As I pointed out last week, some tasting stretches are better then others. Last week was a “Pooper”, but this week was much better. I tasted through quite a few Washington wines in this group, so that is a good thing. Let’s see what I ran across in my Moleskine this week.
2009 Hogue Cellars Red Table Wine (Columbia Valley, Washington) … $6.99
I wanted to taste this red since I have sold a lot of Hogue wines at the store. It is always a good idea to revisit every once in awhile.
Bright on the nose with notes of cassis and cherry with a backdrop of vanilla and hints of currants. Soft tannins back notes of currants and oak. A little mocha and chocolate on the mid-palate that lingers on the finish. This is a simple, light red with some appealing flavors, and a great price. 48% cab, 46% merlot & 6% syrah 85+ points
2008 For A Song “The Score” Merlot (Columbia Valley, Washington) … $10.99
This is very challenged on the nose with alcohol and raisins coming through. There is notable wood notes on this little merlot backed by notes of plum up front and a little mocha action on the mid-palate. A slight tannic grip on the medium finish. A little flabby and boring, even for the price. 84- points
2009 Argento Bonarda (Mendoza, Argentina) … $9.99
This is a wine that gets my attention every time. The bonarda grape reminds me a lot of syrah and this wine proves that point. Perfumed notes of smokey blackberries and black licorice come through on the nose. A nice minerality on the palate with plump notes of blackberries and black tea. It is full on the palate but not juicy. The minerals come through on the finish backed by notes of red plums and black tea. The wine finishes dry, making it a great match for grilled meats. Not exactly like a syrah, but close enough to be a distant relative. 89+ points
2011 Le Grande Caillou Sauvignon Blanc Vin de Pays (Loire Valley, France) … $9.99
Aromas of sulphur, melon and gooseberries with a slight hit of grapefruit. Notes of white grapefruit, gooseberry and minerals hit the front of the palate. The acids are not bright, but they are penetrating, pushing the fruit and mineral notes across the palate into a lingering, mineral driven finish. What a nice little sauvignon blanc for the warm summer weather and oysters on the half shell. 89 points
2007 Haystack Needle “The Eye” Red (Columbia Valley, Washington) … $14.99
Aromas of red flowers, currants, spice and cedar shavings. Nice intensity on the palate with notes of cedar, currants and dark cherries coming through. Good balance with nice acidity making the flavors “pop” on the mid-palate. Nice long finish with a slight grip on it. Sorry, did not write the blend down on this one. Great value. 90 points
2009 Amavi Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla, Washington) … $25.99
On the nose, smokey currants and blackberries. Nice balance on this wine with notes of blackberries, currants, minerals and dusty cocoa flavors. Herbal notes come through on the mid-palate leading into a spicy iron element on a long finish. This cab needs some more time in the bottle before it hits it’s peak. 90+ points
2008 PepperBridge Merlot (Walla Walla, Washington) … $56.99
This is a pricey little merlot, but considering the pedigree and quality, it is a pretty good value. Notes of anise, black currants, black cherries and cassis come through on the nose. Mouthwatering acidity backs the notes of cassis and blackberries. Minerals and tobacco leaf penetrate from start to finish joined by leather notes with hits of tannin. Great balance and in need of some time in the bottle. 92 points
2008 PepperBridge “Trine” Red (Walla Walla, Washington) .. $61.99
On the nose this reminded me of boysenberry jam and cherry jam with a hit of vanilla and perfumed red flowers. Herbaceous core on the palate with notes of black tea, cassis and minerals coming through. Some tar notes with a dash of mocha come through on the long finish. This wine is a little tight and will need some time in bottle to come to it’s full potential. Maybe 5 more years. 90+ points
2008 PepperBridge Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla, Washington) … $56.99
Aromas of cherries, currants, vanilla, mocha and hints of anise. Cassis, spice and herbs backed by a bright acidity that is in good balance with the fruit. Hints of mint leaf and green tea come through on a long finish. There is a definite theme with all the PepperBridge wines… Good fruit, solid acids and balance. Not a bad thing, and they will all age nicely. Worth the Dinero. 94 points
Non-Vintage Dibon Cava Brut Reserva (Penedes, Spain) … $9.99
I love the fact that you can pick up a bottle of quality bubbles for ten bucks. This is not uncommon with Cava from Spain. This one is a little challenged on the nose with light aromas of peaches and melon. Green apples all day on the palate with underlying apple skin and peach pit notes. Clean and crisp on the finish with hints of tangerine and lemon. This is a dry Cava and if you like that style, this is one of the best I have tasted in awhile. 88+ points
2010 Comoloco Monastrell (Jumilla, Spain) … $7.99
Aromas of dusty black plums and ripe currants. Sweet tannins wrap around notes of currants and boysenberries. Silky smooth in the mouth with a nice intensity. Fresh on the mid-palate leading into a short finish with hits of tar, tobacco and earth. Nice balance, very smooth, just slightly simple with very little complexity. I think a lot of folks are going to like this one, especially for eight bucks. 86 points
2009 Chateau Blouin Bordeaux (France of course) … $9.99
Aromas of beef, mint, currants and black licorice. Very beefy on the palate backed by notes of currants, mint, earth and herbs with a touch of leather. Good structure, silky tannins and hits of spice on the finish. This is some serious juice for ten bucks. I love finding these little Bordeaux from a classic vintage. They show the vintage quality without the hefty price tag. 89 points
2010 TYDY (Thierry-Delaunay) Sauvingnon Blanc Vin De Pays (Southern France) … $10.99
On the nose you get cut grass, apple skin, white flowers and melon. A little rounder on the palate with notes of melon and grass leading into green apple on the mid-palate. A nice steely edge on the medium to long finish. This is not an acid freak of a sauv blanc, it is on the softer side. Good juice, a little simple but not bad for eleven bucks. 86 points
2010 Fidelitas Semillon (Columbia Valley, Washington) … $18.99
Aromas of sweet white flowers and apricots. (Very nice) Peaches and a fig component hit the front of the palate. Nice pear and mineral edge in the middle leading into a finish of pitted fruits and fig/gooseberry. Nice balance of fruits and acidity with a lingering finish. Nice job Charlie! 90 points
2010 Tertulia Cellars Viognier (Columbia Valley, Washington) … $17.99
Perfumed on the nose with notes of peaches, papaya, licorice and white flowers. This is a fruit medley in the mouth from start to finish. Mango, peach, melon, orange, lime (Froot Loops style). This one is not over-the-top heavy fruit like some viognier can be. It has nice balance and is refreshing. 89 points
2011 Renegade Wine Co. Rose (Columbia Valley, Washington) … $9.99
Aromas of strawberries, cherries, watermelon and a slight hit of rhubarb. Ripe cherries on the palate backed by notes of watermelon and ripe rhubarb. Nice clean finish this rose has a dry backside to it. This is delicious rose with clean fruit but not bone dry. Unfortunately this rose goes fast, I cannot get anymore at the store. If you see it somewhere, snap it up. 88+ points
2010 Kyra Chenin Blanc (Columbia Valley, Washington) … $12.99
Aromas of fennel, banana and apple. Sweet apples up front with some Asian pear thrown in the mid-palate. Nice backbone of acidity and it finishes dry to medium sweet. You don’t see a lot of chenin from Washington which is too bad. Kyra does a nice job with it, and this vintage is one of the best I have seen in the last four years. Perfect for shellfish or Asian fare. 89 points
2009 Vina Salida Tempranillo (Yakima Valley, Washington) … $19.99
I have not tasted a lot of tempranillo from Washington State so I was looking forward to giving this one a try. Very beefy on the nose with perfumed notes of cassis and currants with a touch of black olives and wood. Currants and beef jerky on the palate with an edge of spice. This is a very gamey red with some salty notes coming through on the mid-palate. Mocha and vanilla join the flavors on a long finish with hits of white pepper. Not your usual red and I found it both interesting and good. I also feel that the price is not bad for what you get. 92 points
2010 Fidelitas M-100 Red (Columbia Valley, Washington) … $19.99
I love the nose on this baby. Aromas of blackberry and cherry with hints of bittersweet chocolate. Black cherries and chocolate hit you on the front of the palate with fresh tannins and an underlying citrus element. Good balance with notes of tobacco leaf, black tea and some leather action with hits of black pepper on a long finish. This baby has some lay down time in it. Give it 5 to 8 years and it will flesh out nicely. You might even be able to stretch it to ten years. That is a lot to say for a wine that is only twenty bucks. 91 points
There you have it, another week of tasting and analyzing wines. Remember, the points are for my memory and not a definitive estimation of the wine. They are a personal palate score and if you like my palate choices, then use the points. If not, throw them under the bus. Cheers! Stan The Wine Man
