A Tasting of German Rieslings
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- Written by Rand Sealey
On Sunday, April 28, Lynn and I hosted a tasting of German Riesling. The wines in the line up ranged from dry (trocken) to medium dry/slightly sweet (Cabinet) to sweet (Spätlese). The major wine producing regions were also represented: the Mosel, Ruwer, Nahe, Rheingau and Pfalz. Here are my notes in the order of tasting and approximate degree of sweetness.
2016 Karthäuserfof Riesling trocken, Ruwer ($31.99) - Trocken means dry in German. This version from the Ruwer, a tributary of the Mosel, showed a greenish gold color and ripe aromas of pear, peach, apricot, with lively juicy minerally flavors. The finish was dry, but not at all austere. 18.5/20 points.
2017 Dönhoff Riesling trocken, Nahe ($28 - The Thief, Walla Walla) - Brilliant gold colored, this wine possessed a floral nose of pear, peach, pear tree blossoms, clover and wet stone. The finish was dry and finely fruited, imbued with persistent minerality. 18.5/20 points.
2016 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Riesling Kabinett, Mosel ($27.99) - This was a fine rendition of Mittel Mosel Riesling. It showed a brilliant lemon-gold color and a floral nose of pear, peach, citrus, apple blossoms, wildflowers. The flavors were ripe and minerally, with notes of pear and peach liqueurs and a pleasing off-dry finish. 18.5/20 points.
2016 Maximin Grunhaus Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett, Ruwer ($32.99) - This was made in a somewhat lighter, elegant style. It showed a gold color and lovely aromas of apple, white peach, citrus, apple blossoms and white flowers. The flavors were vivid, almost laser-like, with distinct riverside minerals. The back picked up touches of spritz and almond on the slightly sweet finish. 18.5+/20 points.
2016 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Ürziger Würzgartern Riesling Kabinett, Mosel ($32.99) - This was a fine example of medium dry (slightly sweet) Mosel Riesling. Light gold colored, it possessed delicate aromas of wild fruits, pear blossoms and white incense. The slate stone imbued flavors were charming and the finish finely fruited and resonant. 18.5/20 points.
2009 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonneuhr Riesling Kabinett, Mosel (donated by Smith & Bernards) - This was a fine example of maturing Mosel Riesling. Light gold colored, it showed lovely exotic perfumes along with peach and straw notes. The flavors were starting to turn dryish, yet still finely fruited, with a long, complex finish. 19/20 points.
2017 Darting Dürkheimer Hochbenn Riesling Kabinett, Pfalz ($17.99) - This showed a medium gold color and fresh, young aromas of white fruits, citrus and white incense. The flavors were in a nicely fruited style with a bit of earth ("bodensmack") and a pleasing off-dry finish. Fine value. 18/20 points.
2016 Eugen Müller Forster Mariengarten Riesling Kabinett, Pfalz ($17.99) - This was another fine value from the Pfalz. It offered a light gold color and intriguing aromas of white fruits, citrus and touches of anise and white incense. The flavors were crisp and citrusy. finishing off-dry. 18/20 points.
2017 Schlossgut Diel Riesling Kabinett, Nahe ($25.99) - This showed a light gold color and intriguing aromas of pear, white peach, grapefruit and wet stone. The flavors were direct and laser-like with touches of peach stone and spritz, followed by an off-dry finish. 18.5/20 points.
2009 Müller Catoir Müssbach Riesling Kabinett, Pfalz (donated by Sabrina Lueck) - This showed intriguing aromas of peaches, nuts, banana and a bit of bodensmack. The flavors are generous and round, smoothed by some age, followed by a spicy medium dry finish. 18.5/20 points.
2016 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese, Mosel ($36.99) - This was a fine example of Spätlese (late harvest). It showed a light gold color and a floral nose of pear, peach, apricot, citrus, clover and spiced incense. The flavors were medium bodied and elegant, with a long, spritz, slightly sweet finish, balanced by fine acidity. 19/20 points.
2016 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese, Mosel ($43.99) - This displayed a light gold color and ripe aromas pf pear, peach star fruit, pear tree blossoms and white incense. The flavors were delicate yet well delineated, with notes of slate and sun baked earth. On the back, the wine turned sweet and racy, with a long finely fruited finish. 19/20 points.
2015 Robert Weil Riesling Spätlese, Rheingau ($35.99) - From the hills high above the Rhine, this showed a deep gold color and rich ripe aromas of peach, apricot, sweet flowers and spiced white incense. The flavors were rich and unctuous, with the sweetness counterpointed by crisp acidity and a long spicy finish. 19/20 points.
All wines from wine.com unless otherwise noted.
Visits to Valdemar Estates
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- Written by Rand Sealey
Another highly anticipated new winemaking facility in the Walla Walla Valley has been that of Valdemar Estates. For months, construction has been going on the property off Peppers Bridge Road to the west, past Amavi and Waters. Owned by Bodegas Valdemar in Spain (with properties in the Rioja and Ribera del Duero districts), it is the first non-American owned winery in the Walla Walla Valley. The winery is managed by a member of the fifth generation of the Martinez Bujanda family, Jesús Martinez Bujanda who is continuing the winemaking tradition that began in 1889 with Joaquin Martinez Bujanda.
A week ago, Wednesday, April 24, we joined a group organized by Michele Rennie (who also organized the one at Force Majeure a week before) for a tour and tasting at the new facility. There, we were led by Jesús through the winery which was still in the final stages of construction. It is a multi level gravity feed state of the art winery, with lots of barrel room and storage. The reception area and tasting room are in the top level, flanked by a patio and circulating waterfall. It was all beautifully designed and constructed. It will be a major showpiece for the Walla Walla Valley.
At the tasting room, the Valdemar Spanish wines as well as those of Valdemar Estates whose winemaker is Marie-Eve Gilla, formerly of Forgeron Cellars are being poured. The winery's production is still in barrel and the Spanish wines are coming in as quickly as possible given the logistics. While at the winery, we tasted the following two wines, previews of what is to come.
2017 Valdemar Estates Syrah, Red Mountain (Price TBD) - This 100% Syrah comes from the Klipsun (82%) and La Coye (18%) vineyards. It shows a deep ruby color and a seductive nose of raspberry, blueberry, black currant, crushed roses, sweet tobacco, lavender, violets and spiced incense. The flavors are deep precisely wrought, with notes of licorice, cocoa, roasted coffee beans and Red Mountain scorched earth. The penetration continues on the back with sensations of macerated berries, roasted nuts, vanillin (50% new French oak) followed by a long peppery ripe tannin finish. 19+/20 points.
2016 Bodegas Valdemar "La Gargantilla" Single Estate Garnacha (Price TBD) - Garnacha is the Spanish name for Grenache. This 100% varietal wine offers a deep ruby color and rich, enticing aromas of raspberries, cherries, red currants, brush, lavender and violets. The medium bodied flavors are expressive, with notes of red licorice, cocoa, medium roast coffee and gravel and dust earth. The back picks up macerated berries, roasted almonds, mocha and pulverized charcoal, followed by a long, firm yet silky ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.
A week later, on May 1, I returned to Valdemar Estate. When I got there, Jesús Martinez Bujanda was at the tasting room. With him, I tasted some more of the Spanish wines, including two special varietal bottlings.
2016 Conde Valdemar Finca Alto Cantabria Rioja Blanco ($30) - Composed of 100% Viura, the principal white grape of Spain, this shows a deep gold color and intriguing aromas of pear, peach, apricot, lemon peel, orange blossoms, verbena, white lilac, almond and white incense. The flavors are full bodied, with notes of peach stone and slate, with a creamy texture and a persistent finish. 18.5/20 points.
2015 Conde Valdemar Rioja Crianza ($22) - This 90% Tempranillo (with 10% Graciano) shows a deep ruby-garnet color and distinctive aromas of raspberry, cherry and black currant with scents of dried roses, mulberry, tobacco, brambles and smoldering incense. The flavors are medium bodied but well structured, with black and blue fruits that are marked by licorice, cocoa, vanillin and earth. The back picks up roasted berries and nuts, mocha and graphite followed by a smooth moderate tannin finish. Super value. 18.5/20 points.
2011 Conde Valdemar Rioja Reserva ($30) - From the Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta districts, this 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Garnacha blend offers a deep ruby color and rich, smoky aromas of blackberry, cherry, plum, dried roses, mulberry, tobacco, sandalwood, a hint of smoked meats, and smoldering incense. The medium full bodied flavors are ripe and generous, yet focused with notes of licorice, cocoa, coffee and variegated minerals. The back reveals macerated berries, roasted nuts and toffee, followed by a grainy yet elegant finish. 18.5+/20 points.
The following two wines are available for tasting, but, at this time, not for purchase.
2015 Conde Valdemar Las Seis Ahajas Rioja - This is 100% Graciano, a variety normally used for blending and seldom as a stand alone varietal. This was deemed to be outstanding enough to be bottled as such. Opaque ruby colored, it possesses a lovely perfumed nose of raspberry, cherry, plum, crushed rose, violets and oriental incense. The flavors are intense and deep cored, with layers of dark fruits that are interwoven with licorice, dark cacao, extra dark roast and minerals. The intensity continues on the back with sensations of pressed berries, roasted nuts, basalmic reduction and graphite, followed seamlessly by a long, sweetish tannin finish. 19.5/20 points.
2016 Conde Valdemar Balcón de Pilatos Rioja - This is produced from the Maturara grape, an ancient variety that is being restored to cultivation by Bodegas Valdemar. It exhibits an inky purple-crimson color and seductive aromas of wild fruits - blackberries, blueberries, black currants - with scents of black roses, anise, vanillin, roasted nuts, anise and exotic incense. The flavors are deep and penetrating, wrapped around a firm core, infused with licorice, dark cacao, chicory coffee and crushed rocks. On the back, the wine turns silky textured yet firm, with macerated berries, toffee and vanillin, all marching on into a long, complex sweet-dry tannin finish. 19.5/20 points.
Also available for tasting are three 2017 Syrahs (one of which is above) which are yet to be released. I will report on them at a later date. The tasting room is open daily from 11 to 6:30. Tapas are available as well.
A Visit to Force Majeure
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- Written by Rand Sealey
A week ago, Wednesday, April 17, we visited the new Force Majeure production facility near Milton-Freewater, past Cayuse on Sunnyside Road. It is located in what used to be High School basketball gymnasium. The renovations were still under way when we were there. New white tile walls, pump pipes, and fermentation tanks - stainless steel, concrete, oak fermenters and concrete egg - were being installed. When completed, it will be a state of the art wine production facility. The winery also has acquired vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley.
Force Majeure is a premium winery whose wines come primarily from Red Mountain. The winery was started in Woodinville a decade ago and has made a name for itself for its uncompromising quality wines. The owners are Paul and Susan McBride and the winemaker is Todd Alexander who formerly worked at the Bryant Family Vineyard in the Napa Valley. Todd's wife, Carrie Alexander, is the Marketing Director and Emily Pavela is the Hospitality Director.
That afternoon of the 17th, we joined a group organized by Michele Rennie who brokered the property sale, for a tour and tasting at the new facility. We were greeted by Emily Pavela and Carrie Alexander who took us around the facility and hosted a tasting of the current Force Majeure releases. The wines were highly impressive. Here are my abbreviated notes. Full reviews will be in the June issue of the Review of Washington Wines.
2016 Parabellum by Force Majeure "Coulée" Red Wine, Red Mountain ($38) - Inky purple-crimson colored, this 75% Syrah, 25% Mourvèdre combination offers a perfumed nose of wild fruits, tobacco, lavender and incense. The palate shows loads of lavish dark fruits marked by Red Mountain scorched earth, followed by a long ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.
2016 Parabellum by Force Majeure "Alluvio" Red Wine, Red Mountain ($48) - This blend of 62% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot shows a ruby-crimson color and an intoxicating nose of dark fruits, rosebuds, tobacco, cedar and incense. The flavors are thick and chewy, and the back picks up roasted berries and nuts, followed by a firm yet sweetish finish. 19/20 points.
2016 Force Majeure "Parvata" Red Wine, Red Mountain ($70) - This blend of 69% Mourvèdre, 21% Syrah and 10% Grenache displays a deep ruby color and a rich, smoky nose of black and blue fruits, lavender and incense. The flavors are bold and mouth filling, with notes on the back of pressed berries, roasted nuts, charcoal and orange peel, followed by a long, complex finish. 19.5/20 points.
2016 Force Majeure Syrah, Red Mountain ($70) - This is a superb rendition of Red Mountain Syrah. Inky purple-crimson colored, it emits intense aromas of wild fruits, tobacco, incense and violets. The flavors show terrific varietal purity with mouth encompassing black and blue fruits, and the saturation continues on the back into a long terroir driven finish. 19.5/20 points.
2016 Force Majeure "Épinette" Red Wine, Red Mountain ($95) - This blend of 46% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot exhibits a semi opaque ruby color and a rich, smoldering nose of dark fruits, tobacco, sandalwood and incense. The flavors are bold yet well proportioned, with layers of dark fruits, all flowing seamlessly into a long, firm yet smooth tannin finish. 19/5/20 points.
2016 Force Majeure Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain ($125) - This is as good as Red Mountain Cabernet gets. Opaque ruby colored, it possesses intense, brooding aromas and powerful, yet refined flavors and chalky earth. The intensity continues on the back into a long, long satiny tannin finish. 20/20 points.
French Wines Recently Tasted Including 2018 Rosés
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- Written by Rand Sealey
Lynn and I love French wines and we are always on the lookout for new ones to try. Here are some we've had, including some of the first 2018 Rosés.
2018 Paul Jaboulet Ainé "Parallele 45" Côtes du Rhone Rosé ($15.99 - wine.com) - Composed of 50% Grenache, 40% Cinsault and 10% Syrah, this offers a light pink-peach color and enticing aromas of strawberry, pink peach, red currant, pink roses, lavender and spiced white incense. The flavors are pleasingly mouth filling, with bright young fruits that are accented by fraise and pêche liqueurs, and followed by a crisp, nicely juiced finish. Excellent value. 18.5/20 points.
2018 Fleurs de Prairie Vin de Provence Rosé ($16.99 - wine.com) - Brilliant copper-peach colored, this emits enticing aromas of fraises der bois, pink peach, cantaloupe, orange peel, spring flowers, lavender and whiffs of white incense. The flavors are bright and fresh, with notes of peach stone, fraise liqueur, melon rind and recurring orange peel, followed by a lightly spiced moderate acid finish. 18.5/20 points.
2018 Domaine La Colombette "Notorious Pink" Rosé de France ($18.99 - wine.com) - This is a pale peach-pink colored Rosé, but shows good depth. It possesses appealing aromas of fraises, peach, cantaloupe, orange peel and lightly spiced incense. The flavors are deftly extracted, with notes of fraise and pêche liqueurs and melon rind, followed by a lightly spiced dry finish. 18+/20 points.
2018 Fleur de Mer Côtes de Provence Rosé ($19.99 - wine.com) - The 2017 vintage was our go-to Provence Rosé last year and this 2018 will be too. It features a light peach-pink color and enticing aromas of fraises de bois, pink peaches, red currants, tangerine, red rose petals, lavender and spiced incense. The flavors are deliciously fresh and lively, with judicious extraction, peach stone and Provençal minerals. The allure continues on the back with fraise and cassis liqueurs and a twist of tangerine peel on the nicely juiced finish. 18.5+/20 points.
2018 Domaine de Fontsainte "Gris de Gris" Corbières Rosé ($21 - The Thief, Walla Walla) - Composed of 70% Grenache and 10% each of Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault, this displays a light copper-pink color and attractive aromas of raspberry, cherry, red currant, orange peel, cherry blossoms and orange peel. The flavors are fresh an buoyant, with notes of framboise and cerise liqueurs and recurring orange peel on the crisp finish. 18+/20 points.
2018 Château de Pampelonne Côtes de Provence Rosé ($21.99 - wine.com) - From near Saint-Tropez, this is composed of 40% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 20% Syrah and 10% Tibouren. It shows a light peach color and aromas of raspberry, pink peach, cantaloupe, tangerine and spring flowers. On the palate, the flavors are light, yet well defined, with notes of grape skin, melon rind and tangerine peel. The back picks up framboise and pêche liqueurs and touches of hazelnut and lanolin on the way to a resonant finish. 18.5/20 points.
2018 Isabelle Garrault "Les Grands Monts" Sancerre Rosé ($25.99 - wine.com) - Sancerre Rosé is made from Pinot Noir. This version shows a brilliant copper-pink color and a lovely nose of fraises de bois, cherries and red currants with scents of red roses, cherry blossoms, spring flowers and a hint of cracked red pepper. The flavors are fresh and vibrant, accented by grape skin, tangerine peel and upper Loire River minerals. The back picks up kirsch and fraise liqueurs on the way to a resonant, lingering finish. It shows uncommon elegance for a Rosé. 19/20 points.
2017 Domaine Les Capréoles Regnié ($25 - The Thief) - This Cru Beaujolais sports a deep ruby-purple color and attractive aromas of fraises de bois, cherries and black currants with scents of black roses, brambles, violets and incense. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with vivid red fruits that are imbued with red licorice, cocoa powder and medium roast coffee. The back picks up kirsch and cassis liqueurs and toffee, followed by a moderate tannin and acid finish. Expresses the joy of the Gamay grape. 18.5/20 points.
2017 Domaine de la Vôute des Crozes Côte de Brouilly ($29 - The Thief) - This Cru Beaujolais exhibits a deep ruby-crimson color ad a perfumed nose of wild raspberries, cherries, black currants, wild roses, violets and sweet incense. The flavors are generous and expressive, brimming with red and black fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, and schist minerals. On the back, the wine turns suave textured with framboise and cassis liqueurs and nougat, followed by a moderate tannin finish that is lifted by vivid fruit acids. 18.5+/20 points.
2016 Domaine des Chers Saint-Amour ($27 - The Thief) - Saint-Amour - a lovely name for this Cru Beaujolais, and a lovely wine. Crimson colored, it possesses a perfumed nose of strawberries, cherries, red currants, red roses, violets and incense. The flavors are medium bodied but mouth encompassing, intermixed with red licorice, cocoa powder and granitic minerals. The back picks up fraise and cassis liqueurs on the way to a resonant finish. The wine's charm gives it a plus. 18.5+/20 points.
2015 René Bouvier "Crais de Chêne" Fixin ($57.99 - wine.com) - This is quintessential old vine Fixin (located north of Gevrey-Chambertin). It shows a deep brick red color and an unmistakable Pinot Noir nose of raspberries, cherries, black currants, crushed roses, sweet tobacco, forest carpet, matchstick, violets and incense. The flavors are medium full bodied, replete with licorice, cocoa, French roast and earth. The back picks up framboise, creme de cassis and kirsch liqueurs, followed by a lengthy chewy yet satiny tannin finish. 19/20 points.
Cayuse Weekend 2019
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- Written by Rand Sealey
Last Friday and Saturday, April 5 and 6 was Cayuse Weekend in the Walla Walla Valley when Cayuse Members pick up their allocations and taste the next year's releases. On Friday morning, I went down to the winery on Sunnyide Road, north of Milton Freewater. Here are my notes on the upcoming vintages.
2017 "Edith" Grenache Rosé - This showed a light copper-pink color and enticing aromas of strawberry, cranberry, cherry and currant with scents of cherry blossoms, orange peel and white smoke. The flavors were ripe, juicy and resonant, with distinct minerality and fine structure and acidity. 19+/20 points.
2016 "God Only Knows" Grenache - From the Armada Vineyard the "GOK" came on as a fruit and earth driven Grenache. Brick red colored, it possessed a rich nose of raspberry, black currants, pomegranate, crushed roses, lavender and incense. On the palate, the flavors picked up distinct "Rocks" character, accompanied by notes of roasted berries and nuts, orange peel, and graphite, followed by a chewy yet smooth ripe tannin finish. 19.5/20 points.
2017 "Widowmaker" Cabernet Sauvignon, En Chamberlin Vineyard - Deep ruby-crimson colored, this possessed an intoxicating nose of wild blackberries, cherries, plums, crushed roses, tobacco, cedar, sandalwood and incense. The dark fruit flavors were precisely structured, with notes of licorice, dark cocoa, French press and damp earth. The back picked up macerated berries, roasted nuts and pulverized charcoal on the way to a lingering satiny tannin finish. 19.5/20 points.
2017 Syrah, Cailloux Vineyard - From a vineyard planted in 1997 and co-fermented with 5% Viognier, this showed a deep ruby color and a rich, smoky nose of blackberry, blueberry, black currant, crushed roses, mulberry, lavender and smoldering oriental incense. The flavors were thick and generous yet deep cored, with layers of dark fruits that were infused with licorice, cocoa, crushed rocks, pressed berries, roasted nuts, creme de cassis, all followed by a long deliciously juicy finish. 19.5/20 points.
2017 Syrah, En Cerise Vineyard - From a vineyard planted in 1998, this showed a ruby-crimson color and a perfumed nose of wild fruits - blackberries, blueberries, black currants - with scents of pressed roses, lavender, violets and spiced incense. The flavors were medium bodied but plush and deliciously mouth filling, with notes of cobblestone earth, roasted nuts, creme de cassis and charcoal, followed by a lavish, long, ripe tannin finish. 19.5/20 points.
2017 Syrah, En Chamberlin Vineyard - To me, this came on as the most elegantly styled of the 2017 Syrahs. Deep ruby-crimson colored, it emited lovely, perfumed aromas of fraises de bois, wild currants, pomegranates, rose petals, lavender, violets and wafts of oriental incense. The flavors matched the aromas in allure, with lavish red fruits that displayed incredible finesse, yet still conveying the Rocks minerality. The finish was decadently long and silky, yet forceful. 20/20 points. As I was writing the notes for this wine, Christophe came up to me and I showed him what I wrote. He was pleased.
2017 "Bionic Frog" Syrah - From the Cocinelle ("ladybug") Vineyard, this was another knockout Bionic Frog. Deep ruby-crimson colored, it possessed intoxicating aromas of raspberry, blueberry, cassis, crushed roses, orange peel, tobacco, lavender, violets and spiced white incense. The flavors were generous, savory and mouth filling, marked by licorice, cocoa, French press and Rocks earth. The back picked up macerated berries, roasted hazelnuts and burnt charcoal, followed by a long sweet-dry finish. Combines elegance and vigor. 20/20 points.
2016 Syrah, Armada Vineyard - From a vineyard planted in 2001, this showed a deep ruby-garnet and a rich, smoky nose of semi-dried fruits, raspberries, blackberries, black currants, dried roses, lavender, brambles, garrigue and smoldering incense. The flavors, too, were rich and earthy, typical of Rocks Syrah, marked by notes of licorice, dark cocoa, French roast. lengthening out on the back with framboise and cassis liqueurs and savory elements, followed by ripe tannins on the finish. 19.5/20 points.
2017 "Impulsivo" Tempranillo - Crimson-garnet colored, this showed a rich nose of wild fruits - raspberries, cherries, currants, plums - with scents of Spanish lavender, violets and wood smoke. The flavors were lavish, yet focused, with layers of fruit, chicory coffee and earth along with typical Tempranillo penetration on the back, with notes of pressed fruits, orange peel and marcona almonds on a lingering Rioja-like sweet-dry tannin finish. 19.5/20 points.
After Cayuse, I drove back to Walla Walla and up to the end of Cottonwood Road to the Reynvaan Family Vineyards Cayuse Weekend event. Here's what I tasted.
2017 Viognier, In the Rocks Vineyard - Fermented in French oak (50% new) this showed lovely aromas and resonant well textured flavors, Rocks minerality and varietal purity throughout. 19.5/20 points.
2017 Grenache Blanc, In the Rocks Vineyard - Fermented in French balls (60% new) this had lovely floral aromas and strikingly crisp yet round and smooth flavors and a lingering, crystalline finish. 19.5/20 points.
2016 "Queen's Road" White Wine, In the Rocks Vineyard - This 55% Marsanne, 45% Viognier combination spent 22 months in new oak. Enticingly aromatic and floral, it showed simultaneously rich and piercing flavors and a long, faintly honeyed finish. 19.5/20 points.
Full reviews of the above three whites to be in the May issue of the Review of Washington Wines.
2017 "The Classic" Cabernet, In the Rocks Vineyard ($75 - presale) - Tasted from the barrel, this 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 17% Petit Verdot and 11% Cabernet Franc showed a deep ruby color and rich aromas of blackberry, cherr, cassis and plum with scents of roses, cigar box and incense. The flavors were full loaded with layers of dark fruits and a long finish. 19.5/20 points.
2016 "The Classic" Cabernet, In the Rocks Vineyard ($75) - This traditional style blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot and 7% Cabernet Franc showed a deep color and rich aromas of blackberries, Bing cherries and cassis, with scents of crushed roses, sweet tobacco, sandalwood and wood smoke. The flavors were deep and penetrating, authoritative yet elegant, with a long fine grained tannin finish. 19.5/20 points.
2016 Syrah, In the Rocks Vineyard ($90) - Co-fermented with 5% Viognier, this displayed a semi-opaque ruby color and intense aromas of wild fruits with scents of crushed roses, tobacco, lavender and spiced incense. The flavors were deliciously lavish yet deep and focused, with layers of black and blue fruits that were underlain with Rocks minerals, and followed by a long, complex, savory finish. 19.5/20 points.
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