2008 Barrage Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Double Barrel Columbia Valley
Concentrated and youthful, it's best drinking years still lie ahead. Has good potential thru 2022 and possibly beyond.
2013 Hilliard Bruce Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills
Pretty medium yellow color. Tastes expensive. Voluptuous and showy with Meursault flavors of pineapple, lemon peel, ginger and vanilla custard. Should drink well over the next three years.
2012 Cristom Pinot Noir Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Willamette Valley
Not completely grown up yet, but enjoyable at this stage with some secondary development evident. Medium bodied with bright red fruit, pie spices and a touch of rhubarb.
2014 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Monopole Blanco Viura
Smokey nose on creamy and subtle pear fruit, flor-ish, and there's a pretty note of orange blossom on the finish. Very different, and terrific with an appetizer of gruyere cheese and almonds.
2014 Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay Ethos Reserve Columbia Valley
Best choice on the BTG menu at the Chateau Friday night. Loads of oak, creamy tropical notes and Michelle's typical generous fruity sweetness. Full-bodied. Not my thing, but a BTG steal for $5.
2014 Sacred Hill Pinot Noir Marlborough
Why beat around the bush: it's still crappy.
2009 Clos Pegase Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Easy drinking, mature CalCab.
2010 Tobias Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
Plucked this out of the cellar in an effort to clean up questionable orphans. Well how-dee-do--after five years of waiting (and wasting four other bottles), this wine finally woke up! Black currant and black cherry fruit with a grumpy green pine note on day one that softens into cooked green bell pepper by day three. Decent.
2014 Maison L'Envoye Pinot Noir Two Messengers Willamette Valley
More red fruit, herb than one associates with Oregon pinot and a lot more varietal typicity than one expects for $16. Great QPR at Costco.