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| The 20 Point Rating System |
I use the University of California Davis System for rating the wines being reviewed. Wines are scored 1 to 20 points based on characteristics: clarity, color, bouquet, total acidity, sweetness, body, flavor, bitterness, astringency and overall quality to obtain a total number of points. Here what is my range of scores mean:
- 17 points – Very good, above average wines.
- 18 points – Exceptional, fine wines.
- 18.5 points – A step higher, more complex and nuanced.
- 19 points – Outstanding wines with much complexity.
- 19.5 points – Great wines that show extraordinary character.
- 20 points – Wines that are not only flawless, but possess superlative depth and complexity.
- Occasionally (but not often) I will use a + to indicate a wine which is a notch above its point level in complexity.
See my blog of 25 January for more information on how I use the 20 Point System.
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Winter Releases Roundup |
During the past couple of months, I have run across a number of wines which merit attention from around the state that I have sampled at various venues, purchased or received as samples. Here is a rundown of these.
2008 Buried Cane “Heartwood” Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($25)
This “Rhone style” wine is a blend of 78% Syrah, 10% Grenache, 7% Mourvedre and 5% Counoise. It exhibits a deep ruby color and a rich, spicy nose of wild blackberries, blueberries, black currants, black roses and lavender. The flavors are sweetish and mouth filling, wrapped around a dark core, and underlain with licorice, dark chocolate, French roast and earthy minerals. The back reveals notes of macerated blueberry juice, orange peel, roasted chestnuts and mocha, followed by a grainy tannin finish. Packs a lot of flavor for the price. 18.5/20 points.
www.buriedcane.com
2009 Wind Rose Cellars Barbera, Red Mountain, Red Haven Vineyard ($25)
Wind Rose Cellars in Sequim is a project of husband and wife team, David Volmut and Jennifer States, producing wines from Italian varietals. This offers a brilliant ruby color and aromas of cherry, cranberry, orange peel, rosebuds and mulberry. The red fruit flavors are lively, with a cherry-like juiciness that typifies the Barbera grape, accompanied by licorice, bittersweet chocolate and Red Mountain earth and minerals. The back picks up notes of coffee grounds, dried cherries and bitter orange peel, and are followed by a squeeze of cranberry juice, counterpointed by a touch of creaminess on the lingering sweet-dry tannin finish. An addition of 15% Cabernet Sauvignon adds to the overall structure. 18+/20 points.
See Best Buys below for the 2009 Bravo Rosso.
www.windrosecellars.com
2009 Caprio Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Eleanor’s Estate Vineyard ($35)
This is the second vintage from Caprio Cellars, named for owner-winemaker Dennis Murphy’s grandmother. Composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Malbec, it shows a deep ruby color and intriguing aromas of blackberry, huckleberry, cassis, olive, black roses, mulberry, orange peel, and rubbed sage. The flavors are pleasingly thick and chewy, laced with licorice, dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans and silty minerals. The saturation continues on the mid palate, with roasted berries and nuts, and then invigorates on the back with tones of dried cherries, mocha, and recurring orange peel, mixed with savory spices (coriander, cardamom, nutmeg) on a lightly oaked (16 months in new and aged French oak) sweet-dry tannin finish. Almost a 19 points wine, this is an impressive early effort. 18.5+/20 points.
www.capriocellars.com
2009 L’Ecole No. 41 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley ($35)
Brilliant ruby colored, this wine offers a classic Cabernet nose of blackberry, cherry, cassis, cigar box, crushed rose petals and sandalwood. The varietal classicism continues on the palate, with dark fruit flavors that are imbued with licorice, bittersweet chocolate, French roast and silty earth minerals. The back reveals notes of roasted cherries and nuts, mocha, graphite, dried orange peel and a touch of leather, followed by a thick, chewy tannin finish that is accompanied by savory spices (cardamom, nutmeg, clove). For flavor interest, this gets a plus. 18.5+/20 points.
www.lecole.com
2009 Amavi Cellars Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($29)
Composed of 47% Les Collines, 43% Seven Hills and 10% Pepper Bridge, this Syrah displays a deep ruby color and a spicy nose of blueberry and cassis, with scents of crushed roses, lavender and violets. The dark fruit flavors are well packed and suave, with admixtures of licorice, Swiss chocolate, French roast and silty minerals. The back shows notes of roasted nuts and dark fruits, and then reverberates with an outward opening of macerated fruits, laced with mocha and a touch of crème brulée, and then counterpointed by squeezes of blueberry juice, followed by an effortless sweetish dry lightly oaked (16% new) finish. This offers a lot for the price. 19/20 points.
www.amavicellars.com
2010 Force Majeure “Collaboration Series” Viognier, Red Mountain ($35)
Produced from grapes farmed by Ryan Johnson, and crafted by Mark McNeilly, this white shows a brilliant gold color and an intriguing nose of pear, white peach, orange peel, lilac and acacia flowers, with whiffs of gunflint and dried meadow flowers. The white fruit compote flavors fan out on the palate with sensations of peach pit, wet stone, toasted almonds and grape skin, followed by notes of dried orange peel and ginger on a lingering dried fruit finish. 18.5+/20 points.
2006 Force Majeure “Collaboration Series” Ptera Red Wine, Red Mountain, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard ($45)
From grapes grown by Ryan Johnson, and made by Ross Mickel, this is a fine exposition of the Red Mountain terroir. Dark purplish colored, it emits intense aromas of blackberry, black cherry, blueberry and black currant with scents of black roses, violets, lavender, cigar box, orange peel and smoldering incense. The dark fruits are deep and brooding, yet plush and accessible, with a sensuality wrapped around a tight core, and underlain with black licorice, dark chocolate and Red Mountain scorched earth and minerals. The back reveals notes of roasted berries and nutmeats, recurring orange peel and glycerin (“legs”) flowing seamlessly into a melding of Cabernet Sauvignon (67%) and Syrah (33%). The wine packs depth and weight, incorporating evident, but not obvious spice and oak on a lingering, maturing finish that still shows plenty of age worthiness ahead of it. 19.5/20 points.
www.forcemajeurevineyards.com
2008 Cuillin Hills “The Dungeon” Red, Washington State ($29)
Cuillin Hills is a collaboration of Derek DesVoigne and Shannon McLeod. This 67% Syrah, 33% Mourvedre combination shows a deep ruby color and an intense nose of blackberry, black cherry, mulberry, rosebuds, spice, pepper and oriental perfumes. The flavors comprise a mixture of dark fruits, licorice, cocoa powder, French roast, and loamy earth. The back reveals sensations of roasted chestnuts and dried cherries, with touches of mocha, graphite and pomegranate juice, followed by a chewy, savory spiced sweet-dry moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.
www.cuillinhills.com
2008 Northstar “Stella Maris” Red Blend, Columbia Valley ($29)
Composed of 46% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Syrah, this is an attractive blend. It exhibits a brilliant ruby color and a pleasing nose of raspberry, cherry, rosebuds, incense and vanilla. The flavors are tasty and sleek, intermixed with licorice, chocolate and variegated earthy minerals. The back picks up notes of mocha, cola and toast, followed by a lightly spiced soft tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.
See Highly Recommended below for the 2008 Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley Merlots.
www.northstarmerlot.com
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2010 Ch. Ste. Michelle-Dr. Loosen “Erioca” Riesling, Columbia Valley ($25)
Named after Beethoven’s Third Symphony, this is an outstanding Riesling from a cooler vintage. Brilliant gold colored, it offers wonderful aromatics of pear, peach, wet stone, jasmine, alpine flowers and lilac. It puts out a bright beam of white fruits, peach stones, grape skins and racy vibrance. The old vine (Zillah Ranch and Evergreen Vineyard) character is evident in the penetrating depth and basaltic minerality. On the back, the wine rises to a crescendo of lime, mandarin orange peel, oriental spices, and a lingering faintly honeyed (1.64 g/100 ml residual sugar) finish that counterpoints the exquisite fruit acids (.79 g/100 ml). All this is admirably integrated, for a beautifully balanced Riesling. 19+/20 points.
www.eroicawine.com
In mid January, I made a visit to Woodinville to check out a few wineries. Here are some impressive recent releases from these two wineries.
2008 Matthews Claret, Columbia Valley ($38)
A blend of 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 6% Syrah and 4% Malbec, this wine displays a deep ruby color and a seductive nose of wild blackberries, cherries, cassis, crushed roses, sandalwood, cigar box and smoldering incense. The sensuousness is mirrored in the silky, generous, yet focused flavors, underlain with licorice, Swiss chocolate and earthy minerals. The flavors glide effortlessly on the back with gently squeezed berry juices, mocha, orange peel, deft oak (50% new, 50% seasoned), and savory spices (cardamom, coriander) on a lingering ripe tannin finish. 18.5+/20 points.
2009 Matthews Syrah, Columbia Valley ($39)
This is a deep, vivid Syrah. Opaque purple colored, it emits peppery raspberry, blueberry and cassis aromas with scents of crushed roses, lavender and violets. The flavors are thick and well structured, with the ripe fruit wrapped around a firm core, marked by notes of licorice, bittersweet chocolate, roasted coffee beans and earthy minerals. The back shows sensations of currant liqueur, roasted berries and nuts, mocha and dried orange peel, and a touch of leather, and marches on relentlessly onto a savory, chewy sweetish tannin finish that shows persistent vivid dark fruits. 19/20 points.
See Best Buys below for the 2010 Sauvignon Blanc and 2009 Red Wine.
www.matthewscellars.com
2010 J. Bookwalter “Double Plot” Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, Conner-Lee Vineyard ($38)
Sixty percent of this wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel, the balance in new oak. The result is striking. Brilliant gold colored, it emits attractive aromas of Bosc pear and white peach with scents of apple blossoms, acacia flowers, clover and jasmine. The white and stone fruit flavors are elegantly silky, yet well delineated, with notes of stony minerals and pèche Melba. The back picks up tones of grape skin, pain grillé, toasted hazelnuts and mandarin orange on a lingering finish. 19/20 points.
2009 Bookwalter “Foreshadow” Merlot, Columbia Valley ($40)
Composed of 31% Klipsun and 29% Ciel du Cheval from Red Mountain and 40% Conner-Lee, this is a fine rendition of Merlot (with 4% Cabernet Sauvignon). It displays a brilliant ruby color and lovely aromas of raspberry, cherry and cassis, with scents of crushed roses, sandalwood, orange peel and oriental incense. The dark fruit flavors are thick and generous, yet satiny, imbued with licorice, Swiss chocolate, French roast and a typical Merlot minerality. The back reveals sensations of sweetish macerated fruits, kirsch liqueur, graphite, toffee, baking spices, pain grillé and restrained oak (a combination of new and one and two year old barrels) on a long, silky moderate acid and tannin finish. 19/20 points.
2009 J. Bookwalter “Conflict” Red, Columbia Valley, Conner-Lee Vineyard ($55)
This is a fine blend of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. It exhibits a brilliant ruby color and a sultry, smoky nose of wild raspberries, cherries, cassis, garden herbs and orange peel, with wafts of crushed roses and exotic incense. The flavors are seductively mouth encompassing, imbued with licorice, Swiss chocolate, earthy minerals and French roast. The back glides effortlessly through tones of mocha, toast, gently squeezed berries and finely ground spices on a lightly oaked (again, a combination of new and one and two year) on to a lingering sweetish tannin finish. 19+/20 points.
www.bookwalterwines.com
The following wines were tasted at Urban Enoteca, a premier wine venue on First Avenue South in the SODO District. www.urbanenoteca.com
2008 Fidelitas Boushey Red, Yakima Valley ($50)
This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc displays a medium dark ruby color and lively aromas of raspberry, cherry, cassis, crushed roses and oriental perfumes. The flavors are silky and mouth encompassing from beginning to end, marked by licorice, Swiss chocolate, French roast and Missoula flood minerals. The background reveals toasted nuts, orange peel and pain grillé, culminating in a lightly spiced, lingering satiny tannin finish. 19/20 points.
2008 Fidelitas Red Mountain Red, Red Mountain ($50)
This 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot combination shows a purplish ruby color with a seductive nose of wild raspberries, cassis, crushed roses sandalwood and oriental incense. The red fruit flavors spread out on the palate, accented by licorice, cocoa powder, French roast and Red Mountain earth and minerals. The back picks up notes of cranberry juice, orange peel, roasted nuts, and mocha, and followed by fine fruit acid balance on a lavish ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.
www.fidelitaswines.com
2009 Cave B Syrah, Columbia Valley ($25)
This is a fine value in Syrah. Deep medium ruby colored, it offers a peppery blackberry, blueberry and cassis nose with scents of dried roses and garrigue. On the palate, the wine is chock full of bright dark fruits, intermixed with licorice, chocolate, and earthy minerals, followed by a background of squeezed berries, orange peel and mocha, culminating in a zingy blueberry juiced moderate tannin finish with a grinding of pepper and spice. Almost an 18.5 points wine, it gets 18+/20 points.
See Best Buys below for the 2010 Unoaked Chardonnay.
www.caveb.com
2009 Five Star Cellars Malbec, Walla Walla Valley ($38)
Composed of 93% Seven Hills and 7% Pepper Bridge fruit, this Malbec displays a deep purplish color and an intense nose of blackberry, blueberry, Bing cherry, violets and cracked pepper. The dark fruit flavors are well saturated, with a sweetish chewy texture that is marked by notes of black licorice, bittersweet chocolate, espresso and silty minerals. The back picks up tones of roasted cherries, dried orange peel and a squeeze of tangy blueberry juice on a peppery moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.
2009 Five Star Cellars Supernova Red, Walla Walla Valley ($38)
A blend of 55% Frazier Bluff Petit Verdot and 45% Seven Hills Cabernet Franc, this exhibits a brilliant ruby color and a lovely perfumed nose of wild raspberries, blueberry and cassis, with scents of rose petals, violets and sandalwood. The medium-full bodied flavors are deliciously svelte, yet well delineated, laced with notes of red licorice, cocoa powder, and silty minerals. The back glides through effortlessly, with tones of toast, hazelnut, orange peel, and gently squeezed blueberry juice, followed by bright acids and moderate tannin. For elegance, this gets a plus. 18.5+/20 points.
www.fivestarcellars.com |
Walla Walla Winery Futures Offerings |
Among the wines that were tasted during Holiday Barrel Tasting Weekend were ones that are being offered at pre release pricing, by two wineries, Reynvaan Family Vineyards and Rasa Vineyards. All of these are highly impressive and I recommend buying them (I have already put in my orders).
2010 Reynvaan Family Vineyards “The Unnamed” Syrah, Walla Walla Valley (Futures: $50 – Fall Release)
Co-fermented with a bit of Grenache Blanc, this wine displays a purplish ruby color, with an intriguing nose of wild berries, cherries, Damson plum, sandalwood and garrigue. The texture is thick and chewy, intermixed with minerals, licorice, and dark chocolate, and coffee grounds. On the back, it turns svelte and reveals a hauntingly mysterious character, followed by ripe tannins on the finish. 19+/20 points.
Mike and Matt Reynvaan
2010 Reynvaan Family Vineyards “In the Rocks” Syrah, Walla Walla Valley (Futures: $50 – Fall Release)
Deep ruby colored, this exhibits intriguing aromas of wild berries, roasted cocoa beans, dried cherries, orange peel and smoldering incense. The dark fruits are thick and mouth filling, loaded with chocolate and earthy minerals. The roasted berry character continues on the back, picking up tones of leather and dust. Exceedingly terroir-driven, all the components meld together admirably, infusing a purity of Syrah character. 19.5/20 points.
2010 Reynvaan Family Vineyards “The Contender” Syrah, Walla Walla Valley (Futures: $60 – Fall Release)
Ruby colored, this wine emits aromas that are redolent of crushed raspberries, cherries, blackberries, lavender, violets and smoldering incense. The palate is strikingly sensuous, replete with roasted berries, licorice, espresso and a touch of leather, all with a chewy texture. The back reveals an intriguing opacity that is accented by sensations of stones and earth, orange peel and dried cherries. All this comes together with an expressive elegance throughout. 19.5/20 points.
2010 Reynvaan Family Vineyards “Stonessence” Syrah, Walla Walla Valley (Futures: $65 – Fall Release)
Semi opaque purplish colored, this 100% “Reserve” offers a seductive, intense nose of wild berries, cherries, cassis, attar of rose, violets and oriental perfumes. On the palate, it is thick and massive, yet refined and balanced, with an almost seamless interweaving of extracted fruits, licorice, mocha, French roast and stony earth minerals. The back picks up notes of crème brulee and orange peel on a fleshy texture. Ordinarily, I don’t give 20 points scores before release, but I am this time since this wine is so thick and beautifully integrated. It is sure to be sold out before release. 20/20 points.
www.reynvaanfamilyvineyards.com |
2009 Rasa Vineyards “Living in the Limelight” Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley (Futures: $45 – May Release)
Purplish colored, this shows terrific aromas of wild berries, cherries, cassis, rosebuds, sandalwood and violets. The flavors are deliciously deep and vivid, with full throttle dark fruits, whose saturation continues on the back, laced with sensations of dried bitter orange peel, stony minerals, graphite shavings (a trait of Petit Verdot), and cinnamon bark and then extend into a long sweet-dry tannin finish. Blended with 5% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. 19/20 points.
Billo Naravane with his upcoming releases
2009 Rasa Vineyards “Occam’s Razor” Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Seven Hills Vineyard Block 10 (Futures: $48 – May Release)
This displays a deep purplish color and an intense nose of blackberry, blueberry and plum, with scents of lavender, violets and a hint of mint. The flavors are thickly saturated and structured, intermixed with licorice, chocolate, French roast, and silty loess minerals. The concentration continues on the back with squeezed berries, roasted nuts, orange peel and mocha on the chewy tannin finish. 19+/20 points.
2009 Rasa Vineyards “Doctrina Perpetua” Syrah, Columbia Valley, Bacchus Vineyard, Block 5 (Futures: $48 – May Release)
Opaque purplish colored, this offers a lovely nose of raspberry, blueberry, cassis, lavender, jasmine, attar of rose, violets and incense. The thick and velvety dark fruits are wrapped around a firm core, mixed with licorice, cocoa powder, French roast and mocha. The back turns thick and juicy, with notes of crème brulée, orange peel, and a cascade of blueberry juice, culminating in a finely wrought, satiny tannin finish. 19.5/20 points.
2009 Rasa Vineyards “Plus One” Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Kiona Vineyard (Futures: $65 – Fall Release)
Deep ruby colored, this exhibits a classic Cabernet nose of blackberry, cherry, cassis, matchstick, sandalwood, dried roses and rubbed sage. Tightly structured, yet with a finely woven tapestry of red and dark fruits, intermixed with licorice, dark chocolate, Red Mountain scorched earth and minerals. The back picks up notes of roasted berries and chestnuts, with touches of mocha, cinnamon bark and orange peel, followed by a fleshy, silky, lightly spiced (nutmeg, clove) and deftly oaked ripe tannin finish. 19.5/20 points.
2009 Rasa Vineyards “Perfect Union” Red Blend, Columbia Valley (Futures: $75 – Fall Release)
The full name is “In Order to form a more Perfect Union.” A combination of 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and 23% Cab Franc from the DuBrul, Kiona, Dionysus and Weinbau vineyards, this forms a striking union. It displays a deep garnet color and a seductive nose of wild raspberries, blueberries, plums, and black currants, with scents of attar of rose, cigar box, sandalwood and smoldering incense. The fruits are mouth encompassing, accented by licorice, cocoa powder, mocha and French roast. The back picks up orange peel, roasted berries and nuts and sweet oak on a lingering sweet-dry tannin finish. A candidate for 20/20 points. 19.5+/20 points.
www.rasavineyards.com |
Highly Recommended |
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Below are six wines that were tasted during Winter Barrel Tasting Weekend which are exemplary expositions of some of the best that the Walla Walla Valley has to offer.
2009 Waters Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Loess Vineyard ($45)
This is an elegantly styled Syrah, It exhibits a brilliant ruby color and lovely aromatics of strawberry, raspberry and cassis, with scents of rose petals, lavender and violets. On the palate, the finely wrought flavors are seductive with a dried fruit character, accented by notes of cocoa powder, licorice, vanilla bean and loess minerals. The back picks up tones of pain grillé, dried orange peel, toffee, and nougat, followed by a lingering sweet-dry tannin finish. 19/20 points.
2009 Waters Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Forgotten Hills Vineyard ($60)
This is another seductive Syrah from Waters. Brilliant garnet colored, it emits exotic aromas of wild raspberries, mulberries and red currants, with wafts of rose petals, jasmine, oriental incense and sandalwood. It is subtle and harmonious, a bit on the masculine side, with notes of red licorice, Swiss chocolate and French roast. On the back emerge tones of toasted almonds, dried currants, mocha and orange peel, followed by toasty oak lain on a lingering sweet-dry tannin finish. These qualities come together with exquisite equipoise. 19.5/20 points.
www.waterswinery.com
2009 Spring Valley Vineyard “Katherine” Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley ($50)
Named for pioneer Uriah Corkrum’s wife, this 100% Cabernet Franc displays a deep, brilliant ruby color and aromas of wild strawberry, boysenberry, tobacco, dried roses and whiffs of incense. The flavors are chewy, yet svelte textured, with intermixtures of dark chocolate, French roast and minerals. The back reveals notes of roasted berries, mocha and pain grillé, followed by satiny tannins on the slightly nutted finish. 19/20 points.
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2009 Spring Valley Vineyard, “Nina Lee” Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($50)
Brilliant ruby colored, this 100% Syrah offers seductive aromas of blackberry, cherry and cassis, with scents of wild roses, lavender, violets and smoldering incense. The flavors are mouth encompassing, with notes of licorice, coca powder and French roast. The background shows tones of dried cherries, orange peel and currant juice, leaning appropriately to the feminine side, yet with enough brashness to make it really interesting. Finely balanced fruit acids and chewy tannins complete the wine. 19+/20 points.
www.springvalleyvineyard.com
2008 Northstar Merlot, Columbia Valley ($41)
This multi vineyard blend, averaging 15 years of age, is composed of 78% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. It exhibits a brilliant ruby color and lovely aromas of wild cherry, blackberry, lavender, sandalwood, dried rose petals and orange peel. The dark fruit flavors are mouth encompassing, yet focused, replete with notes of licorice, bittersweet chocolate, French roast, minerals, and mocha. The back reveals tones of dried cherries, orange peel, nougat, and crème bruleé, followed by fine-grained tannins on a lengthy, finely ground spice (nutmeg, clove) finish. 19/20 points.
2008 Northstar Merlot, Walla Walla Valley ($50)
Deep ruby colored, this 82% Merlot, with 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot, offers a sultry, smoky nose of wild raspberries, cherries and cassis, with scents of attar of rose, sandalwood, smoldering oriental incense and burnt orange peel. The flavors are expansive, comprising a tapestry of roasted dark fruits, licorice, Swiss chocolate, espresso and silty earth minerals. The wine spreads out on the silky textured back, and picks up tones of mocha, dried cherries, roasted nuts, dried orange peel, and crème brulée, and leads effortlessly into a chewy, yet satiny fine grained tannin finish. 19.5/20 points.
www.northstarmerlot.com |
Best Buys |
his section is devoted to wines that offer high quality/price ratios. If a wine scores less than 18 points, but is priced below it’s quality level, it may be included. And wines rated 18 or more, are included if they sell for substantially less than their peers.
2010 Cave B “Unoaked” Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($19)
Brilliant gold colored, this offers a fresh nose of pear-apple, peach and citrus, with scents of apple blossoms and acacia flowers. The ripe white fruit flavors are true to varietal, unencumbered with oak. The juiciness picks up on the back, accented by stony minerals and a touch of creaminess that glides through the crisp, faintly honeyed finish. 18+/20 points.
2010 Domaine Pouillon “Black Dot” Red, Horse Heaven Hills ($19.50)
Labeled “Non Rafiné, Non Filtré, Non Apologie,” this is a vigorous mélange of 50% Zinfandel, 20% Syrah, and 10% each of Grenache, Cinsault and Cabernet Sauvigon. It offers a spicy nose of blackberry, marionberry, blueberry, bayberry and rose hips. The young red and blue flavors are bright and mouth watering, with notes of dried cherries, roasted nuts, orange peel, and cinnamon bark, and grindings of clove and nutmeg on a sweet-dry moderate tannin finish. 18+/20 points.
www.domainepouillon.com
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2010 Matthews Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley ($20)
Fermented and aged in 100% stainless steel, this is a crisp, yet well-fruited Sauvignon with a brilliant gold color and fresh aromas of meadow flowers, gooseberry, melon and grapefruit. The bright fruit flavors show plenty of verve, marked by a wet stone minerality and a touch of fig. The vividness continues on the back with a racy, lingering citrus and quinine tinged finish. 18+/20 points.
2009 Matthews “Blackboard” Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($22)
Composed of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec and 11% Syrah, this is a well-put together blend. It displays a deep purplish color and a spicy nose of blackberry, raspberry, cherry, tobacco and dried rose, with whiffs of smoky incense. The flavors are well fruited, ripe and chewy, yet focused, with notes of licorice, chocolate and light earthiness. The back picks up tones of mocha, cherry liqueur and finely ground spices (nutmeg, clove and cinnamon) on a ripe moderate tannin finish. 18+/20 points.
2009 Wind Rose Cellars “Bravo Rosso,” Washington State ($19)
This is a tasty blend of 46% Primitivo, 44% Barbera, plus bits of Dolcetto, Nebbiolo and Cabernet Sauvignon. It shows a medium ruby color and a ripe nose of raspberry, cherry, plum, cherry blossom and mulberry. The red and blue flavors are bright and juicy, with notes of licorice, chocolate and cola. The back picks up tangy cherry juice (from the Barbera) and touches of orange peel, mocha, Italian roast, clove and nutmeg on a moderate tannin finish. 17.5+/20 points. |
Coming up in our March Issue... |
- Focus: The Georgetown Wineries
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What’s New in Walla Walla
- Highly Recommended Wines
- Best Buys
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