Passport to Woodinville '05

Tasted Sunday, April 3, 2005 by lorenzo with 1,207 views

Flight 1 (1 Note)

Unfortunately Baer was not pouring Ursa and the Arctos was closed.

  • 2002 Baer Winery Arctos

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    Wow. This was not open for business.
    Unrevealing nose.
    Attacked by tannins and an acidic (?) bite on the very closed palate.
    Definitely some fruit (cherry) lurking but
    The bottle was just opened unfortunately -- and we didn't have time to wait for the palate to unfold.
    Wish they would pre-open and decant (wines that need it) for these tastings !!
    Must retaste (but i'd guess in the 87-89 range.)

    Got to try a barrel sample of the '04 Stillwater Cab Franc.
    Grapey/Cherry/Raspberry fruit and fine tannins

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Flight 2 (5 Notes)

Arrived at the same time as large tour bus. This place was 'asses to elbows'

  • 2003 Januik Chardonnay Cold Creek Vineyard 83 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

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  • 2002 Januik Merlot Columbia Valley 87 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    <tasting room was very crowded and cold -- less than ideal conditions>
    Rasberries and Wood on the Nose.
    Rasberries, mocha and wood on the palate.
    Nice mouthfeel and length.
    Fellow pouring said give it some age and watch it shine.
    Wish the wood was a little more in the background.

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  • 2002 Januik Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 85 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    <tasting room was very crowded and cold -- less than ideal conditions>
    No mistaking the nose as a Cab.
    On the palate - Cassis, dark cherries and a decent finish.
    rather approachable now.
    84-6

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  • 2002 Novelty Hill Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 87 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    Nice QPR.
    At $20, I found this tasting as well or better than anything else at this stop.
    Very nice nose of Plums and Dark Fruits.
    A ripe cab that finishes with decent length, tannic finish
    87-89 - this could go higher with a little more age (or air.)

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  • 2002 Novelty Hill Winery Merlot 86 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    Enjoyable merlot.
    ripe rich cherries and berries, chocolate on the palate.
    good length and character.
    a slightly offputting vegetal note that kept popping up was the only thing that kept this from going higher.
    i'd like to retaste at some point to see if it reappears. i could see this reaching up.

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Flight 3 (2 Notes)

Multiple IPods hooked up to slick small speakers pumping rock music to a crowd that (at least when we were there) had no idea what they were listening to -- 'are we in woodinville anymore?' 'I don't know, but the rock star / winemaker will sign your body with a metallic pen if you like.'

  • 2002 Mark Ryan Long Haul Ciel du Cheval Vineyard 88 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain

    A very enjoyable Merlot, but I wish the wood was slightly more restrained.
    Chocolate, Rasberries, cherries.
    A med-long nice finish.
    I would happily drink this.
    $35 -- 88-89

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  • 2002 Mark Ryan Dead Horse Ciel du Cheval Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain

    My Wine of the Day/Event.
    A very nice surprise.
    Complex palate -- Lush with lots of vibrant fruit,
    restrained wood.
    Was just about to congratulate the Owner, when I realized he was discussing the possibility of signing someone's butt with a metallic pen.
    Hmmm -- nevertheless, this was a classy and well presented beverage.
    $38 -- 92+

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Flight 4 (3 Notes)

Cathy and Bob couldn't be nicer and their wines continue to impress.

  • 2002 Betz Family Clos de Betz 92 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    Wow this was a surprise.
    Big Dark fruits on the nose and some evidence of wood.
    The big juicy fruit carried over to the palate, the wood was very restrained, and there were some nice mocha/espresso and spicey notes.
    Nice long Finish with noticeable tannins.

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  • 2002 Betz Family Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille 91 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    Very dark with a very inviting nose of sweet dark fruits.
    When the wine hit my palate, it was not as sweet and lush and I expected.
    Clos De Betz that preceeded this taste, was a bigger juicier experience.
    Cathy retrieved this for us from a private stash -- I wish I knew how long it had been opened.
    Nonethelss this was very enjoyable and obviously well crafted,
    Medium bodied, soft round fruit and a very nice long finish.
    91+

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  • 2004 Betz Family Syrah La Côte Rousse 92 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain

    Barrel Taste
    This wine has a long life ahead of it and will surely change considerably over the next few years.
    Wild nose that was smokey, gamey, slightly green, but all the while dark fruits looming in the background.
    Great stuff - Myriad of Syrah flavors in a big ripe and lush palate.
    I look forward to seeing how this evolves
    92+

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Flight 5 (3 Notes)

I realize others disagree, but these wines never seem to excite me, and they also seem overpriced.

  • 2002 Matthews Claret 82 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    Mousey / Gamey Nose.
    Cherry notes and some chocolate on the palate,
    but the wood was dragging me down

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  • 2001 Matthews Red Wine 84 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

    Interesting Nose - Cinnamon, cherry, some vegetal notes.
    Cherries, cassis. Spicy, tannic finish.
    Noticeable wood was slightly distracting

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  • 1999 Matthews Red Wine 87 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

    Picking up gamey notes and wood on the nose.
    Blackberries, cherries and chocolate on the palate.
    Fine tannic finish.

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Flight 6 (2 Notes)

Strong showing for Delille.

  • 2004 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Blanc 90 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    <Barrel Sample>
    I was very impressed with this white. 58% SBlanc and 42% Semillion
    Murky and Cloudy at this stage.
    Strong aromas of grapefruit and honey carried right onto the concentrated palate.
    Crisp acidity and a nice lingering finish.

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  • 2003 DeLille Cellars D2 90 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

    <Barrel Sample>
    My experience with Delille (and D2 specifically) only reaches back several vintages, but todays 2 barrel samples were the clearly the finest of their respective ilk.
    This looks like it will shape up as my favorite D2. Bigger, Bolder and more complex than other D2s I've had. Round mouthful of Cherries and Mocha. Enough fruit to hold up the wood.

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Flight 7 (5 Notes)

Owners Peggy and John were extremly nice, the wines just were not singing my tune.

Flight 8 (5 Notes)

We also stopped by Woodhouse Family Cellars. The two wines they were pouring were enjoyable -- a Maggie (?) Merlot (84-86points) and a Kennedy Syrah (86-88 points.) I didn't get the appropriate materials/handouts and they have so many names/labels you need a program!

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