FRIDAY’S THIRTEEN…

Perfumed strawberries on the nose along with cherries a touch of leather and blueberries with hints of red and blue flowers. Mineral driven on the palate with strawberry and red flower notes front to back with a splash of spice. Blue flower and fruit notes linger with just a touch of tobacco. Smooth tannins with a rocky edge. 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, 5% Carignan. (B/B+)

2012 Owen Roe Cabernet Sauvignon DuBrul Vineyard (Yakima Valley, WA)… $43.

Deep currant notes penetrate on the nose with hints of mint, violets and BBQ spices. Currants and baking spices on the palate (cinnamon is prominent) with hits of tobacco and leather and just a touch of tomato stem. Polished tannins support the intense flavors front to back. There is oak, but it is well-integrated with the fruit. Herbaceous on the finish with a touch of tobacco lingering. Give this 5-8 years and watch out. (A+)

2014 Cavu Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Lonesome Spring Vineyard (Yakima Valley, WA)… $21.

Aromas of melon, apple, grapefruit pith and white flowers. Good acidity and concentration of fruit on the palate. Apples, pears and minerals come through. Grape seed notes sneak in on the mid-palate, finishing with notes of white pepper, grapefruit pith and lemon. Nice length on the finish and excellent balance. (B+/A-)

2014 Cavu Cellars Barbera Rose` Alder Ridge Vineyard (Horse Heaven Hills, WA)… $19.

Aromas of pie crust, cherries, herbs and strawberries with a hint of watermelon. Nice round cherry, strawberry and notes on the palate. Good balance, fruity but fresh with just a hint of bubblegum. Intense flavors front to back with a hit of white pepper on the finish. (B+)

2011 Cavu Cellars Barbera Alder Ridge Vineyards (Horse Heaven Hills, WA)… $31.

Rose petal, tobacco, licorice and red currants on the nose. Silky, structured tannins support notes of BBQ spice, a touch of rust and red currants with notes of rose petal underneath. Dark fruit notes show up on the mid-palate into the finish with hits of white pepper and black olive lingering. (B+/A-)

2012 Cavu Cellars Malbec Nostra Terra Vineyards (Walla Walla, WA)… $37.

Violets and currants on the nose with hits of cherries, tobacco and earth. Seems a touch hot. Full and plush on the palate yet structured. Notes of dark currants, cherries and blueberries on smooth tannins. Spice and pepper notes join the action on the long finish with just a touch of chocolate and a touch of grip action. (B+/A-)

2012 Cavu Cellars Wine Maker’s Select Red (Walla Walla Valley, WA)… $45.

Aromas of licorice, currants, black raspberry a little tomato stem, tobacco, earth and rose petals. Super intense and concentrated notes of currants, licorice, tobacco and rose petal on the palate with an undertow of earth. Good structure with intense but smooth tannins leading into a spicy finish with notes of black raspberries lingering for a long time. Worth every penny of the price tag if you like this style. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Malbec, 15% Petit Verdot. (A-/A)

2010 Cavu Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Les Collines Vineyard (Walla Walla Valley, WA)… $37.

BBQ spices, currants, leather and a hit of tobacco on the nose. This is a very savory Cab, with notes of currants, baking spices, tobacco and earth coming through on the polished tannins. Spice, tobacco and earth notes are prominent on the finish with a tiny hit of white pepper. Oak notes come through, but are well-integrated into this seamless, well-structured Cab. (A-/A)

2012 Purple Star Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley, WA)… $16.

Tarry black currants on the nose with hits of boysenberries and a hint of black raspberries and violet. Structured tannins support red and black currant notes with a little violet action underneath. The cab gets really fresh on the mid-palate into the somewhat thin finish with notes of leather and violets joining the party. This wine has good balance and finesse, but may not be what a Washington cab drinker is looking for. More Bordeaux like. (B)

2014 Lone Birch Pinot Gris (Yakima Valley, WA)… $8.

Aromas of apples Bazooka gum, peaches and hits of pears. Pears and apples with the skins on the palate with some intensity. Peach and peach pit notes come through on the back of the mid-palate with just a hint of bubblegum and citrus on the finish. (C+/B-)

2013 Guardian Cellars “Newsprint” Red (Columbia Valley, WA)… $18.

Notes of currants, earth, violets, plums, blackberries and black olives on the nose with a hint of rose petal. This is very old school on the palate…Tobacco, tomato stem, currants and a load of dirt and leather underneath. Blackberry notes sneak in on the mid-palate with a hint of smokey char sneaking in on the finish. Good structure and smooth tannins. A blend of Cab, Merlot and Syrah. (B+)

2013 Guardian Cellars “Newsprint” Cabernet Franc (Columbia Valley, WA)… $18.

Rose petals and violets on the nose joined by notes of blueberries and black olives with a rustic edge. Tobacco and dirt on the palate with underlying black currants and white pepper. Wilted rose petals come through on the mid-palate with a stem element coming through and a little sweet fruit action going into the finish. (B/B+)

2013 Guardian Cellars “Newsprint” Malbec (Columbia Valley, WA)… $18.

Boysenberries and cherries on the nose with a little grape action sneaking in along with a touch of tobacco. Nice round fruit on the front of the palate…Boysenberries, cherries and tobacco. It goes to the tar side on the finish with notes of white pepper joining the party. The tannins are polished yet serious. (B/B+)

Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man