OCtober 12,2019
Boutique Reds: Washington vs. California!!!
1. 2013 Galerie Cabernet Sauvignon "Latro" Sonoma County California
Mortar & a taste of black-olive tapenade ride softly layered waves of leathery tannin & peppery clove in this richly balanced wine that features tension between notes of cedar & cured meat. Focused & full bodied, it'll do well in the cellar; drink now through 2023. Cellar Selection Wine Enthusiast (WE)
2. 2012 B Leighton Petit Verdot Yakima Valley Washington
This wine brings aromas of bright flowers, fresh green herbs, green olive & lemony citrus. There is an exquisite sense of weight, balance & deftness to the palate that carries through the extended finish, with expertly managed tannins that back it all up. The green edges may turn off some, but others will look beyond it & find much to enjoy. Rated 92 WE
3. 2013 Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander's Crown Sonoma County California
A famous wine from the early days of The Wine Advocate, this wine comes from a lower elevation of 250 to 360 feet. The wine displays broad, sweet crème de cassis, black cherry & blueberry fruit, some licorice, graphite, a full-bodied mouthfeel, & outstanding length & purity. This is a beauty, & makes me think back to the great 1974, which was the first one I remember tasting. Wine Advocate Rated 94
4. 2015 Gorman Winery Zachary’s Ladder Red Mountain - blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 5% Petit Verdot Washington
It's an inky purple-colored wine from Gorman & offers a big blast of blueberry pie, violets, crushed flowers, & vanilla bean on the nose. Ripe, sexy, full-bodied, & powerful, it's a hell of a lot of wine for the price & has loads to love. Rated 92 Jeb Dunnock (JD)
5. 2016 Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello Vineyard California
This wine comes from the Santa Cruz Mountain estate, & it follows its big brother Monte Bello’s style with a terrific sense of elegance paired with richness. Lots of crème de cassis, crushed violets, vanilla, tobacco leaf, & cedar notes flow to a medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, layered wine that has terrific purity, building tannins, & a great finish. Rated 94 JD
6. 2016 Alexandria Nicole Counoise Destiny Ridge Vineyards Horse Heaven Hills Washington
Counoise is one of the 13 sanctioned varieties used in Châteauneuf-du-Pape & is most commonly used as a blending grape to add complexity & focus. ...This grape thrives on its own when able to reach peak ripeness. This is precisely what our estate vineyard provides. Bright ruby in color, this wine shows lively aromatics of cherry, strawberry, cranberry & rose petal with a touch of spice. Juicy notes of strawberry, cherry, & light plum on the palate, are backed with medium acidity & a lush tannin profile, bringing this dazzling fruit-forward wine together in an elegant finish. Winery
7. 2013 Revana Cabernet Sauvignon Terroir Series California
Elegantly styled, rich & creamy, with a pure mix of dark berry, licorice, cedary oak, mocha & dried herb. A mix of grace, finesse & density, ending with a dash of espresso. Rated 94 Wine Spectator
8. 2016 Sonder Grenache Columbia Valley Washington
Sonder is a byproduct of "an Australian & an American, two winemakers on a journey through Washington vineyards. Modern Australian winemaking, meets Rhone varieties, in the Columbia Valley WA." Candied fruit, tartaric acids, fruit echo's on the finish. Cellar Tracker