tuscan Wines on Thursday, 16 June 2005

1) Nemo, Vigneto"Il Mulmo", Monsanto, 1999, $34

-Definitely cabernet-like...which it should be.
-Cherry flavor.
-Nice cabernet nose.
-Could be more substantial for the price.
-Hmmm...dry.

2) Sorugo, Aia Vecchia, 2001, $47

-Good pucker factor.
-Great stuff, chocolate & black cherry, but needs years for tannin to recede. Dark & concentrated.
-Seems earthy-ish...may be the food compliment too.
-Favorite!

3) Sangioveto di Toscana, Badia a Coltibuono, 1999, $50

4) Fontalloro, Felsina, S.P.A., 1997, $58

-Like a good Bordeaux.

5) Flaccianello della Pieve, Colli Toscana Centrale, 2000, $65

-Similar to the Fontalloro but less Bordeaux-like & a little thinner. Still tannic.

6) Berardenga, Rancia, Felsina, 1997


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Comparison California Cabernets and Washington Cabernets on Thursday, 19 May 2005

1) Pine Ridge, Napa, Rutherford, 1999, 14.2%

2) Zerba Cellar, Walla Walla, 2002, 14.2%, $30

-Good fruit; tart finish. (Gus)
-Fruity!

3) Hoodsport, Yakima, 2002, 13%

4) Beaulieu Vineyard, Napa, 2001, 13.8%, $20

5) Owen Roe, Walla Walla, Seven Hills Vineyard, Saint Isadore Vineyard, 2003

-Really smooth - I like it (Christy)
-A bit of leather, a bit a sparkle, still very young.
-Earthy - like a Pinot.

6) Kestrel, Yakima, 1999, 13.4%

-Great fruit, super tannins (Gus)
-Love it.

7) Atalon, Napa, 2001, $27

-Nice, smooth (Christy)
-My fav (Alpa)
-Very, very smooth.

8) Facelli, Columbia Valley, 1997, $25

-Good tannins, smooth finish (Gus)
-Very good, maybe best of the tasting.

9) Chateau Ste Michelle, Columbia Valley, 2001

10) Woodward Canyon, Canoe Ridge Vineyard, 1996

-Beautiful, tobacco & licorice.
-Really nice.

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Cote du Rhone Villages Wines on Thursday, 21 April 2005

1) Domaine Alary Cairannee, La font d'Estevenas, 2003, $25

-Hearty; plum flavor.
-Immediately drinkable.
-Lots of texture.
-A bit leathery.
-Rank #3.

2) Domaine de Verquiere, Rasteau, 2003, $12

-Tart on first tasting.
-Thin.
-Lighter than #1, but very good.
-Light, sweeter, refreshing.
-Thin for a Rhone.
-Tannic.
-A bit light, but OK

3) Olivier Cuilleras, Visan, 2002

-Fruit and big spice.
-Second that.

4) Perrin et Fils, Vinsobres, 2002

-More fruit.
-Watery.
-Thin and weak.
-Rank last.

5) Domaine Saint-Anne, Cuvee Notre-Dame des Cellettes, Saint-Gervais, 2001

6) Domaine de Duvban, Beaumes de Venise, 2001, $18

-Fizzy.
-Rich, bold, my favorite.

7) Eric Texier, Sequeret, 2001, $14.50

-Rank #4.

8) Domaine Raspail-Ay, Gigondas, 2001, $29

-Rank #2.
-Corked? No fruit.

9) Domaine de L'Oratoire St. Martin, Cairanne, 2001, $25

-Rank #1.

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Argentine Wines on Thursday, 17 March 2005

1) Dona Paula, Syrah-Malbec, 2003, $12.50

-Good Fruit (Gus)
-Round, spicy; bang for buck winner.

2) Tikal, Malbec, 2002, $30

-Good nose, good fruit (Gus)
-Good balance, fruit.

3) Altos las Hormigas, Riserva, Malbec. $22

-Intense fruit, tart finish (Gus)

4) Domingo Molina, Malbec, 2001, $20

-Smooth, good tannins (Gus)
-Well balanced. Good red meat wine but that's redundant.

5) Terrazas, Riserva, Malbec, 2002, $20

-Cherry flavor, tart finish (Gus)

6) Crios, de Susana Balbo, Syrah-Bonarda, 2002

-Opened up well; great with the grilled meat. (Gus)
-Has some foxy new world character.

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Washington Syrah Wines on Thursday, 17 February 2005

1) Columbia, Red Willow Vineyard, 2000

-Good fruit, great nose (Gus)
-Better after it opened up.

2) Canon de Sol, Columbia Valley, 2001, $32

-Chocolate on the nose, little bit of green pepper, smoky with raspberry jam.
-Intense fruit, great finish (Gus)
-Rich, fruity, excellent finish.
-Fruity & structure = best of WA Syrah.

3) McCrea, Cuvee Orleans, 2002, $49

-Deep dark ruby, lots of pepper
-Has some metallic taste; better later.
-Best of the night, smoky, dense, rich. Fuzzy around the edges.
-Not quite worth the price.
-Great match with the cinnamon/cardamom green olives. I think most of these wines match with cinnamon.
-Almost chocolate.

4) Chatter Creek, Lonesome Spring Ranch, $20

-OK

5) Saint Joseph, Cave de Chante-Perdrix, 2001, $21

(Not Washington State; but 100% Syrah)
-Very earthy, even after being open for a while.
-Earthy structure. Holds up to food. Interesting.

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Barolo Wines on Thursday, 13 January 2005

1) Parusso, Piccole Vigne, 1997, $55

-Peppery (could be the cheese). really good on second taste. Smooth, full, great finish. (Gus)
-Exquisite berry aroma, lovely balance. Ditto above.
-Fruit.
-Lovely, lighter than the others.
-Very good, held up well, tannic.

2) Oddero, Rocche Del Rivera di Castiglione, 1997, $55

-Very smooth. (Gus)
-Earthy, herbacious.
-Still a bit of a goaty aroma on the second taste, but much less than on opening. Full flavor, piquant.
-A little stinky on the nose and a little acidic, but also mellow and smooth.

3) Corino, Vignete Rocche, 2000, $55

-Cherries...black succulent cherries.
-One of the best and the best nose...needs some time.

4) Castello di Verduno, Massara, 1998, $37

-Tart, nice finish. (Gus)

5) Livia Fontana, Villero, 1997

-Full, good tannins. (Gus)
-My oh my - musky aroma on opening.
-Good, one of the best 2 or 3.

6) Viberti, Giovanni Viberti, 1997

-Smooth, velvety.
-Moderate herbiness, but good nose and nice full body.

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