2014 Proper Wines Syrah Walla Walla Valley
Proper's a relatively new winery dedicated to Syrah. This bottle set me back about $47. Decanted two hours. Saturated blue and black fruit with tar, espresso and ample Rocks-like funk. Big on the palate, yet elegantly modern. It's best years are ahead, 2020 to 2025.
2011 Force Majeure Cabernet Sauvignon Collaboration Series Force Majeure Vineyard Red Mountain
Margot's bottle. A spectacular WA cabernet, makes me sad (once again) that I didn't buy more '11s. En pointe and precise, dare I say forceful, on the nose and palate with deep blackberry and tobacco notes but has all that cool vintage stuff underneath..
2012 Fielding Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Riverbend Vineyard Wahluke Slope
My first Fielding Hills--old school style (which I love), with textbook Cabernet Sauv flavors, soft acidity typical of the vintage and fairly relaxed tannins. Drink over the next five years.
2013 Man O' War Vineyards Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Waiheke Island New Zealand Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
The Semillon in this blend gives a distinctive lift to the Sauv Blanc. Dry with quince and wet wool on the nose, and concentrated notes of guince, cactus pear, agave and grapefruit on the palate. Superb.
2012 Bonnet Rouge Régnié Gamay
A gift. Heavy (oaky?) for Beaujolais. Dense cherry notes with a bit of pureed parsnip. We had no trouble finishing the bottle, but I wouldn't be looking for more.
2007 Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Olivets Red Rhone Blend
This made a much better impression than a bottle just six months ago: full-figured with good secondary development. Black and red raspberry fruit with loads of green olive and pepper. Awesome match for a dish loaded with all the green chiles I just roasted.
2012 LaStella Merlot Maestoso "Solo" Okanagan Valley VQA
Last tasted 19 months ago. It has evolved well: right-bankish rich flavors and complexity. Great example of what's possible out of the OK Valley--for a price. (About $100)
2012 Mullan Road Cellars Red Wine Blend Columbia Valley Red Blend
After another bottle just two months ago seemed to lack acidity, we found this bottle had almost too much. Took it to a friend's in Oregon--travel shock?
2004 Château Vieux Chevrol Lalande de Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend
Pleasantly mature, but a few watts short of acidity and past peak. My first bottle, and per CT I have nine more. Shit!
2015 Heaven's Gate Winery Rosé Okanagan Valley Rosé Blend
A gamay blend rose with high residual sugar, drinks like kool-aid and that's not a compliment. But I know some mother-in-laws who'd love it.
2014 Kanazawa Sakura Okanagan Valley Pinot Noir Rose
Friends bought this over; liked it a lot. Served chilled, deep color. (They'd also supplied a Malbec from the same producer some months ago, which I was gaga about.) Rich, dry flavors of pomegranate and butter. It's 100% pinot noir--would never have guessed.
2001 Tertre Rôteboeuf St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
Big, earthy and gamey--more like the animals themselves than the barn floor. Black cherry and tobacco nuances fill in the background, along with some spice. Great with burgers last night but at peak, won't improve from here.