This rocked my wine world the other night. Dark and monstrous black and red cherry fruit wrapped in a oaky and spice laden package. Perhaps the best $15 retail wine I have ever tried. DO you like bbq? Because this would kill it with bbq, or anything off the grill, it reminded me of the best Zinfandel I have ever tried but better.
2009 Tarima Hill Monastrell
2009 Omnivore Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
This is the fullest bodied of the bunch so have it last, and a big ribeye steak will be the right direction to go. Dark garnet color, medium+ intensity. On the nose, youthful, medium intensity, black cherry, black raspberry, leather, chocolate, bell pepper, balanced oak, solid wine. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, medium+ tannins, medium acidity, charred peppers, cedar, cigar box, dusty component, layered, strong finish, this wine will keep delivering for a good many years, if you drink now aerate, if you don’t have one of those vinturi gadgets, get one.
2009 Omnivore Cellars Cabenret Franc
Ruby color, medium intensity. On the nose, youthful, medium intensity, candied red cherries, raspberries, orange peel, cedar, spice box, chocolate, leather, balanced oak, complex and though provoking beauty. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, medium tannins, good acidity, with lots of layers, the spices on this and pretty upper tones remind me of an peeling off an evening gown, and the finish like the satin sheets.
2009 Omnivore Cellars Tempranillo
This has been open a couple of hours now and it has evolved immensely, becoming even more approachable. Ruby color, medium intensity. On the nose, youthful, medium+ intensity, cherry, leather, cigar tobacco, cocoa, dill, subtle dust, and nicely balanced oak. On the palate, dry, medium+ intensity, with jammy red fruit, toasted coconut, slight mineral, and a salumi component that had just emerged. This wine is killing it, layered and complex.
1999 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
Some guests brought this in, it rocked, note to public, please let your Quilceda age and evolve into the wine it should. On the nose, it had bouquet, medium+ intensity, still packed with black cherry and black currants, the secondary elements are emerging. like cedar, spice box, vanilla, chocolate, leather, very layered. On the palate, dry, medium+ intensity, velvety tannins, great acidity, and awesome balance and finish.
2001 Chateau St. Michelle Artist Series
Wow! This was a real beauty. Nice garnet color, with some browning to it. On the nose, medium+ intensity, loaded with secondary bouquet, cigar, pencil shavings, tomato leaf, but still holding on the some black cherry, black currant, and plum fruit, with moderate oak. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, layered and complex, medium- tannins, medium acidity, and good length to the finish. This wine made me realize that we do make amazing wine in Washington, and although lately I have been bored by the two dimensions of new world wine, I saw that sometimes it takes 11 years for greatness to come to fruition.
2006 Cardinale Napa
Wow, this was monstrous, loaded with complexity, big explosive black cherry and currant fruit, framed by tobacco and spice, herbs, and beautifully integrated oak. On the palate, muscular, medium+ tannin, black cherry punch in the face, layered with spices, a brilliant balance, medium acidity, and a big time presence, and an awesome finish.
2009 Aletta Garnacha
A new to me old vine Garnacha from Spain. Ruby color. On the nose, youthful, medium intensity, mineral, strawberry, white pepper, flowers, herbs, no oak, but plenty of earth to speak to. On the palate, dry, medium intensity, medium acidity, medium- tannin, bright red fruit, red licorice, a pretty floral component, with a silky mineral laden finish. This wine delivers big time for the price.