2002 was the first vintage of this wine, purchased on release, stored @55degrees. Popped & poured and allowed to develop in the glass. Moderately intense nose of black cherry and syrah (not unlike a lot of chateauneuf du pape i've had over the years), leading into an intense plummy, cedary, peppery midpalate that's rich but relatively dry (even though it's mostly merlot w/19 percent syrah. Nice finish of tar, cherry, black raspberry, and cedar box notes.
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Wow. Had little hope for this as the label was discolored so I assumed it had been mistreated. Cork was perfect. Nose is a little mute upon opening but palate has nice sweet fruit, structure that feels a bit resolved but still balanced. This should be quite nice with food. Ribeye with bordelaise I'm thinking.
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94-95. Phenomenal, one of the best wines I’ve had in some time. Not drinking anywhere near it’s 16 years either. No need to wait, but no need to rush to drink it either
Roasty and toasty...still a great nose, and wonderful mouthful of fruit. Perhaps losing a step on the depth of the mid-palate, but still a beauty after 13 years. Love the long shadows, and what they do, and how they do it. But drink these now, ya hear?
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If you know me, you know that I don't like anyone messing with my Bordeaux blends. This one has a touch of Syrah in the mix. But being that it's from my native Washington I let it slide. Plus they use a good amount of oak, which I like. Super charred nose on this, giving way, after an hour or so, to beautiful red and blue fruits, some dry spice, but at this point what's left is just smooth fruit, vanilla, and some mocha-like nuances. Wonderful evening, great wine, but now is the time to drink these, gang.
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From magnum. Aromas of vanilla, black fruit, plum and pepper. Mellows a bit in the glass, and features flavors of dark fruit, plum, tobacco and vanilla.
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Washington Wine Trip; 6/15/2012-6/19/2012: Decanted for approximately 6 hours by our servers, prior to dinner. My first experience with a properly cellared and aged Washington state Cabernet blend. Shows a beautifully mature deep garnet color, which lightens to medium brown at the rim. The nose of this wine is one of sweet fig, ripe black currant, and plum, all drizzled in balsamic vinegar, and just the slightest hint of clove and licorice in the upper register. On the palate, this wine is expansive and complex, showing off ripe dark fruit characteristics that have now been reigned in by the bottle age, allowing the licorice and clove component to play alongside the prune and cassis flavors, all supported by a perfectly balanced acidity and velvety, well-integrated tannins that lead into a long, mineral-infused, ripe cassis finish. On a perfect drinking plateau now, I hesitate to guess how long this wine will continue to drink so well (maybe 8-10 more years?), but it is so gorgeous now, it would be hard not to drink these up. Paired this evening alongside 2 different preparations of lamb (braised shoulder vs wood-grilled loin) with oregano-cumin panisse, grilled garlic, young carrots, buttered favas, and saffron jus. The flavors and background spice of this dish were matched so perfectly with that of the wine, I would say it was the most stunning wine and food pairing I have ever experienced. The pinnacle course of a perfect meal.
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If you have any of these...wait to drink them or decant for several hours. This wine isn't ready yet. After about 2 hours, the fruit, earth, and spice start showing up but likely would be better in 12-18 months. Not to be consumed without food due to the noticeable tannins.
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This wine is dark and inky with subdued yet intense dark fruit and spices. Reminded me of a french oak wine. Subtle and soft on the tongue, the wine is more mysterious and brooding then bright and forward. I liked it a lot. Unfortunately this was a very small production but will experiment with more Chester Kidder wines.
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8/9/2022 - MoreWinePlease Likes this wine: 92 Points
2002 was the first vintage of this wine, purchased on release, stored @55degrees. Popped & poured and allowed to develop in the glass. Moderately intense nose of black cherry and syrah (not unlike a lot of chateauneuf du pape i've had over the years), leading into an intense plummy, cedary, peppery midpalate that's rich but relatively dry (even though it's mostly merlot w/19 percent syrah. Nice finish of tar, cherry, black raspberry, and cedar box notes.
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6/26/2022 - redz wrote: 91 Points
Our favorite of a flight of 2001-2006 CK's. Wouldn't hold a lot longer.
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9/14/2020 - Cruzin Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow. Had little hope for this as the label was discolored so I assumed it had been mistreated. Cork was perfect. Nose is a little mute upon opening but palate has nice sweet fruit, structure that feels a bit resolved but still balanced. This should be quite nice with food. Ribeye with bordelaise I'm thinking.
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10/1/2018 - Dar3 wrote: 94 Points
94-95. Phenomenal, one of the best wines I’ve had in some time. Not drinking anywhere near it’s 16 years either. No need to wait, but no need to rush to drink it either
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3/25/2015 - TallMikeWine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Roasty and toasty...still a great nose, and wonderful mouthful of fruit. Perhaps losing a step on the depth of the mid-palate, but still a beauty after 13 years. Love the long shadows, and what they do, and how they do it. But drink these now, ya hear?
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1/20/2015 - TallMikeWine Likes this wine: 91 Points
If you know me, you know that I don't like anyone messing with my Bordeaux blends. This one has a touch of Syrah in the mix. But being that it's from my native Washington I let it slide. Plus they use a good amount of oak, which I like. Super charred nose on this, giving way, after an hour or so, to beautiful red and blue fruits, some dry spice, but at this point what's left is just smooth fruit, vanilla, and some mocha-like nuances. Wonderful evening, great wine, but now is the time to drink these, gang.
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11/17/2013 - silbakor Likes this wine: 93 Points
Spectacular.
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3/15/2013 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
From magnum. Aromas of vanilla, black fruit, plum and pepper. Mellows a bit in the glass, and features flavors of dark fruit, plum, tobacco and vanilla.
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7/8/2012 - W2WineGuy Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted for multiple hours, very well integrated, great color and nose, medium to long finish, real nice!
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6/17/2012 - drrobvino wrote: 94 Points
Washington Wine Trip; 6/15/2012-6/19/2012: Decanted for approximately 6 hours by our servers, prior to dinner. My first experience with a properly cellared and aged Washington state Cabernet blend. Shows a beautifully mature deep garnet color, which lightens to medium brown at the rim. The nose of this wine is one of sweet fig, ripe black currant, and plum, all drizzled in balsamic vinegar, and just the slightest hint of clove and licorice in the upper register. On the palate, this wine is expansive and complex, showing off ripe dark fruit characteristics that have now been reigned in by the bottle age, allowing the licorice and clove component to play alongside the prune and cassis flavors, all supported by a perfectly balanced acidity and velvety, well-integrated tannins that lead into a long, mineral-infused, ripe cassis finish. On a perfect drinking plateau now, I hesitate to guess how long this wine will continue to drink so well (maybe 8-10 more years?), but it is so gorgeous now, it would be hard not to drink these up.
Paired this evening alongside 2 different preparations of lamb (braised shoulder vs wood-grilled loin) with oregano-cumin panisse, grilled garlic, young carrots, buttered favas, and saffron jus. The flavors and background spice of this dish were matched so perfectly with that of the wine, I would say it was the most stunning wine and food pairing I have ever experienced. The pinnacle course of a perfect meal.
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10/13/2007 - Kellious wrote: 87 Points
If you have any of these...wait to drink them or decant for several hours. This wine isn't ready yet. After about 2 hours, the fruit, earth, and spice start showing up but likely would be better in 12-18 months. Not to be consumed without food due to the noticeable tannins.
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4/9/2007 - PapaBoomBoom wrote: 90 Points
This wine is dark and inky with subdued yet intense dark fruit and spices. Reminded me of a french oak wine. Subtle and soft on the tongue, the wine is more mysterious and brooding then bright and forward. I liked it a lot. Unfortunately this was a very small production but will experiment with more Chester Kidder wines.
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