Another two weeks of evaluating the product of the vine and I am here to let you know what I found. During this time, Thanksgiving came and went. I had opportunity to taste some premium wines (At least that’s what they presented them as) with one of my distributors and various other wines at home. Did I find anything that jumped out as a value? Let’s see.
2007 Lot 205 Petite Sirah … $8.99
Aromas of blueberries, black licorice and smokey plums. Bright notes of black licorice, blueberries and minerals come though on the front of the palate. This wine gets a bit awkward on the mid-palate and finish with wood taking over prominently on the finish. This red goes from sweet to dusty to wood in a very jerky fashion with a little perfume on the finish. This is not what I am looking for in a petite sirah. 80 points
2010 Casa Silva Pinot Noir Reserva Colchagua, Chile … $11.99
Aromas of cherries, anise and earth. A nice brightness up front with notes of red berries, with dark fruits taking over. A combination of red Bing cherries and dark cherries with hits of anise. There is a nice core of acidity that never overtakes the fruit. Nice leather and red berry components on a medium to long finish.
There are some nice values coming out of Chile in the pinot noir category and this is one of them. 87+ points
2007 Copain Gary’s Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah … $25.99
On the nose, black currants, bacon fat and black plums. Soft yet dense on the front of the palate with interesting notes of tar,black plums and green tea. Some green notes on the finish with loads of charcoal and some spice hits. Not a lot of fruit on this baby but if you like charcoal and barbecue spice notes you’ll love this. 85 points
2009 Cline Cool Climate Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, Califonia … $13.99
Nice dark burgundy color on this baby. (I don’t remark on color very often, but this seemed to stand out). A little restrained on the nose with some earthy stink, cola and red berries. Dark cherries come through on the palate with a little oak also. Core of brightness comes through on the mid-palate with notes of red berries that linger throughout. Some tannins on the finish with hits of leather and forest floor. This has a lot of “Old World” action on it which I like. 88+ points
2009 Sean Minor Pinot Noir Carneros, California … $15.99
Aromas of black currants, dark cherries and a little dust. Big, silky and smooth on the palate with notes of ripe cherries throughout. A little black currant action on the mid-palate with a little brown sugar and spice coming through on the long finish. A little too much alcohol for me, but I have a feeling a lot of folks will like this pinot. 88 points
2009 Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, California … $12.99
Aromas of earth, dark fruits and a little rubber beach ball action. A blend of red cherries and black cherries come through on the palate. Nice finish of leather with some tannins present and a nice spice that lingers. This is not your typical California pinot noir. Smooth and easy to drink with enough layers to make it quite interesting to drink. I really like the “old world” love this wine shows. For the price, this is a killer value. 89+ points
Non-Vintage Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut … $41.99
This is my experience with the “High End” tasting that a distributor put on for us. The next eleven wines were shared with us at this event.
The Moet & Chandon displayed aromas of bread dough, pineapple, apples and coconut. In the mouth, notes of apples and coconut came through with a creamy texture. Balanced acids and a long finish with light hits of fig. I was actually impressed with this effort, and for the price it is a pretty good value. 90 points
2008 Annika Chardonnay California … $39.99
Oak all day on the nose backed by notes of butter and pineapple. Oak is subdued on the palate compared to the aromas with notes of apples and butterscotch that are creamy on the palate. This chard has good balance and a lasting finish. For those who like Rombauer, this may be a nice alternative for only a few bucks more. 91 points
2006 Annika Syrah California … $74,99
Did anyone tell them that it is hard enough to sell syrah at twenty bucks, let alone seventy-five! I guess since it has the backing of famous golfer Annika Sorenstam it demands the price tag. Whatever. That being said, I had to analyze it fairly and I have to say I was impressed. Big aromas of boysenberries, black currants and a little brown sugar action. High octane on the palate with notes of blueberries and currants. Surprisingly this wine is holding back just a little and you have a sense that there is room to grow. The finish shows off a load of tobacco leaf and blueberries that linger on and on. 95 points ( I don’t think this is easy to get, but if you want a treat, the splurge may be worth it!)
2007 Cougar Crest Cabernet Franc Walla Walla, Washington … $36.99
Aromas of green bell pepper, tomato stem, vanilla and mocha. Classic cabernet franc. Smooth and silky on the front side with notes of boysenberries, spice, white pepper, mocha and vanilla. The flavors are good up front but thin out a bit on the mid-palate and waters down even more on the finish. This is a delicate wine but really is over-priced for what you get. That is what makes me angry about the Walla Walla appellation. Some wineries think they can get the big bucks for the name even if the quality is lacking. 86 points
2004 Geoges de La Tour Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, California … $129.99
Aromas of cherries, black currants and a beam of black licorice. Notes of cassis and currants with a tannic edge to it. The black currant notes expand on the mid-palate with a little tomato stem coming through on the finish. This is really a teenager and needs some time to flesh out Excellent structure, good fruit and tannins. Give it another ten years and WOW! 96 points
2005 Cardinale Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, California … $87.99
On the nose, notes of brown sugar, black cherries and black currants. Strong leather and tannic core on this baby. Black currants come through on the mid-palate. Notes of spice, chocolate and mocha come through on a long structured finish. This cab is also youthful, and will improve over the next five to eight years. 92 points
2005 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Napa, California … $42.99
I love the nose on this cab. Notes of perfumed cedar, char, tobacco and black currants. (I could really smell this wine for fifteen minutes or more!) Sweet tannins on the palate with a bright core of currants backed by notes of tobacco leaf. Some wood shows up on the mid-palate with some nice cigar box spices coming through on the finish. Again, this wine is youthful and could use a couple of years to mature. A super value in cab from Napa. 93 points
2008 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, California … $161.99
On the nose it was like grape jam meets meat tenderizer, with a little fennel and currant thrown in. Bold up front with interesting notes of poppy seed and Earl Grey tea. Expands on the mid-palate leading into notes of green bell pepper, spice and hints of brown sugar on a long ass finish. 91 points
2009 Camus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, California … $74.99
This is the little sibling to the Special Selection and I liked it a little more. Aromas of Earl Grey tea, black tea, tobacco and currants. Plush on the front of the palate with notes of black currants and Earl Grey tea. It expands on the mid-palate with notes of spice and tobacco soaked in black currants. Nice long finish of vanilla, mocha and chocolate. This is ready to consume. 93 points
2007 De Lille Cellars Grand Ciel Cabernet Sauvignon … $126.99
Aromas of tomato stem, black tea, cedar and dark fruits. Green vegetation comes through up front with notes of tobacco and mocha. Stong spice hit on the mid-palate that leads into a finish of vanilla and mocha. This wine will age nicely over the next ten to fifteen years. 90 points
That was the end of the premium wine tasting, and I would like to thank the folks at Dickerson Distributing in Bellingham for sharing these great wines. Now, on to the rest of the wines.
2009 Zantho Gruner Veltliner Burgenland, Austria … $14.99
If you have not tried Gruner yet this may be a nice place to start. Aromas of pears, dusty rocks and apples. Light minerals on the palate with hits of apples and lime rinds. This is a light and mellow white that will go well with sushi or salad. 86+ points
2008 Zantho Blaufrankisch Burgenland, Austria … $13.99
Known as Lemberger in our parts this red displays aromas of earth, cranberries, currants and red plums. Spicy notes of black olives, currants and blackberries dominate the palate with a beam of wood tones from beginning through the finish. This wine screams for roast beef or hearty stews. 88 points
2009 Owen Roe Ex Umbris Syrah Columbia Valley, Washington … $23.99
Aromas of blackberries, black plums and hits of smokey blueberries. Plush but controlled on the palate with spice all over the front and mid-palate. Notes of blackberries, black tea and tobacco leaf come through on front and mid. Nice little char action on the front side of the finish followed by notes of blueberries, black tea and spice on a long sustained finish. This baby is a very nice expression of Washington State syrah and is and excellent value. 92 points
Non-Vintage Jacques Copinet Brut Champagne … $44.99
75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, this is a classic example of the great values out there in “Growers Champagne”. On the nose, notes of dusty rocks, apple sauce and some pie crust elements. Green apples all over the palate along with crushed rocks and coconut. Very clean with a pleasing long finish. Very unique, but very good. 91 points
2010 Columbia Crest Two Vines Gewurztraminer Columbia Valley, Washington … $7.49
Pretty aromas of stone fruits and spice. Fig, peach and papaya come through on the palate with a medium to long finish. Sweet of course, but not too sweet. 88+ points
2009 Lucien Albrecht Gewurztraminer Alsace, France … $19.99
Twenty dollars for a gewurzt… Are you crazy? We are somewhat spoiled here in Washington with the variety of gewurztraminers at a very low price. However, when you taste a gewurzt from Alsace, especially this one you will understand the level that this juice can attain. On the nose, intense almost vibrant notes of peach, apricot and mango.Very round and plush on the palate with notes of papaya, mango and a little fig action. Dries up a bit on the finish which is long and spicy. 91 points
2007 Gordon Brothers Syrah Columbia Valley, Washington … $13.99
Intense aromas of black plum and black licorice. Notes of bacon fat, tar, plum and spice come through up front and intensifies on the mid-palate. There is a little glycerin action on the finish with hits of white pepper and some blueberry notes. There is some wood on this syrah, but the intensity of fruit balances it out. A lot of wine for the money and should satisfy those who crave a really good syrah. 95 points
2008 Buried Cane Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley, Washington … $12.99
You like your cab with a little of that eighties feel to it? Then you have come to the right place. Aromas of green beans, asparagus, blacberries, mocha and mint. Very Bordeaux-like on the palate with notes of green beans, anise, bittersweet chocolate and cherry juice. Notes of red currants pop up on the mid-palate leading into a finish that is soft and pleasing. I dare you to find a cab with so many interesting layers at this price. Crazy! 89+ points
2009 Saviah Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla, Washington … $24.99
Aromas of perfumed mint, tobacco leaf and vanilla. Plush yet structured on the palate with notes of black currants, tobacco and tar. Notes of spice mixed with blackberries, tar and currants evolve on the mid-palate into a long finish. The tannins are soft yet structured. There is special pricing on this for the months of November and December bringing it down to $19.99. That price is stupid for such a good cab so keep your eyes open and pick some up when you find it. 94 points
I have once again exposed my Moleskine notes. There were some nice values and of course some that were a few disappointments. Such is the life of a wine steward. The Buried Cane cab was certainly a stand-out for me along with the Gordon Brothers Syrah. I really liked the 2004 Geoges de La Tour Cabernet Sauvignon although the price was a little restrictive for myself.
You know doubt found some gems yourself and I hope I have helped you in some small way to find something good to try. Cheers! Stan The Wine Man
