2013 Attachmate (legacy WRQ) Wine Tastings

Tuscany Reds (non-Chianti) 24-Jan-2013

1) Bran Caia, Tre, 2008, $20

http://www.brancaia.com/en/brancaia-winery-wines/

-Earthy, smooth, nice finish.

2) Le Sughere di Frassinello, Maremma Toscana, 2009, $24

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1211003

-Earthy, tart and tannic.
-Tart but has balance.

3) Caparzo, Brunello di Montalcino, 2007, $30

http://www.caparzo.it/

-Stinky, tart, tannic.
-Yum.
-Opened up beautifully - smooth and well balanced.

4) Marteto, Morellino di Scansano, Bruni, Fonteblande, Orbetello, 2010, $22

http://www.viaswine.com/regioni/schedaProdotto.asp?vino=740

-Floral, cherry flavors, smooth finish.
-Young, floral nose, tannins.

5) Lagone, Aia Vecchia, Castagneto Carducci, 2009, $17

http://www.dallaterra.com/producers/aiavecchia/

-Smooth.
-Back label message: Don't disperse the glass in the environment.

6) Villa Antinori, Marchesi Antinori, Cortona (Arezzo), 2009, $20

http://www.antinori.it/

-Very nice.

7) Le Cupole, Trinoro, Tenuta di Trinoro, Santeano, 2007, $29

http://www.tenutaditrinoro.it/home/

-Chewy; tongue sticker.

8) Argiano, NC, 2010

http://www.argiano.net/en/vini/vini_nonconfunditur.htm


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Syrah Around the World 20-Feb-2013

1) Amavi, Walla Walla Valley, 2007

http://www.amavicellars.com/syrah-notes/

-Chocolate, nose, jammy, nice finish.
-Needs to open up, lots of fruit but tight.
-Second taste, lots of pepper.

2) Corvidae, Lenore, Columbia Valley, 2009, $15

http://corvidaewine.com/index.php?p=wines&w=3

-Herbal nose, tart bright fruit, nice finish.
-Pepper and spiciness.

3) Rulo, Walla Walla Valley, 2007, $21

http://www.rulowinery.com/wine.html

-Chocolate, plum, tart finish.
-Earthy, some nice funkiness.
-So far this is the only one with the typical Syrah funk.

4) Otis Kenyon, Walla Walla Valley, 2006, $30

http://www.otiskenyonwine.com/

-Earthy nose, pepper, tart finish.
-Sour cherries.

5) Avennia, Parapine, Yakima Valley, 2010, $35

http://avennia.com/wines/parapine

-Earthy and tannins.

6) PQ, Alvear, Ribera del Guadiana, Seleccion Dylan Beal, 2005, $17

http://alvear.es/index.php/en/palacio-quemado-cellar

-This is delicious and a great value!

7) Thomas Henry, Lodi County, California, 2010

http://www.thomashenrywines.com/2010-thomas-henry-california-syrah

8) Jones of Washington, 2010, $20

http://www.jonesofwashington.com/


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Bordeaux blends from the Southern Hemisphere 21-March-2013

1) Stark-Conde, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2008, $20

http://www.stark-conde.co.za/

-Earthy, spicy with chocolate, nice finish.
-Tannic
-Smokey and a little plum
-More chocolate on the second try.

2) Primus, The Blend, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2010,

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 39%, Carmere 28%, Syrah 23%, Merlot 10%

http://veramonte.com/primus-the-blend

-Floral nose, tart finish.
-Floral, simple.
-Balanced with no forward notes.

3) La Playa, Claret, Block Selection Reserve, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2010, $12

Blend: Petit Verdot 41%, Cabernet Sauvignon 37%, Cabernet Franc 18%, Carmere 4%

http://laplayawine.com/

-Herb lavender, very smooth, nice finish.
-Smooth, fruity, low acid.

4) Lady May, Glenelly, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2008, $28

http://www.glenellyestate.com/home.html

-Earthy, very bold spicy, nice finish, great tannins.
-Great on second try.

5) Montes, Classic Series, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2011

http://www.monteswines.com/en/

-Floral nose, hints of chocolate, dry finish.

6) Dos Fincas, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina, 2011, $13

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Malbec 40%

http://www.amalia.com.ar/dos_fincas.html

-Peppery.

7) Pisano, RPF (Reserva Personal de la Familia), Tannat, Progreso, Uruguay, 2008

http://www.pisanowines.com/eng/homei.htm

-Barnyard, bold and spicy,; needs a steak!

8) Montes, Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2011, $18

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Carmere 30%

http://www.monteswines.com/en/

-Nice.

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Merlot tasting 25-Apr-2013

1) Kestrel, Yakima Valley, 2007, $20

http://www.kestrelwines.com/

-Very cherry.
-Nice nose.

2) Northstar, Columbia Valley, 2005, $25

http://www.northstarwinery.com/

-Well balanced, opened up nicely.

3) Pine Ridge, Crimson Creek, 2005, Napa Valley, $25

http://www.pineridgevineyards.com/

-Very smooth, nice fruit.
-Earthier than the Washington merlots.

4) Okanogan Estate and Vineyard, 2004, $20

http://www.okanoganwine.com/

-Barnyard.
-Paired well with the smoked salmon.

5) Chateau Ste Michelle, Indian Wells, Columbia Valley, 2009, $15

http://www.ste-michelle.com/wines/indianWells/release/271

-Fruity.

6) Northstar, Columbia Valley, 2008, $25

http://www.northstarwinery.com/wines/release/2008-columbia-valley-merlot

-Obviously younger and leaner than the 2005.
-Mellowed some over time.

7) Rodney Strong, Sonoma County, 2009, $15

http://www.rodneystrong.com/


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California Cabs 23-May-2013

1) BV Rutherford, Napa Valley, 2007

http://www.bvwines.com/home

-Some nice fruit
-Paired well with the dark chocolate discs

2) Pine Ridge, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, 2006

http://www.pineridgevineyards.com/vineyard/stags-leap-district

-Young
-Tobacco nose, spicy
-Thick
-Nice earthy, mushroom character
-Top 3

3) Joel Gott, 815, Napa Valley, 2010

http://www.gottwines.com/jgw/

-Cherry, smooth
-Tannic
-Paired well with the sea salt brownie

4) Ladera, Napa Valley, 2008

http://www.laderavineyards.com/

-Earthy, spicy, very nice

5) Cuvaison, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, 2009

http://www.cuvaison.com/

-Paired well with the roasted hazelnuts
-Better with air, earthy and young
-Top 3

6) Beringer, Knights Valley, 2010

http://www.beringer.com/

7) Levendi, Sweetwater Ranch, Napa Valley, 2007

http://www.levendiwinery.com/wines.html

-Improved with air. Nice cabernet varietal character.
-Top 3

8) Black Stallion Estate, Napa Valley, 2008

http://blackstallionwinery.ewinerysolutions.com//index.cfm


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Clean Out Your Cellar Wine Tasting 20-June-2013

1) Amity, 1986, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon

https://www.facebook.com/amityvineyards

-Not totally gasping for air.
-Brownish tint with metallic smell, but flavorful and smooth with a nice finish.

2) Girard, 1990, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California

http://www.girardwinery.com/

-Stinky on the nose
-Blackberry flavor, nice tannins, very smooth

3) Flora Springs, 2001, Merlot, Napa Valley, $23

http://www.florasprings.com/

-Very floral honeysuckle, cherry flavors, smooth.
-Smooth.

4) Marr, 2001, Syrah, Sonoma County, $25

http://www.marrcellars.com/

-Raisins!

5) Swinto, 2008, Old Vine Malbec, Belasco de Baquedano, $29

http://www.belascomalbec.com/

-Should age well; lots of flavors.

6) Duckhorn Vineyards, 1985, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, $26

http://www.duckhorn.com/

-Very nice finish.
-Still has some fruit, sweetish on finish.

7) Château Mayne Guyon, 2005, Premiere Cotes de Blaye

http://chateau-mayneguyon.com/

-The barnyard is here.

8) Ochoa, 1991, Navarra Gran Reserva

http://www.bodegasochoa.com/welcome/present.html

-Reminds me of a fine sherry.

9) Calistoga Cellars, 2003, Zinfandel, Napa Valley

http://www.calistogacellars.com/


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Zinfandel tasting 18-July-2013

1) Seghesio, Sonoma County, 2011, 14.8%

http://www.seghesio.com/

-A bit tart.
-Always reliable, in a good way.

2) Bella, Two Patch, Alexander Valley, 2009, 14.5%

http://www.bellawinery.com/home/

-Very nice, smooth, long finish.

3) Saldo, Napa Valley, The Prisoner Wine Company, 2011, 15.9%

http://saldowine.com/thewine.cfm

-Big Boy Fruit Punch!
-Nice fruit, well balanced.

4) Sin Zin, Alexander Valley, 2010, 14.7%

http://avvwine.com/

-Spicy with nice tannins.

5) Carol Shelton, Karma Zin, Sonoma County, 2008, 14.8%

http://www.carolshelton.com/2008-karma-zin

-Pepper and berry.
-Excellent example of what Zin should be.

6) Navarro, Mendocino County, 2010, 14.4%

http://www.navarrowine.com/main.php

7) Neyers, Del Barba Vineyard, Contra Costa County, 2010, 14.8%

http://www.neyersvineyards.com/ourWines.php

-Berry.
-Great on second taste.

8) 7 Deadly Zins, Lodi Appellation, 2009, 15.0%, $20

http://www.michaeldavidwinery.com/wines/7-deadly-zins/

9) Turley, Templeton, 2009, 15.5%, $32

http://www.turleywinecellars.com/wine/

-Nice kick.
-Earthy.

10) Carol Shelton, Monga Zin, 2009, $25

http://www.carolshelton.com/2009-monga-zin

-Spicy.
-Hot, hot, hot; give it a couple of years.

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Sauvignon Blanc tasting 22-August-2013

1) Kaikoura Estates, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2012, $15

-Grapefruit
-Grapefruit and mineral nose, grassy; taste: muskmelon and some acid.
-Cooked asparagus nose, grapefruit body.

2) Domain Blanchet, Pouilley Fume, Saint Andelain, France, 2012, $16

-Floral nose, peachy.
-Grapefruit seed, a little bitter.

3) Grgich Hills Estate, Napa Valley, 2011, $30

http://www.grgich.com/

-Really nice, balance between fruit and mineral.

4) Lobo Hills, Yakima Valley, 2012, $16

http://lobohills.com/

-Pear on the nose; nice balance with citrus flavor.

5) Bruno's, Columbia Valley, 2012

http://www.vapianovineyards.com/pages/wines.php?pi=40

6) Chateau Bonnet, Bordeaux, 2012, $11

-Consistent through the evening; very delicious.

7) Terranoble, Chile, 2012

http://www.terranoble.cl/home.htm

-Sharp, bright, mineral qualities.
-Bright acid.

8) Starborough, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2012

http://www.starboroughwine.com/

-Vegetable nose, peppery finish.
-Cooked asparagus nose, nice acid in the body.

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Cab Franc Around The World 24-Oct-2013

1) Owen-Sullivan Champoux Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills, 2010, $21.89, 13.5%

http://www.oswinery.com/

-Bright, full, really nice.
-Opened up really nicely; excellent value.

2) San Juan Vineyards, Horse Heaven Hills, 2009, $19.00, 14.1%

http://www.sanjuanvineyards.com/

3) NHV, Yakima Valley, 2009, $28.00, 14.9%

http://nhvines.com/

-Chocolate.
-Smooth.
-Very nice.

4) Domaine Bruno Dufeu, Appellation Bourgueil Contrôlée, Grand Mont, 2010, $25.00

http://www.winetraditions.com/bruno-dufeu/

-Earthy.

5) Le Grande Bouqueteau, Appellation Chinon Contrôlée, 2011, $20, 12.5% -Earthy.
-Major Asparagus - both bottles

6) Rosa Mystica, Owen Roe, Yakima Valley, 2010, $44, 14.5%

https://owenroe.com/

-Rich, full, complex.
-The best of the lot.

7) Le Petit Bondieu, Reserve, Appellation Bourgueil Contrôlée, 2010, $13.00, 13%

http://www.thomaspichet.com/domaine.html

8) Corvidae, The Keeper, 2011, $18, 13%

http://corvidaewine.com/


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Goes with Turkey 21-Nov-2013

1) Sparkman, Pearl, Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, 2011, $23

http://www.sparkmancellars.com/default.aspx

-Nice, like it.

2) Lioco, Indica, Mendocino County, 2010, $21

http://www.liocowine.com/

3) Arco do Esporao, Alentejo, Portugal, 2010, $13

http://www.esporao.com/en/

4) Canoe Ridge, Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, 2007

http://www.canoeridgevineyard.com/

-Doesn't seem right. Syrupy.

5) Oyster Bay, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2013

http://www.oysterbaywines.com/

-Nice, crisp.

6) Plowbuster, Pinot Noir, Carabela Vineyard, Oregon, 2011

http://www.carabellawine.com/


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Champagne 12-Dec-2013

1) Jacques Lassaigne, Les Vignes de Montgeux, Blanc de Blancs, $55

http://www.montgueux.com/

2) Moutard Pere et Fils, Champ Persin, Blanc de Blancs, $45

http://www.champagne-moutard.fr/

3) Vve Fourny & Fils, Brut Vertus, Premier Cru, Blanc de Blancs, $46

http://www.champagne-veuve-fourny.com/

-A little thinner than others.

4) Ruelle - Pertois, Cuvee de Reserve Premier Cru, Blanc de Blancs, $46


5) R Dumont & Fils, Brut Tradition, $37


6) Bauchet Pere et Fils, Origine Brut, $42



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