Domaine des Escaravailles Les Sablieres 2007 Cotes Du Rhone

This beauty of a Southern French wine pours deep garnet red; It has a very dark, musky nose. It shows it's old world roots right of: Notes of herb and black pepper are immediately noticeable, and the pepper note really intensifies mid palate. There is a very woodsy quality to this wine- almost hearty. It has a very rich mouthfeel, heavy bodied, but with a surprising twist in the finish; tart and acidic, it lingers on and really kind of brings this wine together. It's not until that finish that any fruitiness starts to show itself. Restrained oak, tame tannin, nice concentration. A great little bottle of wine.

Jade Mountain La Provencale 2008 California Red Wine

First- This wine is very, very, good. It is as though a gutsy Aussie Shiraz married an earthy, rustic, Cotes du Languedoc, and this was their offspring. Pours purple out the bottle, this wine has a pleasant, almost cologne-like nose. Big bold fruit- plum, blackberry, and raisin are followed by licorice, black pepper, and herbs. Medium bodied, nice acidity, and easy tannins. This wine's complexity, concentration, and balance really fly in the face of it's dirt cheap price point. It was on sale at Cost Plus World Market for 7.99. Exceptional value for the money.

Seven Hills 2006 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine comes out a bright ruby color. It features a hot perfumey nose. Definitely smells like alcohol, which is wierd, because it's only 13.7%. The first flavors I get are of almond extract, blackberries, and just a touch of vanilla and caramel. It seems rather light for a cabernet. The finish is also quick. I've had the 2005, and my memory is of that vintage being much better- fuller, a lot more concentration, more complexity, and longer finish. That's not to say this is a bad wine. Not at all. Just from a premium producer like Seven Hills, I was expecting more, and you can find much better values. But it is still a tasty little bottle. If it were 8 bucks less, I'd enjoy it much more.

Trapiche Broquel Malbec 2007; Mendoza, Argentina

The color of this wine is a deep dark purple hue. I think this wine is pleasant, but could benefit from some aging. The tannins are very noticable at first sip. There is an immediate grainy drying sensation that takes place. This wine is very flavorful, however. Big black cherry notes dominate, and some very noticable herby/anise notes, with a background of tar and tobacco. The finish is nice and long, with some bright berry notes resonating. I really like this wine, but thinks it needs some time to tone down....just a bit. A really great value, though at around 12 bucks.

Januik 2006 Columbia Valley Merlot

I have to admit this up front: I am a big Mike Januik fan. His winemaking sensibilities seem firmly rooted in the new world, but with more than a polite nod to old. This Merlot is no different. This wine exhibits a clear, crimson red color. I don't know if my nose is off, but like the Novelty Hill I tasted a few days ago, the boquet seems restrained. The flavor, however, is gorgeous. It hits the palate with a nice tart and sweet combo like sour cherry pie. With whipped cream. I also get a definite sage like character mid palate, with a nice, lingering, creamy finish. A very good wine from a talented winemaker.

Shingleback 2005 McLaren Vale Grenache

First things first- This is a very tasty wine. Big, bold fruit flavor. This screams "Australia". Mouthfilling with currant, cherry, boysenberry jaminess. Nicely restrained oak lends a tasty vanilla component...but is still rich. This wine is like cheesecake drowned in a berry sauce. And the finish is very nice. From what I can tell, this offering from Shingleback is not widely available in the States. But it is worth seeking out.

Novelty Hill 2006 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon; Woodinville, WA

This is an excellent cab. Surprisingly, the nose is kinda soft. It may open up more, it has only been open 5 minutes. But from the first sip, this is very tasty bottle. The first flavors you get is good amount of vanilla and caramel, moving on to almost pomegranatey/bright fruit flavors...not quite cherry, but not citrusy either. Raspberry Mocha. That's it. The cocoa notes carry over to moderately long, very tasty finish. Winemaker Mike Januick has put together a very well crafted Cabernet in this offering.

Chateau Mayne-Vieil Cuvee Alienor 2005; Fronsac, Bordeaux, France

This is great wine from the now legendary 2005 of Bordeaux. The wine has a very nice nose of black fruit and violets. Merlot based, this (predictably) tannic wine is surprisingly fruity and drinkable for a young Bordeaux. But it is delicious. And that's not to say it's only fruity. Cherry, slight plum, cedar, smoke, and almond all make an appearance. Even tobacco and a slight bit of coffee. The finish is pleasantly sweet and vanilla-y. This is not a huge wine. Not super concentrated; probably not as long lived as some other Bordeaux, but an excellent value and highly recommended at it's $22 price point. Pick some up!

Sebastiani 2006 Russian River Valley Unoaked Chardonnay; Sonoma, CA

This bottle has a nice nose of green apple and citrus...it introduces itself to the palate with sharp lemon and grapefruit notes, displaying some noticable acid. There is some green apple, steel and mineral components to this delicious wine. The finish, however is quick. This is a good wine that would pair nicely with any number of dishes.

Pacific Oasis 2005 Pinot Noir; Santa Barbara, CA

I have to admit, I wasn't expecting much. This is a a budget Pinot, but I was pleasantly surprised. Very good nose. Cherry and flowers really do burst out of the wineglass. Very pale crimson/brick colored, with big up front pinot-toned fruit flavors. Smooth body; tannins and acidity in nice balance support the fruit forward nature of this pinot. Cherry, strawberry and vanilla dominate...missing some of the earthiness I like in a good Pinot Noir, but still a very admirable effort. Moderately long finish.

Chateau Ste Michelle 2005 Merlot; Columbia Valley, WA

I've been wanting to try more Washington Merlots, so I picked this one up today. This wine exhibits a nice vanilla/cherry nose and immediately shows itself with up front tannin. The tasting notes from CSM mention cola, and I can buy that...it exhibits cola, vanilla, some cedary-resiny notes and a slightly tart finish that is surprisingly long. It is a very pleasant, respectable wine...one I wouldn't mind having a few bottle of in the cellar.

Clos de Brague 2005 Bordeaux; Bordeaux, France

Disappointing. I've had a few economy bottles of the great 2005 Bordeaux vintage, and all until now were outstanding values. This bottle is WAY more fruit forward than I want in a Bordeaux. Heck, this is softer and more fruit forward than a cheap California Merlot. And thin. The nose is barely there, and the flavors are very muted, but what is there is watery cherry and almond. I will taste again in a few hours, and tomorrow, to make sure it's not just extremely tight, but I don't think so. Usually I can still taste tannin, and there really isn't any to speak of. The good Bordeaux I have had, however have been produced by a specific Chateau, and this is done by a negociant. I know in Burgundy negociants can make some outstanding wine, but I have not heard of any great Bordeaux negociants, so maybe that should have been my first clue. Anyway, I'll post on the future tastings!

10/21
The wine did not improve. It got worse.

Argyle Reserve Pinot Noir 2006; Willamette Valley, OR

Ok...this wine is wicked good. I know they tout their "silky" texture, but, they are not lying! The nose is beautiful bouquet of red fruits and flowers, the color a nice, light ruby. It hits your palate with caramel, raspberry, mushrooms, strawberry, and vanilla. The finish is fantastic; sweet, long, and begs you to take another drink...and another glass...well, good thing it's $45 bucks a bottle. Otherwise I could be an alcoholic. =) Nice, fine grained tannins, supported by depth of flavor point to this may be able to withstand some aging, but then again, why? It's so good now. Mr. Soles, job very much well done. As I said in my Willamette Valley entry, this wine (the '05) was my wine epiphany, and I go back and I understand why.

Snoqualmie Winery 2007 Whistle Stop Red; Columbia Valley, WA

This wine absolutely shocked me. It was fantastic. A blend of 70% Cabernet, 30% Merlot, this wine had depth, concentration, and a nice finish. It showed great tannins on the front palate, followed by beautiful cocoa notes, cherry, cassis, and a nice sweet finish. This wine had structure that I think would allow it to develop with some bottle aging, as surprising as that is for a wine this inexpensive. I purchased it for 7.99! I would not be at all reluctant to serve this wine to anyone.

Spring Valley Vineyard 2003 Cabernet Franc; Walla Walla, Washington

Stunning. This wine is exceptional. A brilliant ruby color out of the bottle, the aroma is very floral and perfumey, with a whiff of almond extract. The wine hits the palate with a creamy, cocoa-y almost creme brulee flavor, and is exceptionally smooth. Sweet tannin give this wine enjoyable structure, and this is a candidate for some additional bottle aging. Some nice raisin/prune/currant flavors follow the sweet creme brulee nuance, only to return to the vanilla and caramel notes on an incredibly long finish. I found this gem at a local wine shop...and will go back to see if they have more. This is a very fine wine from Spring Valley. This particular bottling includes 12% Petit Verdot, and is made from Estate grown fruit in the Walla Walla Valley.

Las Rocas Garnacha 2007; Catalunya, Espana

This is a a very unique wine. The scent is like black pepper, and that carries over right into it's taste. Really. I get so much black pepper, it almost overshadows everything else. There is definitely an earthy component, and some black fruits on the latter part of the palate. Overall, I don't like the light body, but it's flavors fly in the face of that body. The finish is ok, but not great; again, too much pepper! An interesting wine, but not my favorite.

Couvillion 2005 Sagemoor Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon; Columbia Valley, WA

This little producer from Walla Walla produces one HECK of a cab. First, the bouquet is thick with vanilla and berries. Sweet tannins quickly give way to concentrated bing cherry, vanilla, pepper, cedar, and other resiny flavors. This lady makes a beautiful cab. I would guess this baby would evolve, for the better, for several more years, but it is drinking wonderfully right now. This wine showcases a full, almost chewy, body; it is dangerously good, I could drink the bottle in a sitting. If you can find this wine (internet best bet) please do yourself and your collection a favor and pick it up. Shows everything I love about quality Washington Cabs! Retail $30.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Reisling 2007; Columbia Valley, WA

This is a fantastic Reisling. Bright, clean notes of pear hit the nose. The body is surprisingly full, but the wine is brisk and bright. Pear, apple, and even light hints of citrus and pineapple hit the palate with beautiful, racing clarity. There is even some gorgeous creaminess going on- not from oak, just present in the wine. Some nice mineral notes hit late palate/finish, with more creaminess on that finish. This wine exhibits some surprising sweetness given the high (for a reisling) alcohol content. This wine went wonderful with a salad of Romaine, olives, red onion, gorgonzola, and bacon with a balsamic vinaigrette. This step up bottle from CSM retails somewhere in the 15-20 dollar range. This is a great addition to any cellar.

Ventus Pinot Noir 2007; Patagonia, Argentina

This wine has a nice nose- scents of roses, brambles and berries. The palate is also almose perfumey at first- not in a bad way, but interesting. Then peppery cherry notes follow, and the finish is surprisingly long. The wine does not exhibit great concentration, however...it is kinda thin. It is still very pleasant, however.

Willamette Valley Wine Tasting

Yesterday I had a great time wine tasting in the Willamette Valley. Pinot Noir madness, baby!
My first stop was Ponzi, on the north side of the Chehalem Mountains AVA. I thought they did a nice job, and was worth the stop just to see their old Pinot vines. Planted in something like 73. I liked their Tavola Pinot best, so I bought a bottle.

Next stop was the wine that gave me my wine epiphany, Argyle. Tried their 06 Reserve, and 06 Nuthouse. Both were fantastic. I love Argyle's stuff. Beautiful facility in downtown Dundee, and the folks here are very friendly. Their Reserve bottling of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir really is a beautiful wine, and I have always had it on occasions where I will always remember the moment. My sentimental favorite, Argyle will always get me through their doors when I'm in Oregon, and I can't pass up a bottle if ever I see some for sale.

On to arguably (well, not really) the epitome of Oregon wines, Archery Summit. These wines seem to be on a whole other level...the fragrances absolutely explode out the glass. I tried 4 Pinots here, their Premier Cuvee, Red Hill, Renegade Ridge, and Looney Vineyard. Truthfully, I thought the Premier Cuvee was as good as the more expensive bottlings, with the possible exception of Red Hill. Each wine was layered with complexity, absolutely lovely body, and finishes that might as well been a James Cameron drama. I wish they could be my go-to Pinot, but unfortunately, the pocketbook will not allow such things. I did bring home some for a special occassion, though! I also have to add, the folks in the tasting room and around the grounds were wonderful. For a place that's as hallowed as some Grand Cru Burgundies, this was an incredibly friendly place to visit. The pours were generous, (I felt awful dumping such wonderful wine in the spit bucket) not hurried, and the vineyards are beautiful. If you ever have a chance, go! Also, ask to use the restroom. They are in their winecave. Very cool.

Next I went to Elk Cove in Gaston. A very fine producer in a stunning location. The views are lovely. Their wine was great as well. I tried 2 pinot noirs, a pinot gris (came home with me- it's fantastic) a late harvest reisling (not too sweet) and a couple others. Also incredibly friendly. I asked if could take a few pics and the person told me I could go wherever and take pictures of anything. The vineyards here are the stuff of magazine covers. Also, the backdrop to the vineyard is a hardwood forest, so I want to go back in fall. I can't imagine how beautiful it will be.

Well, there you have it. A day of tasting in Oregon. I can't wait to go back.

Santa Ema Reserve 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon; Maipo Valley, Chile

Very floral nose, very aromatic. The wine hits the palate with tannin, moves to earthy, tarry, notes, and berries come mid-late palate. This wine is also fairly acidic; a good candidate for a little bottle aging, although the finish is fairly quick, and concentration is not great, so i don't know. The more I taste, I'm deciding this is an ok to good wine, not great. Enjoyable, but forgettable.

Vale Do Bomfim Douro Valley 2006; Oporto, Portugal

The Douros I have had before I have liked. This is no exception. A pretty ruby-ish purple color, it has a plummy nose. That plum note carries over to the palate, with some nice tannins, almond notes, a touch of pepper and herbs. Really versatile, I could see myself serving this with any number of dishes. A very tasty, inexpensive bottle.

Hogue Genesis 2006 Syrah; Columbia Valley, WA

First, this Syrah got some great press. A 92 from Wine & Spirits, I believe. I like it, but I don't think it's quite that good. The boquet has a beautiful cherry liqueur nose to it, and it's very aromatic. The scent leaps out of the glass. The attack on the palate is strong on the black fruits, but missing the plum component I have grown to love about Washington syrahs. Some nice vanilla notes shine through mid-late palate, with a very nice and long finish,with spice the dominant note . The concentration is not as good as some Syrahs I have had lately, but it's still a very strong bottle. Maybe it is a 92! I'm liking it more and more with each sip. One thing is for sure, it's a definite bargain at the $12 sale price that is so common on it right now.

Alius Crianza 2004; Somontano, Spain

This is a nice 50/50 Cab Merlot blend. Nothing spectacular, but nice. Exhibits a nice, smoky nose with touches of black fruit. Fairly light body, bright juicy acidity, strawberry and cherry notes, with a pleasant, if quick finish. Notes of vanilla and smoke on the finish.

Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2007; Walker Bay, South Africa

First, the nose smells of excessive toast/oak. Some strawberry notes sneak through, but not a ton. This pinot is very, very, soft...displays little varietal character or concentration. Very thin, some weak berry flavors do muddle through, but it takes too much thinking to discern any noticable flavor at all. Not a bottle I would care to purchase again.

Hogue Pinot Grigio Columbia Valley 2008; Washington

My parents surprised me by bringing me a bottle of wine to enjoy with some roast chicken tonight! The first thing I notice is a very soft nose: just hints of green apple. The wine follows that pattern. Very light, with a definite pear component, especially on the fleeting finish. This wine is ok for sipping chilled on a deck on a hot summer afternoon, or would accompany grilled citrus marinated whitefish like halibut.

Wine tasting madness!

I shouldn't post this, but how could i not post about a very fine cab tasting the other night...I didn't take very good notes, so this is from memory.

The first was a Sagelands Four Corners 2006 cab. Very nice, simple, every night quaffer. Don't remember too much detail.

#2: 2006 Novelty Hill 2006 Columbia Valley Cab. This was fantastic. Mike Januick is the winemaker, and I am a big fan. Very sweet tannin, palate coating juicy fruit flavor- blackberry, raspberry; a hint of cocoa, and a long, beautiful finish.

#3: Columbia Crest Reserve Cab 2004. Nice, very tasty, but don't recall the specifics =(

#4: Andrew Will Champoux Vineyard Red Wine 2006. Huge. Sadly, this wine was hemmed in by tannin, and shouldn't see the light of day for a few years at least. But the future potential was obvious with concentrated fruit, earth, coffee, and cocoa.

Loved this tasting...Love Washington Cabs!!! Will the big boy reviewers please stand up and shout from the rooftops about what Washington is doing with this King of Reds?

Terra Blanca Red Mountain Syrah 2002

This wine was very interesting. Just old enough that it was beginning to undergo some of the changes red wines do, but still having some of the youthful freshness. The color was a pale purple, obviously lightened up by some age. The wine was an incredibly interesting mix of blackberry, cedar, tobacco, and vanilla. The tannins were still present, but nicely integrated into the wine. A very fine offering from Terra Blanca.

Cline 2007 Ancient Vines Mourvedre; Contra Costa County, CA

First things first...this wine needs to breathe a bit. When first opened, sulphur was the prodominant component of the nose. This, however subsided rather quickly. The nose is very soft, notes of strawberry, vanilla, and smoke. The palate attacks with lots of tannin, then transitions to strawberries and cream. Caramel. Mocha on the back end. The body is light. The finish is pleasant. This is a good palate education wine, as mourvedres are not terribly common. I like this wine, and actually think it is a great summer grill pairing. A nice value right now at World Market for 13 bucks. (Word of Caution- 15% alc. so drink responsibly)

August 19th
I tried this wine again today, and felt an update was needed! I really like this wine! No sulphur aroma is present, just a lovely sweet aroma. It almost seems as though the body has changed. The tannis are there, but sweet, and the flavor profile has evolved to resemble thick, gorgeous blackberry syrup, with beef fat on the finish. Incredibly interesting transformation. Get a bottle, decant, and let aerate before you drink!

Columbia Winery 2005 Columbia Valley Merlot; Woodinville, WA

I am surprised. This is a delicious merlot. I don't usually go for Merlot, because of the cliche about them being too soft...but this one is great. Dark ruby edging toward purple, the color is beautiful. The nose is wonderful: violets and cherry. This wine is a heck of a lot more structured than I was anticipating- firm tannins surprise the unsuspecting palate and acid seems a bit high. This wine could probably stand up to a few more years of aging! The concentration is decent, and the palate way more complex than I was expecting. Dark fruits are the first flavors, kinda muddled, but then earthy tones come next, especially in the finish. Cedary, forest floor-y notes and more tannin dominate a lengthy finish...even more tannin as it sits, causing me to believe a couple more years of aging could really make this bottle interesting. All in all a solid bottle from this producer, and a good bargain at less than $12 most stores.

Columbia Crest H3 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon; Patterson, WA

Let me be honest: I LOVE Washington Cabs. The concentration and flavor profiles are delightful. And this bottle from the Horse Heaven Hills appellation is quite simply a stellar value. The color is beautiful crimson red, it exhibits a very floral nose, but what stands out it in this wine is the balance. Almost textbook. First it has very lovely tannin. Absolutely noticable, but sweet, and giving you just the right amount of kick to let you know this is not a crappy, cheap innocuous wine. Then the palate is flooded with black cherry; vanilla, toast/smoke, brown sugar, chocolate, even some cedary/tobacco notes follow. The finish is generous, sweet and cocoa-ish. Nice acidity, good body. I really like this wine. And it reminds me why Washington Cabernet Sauvignon is probably my favorite wine. You just cannot do better for the money. This bottle is good enough for a special occasion, but priced moderately at around $15. A very good workhorse for any cellar. Good job, Columbia Crest!

Isabel Sauvignon Blanc 2008; Marlborough, New Zealand

Beautiful pale yellow, very translucent. This is a good, very servicable SB. Exhibits a nice nose of pear and apple, with some mineral spirits. The body seems a little heavier than I am used to for a SB, almost the texture oak would give it, but I (thankfully) taste none. This wine has very distinct lemon notes, and definitely gives the impression of sweetness. The lemon gives way to metal; almost like some reislings. The finish hits you with grapefruit, not unlike Squirt Soda, and mellows into something I can only describe as Ricola Cough Drops. The finish is persistant.

Sagelands Red Blend 2006; Columbia Valley, WA

This economical bottle has a wonderful nose of oatmeal raisin cookies. Really. Nice Ruby color. This Bordeaux blend of 51% Cabernet, 36% Merlot and 13% Malbec is nicely structured with some noticable tannins. Cherry and almond flood the palate, with some great hints of black pepper on the back end. The finish is nice, if unspectacular. A very decent every night drinker, perfect for informal roast or spaghetti dinners.

***In full disclosure, this bottle was in my apartment during the Heat Wave of Last Week. Temperatures in Aberdeen exceeded 100 degrees, and I don't know how hot my wine closet got. So that may have tainted this bottle.

Bodega Del Fin Del Mundo 2007 Pinot Noir Reserva; Patagonia, Argentina

I love this Pinot. It exhibits a beautiful crimson color, and has a distinct, Pinot Noir nose. Full of fresh strawberry and raspberry notes, this is a very fruit-driven Pinot with nice structure. I would venture a guess that this wine would age pretty well, with it's fairly noticable (but not at all unpleasant) tannins. The finish is strong on raspberries, and then transitions to nice, lingering oaky smoke. This would be an outstanding accompaniment to wood-grilled salmon. Usually retails around US$25. An outstanding effort from this producer.

Chalk Hill Estate Bottled Chardonnay 2000, Sonoma County, CA

Find of the month. Maybe year. I picked up some of this at our local Grocery Outlet. Quite old for a Chardonnay, but I thought what the heck, I'll give it a try. From such a renowned producer, I thought it had a good chance.

It is still drinking beautifully! This chardonnay has attained a beautiful honey hue. The only thing that may not be holding up is the nose...it's not bad, just very light. I am sipping it slightly chilled, and the first flavor I notice is nice, mellow honey notes that move into lime and butter...beautiful job integrating the oak: it's there, but doesn't smack you in the face. The finish is smooth, long and lemony. This is just begging for some lemon herb chicken, or a pasta primavera.

Here's the kicker: I paid $4.99. Holy crap.

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.