Minneapolis Wine Spectator Offline - Washington Reds

Seven Twin Cities area WS members gathered for a long evening of wine, food, and good company. All wines were opened upon arrival at the restaurant (only the SQN was double decanted at home) and drank in the order indicated (non-blind). We tried to order the wines from the least amount of body to the most. As I did not write anything down during the tasting these are my morning after notes.
The loose theme was Washington Cabernet Sauvignon blends, with a few other wines thrown in for comparison and dessert.

Drank in the order indicated over appetizers. We attempted to go from light to heavy body, and I think had we switched the Chester-Kidder and Two Blondes we would have succeeded. The SQN was poured just before dinner.

• 2007 Trinchero Merlot Chicken Ranch Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  PnP, and it was evident that this wine needed time to smooth out, as the tannins were overpowering at the start. We went back to this one later in the evening and it had improved, but still paled in comparison to the other wines, as it lacked the balanced structure of the other reds.
  Focused, dry, and tannic with plenty of fruit left. I'd say try to age this another year or two before drinking, but I'm not sure that will help much.

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• 2009 Gramercy Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 91 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 9% Merlot. 35% New Oak, 100% French Oak (22 Months).
  With not a whole lot going on aromatically, where this cab really excels is the polished body and finish. Soft fruits caresses your palate, and seamlessly transitions into a long flavorful finish. Delightfully light in style, this is not your typical cab.
  More old-school Bordeaux in style than New World Cali, yet ready to drink now. I would be curious to try it again in a few years to see where it goes.

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• 2006 Long Shadows Wineries Chester-Kidder 92 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Syrah, 10% Petit Verdot, 9% Cabernet Franc. 30 months in 90% new French Oak.
  Purple in color, with the age showing slightly on the rim. Drinking well now. Layered and concentrated, the effect of the syrah was evident when compared with the Andrew Will Two Blondes (and the lower percentage of cab franc on the nose as well). Strong aromas and flavors of blackberry, blueberry, and a hint of pepper. Well balanced, while being fruit forward.
  With this kind of concentration, this is not a wine for everyone, and I enjoyed this more than my wife.

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• 2007 Andrew Will Two Blondes Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

  40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Cabernet Franc, 19% Merlot, 7% Malbec. 21 months in Taransaud French Oak, 35% new.
  Lighter in color and body than the Chester Kidder, where this wine really shone was the lovely floral & fruity cab franc dominated nose. Less spice than the Chester Kidder, but more fruit forward. Long smooth finish.
  I preferred the aroma of the Two Blondes, but the flavor of the Chester Kidder.
  Ready to drink now, but should continue to age well.

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• 2010 Sine Qua Non Syrah Five Shooter 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  85% Syrah, 5% Grenache, 5% Roussanne, 3% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier. 22 months in French oak, 59% new.
  Double decanted prior to bringing to restaurant.
  What a contrast after tasting through several balanced Washington red blends. This is a full throttle, in your face wine at first, which morphs into a smooth body and long, lingering finish. It gets your attention but doesn't strangle you with it. Powerful aromatics, leading to a massive wine with attractive black pepper/spice and layers of intense flavor.
  This went very well with my lamb risotto dinner, although I probably didn't spend as much time with it as I should have -- just too enjoyable to drink.

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Drank with creme brulee and a chocolate cake roll layered with cream.

• 2003 Château Rabaud-Promis 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Bottle was kept in the fridge prior to drinking.
  Stored at room temp in my warm apartment, this Sauternes was definitely mature and drinking far better than I expected for a 2003. The darker color and increased complexity were evident when drunk alongside a very young tasting 2005 Guiraud stored in a cold cellar.
  Very concentrated, dark gold in color, full bodied, with layers of complexity. The maturity of this Sauternes was striking and divisive, as one of the tasters definitely did not care for it, while others loved it and drank the bottle quickly.

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• 2005 Château Guiraud 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  PnP after 15 minutes refrigeration time. This was stored in a very cold cellar, and was far from ready.
  The potential is here, but the lack of complexity at this stage in its evolution was evident when drank alongside a mature 2003 Château Rabaud-Promis.
  
  Drink 2015+

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An excellent evening with many new wines to experience, and beyond excellent food. Thanks for everyone for making the night so special!