Okanogan Estate Pinot Noir Barrel Select 2005, Oroville, WA

I am very pleased with the offerings from this producer. From what I can tell, this is the farthest north vineyard/winery in the United States, and rare in that Washington produces so few Pinot Noirs. Their 05 Pinot is a nice balance of earth and fruit; it is soft, but that's not to say dull, with elegant tannins and well-integrated flavors. Exhibits that characteristic "pinot" flavor: mushrooms mixed with cherry, a measured hand with the oak, and a beautiful, hot nose that whispers I am a pinot noir. Not quite Oregon, not quite Burgundy, this is an interesting find for any Pinot lover. $25.

Reininger Helix Pomatia 2005; Columbia Valley, Washington

BIG is the only way to describe this wine; it has that huge concentration that seems so prevelant in the 2005 Washington wines. This blend is 53% Cab, 31% Merlot, 8% Syrah, 8% Cab Franc.
I got a mouthful of currant and plum, with nice hints of cocoa and earth. Nice tannins, Heavy bodied, would cost 4x as much if it were labeled Napa. A very nice fall wine that would go great with a hearty stew, or a steak. A nice buy at around $20.

Charles Smith Boom Boom Syrah 2006

Wow. Menthol, mint, plum, black cherry. The nose was a dead ringer for cherry jolly ranchers candy. Nice finish, moderately long. The color was a nice purple; medium bodied. Would actually be a versatile food wine. A very nice effort from Walla Walla's Syrah Savant, and an outstanding value. You can find this bottle under $15.

Punto Nino Reserva 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Chile

I found this to be a very surprising wine; super crisp, very citrusy with flavors of grapefruit and lemon, a nice herbal/grassy component, all wrapped up in with a very clean, nicely lingering finish...very reminiscent of a NZ sauvignon blanc, but half the price.

Tormaresca 2007 Neprica Puglia, Italy

This wine has a beautiful garnet red color with a floral nose and nice smooth delivery; it hits your palate with soft tannin then receding to very pleasant raspberry and currant flavors, with a nice undercurrent of smoke. The smoke lingers nicely in moderately long finish.

Would complement lightly grilled meats wonderfully! I think this wine is an excellent value at $10 or less a bottle. Give it a try!

Getting started

I tried to do this as a website, but my techno-prowess is limited. Since Blogger is so easy, this is how I will now review wine.



First, the reason for creating this site is to have another vehicle to enhance my enjoyment of wine. I don't think I am by any defenition an expert; however I have invested considerable amounts of time and money to the education of my palate.



To give you an idea of where I fall in the wine tasting spectrum, I generally favor Washington wines. Call it home field advantage, palate training, whatever, but I love my home's produce. I think it represents an OUTSTANDING value. I am very value conscious. I don't mind spending good money on a bottle, but a $50 bottle better taste like it. Likewise, I find great fun out of getting great stuff out of a $7 bottle. (Chateau Ste. Michelle's Reislings are perfect examples)
I generally agree with Parker, but not always. I like tannin. There's nothing worse to me than a wine that tastes like flat grape juice (think cheap California Merlot). If a white is oaked, I like it to be a component, preferably in the background, of a white, not something that obliterates the flavor of the fruit (sorry, California, but you again are a big offender).

Just so you know what I like, here are some examples of wines I really love:

Cabernet Sauvignon
-Januick, Woodinville, WA

Pinot Noir
-Argyle, Dundee, OR
-Acacia, Carneros, CA

Syrah
-L'Ecole No. 41, Walla Walla, WA
-Hogue Genesis
-Callaghan Vineyards, AZ

Reisling
-Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville, WA
-Okanagan Cellars, Oroville, WA

Sauvignon Blanc
-Kim Crawford, NZ
-Claar Cellars, WA

Bordeaux Blends
-Chateau Margaux 1986 =) (yes, I really got to try it!)

There you have it- Just a smattering of stuff I like for reference where I'm coming from. All reviews are by me unless otherwise noted...I have some wonderful friends I hope to get to contribute! Let's crack a bottle!



Please, leave comments, tell me I'm crazy or you agree completely.