2008 Attachmate(legacy WRQ) Wine Tastings
1) Dumont et fils, $30
http://www.wineweb.com/scripts/winerypg.cfm?w=30765
-Vanilla; floral notes; grapefruit
-Fruity nose and palette
-Nose more like brie than yeasty
-Fruity first
2) Camille Savès, Carte Blanche, $46
http://www.champagne-saves.com/
-Toasty; citrus
-Always my favorite
3) Domaine J. Laurens, Brut (B de B), Cremant de Limoux, $18
http://domaine547.com/2007/12/03/simons-pick-1-1207-nv-domaine-j-laurens-brut-cremant-de-limoux/
-Honeysuckle nose; pear flavors
-Delicious finish
4) Gaston Chiquet Brut, $48
http://www.gastonchiquet.com/default1.asp
-Orange blossom; nice citrus notes
-Yeast nose, citrus lively finish
-Licorice notes following salty bread
5) Gatinois Brut, $45
http://www.thewinedoctor.com/champagne/gatinois.shtml
-Bread and pinot noir fruit component on the nose
-Floral nose, apricot flavors
6) Serveaux Fils, Carte Noire, $48
http://www.champagne-serveaux.com/en_maison.htm
-Nutty with crisp finish
-Effervescent
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1) Desert Hills, Destiny Ridge Vineyards, Columbia Valley, Yakima, 2003
http://www.washingtonwine.org/profiles/desert-hills/
-Chocolate, pepper, nice finish.
-I got a little tiny flavor from this at first. An hour later, I still taste it.
-Spoiled plum, 2nd taste.
-Stinky, acrid.
2) Thurston Wolfe, Columbia Valley, Prosser, 1999
http://www.thurstonwolfe.com/
-Soft, dry, little finish.
-Earthy, mineral notes.
-A little bubbly, some fruit.
-Fading, oxidized.
3) Chandler Reach Vineyards, Yakima Valley, 2003, $25
http://www.chandlerreach.com/VN_03_syrah.asp
-Cherry.
-Very good, some complexity.
-Stinky, not much like Syrah.
4) Lost River Winery, Walla Walla Valley, 2005
http://www.lostriverwinery.com/wines/syrah.htm
-Spicy.
-Very good, cherry, licorice.
-Well balanced.
-Stinky to extreme.
5) Doyenne, Yakima Valley, 2006, $43
http://www.delillecellars.com/index.cfm?method=pages.showPage&pageid=755fdedf-fcb7-c020-369e-883243823c03
-Peppery.
-Balanced. Best of the bunch.
-Good wine. Favorite of the night.
-Very nice, good nose, deep Syrah flavor. The best.
-Very good.
6) L'ecole No. 41, Columbia Valley, 2003, $24
http://www.lecole.com/pdf/SYC03.pdf
-Good, fruity, not as good as number 5.
-Good wine for the price vs. number 5.
-Nice wine, too much sweetness, but good Syrah character.
-Very good. Nice balance, fruity.
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1) Canoe Ridge, Columbia Valley, 2004, $24
http://www2.canoeridgevineyard.com/en-us/flash.htm
-Cherry; smooth finish.
-Tight at first, much better second time around - more flavorful.
2) Chateau Ste Michelle, Canoe Ridge Estate, Horse Heaven Hills, 2005, $25
http://ste-michelle.com/wines/canoe_ridge/merlot.cfm
-Good fruit, light finish.
3) Januik, Columbia Valley, 2005, $25
http://www.januikwinery.com/wines-releases-merlot-cv.html
-A bit tart
-Opened up, well balanced.
-Nice, the best.
4) Kestrel, Yakima Valley, 2005, $23
http://www.kestrelwines.com/pdf/Merlot2005.pdf
-Lots of cherry in the nose.
-Second in the taste.
-Some sweetness, OK.
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1) Chatter Creek, Alder Ridge Vineyard, 2003, ~$30
http://www.chattercreek.com/
-Great nose, very berry on the tongue, nice finish.
-Nice and smooth on second taste.
-Okay - nice 1st.
2) Va Piano, Walla Walla Valley, 2005, ~$30
http://www.vapianovineyards.com/
-Earthy barnyard smell, cherry and pepper flavors, nice tannins.
-Spicy, great finish.
-Too blah, not enough flavor.
3) Columbia Winery, Otis Vineyard Old Vines, 2003, ~$26
http://www.columbiawinery.com/
-Earthy nose, vry smooth finish.
-Veggy?
-Predictable.
4) Kestrel, Yakima Valley, 2004, ~$25
http://www.kestrelwines.com/
-Dark, chewy, great flavors; really good.
-Deep flavor, yummy.
-I liked it.
-One of my favorites.
5) Nota Bene, Miscella, 2005, ~30
http://www.notabenecellars.com/pages_vintages/05-miscela.html
-A blend, but very good.
6) Snoqualamie, Columbia Valley reserve, 2005, ~25
http://store.snoqualmie.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=snq&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=942226588&Count2=859367012
-Spicy.
7) Facelli, Columbia Valley, 2005, $30
http://www.facelliwinery.com/2Wines2005Cabernet.tmpl
-Dark, tart, tasty.
-A little earthy (OK).
-Very tasty.
8) Terra Blanca, Red Mountain, 2001, ~20
http://www.terrablanca.com/cab.htm
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1) Renwood, Grandpere, Amador County, 2004, 15.5%
http://www.renwood.com/renwood/catalog/view_product.jsp?product_id=1002&cat_id=1
-Doesn't jump out - mellow -
-Nice, a cut above their standard, but not exceptional. Good everyday wine.
2) Earthquake, Lodi Appellation, 2006, 15.5%, $30
http://www.lodivineyards.com/earthquake.htm#4
-Vanilla.
-Earthy at first taste.
-Nice vanilla, holds up through several re-tastes over time. A favorite!
-Earthy and good tannins. (Alpa)
3) Dashe Cellars, Louvan Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley, 2002
http://www.dashecellars.com/wines_info.html?db=wines&action=info&id=5&archived=2002
-Pepper.
-Complex, a bit on the dry side.
4) JC Cellars, The Imposter, 2005, 15.5%, $40
http://www.jccellars.com/2005TheImposter.html
-Vanilla.
-Berry.
-I liked it. (Alpa)
5) Dry Creek Vineyard, Heritage Clone, Sonoma County, 2000, 13.5%
http://www.drycreekvineyard.com/our_winery/zinfandel.html
-A bit drier than the others, but well balanced.
6) EOS, Paso Robles, 2005, 15%
http://www.eosvintage.com/
-Very good. I would buy this.
7) Gamba, Russian River valley, 2006, 16.2%
http://www.gambawinery.com/
-What?! No comments?! This was the best one!! (Alpa)
8) Marr, Sonoma County, 2004, 14.8%
http://www.marrcellars.com/wines.html
-He did his usual fine job - well balanced, fruity but not too much.
-Wow!! Amazing - very fruit forward. Very well balanced. (Alpa)
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1) Marr, Mendocino County, Alder Springs Vineyard, 1999
http://www.marrcellars.com/
-Cherry, smooth, very nice finish.
-Nicely matured.
-Fruit in there!
-The best.
2) Pine Ridge, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, 2003
http://www.pineridgewinery.com/
-Sweet candy like - overripe flavors.
3) Cannonball, 2005
http://www.drinkcannonball.com/
-sour cherries, nice finish.
-Thinner but also overripe.
4) Chateau St. Jean, Sonoma, 2004
http://www.chateaustjean.com/stjean/index.jsp/
-Now we're getting better - clean, cabernet flavors, balanced.
-Yum, smooth, silky, good fruit.
5) Monticello Vineyard, Corley family, Napa, 2003
http://www.corleyfamilynapavalley.com/
-Licorice, pepper, soft tannins
-Briary, black cherry leans towards ripeness.
-Makes my eyes burn.
6) Joseph Phelps, Napa, 2005
http://www.jpvwines.com/
-Nice extracted, dark fruit flavors and perfectly balanced.
-Most Cab like.
7) Oberon, Napa, 2005
http://www.oberonwines.com/
-Nicely balanced, good extraction, more red fruit than black, soft tannin.
8) Clos du Bois, Sonoma Reserve, Alexander Valley, 2005
http://closdubois.com/
-Fruity, tangy, goes well with grilled sausage.
9) Francis Ford Coppola, Director's Cut, Alexander Valley, 2006
http://www.rossobianco.com/#wines_dc
10) Morro Bay, Central Coast, 2003
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1) College Cellars, Governor's Red, 2005, $16
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah
-Delicious; cherry and spice.
2) Stephenson Cellars, Red Wine
-Smooth, licorice, soft tannin.
-Thick, chocolate, prunes.
-Needs aging, but good.
3) Cougar Crest, Anniversary Cuvee, 2005, $32
Varieties: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 18% Petit Verdot
-Nice, clean, good fruit.
-Easily the best of the bunch - fruity and full flavored.
4) Whitman Cellars, Narcissa Red, 2003, $24
Varieties: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 8% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc
-Also nice, dark and rich.
5) Apogee, L'ecole No. 41, 2005, $50
Varieties: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 7% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc
-Longest finish of the bunch.
6) Beresan, Stone River, 2005
Varieties: 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
-Thin.
7) James Leigh Cellars, Palette, 2003, $20
Varieties: 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc
-Nicely balanced, good value.
-Loved it!
8) Tamarack Cellars, Firehouse Red, 2006, $20
Varieties: 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah, 21% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 3% Sangiovese, 2% Carmenere, 2% Malbec
-Not bad, notable.
9) Bergevin Lane, Calico Red, 2005, $19
Varieties: 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah, 25% Merlot, 1% Zinfandel and 1% Cabernet Franc
-Eehh
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1) Domaine Raymond Dupont-Fahn, Auxey-Duresses, 2005, $30
-Good earth smell, nice fruit, good finish.
-Consistent, did not get better over time. But soft and sweet.
2) Domaine Borgnat, Coulanges-la-Vineuse, 2004, $17
-Smells like grass; not much flavor.
-Hints of metal shards. Overcooked asparagus, bad.
3) Joseph Roty, Cuvée de Pressonnier, Gevrey-Chambertin, 2005, $32
-Could get better over time. This is what Oregon Pinot-noir aspires to. Little bit more complex than #5, but evoked comments about similarity.
4) Domaine Remi Jobard, Volnay 1er Cru, Les Santenots, 2004, $60
-Tasty but not $60 of it.
5) Chanson Père et Fils, Maison Chanson, 2005,
-A strong middle of the road. Similar to #3.
6) Daniel Bouland, Morgon, Vieilles Vignes, 2006, $27
-Good, gone.
-Raspberry, floral character.
7) Bouchard Père et Fils, Pommard, Chateau de Beaune, 2005, $41
-Wine most asked about. Very good. And you get it at sommelier Fred Meyer.
8) Rapet Père et Fils, Pernand Vergelesses 1er Cru, Ile des Vergelesses 2003
-Yummy, good.
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1) Clayhouse, Paso Robles, 2005, 14.8%, $22
-Very dry.
-But sweet after eating something salty.
-My personal favorite, well balanced.
-Nice.
-OK at first, but faded to fizzy.
2) David Bruce, Central Coast, 2005, 13.8%, $20
-Disappointing - not much to hold onto
-Fizzy and odd
-Disappointing
-Light and hardly even wine -fizzy
3) Esoterica, Chavez-Leeds Vineyard, 2004, 15.8%, $32
-Deep purple, great nose, strong tannins.
-Tastes like blueberry jam.
-Unsweetened blueberry jam.
-Syrupy.
-Darkest cork when uncorked caused us to track alcohol percentage. Almost like a dessert wine, thick and fruity. Yummy.
-Thick and dark - maybe for dessert.
4) Peachy Canyon, Paso Robles, 2005, 13.8%, $20
-Not bad, not outstanding.
-Enjoyable.
-OK.
5) Concannon, Central Coast, 2004, 13.5%
-Not bad, not outstanding.
-Nice, well balanced.
-Uninteresting.
6) Foppiano, Russian River Valley, 2004, 14.5%
-Pretty drinkable.
-Late comer, but enjoyably so. Nice.
-Pretty good in comparison.
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1) Domaine Chante Cigale, 2004, $28
-A bit tannnic at first
2) Telegramme, 2004, $35
3) Le Vieux Donjon, 2004, $55
4) La Bernardine, 2003, $40
5) IDS, 2005, $24
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1) Hermitage, Eric Texier, 1999
-Barnyard nose, good fruit, nice finish.
-Great on first taste, second taste not as good.
-Nice aged Northern Rhone, hint of barnyard as appropriate.
2) La Chatillonne, Côte-Rôtie, J. Vidal-Fleury, 2003
-Blackberry on the tongue.
-I have no other expression than 'creamy'.
-Younger than the Hermitage, more acidity, nice nose with hint of chocolate. Needs a little time. Very nice wine.
3) Saint Joseph, J.L. Chave, 2000
-Cherry flavors, very smooth.
-what's with all this oenological mumbo jumbo? It's just nice on the tongue.
-Firm acidity, needs a little more time. Medium body, leathery - food wine.
4) Radio Coteau, Las Colinas, Sonoma Coast Syrah, 2005
-Tart at first, long finish.
-Some barnyard and firm acidity could be mistaken for a French wine. More body. My vote for best.
5) JC Cellars, California Cuvée Syrah, 2005
-Syrupy.
-Luscious. Very clean and rich, full bodied. You could drink gallons of this.
6) Hence cellars, Walla Walla Syrah, 2005
-Yum!
-Fruity & Yum!
-Barnyard taste, aftertaste goes on and on chocolaty.
-Less varietal character and very full bodied. Pronounced chocolate nose and flavors. Not a food wine but, again, you could drink a gallon.
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1) Cesari, 2004, Classico, 14%
-On first taste a bit light in flavor. After decanting and a little time, it opened up. Good fruit flavor and great finish.
-I loved them both.
2) BG, 2002, Classico, 16%, $50
-At first, great raisin flavor. On second taste, a little pepper and spicy notes.
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