2000 Col Solare was a huge issue, we had to sell it for $20 to restaurants, bad, absolutely not, up to Col Solare standards, absolutely not.
For the record, Merlot based blends should be the highest scoring wines in WA with Syrah.
1 Like
Syrah for me is by far the highest of the scoring wines in Washington and it is not even close. In the world I can’t find better Syrah wines for $50.
2 Likes
This summer, I’ve been enjoying the Sixto Chards. They’ve been all drinking well.
2016 Januik Merlot Columbia Valley - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (8/18/2022)
PnP, followed over an hour or so.
Beautiful nose of graphite, dark red fruit, damp earth, some underbrush. Palate is medium body, true red fruit uplifted by acid, a slight stemmy character, and good tannic structure. Finish shows a little bit of cinnamon and nutmeg spice, but also sweet cherry that is slightly tart from acid.
Call me a convert, this is a damn good Merlot. Properly balanced, well ripened but not overblown, good complexity. $30 or so. Steal. Plenty of structure to last another 5 years.
Drinking very well now but can hold for a bit as well. (91 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker
3 Likes
Rohit the Januik and Novelity HIll wines are excellent. Great venue to visit also.
1 Like
-
2018 Novelty Hill Winery Malbec Stillwater Creek Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (8/15/2022)
Day 1: Fruit forward wine with plum, boysenberries and sour cherry. Spice, floral, tar, menthol and baked chocolate. Medium plus finish. Very nice wine for the money and a good example that Malbec can thrive in the US. 93 points
Day 2: Good but not as good as day 1. Pepper, plum, blackberries, menthol, tar and menthol. Trust me I would still buy it on the day 2 review as it retails for $30 but day 1 hands down. 91 points
Recommendation: Pop, pour and drink it up. (93 points)
Sad news about Ross Mikel and his family. Ross has worked at and made some of the great wines in Washington. Short spell at Delille, then at Betz and Force Majeur, and of course his winery Ross Andrew. Ross passed away with his son, wife, and unborn child.
Really sad day for all the families who lost loved ones in the plane crash.
RIP.
2017 Andrew Januik Cabernet Sauvignon Lady Hawk - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills (9/9/2022)
Day 2: Wonderful showing again. Bright fruit featuring blueberries, cherry and plum. Spice, baking chocolate, earth, menthol and dried flowers. Medium plus finish and good concentration. 93 points
Crazy Sunday deal not that I drink a lot of these wines lately but a local shop has a case of Columiba Crest Two Vines for $30. Yes I said $30 a case.
1 Like
Most 2Vines is CA now except Merlot-Cab and perhaps Chard.
They are getting rid of that like, so not surprising.
Yes I am sure it is crap compared to what it used to be for certainly better than most $3 wines. I might get a case just to throw some in a blind tasting.
2017 Savage Grace cot (malbec), boushey vineyard, Yakima valley ava, 12.4% abv.
I was lucky enough to find and order this at dinner last night. A really elegant malbec with nice structure to go along with the blackberry, boysenberry, and acai fruit. On the nose there was plenty of white pepper with just enough green notes to keep it interesting. Checked the website later which states 30% whole cluster fermentation which makes sense. 4- (out of 5). A very good buy at $28.
Boushey is my favorite Washington state vineyard outside of Walla Walla.
I don’t recall every using the words elegant and malbec in the same sentence. For me malbec is a wine list punt, when I throw up my hands when presented with a wine list full of wines I am totally unfamiliar with or one that is ridiculously over priced. In those circumstances it’s a safe bet for something predictably juicy, easy going, and uncomplicated. This wine was not that as I kept going back to sniff and swirl.
Michael makes some pretty compelling wines in the older world, lower alc. style. Particularly fond of Cab Franc paired with Salmon.
1 Like
Do you recall which CF? His website lists a Pollard and a Copeland vyd. I’m really interested in trying more.
1 Like
2012 Cayuse Camaspelo - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (9/12/2022)
Super concentrated and bold dark fruit. I am hoping that this mellows with some additional cellar time. If I had tasted this blind I would have guessed Rhone blend. Drink or hold. (90 points)
Posted from CellarTracker
2 Likes
Copeland. I would also seek out the Red Willow Cru Carbonic as it just sounds cool.
1 Like
Not drinking but will be soon. One of the better auction deals for me. 2012 Côte Bonneville DuBrul Vineyard $40 a bottle with shiping.
In Seattle this week at Cedarbrook Lodge and had 2012 Owen Roe Chapel Block Syrah, 2013 Owen Roe Riesling, and some 375mls of Treveri Blanc de Blancs.
Owen Roe Chapel Block is stunning, reminds me of a classy Crozes or St. Jo, just an awesome wine. Riesling was a bit on the tired side, drink up, but had notes of dried pear, apricot, golden raisin, and bit of petrol, seeing as how no one expected this to last a decade, it showed well. Treveri BdB is just our house bubbles. Outrageous value at $10 for 375s and $15 for 750 with two years on lees and all that the family puts into the it, from vineyard, to cellar, to bottle.
2 Likes
Sounds great, Kris. I’m sometimes amazed at the quality Owen Roe puts out because they make a LOT of different wines. I drank my last 2011 Owen Roe Chapel Block about one year ago (according to CT) and remember loving it. That cool vintage showed a lot of character.