June 2009: Rosé

Rosé is doesn’t take itself too seriously and that’s part of the fun.  It’s pink in every hue.  It’s seasonal and shows up just when you need something refreshing to drink.  It’s cool, it’s fruity, and it’s affordable.  In the last decade, dry rosé has taken off in the US.  What’s fun for those of us who enjoy drinking it is it can be simple-dimple enjoyment on a hot summer day, or there can be some subtle, slightly more serious wine drinking going on.  Check out the tasting notes:

By the way, France – home of rosé – stole the show, but then again they have a lot of practice.  As regions around the world start to dabble in rosé they’ll become competitive too.

EXCELLENT (90-94 points)
Chateau Val Joanis 2008 Rosé (91 points)
Region: Luberon, France; Varietals: Syrah/Grenache; Retail:  $15
Notes:  Orange copper hue. Big aromas of nectarine & red apples. Creamy with luscious tropical fruits – pears, pineapple and subtle watermelon. Acids could be a little more present – but overall, lovely. (Gina)
Notes:  Nearly colorless. Subdued, white wine aromas (steely) but also hints of plums. Nice flavors, lychee and other tropical fruit. (Matt)

Domaine Saint Roch les Vignes 2008 Rosé (91 points)
Region: Provence, France; Varietals: Cinsault/Grenache; Retail:  $16
Notes: Copper color. Honeydew melon & a touch of strawberry on the nose. Melon echoes on the palate. Grapefruit on the back palate leads to a crispy and minerally finish that lingers. (Chris)
Notes:  Color: light pink, bunny nose pink. Nose: clean & minerally, pink quartz, hints of fresh fennel & orange zest. Palate: bright acidity, pink lemonade, fennel, tastes like summer picnics. (Ken)

Triennes 2008 Rosé (91 points)
Region: Provence, France; Varietals: Cinsault/Grenache; Retail:  $18
Notes:  The lightest pink color I’ve ever seen. Mint aromas incredible! Intense strawberries and raspberries on the palate. The finish is long and beautiful. (Fernando)
Notes:  Peach pink color. Beautiful aromas & flavors of sweet strawberries, honey dew melon. Beautiful, smooth, velvety texture with perfect acidity. Elegant and very focused. Great finish. Fantastic rosé. Provence again! (Jens)

VERY GOOD (85-89 points)
Alois Lageder 2008 Rosé (89 points)
Region: Alto Adige, Italy; Varietals: Lagrein; Retail:  $20
Notes:  Pale orangey color. Muted fragrance of mixed spices. A pleasing tartness accompanied by full body and balanced alcohol make for an enjoyable wine. (Matt)
Notes:  Color: cherry soda. Nose: ripe raspberry and pomegranate. Slight rosemary herbal notes. Palate: ripe cranberry & raspberry fruit. Bold & fruity but balanced with a savory herbal & mineral side. (Ken)

Domaine Ott 2008 les Domanieres Rosé (88 points)
Region: Provence, France; Varietals: Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre; Retail:  $21
Notes:  Golden peach color. Just beautiful. Aromas of strawberries and melon. Smooth, velvety texture. Well-balanced and structured. Great integrated acidity. Strawberry and melon flavors continue through the refreshing finish. Hint of some herbs, maybe thyme. (Jens)
Provence, baby!
Notes:  Honeydew melons and watermelon on the nose. Clipped on the finish. (Chris)

Spindrift 2008 Spinmaker Rosé (86 points)
Region: Willamette Valley, OR; Varietals: Pinot Noir; Retail:  $13
Notes:  Hints of red berries and a dusting of cinnamon on the nose. Bright citrus on the palate, though quite lean in the fruit expression. Hints of cinnamon spice come through on the finish. Crafted for food more than the patio quaffer. (Theresa)
Notes:  Nose: orange zest, pennies (coppery note), the distant aromas of a strawberry field. Palate: tastes a little aged, a little oxidized, hibiscus tea, bitter orange, slightly unripe watermelon. (Ken)

Mulderbosch 2008 Rosé (85 points)
Region: Stellenbosch, South Africa; Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon; Retail:  $14
Note the strong responses to this wine which was across the board:
Notes: Cherry color. Intense aroma of strawberries. Clean A bit of jest on the nose. Flavor: summer berries, great medium body, delicate but yet intense finish. (I got the idea this is made out of Cabernet Sauvignon or something like that.)  (Fernando, 90 points)
Notes:  Smokey, flinty nose … sulfur – not what I like in a rosé. Ashy flavors are also on the palate … unfortunately not enjoyable or refreshing.  Lacks all fruit. (Theresa, 76 points)

Chateau Pesquie 2008 Terrasses Rosé (85 points)
Region: Southern Rhône, France; Varietals: Cinsault/ Grenache/Syrah; Retail:  $15
Notes: Pretty amber pink color. One of the more feminine noses yet. White flowers, fresh red fruits. Flavors are bold and finish on the spicy side. More acid than I like, but great juicy strawberries. (Gina)
Notes: Light peach color. Touch of honey mustard on the nose. Dryer compared with other ones. Great for ceviche, raw salmon dishes, a bit of bitterness at the end. Long finish. (Fernando)

GOOD (80-84 points)
Domaine de la Petite Cassagne 2008 Rosé (84 points)
Region: Costieres de Nimes, France; Varietals: Cinsault/Grenache; Retail:  $14
Notes: Raspberry color. Nose: cherry and oddly enough … banana. Big fruit and alcohol. For a rosé, this has almost blackberry flavors, followed with citrus & spice. Definitely for the fruity crowd. (Gina)

Airfield 2008 Foot Stamped Rosé (82 points)
Region: Yakima Valley, WA; Varietals: Syrah; Retail:  $16
Notes: Very dark. Lots of skin contact. Bubble-gum aromas upfront. Rich, deep and dark.  Seems a little bit hot to me.  The alcohol overshadows the fruit. (Jens)

Fuente del Conde 2008 Rosé (81 points)
Region: Cigales, Spain; Varietals: Tempranillo; Retail:  $14
Notes:  Hints of flint, sulfur, slate on the nose … then smells like a gooey cherry dessert.  Cherries and tart grapefruit dominate the palate. (Theresa)

June 2009 Tasting Circle Panel:  Jens Strecker, Gina Gregory, Theresa Slechta, Ken O’Hara, Matt Gubitosa, Fernando Martinez, Chris Nishiwaki

May 2009: Argentine Malbec

Argentine Malbec is known for its rich, dark fruit flavors with hints of leather, cigar smoke, even tar and then a nice tannic finish. This tasting was requested by customer who is a big fan of Malbec and was interested in knowing what the panel thought about these wines.  This tasting was much more narrow in scope than previous tastings.  These wines are all the same grape, from the same region, and the retail prices range from $12 to $24 (except for the Catena Alta $60), so there wasn’t a vast difference in the market value of the wines.  The rankings reflect that to some degree.  The only concern that we had was the low ranking of the Catena, a jewel of a wine that consistently gets good rankings in national reviews.  During the tasting, there was some concern that the wine was slightly off.  Retasting it again at the end of the tasting, it was a different wine, having opened beautifully.  After some discussion, we left it in the lineup, but clearly, this particular bottle does not reflect its true drinking experience.  Jens Strecker, owner of Portalis Wine Shop + Wine Bar in Ballard, loves this wine and is going to pour it by the glass at the bar … so that you can decide for yourself.

EXCELLENT (90-94 points)
Andeluna 2006 Malbec Reserva (91 points)
Region: Mendoza, Argentina; Retail $28/Sale $23
Wonderful black currant aromas. Licorice and black cherry on the palate. Pleasant acidity and undertones of smoke with vanilla. (Gina) Rich red. Very intense nuances of blueberries and black currant. Very distinct powerful notes of stewed cherries and rhubarb. This wine reminds me of my first time with Bandol. (Giuseppe)

Catena 2005 Malbec Alta (90 points)  
Region: Mendoza, Argentina; Retail $60
Blackberry with spice of clove. Medium body. Light richness ot the palate. Tannins are bolder, making finish long-lasting. (Theresa) Is there a Bordeaux varietal(s) in this wine? Deep spicy chocolate truffle nose. Really clear and focused on the palate, great finish. (Joel)

Luigi Bosca 2006 Malbec Reserva (90 points)
Region: Mendoza, Argentina; Retail $23
Nice fruit tannin balance, tea leaf and a hint on espresso on the nose. Thick on the palate, tar, blackberries, prune/cassis. (Chris) Aromas of sweet berries and coconut. Well-balanced, elegant, round and complex. Beautiful fruit on the mid-palate. Lot of blueberries, sweet prunes with some coffee notes. Fine tannins on the finish. (Jens) [or maybe not …] Holy sulfur! Definitely can’t get past the sulfur on the nose. (Does JJ Prüm make Malbec?) Too lean on the palate, but nice mellow plum and bing cherry notes. (Joel) Cloudy red. Notes of sulfur on the nose with rosemary and mint on the end. Rich on the palate with good mouthfeel. (Giuseppe)

Xumek 2007 Malbec (90 points)  
Region: Mendoza, Argentina; Retail $18
Noticeable sulfur on the nose. Road tar and sweet blackberry cobbler on the palate. (Joel) Astringent greenness on the nose – edge of green pepper. Not green on the palate – much richer on the fruit. Velvety texture with good acidity. (Theresa)

VERY GOOD (86-89 points)
Mil Piedras 2007 Malbec (88 points)
Region: Mendoza, Argentina; Retail $14
Nose very closed. I get a little perfumy flowers (violets). Very quaffable. Smooth, silky fruit (raspberries, tart cherry). A great BBQ/party wine. Nothing too offensive except it lacks complexity. (Gina) A touch of stinky cheese on the nose, thin, simple, stemmy, a touch of fruit (blueberries) on the back palate. (Chris)

Nieto 2007 Malbec Reserva (88 points)  
Region: Mendoza, Argentina; Retail $13
Wonderful aromas of sweet blueberries and plums. Very smooth, elegant. Complex & concentrated. Good acidity. Well-balanced. Excellent flavors of blueberries with notes of coffee and espresso. Nice long finish. (Jens) Meaty nose – cured meat, blackberry. Classic tar & leather on the palate. Rich, velvety black fruits. Could you be Terrazas? (Gina)

Benegas 2005 Malbec (87 points)
Region: Mendoza, Argentina; Retail $23
Color – dark purple, black center. Aromas: ripe blackberry. Cooked fruit. Chewy berry with smoky notes on the finish. Hints of cedar & chocolate on finish. (Gina) Blue & black fruit on the nose, though aromatics are rather muted. Bits of granite and slate in the background. Boysenberry fruit on the palate with stewed plum fruit on the finish. (Theresa) Alcoholic, eucalyptus and pine needles. Huge tannins. (Chris)
 
Finca Sophenia 2006 Altosur Malbec (87 points) 
Region: Mendoza, Argentina; Retail $12
Southern Italy on the nose (like Negroamaro or Primitivo). Black fruits, soft tannins and noticeable oak on the palate. Tart fruit on the finish. (Joel) Syrupy raspberry & blackberry fruit on the nose. The sweetness does not translate to the palate which is nice, well-balanced with bright acidity. A basketful of red & blue fruit. (Theresa)

Terrazas 2006 Malbec (87 points)
Region: Mendoza, Argentina; Retail $21
Pure fruit on the nose, brambleberry, raspberry, weightier on the palate than expected, violets, acids and minerality on the finish. (Chris) Nice aromas of dark fruit, followed by bright dark fruit, blackberries and boysenberries. Good acidity. A little bit tart. (Jens) 

GOOD (80-85 points)
Catena 2006 Malbec (84 points) 
Region: Mendoza, Argentina; Retail $24
Deep dark ruby red. Flavors of black olives, mixed berries. A bit out of balance but interesting nuances. Layers and layers of berry pie. It could use some more time in the bottle. Would like to see it how it develops in the next 5 years. (Giuseppe) Smells slightly off tone. Light cork perhaps? (Gina)

Tasting Panel:  Jens Strecker, Gina Gregory, Theresa Slechta, Giuseppe Carrauro, Chris Nishiwaki, Joel Nicholas (Guest Taster)

Joel Nicholas of K&L Wine Merchants in Los Angeles, with partner Annika Keller, at the Malbec tasting on May 12, 2009

April 2009: Pinot Noir from around the world

 

Matt, Fernando & Ken (back) tasting

This tasting was an interesting one …
because the Pinots in the lineup – representing France (Burgundy & Alsace), Italy, USA (Oregon), South Africa, New Zealand & Chile – had wildly varying receptions from the Tasting Panel.  Pretty much across the board, the tasters either thoroughly enjoyed the wine or didn’t care for it much at all.  [The one exception was the Domaine Rebourgeon-Mure (the top scorer), which was showered in compliments.] For example, check out what the two quoted tasters say about Hamilton Russell Vineyards from South Africa.  Both are picking up on minty flavors, but Fernando raves while Matt was offended.  Because of this, the final scores often don’t reflect the love/hate impact the wines had on the tasters and so on wines that elicited this varying response, we’ve included the taster’s score with his/her wine note so you can get a feel for how the wine impressed the quoted taster.

We also want to note that we missed having a Pinot from California.  Because we receive the wines bagged so that the tasters truly are blind, we didn’t realize that California was not represented.  Our oversight and our apologies.

EXCELLENT (90-94 points)
Domaine Rebourgeon-Mure 2005 Volnay 1er Cru Santenots (93 points)
Region: Burgundy, France; Retail $57
Beautiful depth & clarity of garnet color. Nose: fresh dirt, faint rose petal. Ahh – this has essence of Old World qualities.  Fresh picked raspberries (I can still taste the dew), earth and slight minerality finishes with a little smoky spice. Bravo. (Gina)  Wonderful aromas of dark cherries, herbs and flowers.  Stunning!  Very smooth, elegant and complex. Great acidity and concentration. Flavors of black cherries, raspberries and olives with herbal and floral components.  Long, fine finish.  Tastes like well done Burgundy. (Jens) 

Domaine Serene 2005 Jerusalem Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir (90 points)
Region: Willamette Valley, OR; Retail $83
Aromas of sweet cherries and strawberries.  Good mouthfeel. Elegant, smooth texture. Medium-bodied with good acidity. Flavors of ripe, dark cherries and olives.  Good finish with some earthy notes. (Jens) Cherry vanilla cola, cherry vanilla cola, cherry vanilla cola, cherry vanilla cola. Palate: nice cherry vanilla cola flavors, silky mouthfeel with bouquet garni. Nice and surprising elegant spicy finish. (Ken)

VERY GOOD (86-89 points)
Hamilton Russell Vineyards 2007 Estate Pinot Noir (89 points)
Region: South Africa ; Retail $45
My first aroma was the great land of South Africa! Muscular, game meat, red fruit and eucalyptus. Great amount of acidity. Long, long finish. I will have this wine with some grilled spring bock! Love it! (Fernando, 97 pts)  Strange menthol (Ben-Gay?) notes in aroma along with sulfur. Balanced acidity and tannins, but unusual vegetal wood flavors. (Matt, 80 pts)

Saint Clair 2006 Pinot Noir (89 points)
Region : Marlborough, New Zealand; Retail $23
Mud-brick red. Is it me, or does this one really smell like classic Pinot? Earth mixed with ripe dried cherries. Very earthy, with hints of herbs and nice round cherry flavors. (Gina)  Nose: woody aromas, cocoa dusted plum preserves flavors, smoky. Palate: slightly spritzy, chocolate covered cherries, grilled mushrooms, meaty, bacon. (Ken)

Schoenheitz 2005 Vin d’Alsace “Herrenreben” (89 points)
Region: Alsace, France; Retail: $26
Nose: very gentle on the nose with light aromas of plum blossoms, rainier cherries, peach skin, chocolate & Eastern spices (cloves maybe). Palate: well-balanced, silky light mouthfeel with an array of flavors of rose petals, leather, dark chocolate & mushrooms that somehow all fits together nicely. Makes you want to sit down to a comfortable and long awaited elegant meal with your best friends! (Ken, 97 pts) Out of balance, acids. Needs time. (Chris, 86 pts)

Christom 2006 Marjorie Vineyard Pinot Noir (88 points)
Region: Willamette Valley, OR; Retail $52
Good ruby red. Aromas of strawberries with vermouth.  Good intense flavors with astringent sensation of roasted nuts.  It finishes well.  This would pair well with pork loin. (Giuseppe) Nose: Strange herbs, dusty – like an old witch’s cupboard, faint peanutty aromas, Indian spices, fenugreek seeds & pomegranate – delightfully intense nose. Palate: pomegranate/peanut flavors begin & then violet candies, charred spiced sausage lead into a vanilla chocolaty finish. (Ken)

Domaine d’Antugnac 2007 Côte Pierre Lys (Collovray et Terrier) (87 points)
Region : Burgundy, France ; Retail $16
Aromas of mint and anise. Plalate: raspberries, fennel. Great finish, lovely wine for food. (Fernando, 94 pts) Bright ruby red. Good aromas of strawberry and hazelnut. Very perfumed on the mouth, almost a scent of rose water. (Giuseppe, 81 pts)

Woollaston 2006 Pinot Noir (87 points)
Region: New Zealand; Retail $34
Red berries on the nose, green grass, cocoa on the palate, great touch of oak! Beautiful clean and long finish! (Fernando, 98 pts) Nice Pinot aromas – must be Oregon? Orangey tint of light color. Mushroom notes in aroma along with cherries & cola. Finish ruined by harsh smokey oak – acrid & bitter. (Matt, 77 pts)

GOOD (80-85 points)
Apaltagua 2008 Pinot Noir Reserva (85 points)
Region: Curico, Chile; Retail $14
Pretty magenta hues. Nose has a pungent spiciness to it. A few extra swirls bring out more floral notes. A very gripping Pinot that follows with silky ripe raspberry flavors. Just enough earth gives this an elegant finish. (Gina) Beautiful aromas of dark cherries and rose petals. Smooth. Good mouthfeel. Good acidity and concentration. Dominant black cherry flavors with floral and spicy notes. Long finish. (Jens)

Domaine du Prieure 2005 Savigny les Beaune (85 points)
Region: Burgundy, France; Retail $19
Nose: nice, high-toned cherry blossoms, tootsie roll, anise, fennel pollen. Palate: sweet cherry pie, tart (sweet tart candy), fresh strawberry too. (Ken, 91 pts) Varietally correct Pinot Noir aroma of cherries, cola, with hints of root beer. Bright red. A bit pale. Soft in the mouth. Lack of structure. Very few aromas. Very open on the palate with a hint of acidity. (Giuseppe, 77 pts)

Paggio 2005 Pinot Nero (84 points)
Region: Veneto, Italy; Retail $18
Very feminine floral nose. Almost smells like meringue. Has that really nice candy flavor of chocolate covered cherries. Very smooth. (Gina) Smells Italian. Tastes Italian. Slight “corky flavors” but maybe because it might be Italian. Stewed prunes, dried cranberries & mocha flavors. (Ken)

Tasting Panel:  Jens Strecker, Gina Gregory, Ken O’Hara, Giuseppe Carraturo, Matt Gubitosa, Fernando Martinez, Chris Nishiwaki 

March 2009: Cabernet Sauvignon – WA vs. CA

And the winner is …
A customer who came across the Tasting Circle blog requested this month’s head to head competition, asking if the panel would taste Washington vs. California Cabs and see if there was a clear winner.  Well, you could say this was a landslide, with California taking first, second and third place.  The only point worth mentioning is that there should have been a twelfth wine:  Reininger 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla ($41).  Reininger produces delicious, award-winning Washington wines, but sadly this wine was corked and was disqualified from the tasting, putting the Washington lineup at a disadvantage.  Check out what the tasters had to say about the wines.  (I think they were surprised what they had to say as well!) …

EXCELLENT (90-94 points)
Beckmen 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (93 points)
Region: Paso Robles, CA; Retail $27
Very pretty, good color. Good smells of dark cherries and black olives. Beautiful on the palate. A mouthful of great balance between herbs, terroir & fruits. (Giuseppe) Black, opaque color. Complex aromas of mixed fruit and old wood. Nice berry fruit palate. Tangy, balanced acidity and nice finish. (Matt)

O’Shaughnessy 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (93 points)
Region: Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, CA; Retail $85
Great bouquet of dark fruit & mocha. Full-bodied, great structure. Complex and elegant. Very good acidity. Wonderful fruit, mainly black currants, blackberries & cassis. Long finish with great tannins. (Jens) Color: dark garnet. Nose has more complexity and subtlety [than other wines in lineup]. Dry licorice finish, with mild sweetness on palate. (Ari)
 
Volker Eisele 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (92 points)
Region: Napa Valley, CA; Retail $46
Dark ruby [color]. Flavors of dark chocolate. Smoky spice & lingering black fruits. Very lovely – rich & velvety. It’s a big boy – great leather notes. (Gina) Very intense flavors, balanced tannins, black cherries linger on the palate. (Russell)

Abeja 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (91 points)
Region: Columbia Valley, WA; Retail $50
Dark fruit with nuts and caramel – milky, creamy, caramel. Lush, lush fruit with a fabulous texture. Red fruit pops on the palate with nice acidity – darn tasty. (Theresa)  Wonderful aromas of dark fruit, raspberries and blackberries. Medium-bodied, very elegant and complex. Smooth and velvety with several layers of dark fruit with notes of milk chocolate. Great acidity. Long finish with fine-grained tannins. (Jens)

Kiona 2001 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (90 points)
Region: Red Mountain, WA; Retail $25 (no longer available)
Dark red. Tight. Nuances of dried apples, stewed fruit. This is the thinker wine. Contemplating, mature. Not too altered. A truly pleasant and elegant red. I would feel very happy if I bought this wine and drank it with friends. (Giuseppe) Nose: earth & tar mixed with raspberries & huckleberry. Medium-bodied with tart red fruit flavors. Smooth finish – light spice. Very balanced. (Gina)

VERY GOOD (85–89 points):
Amavi 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (89 points)
Region: Walla Walla, WA; Retail $32
Light cigar in the nose followed with black cherry. A blast of ripe cherries and raisins. Velvety fruit with smooth finish. (Gina) Aromas of sweet dark fruit, blueberries. Smooth, velvety, medium-bodied. Vanilla bean upfront, followed by blackberry, mocha, espresso flavors. Fruit builds up to the finish. Fine tannins. (Jens)

Caymus 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (89 points)
Region: Napa Valley, CA; Retail $76
Beautiful aromas of blackberries & dark fruit. Medium- to full-bodied, elegant and complex. Flavors of cassis and dark fruit with hints of mocha and dark chocolate. Fine tannins with notes of vanilla on the finish. (Jens) Dark, black cherry color. Slow, big legs. Black cherry follows through on the palate. High alcohol. Has a rich, tar-like finish that I‘m strangely liking. Young? Could use a bit more tannin. (Gina)

Rutherford 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (88 points)
Region: Napa Valley, CA; Retail $25/sale $19.50
Petrol wrapping blackberries & blueberries with pops of vanilla. Silky rich with all the blue & black fruit on the palate. Oak well integrated with a nice long finish. (Theresa) Dark red color. Aromas more mixed red berries than cherry, herbs, and hints of oak. More berry jam flavors on palate with long finish. A bit too sweet, probably from too much oak. (Matt)

Lowden Hills 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon (86 points)
Region: Horse Heaven Hills, WA; Retail $25
Pretty ruby red. Smells like a good plate of infused Kalamata olives with a tickle of red berries. Taste is full & well-balanced. Clean, but persistent. I’m sure it would pair great with pork roast. (Giuseppe) Fine, nice aromas of forest floor and black currants. Well-balanced, good acidity. Flavors of ripe dark fruit mixed with some herbal notes. Strong finish with a good tannic frame. (Jens)

Milbrandt 2005 Legacy Cabernet Sauvignon (86 points)
Region: Columbia Valley, WA; Retail $34/sale $27.99
Dark, ripe, brambleberry fruit, clove spice, hints of tar & herbs.  Medium weight, tangy red & blue fruit. Acid makes for a zippy finish. (Theresa) Cedar nose, rich soft palate, hint of bacon on finish, soft tannins, balanced acidity. (Russell)

Leaping Lizard 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (85 points)
Region: Napa Valley, CA; Retail $15
Nose: oak & red fruit preserves. Elegant. Sweet finish. (Ari) Sweet jammy fruit, balanced tannins, slight vegetal character. (Russell)
Tasting Panel:  Giuseppe Carraturo, Gina Gregory, Matt Gubitosa, Ari Munzin, Theresa Slechta, Jens Strecker; Guest Taster: Russell Gladhart

We would like to dedicate this tasting to Catherine Reynolds & Ken O’Hara, original members of the Tasting Circle.  Catherine suffered a brain aneurysm last month and is still on intensive care recovering.  Our best wishes for a full recovery so that (among other things) you can join us again at the Tasting Circle with your enthusiasm and your wonderful, descriptive tasting notes – both of you!

February 2009: Washington Reds

Because of the huge local following that Washington wines enjoy here in Seattle, we thought it would be fun (and helpful) to blind taste a lineup of Washington reds.  As these wines often get lumped together as big, fruity, oaky wines, it is informative to see the different write ups below.  As well, Washington wines are generally pricy, so make sure you indulge with a wine that suits your palate:

EXCELLENT (90 – 94 points):
Jones of Washington 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (90 points)
Region: Wahluke Slope, WA; Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon; Retail: $20.50
Nose: Welcome to Washington! Ripe, dark cherry with prominent new oak. It has that “new car” smell … pretty & exciting. Palate is surprisingly complex – bing cherry syrup – you can almost taste the pit. Round smooth mouthfeel with a pleasant finish of nutmeg and dark chocolate. (Gina)  Ripe blackberry, some car tire, and balsamic in the nose.  Dense fruit, cassis, loganberry show brighter on the palate than the nose would lead you to believe. Great structure and a lengthy finish – cassis liqueur but not too sweet. (Theresa)

L’Ecole 2005 Merlot (90 points)
Region: Columbia Valley, WA; Varietals: Merlot; Retail: $35
Good, clean, dark red color. Soft notes of fresh berries with a hint of mint. Perfect balance between acidity and tannins. Good luscious red. Almost a Dolcetto D’Alba character. I think it’s a Merlot 2006. (Giuseppe) Nose: slight vanilla, maple sugar, cherry candy, nice limestone minerals. Palate: beautifully balanced, round, rich yet lean, blackberry spice. Is this a Washington wine? (Ken)

O’Shea Scarborough 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (90 points)
Region: Yakima Valley, WA; Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon; Retail: $40
Beautiful nose of dark fruit & forest floor. Medium-bodied, smooth with wonderful flavors of dark fruit, black currants and blackberries. Elegant, well-balanced and great acidity wtih a long finish and fine tannins. (Jens)  Mirky brick red. The nose hints at leather & tobacco.  Cooked spice – not a lot of fruit on the nose. Wow! What a powerhouse in the mouth.  Dark cherry, smoke, earth, subtle cedar & vanilla. Not necessarily my style, but definitely interesting and well-made. (Gina)

VERY GOOD (85 – 89 points):
Darby “The Dark Side” 2006 Syrah (89 points)
Region: Walla Walla Valley, WA; Varietals: Syrah; Retail: $29
Beautiful aromas of blueberries, olives and thyme. Well-balanced, elegant, great acidity and concentrations. Flavors of black olives combined with dark fruit. A wonderful finish with spicy, herbal notes. (Jens)  Nose: roasted poblanos pepper, dark chocolate with almonds, searing blackberry fruit with seeds, savory flavors, bruléed sugar. Palate: nice & spicy roasted cumin/coriander seed, big boy, roasted meat, over the top but good firm tannins, bracing acidity. Uncle! (Ken)

Seven Hills 2005 Tempranillo (89 points)
Region: Columbia Valley, WA; Varietals: Tempranillo; Retail: $34
Cigar box nose with hints of cinnamon in the background. There is a savory quality to the flavor. Warmer spices and fruit. A nice medium body and nice balance. (Theresa)  Brownies, more of an elegant style, relaxed, juicy, moderate structure. (Catherine)

Thurston Wolfe 2006 Petite Sirah (89 points)
Region: Zephyr Ridge/Horse Heaven Hills, WA; Varietals: Petit Sirah; Retail: $23
Color – saturated purple black. Aromas of blackberries & smoke. Pleasant berry syrup mid-palate followed by smoky, bitter, oaky finish. (Matt)  Subdued aromas of black currants, olives and mushrooms. Medium- to full-bodied. Dark fruit flavors, olives, with blackberry and chocolate notes. Great acidity. Hints of vanilla on the long finish. Fine tannins. (Jens)

Walla Walla Vintners 2006 Sangiovese (89 points)
Region: Columbia Valley, WA; Varietals: Sangiovese; Retail: $26
High tone fruit – cherry, strawberry, raspberry – smells like jam without the added sugar. Same fruit flavors on the palate. Bright acidity makes this very food friendly.  Would very much like this wine with dinner. (Theresa)  Brambleberries & fresh blue fruit perfume, iron, rich & creamy milk chocolate sensation, well integrated dark chocolate shavings & cocoa finish, pleasurable but supple, ready now with food, but definitely could age 5+ years. (Catherine)

Bunnell Family Cellars 2006 àpic (88 points)
Region: Wahluke Slope, WA; Varietals: Syrah/Cinsault/Mourvedre/Grenache; Retail: $38
Nose: Sweet cherry pie, coconut, menthol, melted sugar, vanillin. Palate: Nice brambly boysenberry, sweet oak, cola, firm. (Ken)  Color dark. Aroma of fresh berries, bubblegum, smoke and hints of celery. Palate and finish are clobbered by massive oak-charred wood, vanilla & butterscotch dominant. (Matt)

Cullin Hills 2006 Estate Cabernet Franc Weinbau Vineyard (88 points)
Region: Wahluke Slope, WA; Varietals: Cabernet Franc; Retail: $32
Sweet blueberries and raspberries on the nose. Smooth, medium-bodied, well-balanced and elegant. Dark fruit with notes of cocoa and dark chocolate. Well integrated acidity. Fine tannins on the finish. (Jens)  This is a bright red with good grip. Good nuances of dark cherries and black prunes. It has well-balanced tannins and fruits. Finishes quite long. Good. It might get better with age. (Giuseppe)

Efeste 2005 “Final-Final” (88 points)
Region: Columbia Valley, WA; Varietals: 50% Syrah/50% Cabernet Sauvignon; Retail: $30
Nose: Dark…no…the darkest o’ berries. Rich, velvety, masculine & spicy and that’s just the nose. The palate does not disappoint, black cherry, truffle and cinnamon, leathery finish. It grips you and doesn’t let go. This should be a lollipop flavor. (Gina)

Mannina Cellars 2005 Merlot (88 points)
Region: Walla Walla Valley, WA; Varietals: Merlot; Retail: $29
Nose: roasted spices: fennel & cumin, black cherry chocolate, dried cranberries, mocha high tone. Palate: nice high notes, classic kirsch & cassis.  Espresso grinds, nice rich oak (French?), spices. (Ken)  Chocolate, coffee & savory herbs on the nose.  A pop of spice (cardamom/cinnamon) on the palate make this unusual & interesting. Good amount of tannin and acid.  Alcohol kept in check. (Theresa)

Patit Creek Cellars 2004 Merlot (87 points)
Region: Columbia Valley, WA; Varietals: Merlot; Retail: $31
Bright red, ruby [color], lovely nose of cherry and red berries, very clean and lean on the palate, but well made with a good finish. Old World style.  Young, would love to taste it in a few years. (Giuseppe)  Dusty, minerally, sappy blueberries spread on toast, good acidity, bitter lasting anise tannins that settle in on your tongue, like this, has good potential. (Catherine)

Tasting Panel (February 10, 2009):  Giuseppe Carraturo, Gina Gregory, Matt Gubitosa, Ken O’Hara, Catherine Reynolds, Theresa Slechta, Jens Strecker

January 2009: Wine Spectator’s Top 100 (2008) – Reranked

Of the Top 100 wines that were listed in the December 2008 issue of Wine Spectator, 76 were red wines.  Of those red wines, we could find 7 currently available in the Seattle marketplace.  (This excludes a couple of high-end Bordeaux that are still available, but samples for tastings are not.)  We added in two more from previous years’ Top 100 (Terrazas & Allegrini) and just for the heck of it, the Tasting Circle Panel blind tasted these 9 wines to see how their opinions compared.  Here are the final standings:

EXCELLENT (90-94 points)

Domaine Serene 2005 “Evanstead” Reserve Pinot Noir
(TC 93 points/WS 93 points – #68/100)
Region:  Willamette Valley, Oregon; Varietals: Pinot Noir
Fresh field of strawberries & cherries on the nose. Lovely, lush mouthfeel. Bing cherries, subtle oak. Lots going on but in a refined package. Great acidity. Fantastic food wine. Lingering finish. (Theresa)  Nose: autumn spices, dried twigs, red currants, touch fennel plant, meaty. Palate: balanced, forest flavors, savory mushroom, pomegranate, nice lift. (Ken)

 

Terrazas 2003 Reserva Malbec  
(TC 92 points/WS 90 points – #85/100 in 2005)
Region:  Mendoza, Argentina; Varietals: Malbec
Forest of brambly berries, raspberry, loganberry, blackberries, total luxury, dense. Candied fruits, but not without earthen components. (Catherine) Aromas of dark fruit & plums followed by wonderful flavors of blackberries and plums. Elegant, well-balanced, great acidity & mouthfeel.  Smooth finish with fine tannins. (Jens)

 

Condado de Haza 2005 Ribera del Duero
(TC 91 points/WS 93 points – #71/100)
Region:  Ribera del Duero, Spain; Varietals: Tempranillo
Purple hue. Pomegranite with earthy, leathery tannins.  Wow – this wine has muscle, but not in the over gratuitous way. More like the nerd by day/superhero by night way. (Gina) Pretty red. Firm flavors. Roasted nuts. Pepper. Pleasant finish. Great on the palate.  Good. (Giuseppe)

 

Fattoria de Felsina 2006 Chianti Classico
(TC 91 points/WS 90 points – #51/100)
Region: Chianti, Tuscany, Italy; Varietals: Sangiovese
Excellent ruby color. Aromas of cherries with floral notes. Well-balanced with great acidity. Lots of cherry fruit with some spicy, herbal notes. Long, powerful finish with fine tannins. (Jens) Retail: $26

 

La Massa 2006 Toscana
(TC 91 points/WS 93 points – #31 of 100)
Region:  Tuscany, Italy; Varietals: Sangiovese, Merlot (SuperTuscan)
Intense ruby red. Rich and powerful, beautiful. A blockbuster. Elegant & well-balanced.  Although a bit of a hit from the alcohol. (Giuseppe) Retail: $31

 

Sierra Cantabria 2004 Rioja Crianza
(TC 91 points/WS 90 points – #71/100)
Region:  Rioja, Spain; Varietals: Tempranillo
Dark burgundy color. Blackberry, blueberry on the nose. Lovely sweetness to the fruit – just the right amount. Candied fruit. Perfect balance of fruit, tannin & acid. Long finish. (Theresa)  Nose: red & black licorice, good-n-plenty to be exact, crushed black currants, vanilla.  Palate: bing cherry, pomegranate molasses, cocoa, bitter, spicy. (Ken) Retail: $23

 

Allegrini 1997 Pallazzo della Torre Veronese
(TC 90 points/WS 92 points – #38/100 in 2001)
Region:  Veneto; Varietals: Corvina, Rondinella, Syrah, Sangiovese
Subdued aromas of cherries and dark cherries.  Powerful but very elegant. Pleasant with wonderful flavors of dark fruit and dark cherries. Excellent acidity.  Hints of spice & prunes. Elegant finish. (Jens) More bricky in color but still dark. Nose: most mature yet. Earthy, round. A little cheesy. Has an acidity similar to Parmiggiano.  Medium-dry. Still has some licorice-acidity. Balanced. (Ari)

 

VERY GOOD (85-89 points)

Chateau de Saint Cosme 2006 Gigondas
(TC 89 points/WS 92 points – #88/100)
Region:  Gigondas, Southern Rhône, France;  Varietals: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
Black fruit, blueberry nose. Color is a rich magenta. Mellow-baked blackberries on the palate.  Subtle spices of clove & cinnamon. A little hot. (Gina)  Note:  This wine maybe didn’t fair as well as it should have due to not having enough time to air.  Several hours after the tasting was over, we tried it again and it had turned into a different wine:  smooth, subtle spices, beautiful. (Jens) Retail: $38.50

 

Two Hands 2007 Angel’s Share Shiraz
(TC 88 points/WS 92 points – #83/100)
Region:  Barossa Valley, Austalia; Varietals: Shiraz
On this one, the tasters either loved it:  Exotic Asian spices, star anise, punctuated blue & black fruit, wow, my favorite so far. Tar & licorice, powdered river rock, savory upswing of acid. (Catherine – 95 pts)  Or they hated it:  Really dark & thick. Aggressive nose, some solvent character, dried cherry.  Not balanced.  A little sweet.  Lacking in mid-palate.  Again with the aggressive licorice-acidity. (Ari – 80 pts)

 

Tasting Panel (Jan 20, 2008): Giuseppe Carraturo, Gina Gregory, Ari Manzin, Ken O’Hara, Catherine Reynolds, Theresa Slechta, Jens Strecker

 

December 2008: Holiday Wines for $25 and up

These are your gift wines!  These are the special bottles you give to your wine loving friends, your father-in-law, your boss, or perhaps – better yet – the special bottle you open over the holidays while enjoying an evening with special family or friends.  These wines represent a broad range of grapes and wine producing regions around the world, some more obscure than others.  From the rugged Umbrian Montefalco di Sagrantino to the more refined Chateau Pichecan 2003 Margaux, a Left Bank Bordeaux, to the “hedonistic pleasure bomb” El Quintanal 2005 Ribera del Duero (that scored highest at the tasting), there are some interesting, delicious wines to be had.   Per the Tasting Circle’s stated goal, all wines are currently available in the Seattle marketplace and can be ordered if you don’t see them at your local wine shop or grocery store.

 

CLASSIC (95 – 100 points):
El Quintanal 2005 Ribera del Duero  (95 points)
Region:  Ribera del Duero, Spain; Varietals: Tempranillo 
Beautiful, dark ruby color.  Wonderful plump aromas of red & dark fruit.  Beautiful, rich, velvety, blackberry/leather flavors.  Complex, elegant, great acidity.  Licorice and herbal notes. Long finish with full layers of well-balanced tannins.  A hedonistic pleasure bomb.  Retail: $28 

EXCELLENT (90 – 94 points):
Benegas 2005 Finco Libertad (94 points)
Region:  Argentina; Varietals:  Cab Sauv/Cab Franc
Beautiful dark, ruby color.  Great aromas of wild & dark berries, coffee grounds.  Flavors of cooked dark fruit, blackberries and boysenberries, wood.  Smoother than it smells, well-balanced, gorgeous!  Retail: $28.50 

Chateau Pichecan 2003 Margaux (94 points)
Region:  Bordeaux, France; Varietals:  Cab Sauv/Merlot
Beautiful color.  Aromas of spicy cherry, sticky herbs.  Smooth, complex, elegant.  Medium-bodied, great texture and fruit flavors.  Wonderful, smooth finish with fine tannins.  Retail: $44   

D’Ahrenberg 2006 Laughing Magpie (92 points)
Region:  McLaren Vale Valley, Australia; Varietals: Shiraz/Viognier 
Wonderful dark, inky color.  Great aromas of spicy red berries, floral.  Elegant, concentrated, great acidity.  A little bit tight on the finish but good long finish. This would be a great dinner wine. Retail: $30 

Arnaldo-Caprai 2005 Rosso (91 points)
Region:  Umbria, Italy; Varietals: Sangiovese/Sagrantino 
Claret colored.  Aromas of strawberries, delicate cherry candy.  Medium- to full-bodied.  Great acidity, but still a little bit tart.  Beautiful dark fruit flavors with some cherries, dust, & sweat.  Tight finish with a strong tannic structure. Retail: $31.50 

Norton Arnold 2006 Red Wine (91 points)
Region:  Yakima, Washington; Varietals:  Cab Sauv/Merlot/Cab Franc
Wonderful dark, inky, color.  Aromas of canned pears, bright red and dark fruit.   Mulling spices, toasted, savory.  Smooth, medium-bodied but builds up on the palate. Beautiful dark fruit flavors.  Elegant finish. Retail: $29.50 

Andrew Will 2006 Two Blondes (90 points)
Region:  Yakima Valley, Washington; Varietals: Cab Sauv/Cab Franc
Beautiful aromas of dark fruit, spice & earthy truffle notes, pleasant, elegant, good acidity and balance; smooth tannins on the finish. Retail: $55 

Jimenez-Landi 2006 “Sotorontero” Mentrida (90 points)
Region:  Mentrida, Spain; Varietals:  Syrah/Merlot/Cab Sauv
Beautiful color.  Intense aromas of dark fruit, cherries, molasses cookie.  Medium- to full-bodied with dark fruit flavors, cherries, plum, tar.  Wonderful acidity and concentration.  Well-balanced.  Long finish w/ fine tannic structure.  Retail: TBA 

VERY GOOD (85 – 89 points):
Cuvaison 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa) (89 points)
Region:  Napa Valley, California; Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon 
Nice dark, inky color.  Spicy, intoxicating, rich layers of cooked black fruit.  Pleasant texture.  Good acidity.  A little bit tart on the finish.  Fine tannins & good body. Retail: $43 

Herdade do Mouchao 2002 Vinho Tinto (89 points)
Region: Regional Alentejo, Portugal; Varietals: Alicante/Bouschet/Trincadeira
Beautfiul dark, ruby color.  Pleasant aromas of dark fruit, black olives & oregano.  Great body & acidity.  Concentrated.  Flavors of dark fruit, black & blueberries.  A little bit tight on the finish, even slightly astringent.  Retail: $52 

Tasting Panel:
Catherine Reynolds – Sommelier; Owner, Vino y Queso
Gina Gregory – Sommelier; Manager Portalis Wine Shop + Wine Bar
Giuseppe Carraturo – Owner, VI Wines Distributing; former NA Export Manager for Bertani
Jens Strecker – Owner & Wine Manager, Portalis Wine Shop + Wine Bar
Ken O’Hara – Sales Manager, A&B Imports; former chef
Theresa Slechta – Domestic Portfolio Manager, Vinum Imports

For more info on these tasters, check out their bios under TASTERS.

November 2008: Holiday Wines for $25 or less

The inaugural tasting for the newly formed Tasting Circle was to taste 11 wines that would be suitable for the holiday season without breaking the bank.  Other than the mentioned price point (and the fact that all wines turned out to be red), they were different varietals from different regions around the world.  In some ways, comparing completely different wines is difficult and could even be considered unfair; however, for our purposes, it was a fun, enlightening tasting, and for wine buyers needing wine for a holiday party, a dinner party or gifts in this price range, it’s a list worth considering.  Per the Tasting Circle’s stated goal, all wines are currently available in the Seattle marketplace and can be ordered if you don’t see them at your local wine shop or grocery store.

EXCELLENT (90 – 94 points):
Mannucci Droandi 2004 Chianti Classico Ceppeto (90 points)
Region: Tuscany, Italy; Varietal:  Sangiovese
Vibrant nose of bright red fruit.  Good acidity. Rustic flavor profile, plum with delicate oak.  Bigger on the palate. Drink now.  Delicious with tomato based pasta.

VERY GOOD (85 – 89 points):
Fess Parker Winery 2005 Syrah (88 points)
Region: Santa Barbara Country, CA; Varietal:  Syrah
Deep, smoky, spicy aromas, an intoxicating nose.  Slightly sweet flavors of dark fruit, bacon.  Chewy texture.  Large finish.  Drink within a year.

Graham Beck 2005 The William (88 points)
Region: Stellenbosch, South Africa; Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon/Pinotage
Smoky, bacony aromas.  Beautiful dark fruit, leather, smoke and a little earthy.  Excellent body & concentration.  Finish could be stronger.  One of the best wines at the tasting.  Drink now.  Needs a steak.

Filippo Galino 2006 Barbera d’Alba (87 points)
Region: Piedmont, Italy; Varietal:  Barbera
Beautiful nose of roses & raspberries.  Flavors of tart red cherries, violets, fennel.  Fine acidity.  Good body & concentration.  Short finish.  Drink now to a year. 

Viñedos de El Sequé 2006 Monastrell (87 points)
Region: Alicante, Spain; Varietal: Monastrell (Mourvedre)
Aromas subdued.  Flavors of rich, bold fruit.  Intense, heavy wine.  Good tannic structure on the finish.

Domaine de la Terre Rouge 2005 Téte-à-Téte (86 points)
Region:  Sierra Foothills, CA; Varietals: Syrah/Mourvedre/Grenache
Aromas of dark fruit, smoke, even ashes.  Delicate flavors of black cherry, smoke, leather & spice.  Great acidity.  Short finish.

 

Herdade dos Grous 2006 Vinho Regional Alentejano (86 points)
Nice red fruit, strawberry aromas with spice & mint. Good acidity with flavors of bright red & blue fruits and a little pepper at the end.  Short finish. 

 

Bricco 2005 Red Wine (86 points)
Region:  Washington; Varietals: TBA
Light & translucent in color.  Nice bouquet.  Pleasant flavors of forest & dark fruit, dry cherry.  Great body & elegance.  Nice tannins on long finish.

Joan d’Anguera 2006 Planella (86 points)
Region:  Montsant, Spain; Varietals: Carignan/Grenache/Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah
Faint nose of cooked berry, raspberry.  Good blueberry/raspberry fruit, concentration & body.  Light spice on the finish.  One of the more interesting wines in the lineup.

Vigna della Rivolia du Renzo Castella 2006 Dolcetto Diano d’Alba  (85 points)
Region:  Piedmont, Italy; Varietal:  Dolcetto
Light spice & raspberry on the nose. Flavors of bright, red fruit.  Good acidity & balance.  Short finish.  Drink now.

 

GOOD (80 – 84 points):
Delta Vineyard 2006 Pinot Noir (84 points)
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand; Varietal:  Pinot Noir
Elegant smoky, spicy nose (the best part of this wine).  Bright cherry, fruit with warm earth; a little disappointing after the nose.  Good acidity.  Very short finish.  Drink now. 

Tasting Panel:
Ari Manzin – Owner, Bianco Rosso Imports
Catherine Reynolds – Sommelier; Owner, Vino y Queso
Gina Gregory – Sommelier; Manager Portalis Wine Shop + Wine Bar
Jens Strecker – Owner & Wine Manager, Portalis Wine Shop + Wine Bar
Ken O’Hara – Sales Manager, A&B Imports; former chef
Theresa Slechta – Domestic Portfolio Manager, Vinum Imports

For more info on these tasters, check out their bios under TASTERS.