2008 Taste of Washington
Qwest Field Event Center, Seattle
Tasted Sunday, April 6, 2008 by Ecbatana with 761 views
Introduction
Most producers agree that 2005 was a truly exceptional vintage due to drought-like conditions (but fairly high yield) that produced intensely flavored berries. A number of othe wines tasted but these are those with the more credible notes.
2005 Efeste Cabernet Sauvignon Big Papa 93 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
First vintage for this new WA state winery. 2005 Big Papa was a favorite of the night, huge bouquet, very floral. Inky dark purple. Thick, big and chewy. Enjoyed talking with wine maker Brennon about his wines and wine-making philosophy
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2006 Northwest Totem Cellars Late Harvest Viognier Elerding Vineyard 93 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
One of big surprises of the night. Not as syrupy as the Kiona late harvest, more refreshing with honeysuckle/honey, peach, very floral and slight citrus that was very pleasing.
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2005 Kiona Gewürztraminer Late Harvest 92 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
One of the big surprises of the night, but liked the Northwest Totem Cellars late harvest Viognier better. Thick & syrupy, almost a dessert topping rather than a dessert wine.
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2004 Northstar Red Wine Stella Maris 88 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Didn't like as much as the Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot, but good none the less. Lacking some of the depth and character with less complexity.
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2004 Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley 90 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Very nice, quite surprising. Great expression of merlot and notably different than other merlots. Earthy, mineral, nice dark fruits with some candied cherries. Candy-like bouquet was very pleasing.
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2005 Efeste Syrah Ceidleigh 87 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Syrah is not my favorite varietal - despite the fact that WA state has such high quality offerings and abundance - so rating is skewed. Young, a little heat. Nice and peppery on the palate. Bouquet was intense and floral characteristic with other Efeste offerings. I really like this winery.
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2005 Quilceda Creek Red Wine Columbia Valley 87 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Meh, this second wine of Quilceda Creek didn't impress, although it is young. Very tight with uninteresting bouquet. Nothing to write home about on the palate. Little finish. I've had several previous vintages of this wine which were quite good so had higher expectations. Dissappointing.
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2005 Betz Family Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille 88 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
I'm optimistic that this wine will improve with time (I'm sure it will). Tight right now, it was stingy with bouquet and palate. Nice use of oak and inky black/plum color. I suspect it would have shown better if given enough time to decant and taste properly. The event didn't offer such a setting.
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2005 Andrew Will Two Blondes Vineyard 89 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
This was the only Andew Will wine being poured at the event. A very nice wine but not my favorite offering from Andrew Will.
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2005 Boudreaux Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points
USA, Washington
I've been a fan of Boudreaux Cellars before Gary Vaynerchuk propelled them into the limelight with his glowing review of the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon. Deserving of all praise, Boudreaux is making some of the finest wine in Washington State (IMHO). Had the opportunity to talk to Rob Newsom's wife Tamara for a while at the tasting. Very pleasant and personable and seemingly unaffected by the Professional reviews. Interestingly, in talking with Gary at the event he hasn't found the more recent offerings from Boudreaux as compelling as the '03. For my part, I found the '05 - albeit young - a wonderful expression of cabernet sauvignon and have little question that this will develop into something special in a few years. Tamara mentioned that Boudreaux has set aside two barrels of '04 cab. that they found to be exceptional, kept it in oak for a longer and are offering it under a Reserve label. Apparently there are a few cases left at the winery.
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2005 Hence Cellars Cultivar 92 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Very impressive new Washington state winery. I thoroughly enjoyed their Syrah and look forward to trying the cab. At the Taste of Washington they were pouring the Syrah and their proprietary red, the Cultivar. Very distinct big floral bouquet. Surprised how much I enjoyed this wine. Thick and viscous, good use of oak, candied red fruits but not overly fruity.
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2005 Long Shadows Wineries Pirouette 90 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Similar characteristics as Pedestal (IMHO) but with more finesse. Lots of oak, but less heat right now. Very nice red/black fruits. Inky dark purple to black. I'm optimistic that this will develop well.
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2005 Long Shadows Wineries Cabernet Sauvignon Feather 89 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
At the tasting the four of us in the group referred to this as "good-ish". Problem is that many '05s from WA state are just not ready for consumption. Very tannic, tight and stingy right now but with serious weight that will develop over the next few years. Better to try (and rate) in the next decade.
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2005 Long Shadows Wineries Chester-Kidder 89 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
To be honest, don't recall if I was trying the '04 or '05. If it was the '05 it was very early since they normally don't release the CK until summer. I suspect it was the '04 since it was more approchable than the other Long Shadows offerings. Allen Shoup's own wine, it generally doesn't receive the acclaim that the other big names in the Long Shadow's portfolio - although as good in my opinion.
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2005 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley 92 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Awesome wine. Pepper Bridge rarely dissappoints. Thick, dark and chewy. Deep and complex. Nice and peppery on the palate.
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2005 Spring Valley Vineyard Uriah 94 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Already enjoyed on several occasions. This is a particularly special, well made wine. I like this vintage of Uriah better than Frederick (unlike previous vintages). A wine worthy of a case purchase. One of the 3 or 4 favorites of the night with intense candied cherry, blackberry and some caramelized raspberry reduction. Viscous, chewy and mouth-staining. Tannic, but approachable young with enough decanting time. Outstanding!
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2005 Spring Valley Vineyard Frederick 93 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
One of my all-time favorites from WA state. This wine is poised to develop into something special. Big, rich and mean right now. Would probably show better if properly decanted at its current young age. Heavy cherry and blackberry on the palate with some pencil lead. Very tannic, good use of oak. I have high hopes that this will develop well as the past three vintages are doing so.
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2005 Nicholas Cole Cellars Michele 92 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
First vintage of Michele from what I gather. Very impressive. Giant floral and red fruit bouquet. The Nicholas Cole Camille is a merlot dominated wine where the Michele is a cab. dominated. The producer indicated that due to the high quality of the cab. vintage in '05 it was just too compelling to make wine that is primarily cabernet sauvignon - and what a fine job they did.
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2005 Nicholas Cole Cellars Camille 90 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Another stellar offering and vintage of Camille. Although I found this overshadowed by the new cab. dominated Nicholas Cole Michele.
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2004 Robert Karl Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 88 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills
I wanted to like this wine more than I did. Might have been overshadowed by the fact that I had the Nicholas Cole, Pepper Bridge and Woodward Canyon preceeding the Robert Karl. As a result my rating may be skewed. Not as genererous as others, somewhat one dimensional, straight forward and not particularly complex.
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2005 Januik Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 87 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Wanted to like this wine more and may yet be generous with my rating anyway. A bit austere and somewhat tart. The fruit was somewhat muted.
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2005 Des Voigne Cellars Solea 88 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Hadn't tried anything from Des Voigne before the Taste of Washington. Sought them out based on recommendation from friend and colleague. Very good, a bit fruity for my taste though in both the bouquet and the palate.
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2005 Long Shadows Wineries Merlot Pedestal 91 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
One of several signature offerings from the mass producing ultra-premium wine engine of Washington State. Pedestal is Michel Rolland's niche in the Long Shadow's portfolio. Always working his wines to eek out every possible Parker point, this is a heavily oaked brute that will undoubtedly work out well in a couple of years but too much heat right now that overpowers the fruit. I've owned (and consumed) every vintage since the label's inception. The '05 is the most concentrated, almost port-like. I also suspect it will be the longest lived.
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2004 Côte Bonneville DuBrul Vineyard 95 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
Enjoyed at 2008 Taste of Washington in Seattle. This wine was the favorite of the night. Wish I had more time to talk to the producers. Inky black/dark purple. Massive bouquet of caramelized red and black fruit reduction with some graphite like notes as well. Nice use of oak, thick and meaty palate, long finish. Fabulous wine, albeit quite expensive at $120/bottle.
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