2008 Eidos de Padriñán Albariño
Vintage: 2008
Producer/Winery: Eidos de Padriñán
Wine: Albariño
Country: Spain
Region: Galicia
Appellation: Rias Baixas D.O.
Varietal Composition: 100 % Albariño
Aging: Stainless steel
Climate: Maritime
Alcohol: 13.3 %
Winemaker: Emilio Vidal
Production: 5000 cases
Bottle Value: $25 USD
Where: Vintage, Walla Walla When: January 3, 2010 With whom: Greg, Peter, Megan and Dustin
Perspective: I love the simplicity, elegance and freshness of good Albariño. This was my first time with this wine and I will repeat the affair several more times in the future. Clean and fresh with wet limestone, chalk, green apple and lemon zest. I wish I had shellfish and it was summertime.
Systematic Approach
Appearance: Clear clarity. Pale yellow core and rim. No sediment or deposits.
Nose: Clean. Medium (+) youthful aromas of stony mineral, green apple and lemon zest.
Palate: Dry. Medium (+) acidity. Medium tannins. Medium alcohol. Medium (-) body. Medium (+) intense flavors of green apple, lemon, limestone, chalk and tart melon. Balance – Dry. Lively acidity, supple tannin, light alcohol and fruit driven. Texture – clay textured tannins and fluid viscosity. Overall Impression – cool climate ripeness, vivid freshness and elegant. Medium (+) length.
Conclusion: Very good quality for concentration, balance and texture. Drink now.
2006 Pedestal Merlot
Vintage: 2006
Producer/Winery: Long Shadows Vintners Collection
Wine: Pedestal Merlot
Country: USA
Region: Washington
Appellation: Columbia Valley
Varietal Composition: 86% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec.
Aging: 22 Months, 100 % French oak, 85% new.
Climate: Continental
Alcohol: 14.7 %
Winemaker: Michel Rolland
Production: 1877 cases
Bottle Value: $60 USD
Where: Vintage, Walla Walla When: January 3, 2010 With whom: Greg, Peter, Dustin and Joel
Perspective: I’d compare this wine to a pseudo hot celebrity that I wouldn’t kick out bed but after an hour or so I would get a little bored with. It’s definitely a good wine, but I wish it had more complexity and layers. Full delivery on extraction and body. Balanced flavors of toasty barrel, black cherries, plum and dark chocolate with a smooth supple finish.
Systematic Approach
Appearance: Clear clarity. Deep garnet core and rim. No sediment or deposits.
Nose: Clean. Medium (+) youthful aromas of toasty oak and black cherry.
Palate: Dry. Medium acidity. Medium (+) soft/ripe tannins. Medium (+) alcohol. Medium (+) body. Medium (+) intense flavors of black cherry, vanillin, dark chocolate and plum. Balance – Dry. Flabby acidity, supple tannins, generous alcohol and fruit driven. Texture – velvety tannins and fleshy viscosity. Overall Impression – overripe ripeness, expressive freshness and mellow. Medium length.
Conclusion: Good quality for concentration. Drink now or hold for the next 3 years.
2006 Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2006
Producer/Winery: Ladera
Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: USA
Region: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Varietal Composition: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 5% Petite Verdot.
Aging: 17 months, 100 % French oak. 39% new / 61 % used
Climate: Maritime
Alcohol: 14.5%
Winemaker: Karen Culler
Bottle Value: $40 USD
Where: Walla Walla When: January 1, 2010 With whom: Greg, Peter, Tom, Dustin and Megan
Perspective: Fun, easy drinking Napa Cabernet with all the right components. Dark, berry fruits, toasty new oak spices, and fleshy tannins make this wine into something that can be enjoyed any night of the week. Drink while it’s young and decant for 30 minutes for best results. If you looking for a cellar wine, Ladera makes a nice Howell Mountain Cabernet that can be stowed away.
Systematic Approach
Appearance: Clear clarity. Deep garnet core and rim. No sediment or deposits.
Nose: Clean. Medium (+) youthful aromas of toasty oak, blackberry, cassis and plum.
Palate: Dry. Medium acidity. Medium (+) soft/ripe tannins. Medium (+) alcohol. Medium (+) body. Medium (+) intense flavors of bramble fruit, black cherry, vanillin, and plum. Balance – Dry. Refreshing acidity, well-integrated tannins, generous alcohol and well-defined fruit. Texture – clay-textured tannins and fleshy viscosity. Overall Impression – Refreshing ripeness, expressive freshness and harmonious. Medium length.
Conclusion: Good quality for texture and balance. Drink now or hold for the next 3-5 years.
2005 Quinta do Crasto Douro Reserva Old Vine
Vintage: 2005
Producer/Winery: Quinta do Crasto
Wine: Douro Old Vines Reserva
Country: Portugal
Region: Porto
Appellation: Douro
Varietal Composition: Blend of 25-30 different local varieties
Aging: 18 months, 85% French oak, 15 % American oak
Climate: Continental
Alcohol: 14%
Winemaker: Dominic Morris and Manuel Lobo
Production: 6900 Cases
Bottle Value: $70 USD
Where: Walla Walla When: January 1, 2010 With whom: Greg, Peter, Tom, Dustin and Megan
Perspective: A great wine considering that it’s a blend of 25 to 30 different varieties with an average vine age of 70 years old. For me it felt like a Tinto Roriz (Tempranillo) and Touriga Nacional blend. Very clean and well structured. Definitely needs decanting to even out the initial tannins. After it breathes for a bit it’s quite lush and robust with earthy baked black fruits. Apparently it was #3 on Speculators top 100 last year and received 95 pts. Definitely a great wine but not sure that an old vine field blend is worth seventy bones.
Systematic Approach
Appearance: Clear clarity. Deep ruby core and rim. Thick sediment and deposits.
Nose: Clean. Medium (+) youthful aromas of blackberry, plum, tobacco, and woody spices.
Palate: Dry. Medium acidity. Medium (+) fine-grained tannins. Medium (+) alcohol. Medium (+) body. Medium (+) intense flavors of dark chocolate, black cherry, vanilla, stony mineral and plum. Balance – Dry. Refreshing acidity, well-integrated tannins, generous alcohol and well-defined fruit. Texture – fine-grained tannins and fleshy viscosity. Overall Impression – overripe, expressive freshness and well structured. Medium (+) length.
Conclusion: Good quality for texture, concentration and balance. Drink now or hold for the next 5-8 years.
1998 Quintessa
Vintage: 1998
Producer/Winery: Quintessa
Wine: Proprietary Red
Country: USA
Region: California
Appellation: Napa
Varietal Composition: Bordeaux Blend
Aging: New French oak
Climate: Maritime
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Winemaker: Aaron Pott
Production: n/a
Bottle Value: $100-$150 USD
Where: Walla Walla When: December 31, 2009 With whom: Greg, Tyler, Chelsea, Peter, and Scott
Perspective: 1998 was a difficult vintage in Napa Valley but as always there are wines that pull through and come out drinking pretty well. At first the wine seemed a bit tired, there was very little fruit, the tannins were powdery and it seemed as if the wine was not going anywhere. Then after an hour we went back to it and behold it had opened up and was showing some signs of life. Very pleasant on the palate with developed aromas of tea leaf and forest floor. Blackberry, plum, dark chocolate and subtle hints of spice linger for bit but soon fade away. Elegant and easy to drink but I do not believe it will develop any more complexity. Drink it now if you have any tucked away.
Systematic Approach
Appearance: Clear clarity. Deep ruby core and rim. No sediment or deposits.
Nose: Clean. Medium (+) developed aromas of blackberry, forest floor, and brewed tea leaf.
Palate: Dry. Medium acidity. Medium soft/ripe tannins. Medium (+) alcohol. Medium (+) body. Medium (+) intense flavors of dark chocolate, blackberry, and plum. Balance – Dry. Thick acidity, rounded/resolved tannins, warm alcohol and meagre fruit. Texture – powdery tannins and supple viscosity. Overall Impression – baked ripeness, fading in freshness and mellow. Medium length.
Conclusion: Good quality for texture and balance. Drink now.
2006 Morlet Family Vineyards “Coteaux Nobles” Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2006
Producer/Winery: Morlet Family Vineyards
Wine: Coteaux Nobles Pinot Noir
Country: USA
Region: California
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Varietal Composition: 100 % Pinot Noir
Aging: 14 months, 100 % new French Oak
Climate: Maritime
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Winemaker: Luc Morlet
Production: 150 cases
Bottle Value: $75 USD
Where: Walla Walla When: December 31, 2009 With whom: Greg, Tyler, Chelsea, Peter, and Scott
Perspective: A very well made wine with new world fruit and a noticeable Burgundian essence. Super clean, dry and well defined vivid red fruits. Impressive terroir and hints of smoked meat. Lean and tight at first so decanting for 30 minutes makes a huge difference. This wine will show well over the next five to eight years.
Systematic Approach
Appearance: Dull clarity. (Unfiltered) Deep ruby core and rim. No sediment or deposits.
Nose: Clean. Medium (+) youthful aromas of rhubarb, strawberry, red cherry and toasted oak.
Palate: Dry. Medium (+) acidity. Medium soft/ripe tannins. Medium (+) alcohol. Medium body. Pronounced flavors of red and black cherry, strawberry, sweet rhubarb, smoky meats, vanilla and forest floor. Balance – Dry. lively acidity, supple tannins, generous alcohol and well defined fruit. Texture – Silky tannins and fluid viscosity. Overall Impression – Refreshing ripeness, vivid freshness and well-structured. Medium length.
Conclusion: Very good quality for structure and balance. Drink now but will age well for the next 5-8 years.
2006 Morlet Family Vineyards “Ma Douce” Chardonnay
Vintage: 2006
Producer/Winery: Morlet Family Vineyards
Wine: Ma Douce Chardonnay
Country: USA
Region: California
Appellation: Sonoma Coast
Varietal Composition: 100 % Chardonnay
Aging: 100 % new French Oak
Climate: Maritime
Alcohol: 14.7 %
Winemaker: Luc Morlet
Production: 360 cases
Bottle Value: $70 USD
Where: Walla Walla, WA When: December 31, 2009 With whom: Greg, Tyler, Chelsea, Peter, and Scott
Perspective: This was one of the stars of the evening. Hazy golden hue with creamy vanilla and clarified butter on the nose. Sultry and rich marshmallow, ripe pear and candied orange peel. Great acidity and balance. Sexy, borderline glutinous and sooooo delicious. This was my first time tasting this wine and it’s now on my top list of Chardonnays. I had the Sonoma Pinot Noir from them as well and it was quite good. I’m definitely curious to see the rest of the Morlet lineup.
Systematic Approach
Appearance: Dull clarity. (Unfiltered) Deep golden yellow core and rim. No sediment or deposits.
Nose: Clean. Medium(+) youthful aromas of ripe pear, toasted oak, sweet vanilla, butter, honey and orange peel.
Palate: Dry. Medium (+) acidity. Medium soft/ripe tannins. Medium (+) alcohol and body. Pronounced flavors of ripe pear, buttery toasted oak, popcorn kernel, and citrus peel. Balance – Dry. Refreshing acidity, supple tannins, generous alcohol and soft/well defined fruit. Texture – Silky tannins and creamy viscosity. Overall Impression – Refreshing ripeness, vivid freshness and well-structured. Medium (+)/long length.
Conclusion: Outstanding quality for structure, balance and length. Drink now but will age well for the next 10-15 years.
2007 Miner “Wild Yeast” Chardonnay
Vintage: 2007
Producer/Winery: Miner Family Vineyards
Wine: Wild Yeast Chardonnay
Country: USA
Region: California
Appellation: Napa
Varietal Composition: 100 % Chardonnay
Aging: 15 Months 70 % new French Oak
Climate: Maritime
Alcohol: 14.4 %
Winemaker: Gary Brookman
Production: 2070 cases
Bottle Value: $50-60 USD
Where: San Jose, CA When: December 24, 2009 With whom: Anh and family
Perspective: Just what I have been craving, a rich golden toasty chardonnay with great acid and fruit that last forever in the mouth. After being in Washington for the past four months and not being able to find a wine of this caliber it was a great experience. When these wines are done right there is nothing like them. The trend for un-oaked chardonnay is well and good but it can never replace the experience of good quality fruit aged in spicy new French oak barrels. This chardonnay is among my most favorites produced in the states. We had this with Christmas Eve dinner, the most interesting course being the curry leaf scented butternut squash soup that Anh made. Seek out and enjoy. This wine is showing well now and will developed nicely over the next ten years if that’s your style.
Systematic Approach
Appearance: Bright clarity. Pale golden core and rim. No sediment or deposits.
Nose: Clean. Medium(+) youthful aromas of ripe pear, toasted hazelnuts, sweet vanilla, butter and citrus peel.
Palate: Dry. Medium(+) acidity. Medium soft/ripe tannins. Medium(+) alcohol and body. Pronounced flavors of melon, apple, ripe pear, creamy toasted oak, and butterscotch. Balance – Dry. Lively acidity, rounded tannins, generous alcohol and well defined fruit. Texture – Velvety tannins and creamy viscosity. Overall Impression – Refreshing ripeness, vivid freshness and harmonious. Medium(+)/long length.
Conclusion: Very good quality for structure, complexity and length. Drink now but will age well for the next 10 years.
2007 Miner “Gary’s Vineyard” Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2007
Producer/Winery: Miner Family Vineyards
Wine: Gary’s Vineyard Pinot Noir
Country: USA
Region: California
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands
Varietal Composition: 100 % Pinot Noir
Aging: 14 Months French Oak (70% New)
Climate: Maritime
Alcohol: 14.4 %
Winemaker: Gary Brookman
Bottle Value: $60 USD
Production: 911 Cases
Where: San Jose, CA When: December 20, 2009 With whom: Anh & I
Perspective: This is one of my favorite wines from Miner Family Vineyards. I visit the winery once a year and pick up an assortment of great wines that I put away and some that I drink immediately. This one should have gone to the wine locker but after drinking so many Bordeaux varieties lately I was craving a pinot. The wine is super clean with bright red fruits intermingled with toasty oak and spice box flavors. I allowed the wine to breathe-without decanting-for three hours before I drank it. This makes all the difference. Drink now if you have a few bottles and keep the rest for a few more years or more.
Systematic Approach
Appearance: Clear clarity. Medium garnet core, pale ruby rim. No sediment or deposits.
Nose: Clean. Medium intense youthful aromas of red and black cherry, green olive, dried hay, and pimentos.
Palate: Dry. Medium(+) acid. Medium(-) ripe/soft tannins. Medium alcohol. Medium(-) body. Medium(+) intense flavors of red cherry, ripe raspberry, plum, sweet spiced vanilla, toasted oak, and earthy/stony minerals. Balance – Drying. Refreshing acid, supple tannins, warm alcohol, well defined fruit. Texture – Silky tannins and fluid viscosity. Medium(+) length. Overall Impression – Refreshing ripeness. Well defined freshness and harmonious.
Conclusion: Very good quality for balance and length. Drink now and for the next 8 years.
2005 Palacios Remondo “La Montesa” Rioja Crianza
Vintage: 2005
Producer/Winery: Palacios Remondo
Wine: La Montesa Rioja Crianza
Country: Spain
Region: La Rioja
Appellation: Rioja Baja
Varietal Composition: 40% Garnacha, 45% Tempranillo, 15% Mazuelo and Graciano
Aging: 14 months 75% is French oak, 25% American oak – 10% new oak. 90% split equally between, one, two and three year old wood.
Climate: Continental
Alcohol: 14 %
Winemaker: Alvaro Palacios
Imported By: Folio Wine Company
Bottle Value: $20 USD
Production: 60,000 Cases
Where: San Jose, CA When: December 17, 2009 With whom: Anh & I
Perspective: This is an interesting Rioja because it uses more French oak than most producers. Honestly if I where to taste this wine blind I might mistake it for a young inexpensive Burgundy. Upon opening it wreaked of barnyard, hay, rusty iron and red cherry. On the palate the wine was lean and reluctant to relinquishing its fruit. The only marker that it wasn’t Burgundy was the opaque color of the core, depth of the rim and brown highlights. Nonetheless this producer is a favorite of mine and I try to always revisit his wines. With some age this wine will develop nicely, I think in two years I should give this wine another try… or perhaps tomorrow night. Additional Note: After re-tasting this wine the next night it had changed completely. The wine was more centered and dense with less mineral and hay notes and the fruit structure was more pronounced. Take your time with this one it seems to be a little stubborn.
Systematic Approach
Appearance: Clear clarity. Opaque ruby core, deep ruby rim. Brown highlights. No sediments or deposits detected.
Nose: Initially unclean. Faint traces of Brettanomyces-farmyard and horse sweat. Conclusively clean. Medium(+) intensity, youthful aromas of red and black cherry, rusty mineral, hay and sweet tobacco.
Palate: Dry. Medium (+) acidity and alcohol. Medium (-) unripe tannins. Medium (-) body. Medium intense flavors of dried red cherry and red currant. Earthy mineral notes of rust with herbaceous medicinal flavors. Balance – Drying. Lively acid, supple tannins and generous alcohol. Texture – powdery tannins and fluid viscosity. Overall Impression – stemmy ripeness, tertiary freshness, and mellow. Medium(+) length.
Conclusion: Good Quality for concentration and length. Hold for another year and drink over the next five or more years.
