This is just a reminder that I am reviewing 100 Washington wines in August. Mon-Fri each week for four weeks I will review five wines a day. So this is the five wines I am reviewing on day four of the first week, that is why it is day four instead of day 8 (are you following me?). At any rate, these are the five wines I am reviewing for Thursday of the first full week of August 2013.
I have been trying my hardest to stick to the same winery each day, but today I am going to post my notes for four wines from the same producer with a wild-card thrown in. Here goes… ( I will review the last Mackey wine tomorrow).
2010 Mark Ryan Vineyards “Lonely Heart” Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Mountain, WA) … $80.
This is way out of my league price-wise, but I just can’t help myself. This is the second chance I have had to try the “Lonely Heart” cab, and I have the same feeling now that I had back then, I am absolutely in love with this cab! It is deep and concentrated on the nose with notes of black licorice, currants, tobacco and rose petal with that Red Mt. earth thrown in. Structured and rich on the palate with notes of currants and tobacco with a rose petal undertone. There is a chalky minerality that comes through on the mid-palate leading into an intense licorice, currant and spice driven finish that lingers for quite a while. This is what cab should be, showing a little mint undertow with a ton of structure. This baby is ready to drink now, but will only improve over the next five years. My feelings have not changed about Mark Ryan’s ability to make cab… (A+) (By the way, this is the wild-card).
This next winery that I am about to review has a huge cult following in not only Washington, but anywhere the wine is attainable… Maison Bleue.
2012 Maison Bleue Jaja White (Columbia Valley, WA)… $24.99
Aromas of tart green apple skins with a little Jolly Rancher green apple element thrown in. The green apple Jolly Rancher element comes through on the palate with a little cut grass coming through. There is a bright beam of acidity that flows through this wine with an interesting spice component on the bright finish. (B+)
2011 Maison Bleue Petite Joie Marsanne (Boushey Vineyards, Yakima WA)… $29.
Aromas of spice and ginger with a back-drop of pears. Pears come through all over the palate with spice notes backing it up. Mineral notes on the mid-palate flowing into a finish of vanilla, pears and butterscotch. (B+)
2012 Maison Bleue La Famille Rose of Mouvedre (Columbia Valley, WA)… $19.99
Interesting aromas of popcorn kernels, strawberries and rhubarb. Dry on the palate with notes of tart Rainier cherries. Nice balance with notes of rhubarb and strawberries coming through on the finish. Acidity is fairly prominent on the palate which puts the wine a little off-balance. (B)
2011 Maison Bleue “Ja Ja” Red (Yakima Valley, WA)… $29.99
On the nose, chalky notes of red plums, raspberries, and a perfumed back-drop of cherries. There is a solid core of acidity on the palate with notes of currants and plums up front. Soft tannins support the fruit notes leading into a finish of tobacco and red flowers mixed with white pepper that lingers. There is a nice freshness to this red. (B+)
Day four is under the belt with some great Washington wines. Cheers! Stan The Wine Man
