Monthly Men's Wine Dinner

We returned to our corner table in the trendy 2120 restaurant in South Lake Union once again for our monthly blind-tasting dinner. The food just keeps getting better here and the service has always been wonderful. We ordered a raft of appetizers and began sampling the juice.

• 2010 Cadence Camerata Cara Mia Vineyard 96 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain

  Wow! I pegged this as a young Medoc, with high acid, great balance, and a long finish of dried herbs. I did not know Washington State could make wine this good. Drinking spectacularly right now. Unknown aging potential. My and the group's WOTN.

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• 2003 Abreu Rothwell Hyde 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  Christmas spices, black fruit, medium body, long finish. I wasn't surprised to find this was David Abreu's low-end offering. Delicious mountain fruit. My #3 of 5 and the group's #2.

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• 2005 Château Malescot St. Exupéry 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Very restrained even after a 90 minute decant. Perhaps this is in a closed phase. Some dark fruit and black tea but it wasn't giving up much. My #4 of 5 and the group's #5.

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• 2014 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

  Young, primary, waxy. I didn't like the way this showed at all but the group was more forgiving. My #5 of 5 and the group's tied for #3.

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• 2008 K Vintners Syrah Royal City 95 Points

  USA, Washington

  Roasted meat on the nose, full body, spicy black fruit filling the palate, medium finish. I enjoy this style very much but it's not for everyone. My #2 of 5 and the group's tied for #3.

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We had a clear win for the value hounds with Cadence's beautiful Bordeaux blend Camerata. There are a few bottles of this at some Total Wines around the State but it won't be easy to find otherwise. If you have this in your cellar, your patience has been rewarded. The Margaux didn't show well for some reason and perhaps is entering a closed phase or needed more decanting time.

My ranking:
1. 2010 Cadence Camerata Cara Mia Vineyard ($55)
2. 2008 Charles Smith Syrah Royal City ($120)
3. 2003 Abreu Rothwell Hyde ($88)
4. 2005 Château Malescot St. Exupéry ($113)
5. 2014 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley ($30)

The group's ranking:
1. 2010 Cadence Camerata Cara Mia Vineyard
2. 2003 Abreu Rothwell Hyde
3 (tie). 2008 Charles Smith Syrah Royal City
3 (tie). 2014 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley
5. 2005 Château Malescot St. Exupéry

Next month we decided to do a non-Cabernet theme with no bottle containing more than 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. Until then...