So I woke up in the middle of the night yesterday and was thinking about the 9 bone pork prime rib we were going to smoke and realized it was just flat plain stupid not to invite friends over to share. Emails went out, all were accepted, and this is what we drank:
2014 Blason de Bourgogne Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay
So how fun is it when there are a mix of whites and roses on the table and then you add this one, less than half the price of the next cheapest, a few people take a pour, and go WOW. Clean, bright and minerally, an insane value for $7 at Trader Joe's. I don't know how in the heck Tom Hill could taste this and just think 'eh'. Of course, one's appreciation is heightened considerably when some of the other wines are like the next one.
2014 Township 7 Pinot Gris Reserve Naramata Estate Vineyard Okanagan Valley
Fat and ripe, as is this winery's style, but also overbearing from first sip to cloying finish. I had to sneak into the bathroom to discreetly dump my pour.
2013 Secret Squirrel Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
Dark plums, black cherries and some cocoa. Dry and savory in a Bordeaux Sup kind of way.
2014 Tenet Wines Syrah The Pundit Columbia Valley
Very new world style with harmonious dark fruit, just a whiff of bacon and silky tannins. Not Cayuse, but nonetheless one of the best value plays in the state for under $20 at Costco.
2004 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series Washington
Perfectly middle aged--fruit is unmistakably Cabernet, but there's all this interesting secondary development and all's in perfect, harmonious balance. Blackberry, tobacco, coffee. Wouldn't want it a day younger or a day older, but it should hold nicely for a few years.
2008 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah In the Rocks Walla Walla Valley
Last bottle I have and it went out with a bang. While the wine still has all the gamey-rocky-tapenade components we've all loved, they're now seamlessly integrated and the wine has acquired some elegance. Very, very impressive.
2012 Tildio Winery, Lake Chelan, 'The Phoenix' Red Blend
Delightful. Lively and spicy--cab franc and malbec are a fantastic combination. Who knew?
2010 Gård Vintners Syrah Lawrence Vineyards Columbia Valley
Excellent! More red fruit than black, very peppery with good acidity and secondary development, perfect for current drinking. Was served in a pairing with a heavier Southern Rhone and everyone thought THIS was the Rhone wine.
