Mi Casa, Thursday night:
2007 Bernardus Winery Marinus Carmel Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
The jammy ripeness noted in 2015 is gone now--it was sleeping, apparently (when will I learn?). It has firmed up and is nicely middle aged--the youthful primary fruit still apparent but now broadened with interesting secondary development. The 'drink latest' date of 2016, which I may contributed to, is clearly wrong. Looking at 2020 or beyond, easily.
2009 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Cune Gran Reserva Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo
This is really singing. PnP'd. Warm red fruit compote with leather, spice and orange peel. More voluptuous than reserved which disguises the tannins, but it was as good or better the second day. No rush.
2010 Smasne Cellars County Line Yakima Valley Red Blend
Brought by a guest. Typical Smasne style: ripe (guessing pretty late-picked fruit) and concentrated with lower overall acidity that accentuates sweetness. Very new world, and not for the long haul.
2011 Coho Cabernet Sauvignon Summit Vine Ranch Diamond Mountain
A gem value from the 2011 vintage. Quoting another CTer, who nailed it: "dark garnet; spice, mint, cassis, oak nose; mid-big body; tight tannins". Lots of depth and class.
2016 Navarro Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosé of Pinot Noir Anderson Valley
Two months' additional bottle time have gifted this wine with magical aromas--spice box, flowers, raspberry fruit and wet tree bark. Very complex on the palate as well, with perfect acidity. Will likely be the best rose we drink all summer.
2013 Fidelitas Cabernet Sauvignon Quintessence Red Mountain
Showed better for me than six months ago. Concentration remains impressive but there's more life in the black and blue fruits with more tobacco and herb and less toffee. Not sure what the track record is on this wine, but would peg it for 3-5 years more life than other CTers have.
2013 Fidelitas The Canyons Vineyard Red Mountain Red Blend
New this vintage, The Canyons is a bright 83/17 cab/malbec blend from a vineyard named for its many steep hills and ravines. Leaning toward deep red fruits like boysenberry with notes of pumpkin pie and white pepper. Quite beguiling.
Saturday, their casa:
2006 Black Hills Estate Nota Bene Okanagan Valley VQA Red Bordeaux Blend
Celebrated Canada's 150th with our last bottle of the 06. Complex and spicy, more dark cherry red fruit than black, pretty incense and sandalwood aromatics, fairly resolved tannins. Shows well but probably just past peak. Drink over the next year.
2014 Casa Santos Lima Colossal Reserva Vinho Regional Lisboa Syrah Blend, Syrah
Hideous. Sappy black and blue fruit dominated by burnt coffee, tar and gunpowder. 91 pts from Wine Spec? God help us.
2012 Tenor (Matthews) 2:2 Columbia Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
The Libby tulip glasses we're drinking out of are cruel to this wine. Elegantly powerful black fruit, cedar and espresso notes, but the glass wastes the aromatics and pushes a harsh, disjoined kick on the finish that would integrated seamlessly in a better glass.
2013 J. Bookwalter Conflict Conner Lee Vineyard Columbia Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
Very bright with pleasing acidity and spicy, merlot-ish red fruit, but surprisingly light bodied for the vintage, $60, and one of those massive, heavy bottles.
2012 Bergevin Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Moonspell Columbia Valley
A very well balanced, good value cabernet, slightly plush, drinks well now.
