Recently in Washington Category

I have long been a fan of this under-priced second label. I have purchased half racks of this wine for the past few vintages and it always delivers at that price. On the nose, youthful, medium intensity, plum, blackberry, violet, black licorice, moderate oak, and not really any oak to speak of. On the palate, dry, not tannic, but med+ structured, tar violets, pepper, good black fruit component, leafy vegetal element, not earthy, and not oaky. Good character for the dollar. I have not consumed the last 04 if that means anything.

One of the best wineries in Washington state, producing single vineyard Bordeaux blends from his backyard on Vashon Island. Champoux Vineyard is one of the most acclaimed in the state, with some of the oldest vines. The wine had focus and balance, really enticing nose, currants, black cherry tobacco, perfume, dust, cigar box. On the palate, the first sip felt hollow, but the second had structure, more of a medium tannin, medium acidity. What was impressive was the balance of this wine and the finish went on for a while. Andrew Will never lets me down.

I have had this wine many times and always happy about it, tonight was no exception. Great complexity, with a mix of blackberries and red currants,plum, cassis, cocoa, integrated oak, and very nice tannic structure for a merlot based wine. I really feel like this wine will evolve well. If you have some in the cellar don't drink it all, you probably spent about $43 a bottle so make it worth your while and let this wine chill in a dark spot that has no vibration, a constant 70% humidity, and maintains a steady 58-62 degrees F. and you will be quite happy in decade.

I remember every vintage of this wine back to 99, and all have been great wines. So many people would come into the restaurant and ask for "that great washington blend that is cheap". Supply met demand, and there has been a 15%+ a year increase in cost. OK, maybe my stats are a little are a little off, but I work at one of the most expensive places in town and see people paying these prices all the time. Tonight I had 04 and right away noticed the cloudiness of this wine, which doesn't bother me, but the fact that the nose faded did. Enticing cherry, blackberry, and currant, a touch of dust and then the wine ....poof.... disappeared. I Don't advise paying $100 for in a restaurant, if you can find it for $40 you might want to try it, but my advice is to save your money for the Harrison Hill and Chaleur Estsate. D2 is made up of the grapes that don't make it into there top wines, don't pay too much for a second label with a large reputation.

Really interesting nose of meat, black currants, dark berries, dairy, and black pepper. The price tag on this wine is one of the highest in the state of washington, and for good reason, the pedigree of fruit and winemaking is as good as it gets. Officially, Parker gave the 2003 100 points, but there were rumors of a make-up call because the 2002 was better and should have received the higher score, or some shit like that. This wine was very enjoyable, but was more of a finesse wine and I was hoping for some power and structure. I just had a two ounce pour, so this could have evolved further, hard to say. I however, wouldn't spend the money on this wine, and feel like it's a drink now, as apposed to the 2003 that wasn't showing as well as it will be when it matures and integrates.

Great Nose. Black raspberry, cassis, and loads of cassis, Vanilla, choco covered cherry, tobacco. All on a medium bodied frame, with good acitity. This is my friend Patrick's favorite producer and for good reason. This wine had character as all of their wines do.

This was my first time with this winery, although I have had their fruit in other wines and really enjoyed them. Right away this wine was dusty and dirty, and my rep was saying thats the style the winemaker goes for. Dark cherry, Cassis, and a mild semi sweet pickle juice mixed with dusty fruit thing. Very intriguing aromas, of great cabernet flavors, could see this wine evlolving to that perfumey cigar box, but don't think it has the tannic structure to age that well. I want to re-visit this wine many times.

This single vineyard merlot comes from one of the top vineyards in Walla Walla, Wa. There is a consistent earthiness to Walla Walla fruit, and this wine has that and some dark cherry covered in cocoa, really velvety mouthfeel, dust, some pickle juice, very well integrated oak. Kept my intrigue. Always liked this winery, and am wondering how they have stayed so competitively priced.

Went to the brand new very impressive winery in Woodinville this past weekend. This wine stood out of the thirty plus I tried that day. Great exercise for the palate. But this cab seamed to pop, had great earth and dustiness, like the other single vineyard cabs by Januik. Chamoux just jumped with fruit and brought another dimension to the wine, great earth, acidty, tannic structure, overall balance, but then you had to bring some really appealing dark berry fruit into the equation, now thats too much. Buy some of this wine.