Sommelier Journal

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	Vintage Name Variety	Publication Reviewer Score More...
Red	2005 Bergevin Lane Syrah Oui Deux Columbia Valley more	Sommelier Journal , Benjamin T. Weinberg October 2009 8% Viognier. Well-balanced aromas of musky perfume and apricot float on a deep river of blood orange and blackberry. Easy to drink Terroir: Wahluke Slope
White	2007 Biblia Chora Ovilos White Pangeon White Blend more	Sommelier Journal , Catherine Fallis, MS, ACWP October 2009 This blend of 50% Assyrtiko and 50% Sémillon, crafted by partners Vassilis Tsaktsarlis and Evangelos Gerovassiliou, has a complex nose of sea spray, pine, chalk, Meyer lemon, quince paste, dried pineapple, dried apricot, pistachio, and sage. On the palate, it is medium-boided and creamy, with underlying notes of pine, lemon, and apple; bright acidity; and subtle, seamlessly integrated oak tannins. Very distinguished. Hot Picks
Red	2007 Cellers Can Blau Montsant Can Blau Red Blend more	Sommelier Journal , Christie Dufault, ACWP October 2009 To say this wine is a tremendous value is an understatement. Ah, Garnacha grown in the mountains of Tarragona! A deep purple-red, it explodes with plum, blackberry, and spice aromatics; on the palate, it's full-bodied, richly textured, and savory. Despite the impact, the wine is balanced, with a smooth, long finish. It's distinctly Spanish, but if you pronounce the name in French, it sounds like a party. Hot Picks
Red	2004 Bodegas Luis Cañas Rioja Crianza Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo more	Sommelier Journal , Catherine Fallis, MS, ACWP October 2009 Here's a terrific by-the-glass option to pair with more elegant, refined dishes. While not a blockbuster, this medium-bodied, entry-level Rioja offers notes of tomato, plum, and tobacco, with a slight hint of spicy-oak vanillin. Because it is a small-production, limited-distribution wine, you can rest assured it won't end up case-stacked and deeply discounted in the chains. Hot Picks
White	2007 Domaine Costal Chablis Les Truffières Chardonnay more	Sommelier Journal , Christie Dufault, ACWP October 2009 What happens when a great domaine (Jean Collet) with a rare surplus of juice teams up with a talented winemaker (Bernard Raveneau) and a smart businessman (Kermit Lynch)? A miracle of amazing-value Chablis. This wine is already a classic, with aromatics of limestone, wet rock, and tart citrus. On the palate, it has a profound attack; the texture alone will keep you awake and sharp-witted all day. Complex, bone-dry flavors of minerals and raw almonds dance on the palate. It's beautifully balanced and medium-bodied, with a lingering finish. Hot Picks
Red	2007 Couloir Pinot Noir Roma's Vineyard Anderson Valley more	Sommelier Journal , Christie Dufault, ACWP October 2009 Grapes from an organically farmed vineyard at 1,850 feet above the Anderson Valley floor make this elegant, restrained Pinot Noir. The wine shows classic aromatics of cherry, mineral, and earth; the acidity and structure harmonize to create a fine, complex taste sensation. Only eight barrels were produced, but the wine is well worth seeking out. Especially if you ski the steep stufff. Hot Picks
White	2008 De Martino Chardonnay Legado Limarí Valley more	Sommelier Journal , Patricia Savoie October 2009 Nutty aromas are joined by lemon and pineapple on the nose and palate, with clean acidity. Elqui and Limarí: Chile’s Northern Valleys
White	2008 De Martino Sauvignon Blanc Maipo Valley more	Sommelier Journal , Patricia Savoie October 2009 Fresh minerality and citrus fruits dominate the nose. Piercing acidity makes this a fine food accompaniment. Elqui and Limarí: Chile’s Northern Valleys
White	2006 Desert Wind Vineyard Chardonnay Bare Naked Desert Wind Vineyard Wahluke Slope more	Sommelier Journal , Benjamin T. Weinberg October 2009 Bright, Luscious pears and apples fill the nose, and intense, spicy apples and peaches round out this thirst-quencher. A winery that clearly knows what it is doing. Terroir: Wahluke Slope
White	2006 Desert Wind Vineyard Riesling Wahluke Slope more	Sommelier Journal , Benjamin T. Weinberg October 2009 This off-dry bottling attacks with a ripe, rich apricot-and-honeydew nose, leading to a crisply citrusy midpalate and a soft, lingering finish. Those who like good Washington state Riesling will enjoy this one. Terroir: Wahluke Slope
Red	2005 Desert Wind Vineyard RUAH Wahluke Slope Red Bordeaux Blend more	Sommelier Journal , Benjamin T. Weinberg October 2009 Full-bodied and rich garnet in color, this Bordeaux blend features a lush core of concentrated blackberry fruit, accented with a hint of anise. Notes of toasted oak and nutty spice complement soft, velvety tannins and a lingering finish Terroir: Wahluke Slope
Red	2005 Desert Wind Vineyard Syrah Desert Wind Vineyard Wahluke Slope more	Sommelier Journal , Benjamin T. Weinberg October 2009 Deep and dark, with aromas of pepper, toasted almond, and clove, followed by a hint of smoke. Medium-bodied, it delivers anise, chocolate, and coffee, melding into dark berries and plum. Terroir: Wahluke Slope
Red	2006 Fielding Hills Cabernet Franc Riverbend Vineyard Wahluke Slope more	Sommelier Journal , Benjamin T. Weinberg October 2009 83% Cabernet Franc, 6% each of Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Gunpowder, roasted meat, and orange peel suffuse this throaty, full-bore red. Violets, blueberries, and white pepper dominate the long, clean finish. Terroir: Wahluke Slope
Red	2006 Gilbert Cellars Claret Wahluke Slope Red Bordeaux Blend more	Sommelier Journal , Benjamin T. Weinberg October 2009 A Left Bank lookalike claret that definitey overdelivers at this price point. Sturdy tannins blanket soft black-cherry and watermelon fruit. Graphite notes carry through a long, silky finish. Terroir: Wahluke Slope
White - Sparkling	NV Alfred Gratien Champagne Cuvée Classique Brut Champagne Blend more	Sommelier Journal , Christie Dufault, ACWP October 2009 The 145-year-old Champagne house of Alfred Gratien may be humble, but it crafts some of the most distinctive cuvées in the region. This non-vintage version is a blend of nearly equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier with a dose of Pinot Noir, all from grand cru vineyards. The barrel-fermented base wine remains in cask until spring, resulting in a wine of unique character, with a chalky, toasted nose and a round, yet minerally palate. Although it is profoundly expressive and flavorful, it exhibits an elegance and finesse that only the top Champagne producers routinely achieve. Hot Picks
Orange	2001 Gravner Ribolla Gialla Anfora Venezia Giulia IGT more	Sommelier Journal , Alder Yarrow October 2009 A distinct and vibrant medium-orange color in the glass, this wine smells of something otherworldly—a concoction of roasted nuts, bee pollen, orange-blossom honey, and an elusive floral aroma. In the mouth, it’s unusually silky without being heavy on the tongue. Awash with a myriad of flavors ranging from wet dirt to orange Creamsicle, tangerine zest, and pine sap, the wine is a Technicolor dreamcoat of flavors that all but force a smile. Despite being made from white grapes, it has a distinct, light tannic structure that gives it a muscular quality. Excellent acidity and a minute-long finish seal the bargain. Outstanding. Hot Picks
Red	2006 Hard Row to Hoe Syrah Wahluke Slope more	Sommelier Journal , Benjamin T. Weinberg October 2009 Bright ruby in color, this raspberry-cloaked mass of ripe cherry fruit finishes with blackberries, pears, and clotted cream. Decadent and fun. Terroir: Wahluke Slope
White	2008 L'Ecole No. 41 Sémillon Fries Vineyard Wahluke Slope more	Sommelier Journal , Benjamin T. Weinberg October 2009 This crisp, lively, aromatic gem displays multiple layers of fresh apple, pear, and apricot fruit, with spicy floral and honeysuckle aromas and hints of fresh fig and tangerine on a clean, zesty finish. Terroir: Wahluke Slope
Red	2005 Luca Malbec Nico Mendoza more	Sommelier Journal , Catherine Fallis, MS, ACWP October 2009 This world-class red combines the concentration, structure, polish, and longevity of a top-notch Bordeaux with immediately appealing ripe fruit. Argentine Malbec grown in these high altitudes doesn't get jammy or sweet; it ripens slowly over a long growing season, so the fruit is full yet not in your face, and the color and tannins are beautifully developed. I love the interplay of blueberry and violets with the expensive, toasty oak, but most of all I love the balance. Decanting is recommended for aeration. Hot Picks
Red	2005 Maycas Del Limari Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Especial Limarí Valley more	Sommelier Journal , Patricia Savoie October 2009 10% Syrah. Blackcurrant and dark-cherry aromas overlay a spicy backdrop, with notes of coffee and toast. Elqui and Limarí: Chile’s Northern Valleys
White	2006 Maycas Del Limari Chardonnay Reserva Especial Limarí Valley more	Sommelier Journal , Patricia Savoie October 2009 After a stony-mineral nose, this wine fills the mouth with pure pear, green-apple, and Meyer-lemon fruit. The acidity cuts through and holds firm for minutes. The 2007 is softer, with less obvious acidity and stronger fruit notes. Oak treatment makes these wines even more complex. Elqui and Limarí: Chile’s Northern Valleys
White	2008 Maycas Del Limari Sauvignon Blanc Limarí Valley more	Sommelier Journal , Patricia Savoie October 2009 Mineral and citrus on the nose, with some grassy notes. The finish is fresh and clean. Elqui and Limarí: Chile’s Northern Valleys
Red	2006 Maycas Del Limari Syrah Reserva Especial Limarí Valley more	Sommelier Journal , Patricia Savoie October 2009 The grapes are sourced from a small vineyard on the banks of the Limarí River. Blackberry, blueberry, black pepper, and spice combine with crisp acidity. The 2007 is redolent of stone, plum, dark fruit, and smoke. Elqui and Limarí: Chile’s Northern Valleys
White	2007 Milbrandt Vineyards Chenin Blanc Columbia Valley more	Sommelier Journal , Benjamin T. Weinberg October 2009 An appealingly fresh bouquet of kiwi and green melon is followed by ripe, yellow-apple sweetness, balanced by clean, lip-smacking acidity. A real winner. Terroir: Wahluke Slope
Red	2005 Milbrandt Vineyards Merlot Legacy Wahluke Slope more	Sommelier Journal , Benjamin T. Weinberg October 2009 A smorgasbord of ripe blackberry, baking spices, tobacco, plum, cherry, and coffee. Dense, lush, and voluptuous, the wine finishes with moderate oak and a light touch of cassis. Terroir: Wahluke Slope

Reviews: 58 /
Wines: 56

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Issue Text:

2005 Bergevin Lane Syrah Oui Deux

2007 Biblia Chora Ovilos White

2007 Cellers Can Blau Montsant Can Blau

2004 Bodegas Luis Cañas Rioja Crianza

2007 Domaine Costal Chablis Les Truffières

2007 Couloir Pinot Noir Roma's Vineyard

2008 De Martino Chardonnay Legado

2008 De Martino Sauvignon Blanc

2006 Desert Wind Vineyard Chardonnay Bare Naked Desert Wind Vineyard

2006 Desert Wind Vineyard Riesling

2005 Desert Wind Vineyard RUAH

2005 Desert Wind Vineyard Syrah Desert Wind Vineyard

2006 Fielding Hills Cabernet Franc Riverbend Vineyard

2006 Gilbert Cellars Claret

NV Alfred Gratien Champagne Cuvée Classique Brut

2001 Gravner Ribolla Gialla Anfora

2006 Hard Row to Hoe Syrah

2008 L'Ecole No. 41 Sémillon Fries Vineyard

2005 Luca Malbec Nico

2005 Maycas Del Limari Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Especial

2006 Maycas Del Limari Chardonnay Reserva Especial

2008 Maycas Del Limari Sauvignon Blanc

2006 Maycas Del Limari Syrah Reserva Especial

2007 Milbrandt Vineyards Chenin Blanc

2005 Milbrandt Vineyards Merlot Legacy Wahluke Slope

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