A boatload of wine
2014 Browne Family Vineyards Chardonnay (Columbia Valley, WA)… $28.
Buttery on the nose with notes of pineapple and apple, joined by hints of pear and toast. Seamless on the palate and nicely intense. Pear and pineapple notes come through with a spine of butter. Good acidity underneath giving this chard structure and balance. Baking spices join the party on the long finish. Oak is present but well-integrated. (A/A+)
2014 Battle Creek Cellars “Unconditional” Pinot Noir (Oregon)… $18.
Cherries and bark all day on the nose backed by hits of root beer, tobacco and black tea. Very toasty on the palate with notes of charred bark, roasted cherries and root beer. This baby is old world in style with ample acidity that is well-integrated. Finishes with a meaty element coming through that lingers. Not for those looking for a fruit party. (B/B+)
2015 Canoe Ridge The Expedition Rose` (Columbia Valley, WA)… $16.
Aromas of cherry Bubbleyum, Watermelon and hints of raspberries. Good acidity keeps it fresh front to finish. Notes of ripe Rainier cherries with watermelon underneath. There is a slight bubblegum component that comes through front to mid-palate. Dried herb notes join the party on the back of the mid-palate with mineral notes sneaking in on the finish. A blend of Cinsault and Mourvedre (B+)
2013 Waterbrook Melange Rouge (Columbia Valley, WA)… $14.
Fairly expressive nose with notes of currants, cherries and a pinch of plum and tobacco. Juicy on the palate without going fruit-bomb on you. Ripe currants front to back with an undertow of tobacco and bark. Good balance of acidity and tannins that have a slight grip. Finishes toasty and dry. (B)
2013 Pendulum Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley, WA)… $20.
Aromas of ripe currants, violets and a hint of tobacco and licorice. Polished tannins support notes of currants, tobacco and a touch of bark and earth. Serious tannins, but well-integrated with the fruit. A hit of bell pepper and licorice come through on the finish. (B/B+)
2014 Alder Ridge Six Prong Cabernet Sauvignon (Horse Heaven Hills, WA)… $18.
Aromas of rose petals, bark and currants, with a backdrop of earth, tobacco and licorice. Nice intensity on the palate with good structure and a seamless flow start to finish. Notes of currants, licorice and vanilla come through along with a touch of coffee bean and chocolate. There is a little leathery grip on the finish. (B+/A-)
2012 Browne Family Vineyards Merlot (Columbia Valley, WA)… $38.
Big nose on this baby with a blast of licorice and currants up front. Subtle vanilla and tobacco notes with hints of cinnamon and chocolate. Cinnamon, licorice and currant notes rest on structured, smooth tannins in the mouth. There is an interesting ball bearing element that comes through on the tongue no doubt due to the fresh acidity that supports the fruit. A core of red flowers and tobacco joins the party on the finish. Very interesting Merlot. (B+/A-)
2012 For A Song Petit Verdot (Washington)… $18.
Dark cherry notes are prominent on the nose, joined by notes of blueberries, coffee bean and a dash of black raspberries. Silky, structured tannins support intense blueberry, milk chocolate, coffee bean and tobacco notes. Licorice sneaks in on the mid-palate into the finish with milk chocolate notes lingering. Tobacco and coffee bean notes lie underneath front to finish with balanced acidity. This is a lot of wine for the money and will age nicely over the next 3-5 years. (B/B+)
2014 Domaine Allimant-Laugner Riesling (Vin D’Alsace, France)… $16.
Slate notes all over the nose with hits of lemon, honey and white flower blossoms. Crushed rock notes on the palate joined by tropical fruit notes, Mango and papaya. Nice cutting acidity with a steely/slate backbone. Clean, dry, citrus finish with mango and papaya lingering underneath. A solid Riesling lovers Riesling. (B+/A-)
2013 Robert Ramsay Mason’s Red (Columbia Valley, WA)… $18
Aromas of crushed red brick, red flowers, red plums and smokey toasted marshmallow with a touch of currants. Very gutsy in the mouth (whatever that implies) with notes of ripe currants, vanilla, mocha and chocolate. Seamless on the palate with smooth yet structured tannins. Chocolate and currant notes linger with just a hint of tobacco. New world wine with some old world personality. 49% Cinsault, 26% Syrah, 16% Mourvedre, 5% Grenache, 4% Counoise (B/B+)
2014 Podere Ruggeri Corsini Rosso Matot (Langhe, Italy)… $12.
A little vinegar cherry action on the nose joined by red flowers, carnations, dirt and chocolate. Very rustic on the palate with notes of bark, earth, currants and a heavy dose of tobacco. Fresh acidity lies underneath with a dill component joining on the finish. This is all about old world and really needs some food. A blend of Nebbiolo, Dolcetto and Barbera. (B/B+)
2014 Lone Birch Red Blend (Yakima Valley, WA)… $10.
Very slight aromas of currants and dark cherries with a hint of vanilla. Gritty tannins support notes of currants and tobacco with slight bark and chocolate notes coming through. Red flowers join the party on the mid-palate leading into a gritty finish. A blend of Merlot, Malbec and Sangiovese. (B-)
2014 Domaine Le Clos des Lumieres Cotes-du-Rhone Rose` (Rhone, France)… $6.
Aromas of dried herbs, crushed rock and Rainier Cherries. Bone dry on the palate with notes of plums and strawberries coming through on a backbone of dried herbs. Decent acidity and a delicious finish. (B-/B)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
