Inaugural (Blind) Tasting, Puget Sound Tasters Club.

For our inaugural, blind tasting we decided to taste a wide array of red wines for our first flight with no theme other than good wine with good friends. For the second flight, we tasted three syrahs/shriaz; selecting a Californian, Washingtonian and Australian. All wines were tasted blind. The below results were a group consensus rather than an individual’s score.

• 2000 Finca Allende Rioja Allende 88 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  As the opener, the Allende was really a disappointment to those eager to begin the tasting. Plain and unassuming were the adjectives being thrown around this wine. Very dusty, and notes of plum.

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• 2002 Columbia Winery Merlot 90 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  This was the sleeper of the night. I snuck this basic Washington Merlot in the flight to see what kind of reaction I would get from these expert palates. Surprisingly, this wine did very well. Very nice bouquet and smooth tannins for normally low-range wine.

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• 2005 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Hungry Like The Llama 91 Points

  USA, California

  The Llama, has the classic Pinot notes of cherry and earthiness on the nose. Very well done. 91 points.

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• 2004 DeLille Cellars D2 92 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  Great Washington red blend. WW’s favorite of the night. A bold, fruity nose with a long, soft finish. 92 points.

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• 2001 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  The Chapellet was by far the group favorite. A pleasant surprise to RW, who had not tasted this since its release. EN described this wine as “orgasmic”; a term which was echoed by the group.

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• 2003 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  The Spottswoode was the group disappointment. JM, who brought the wine actually noted that this wine was his least favorite of the night. Slightly sweet (JM noted this tasted very zin-like) with oaky notes.

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• 2003 Behrens & Hitchcock "The Heavyweight" 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This wine was all over the charts among the group. When revealed as to its maker, many were shocked that scored a B&H so low. Even though this was JM's favorite, it was a disappointment to B&H diehard TM.

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• 2003 K Vintners Syrah Motor City Kitty 90 Points

  USA, Washington

  Big smoky syrah. Fruity and lots of fun, but not the reaction I was hoping for. K usually gets a great response from this group, but not tonight.

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• 2004 Saxum Broken Stones 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  This wine was my favorite, but had only moderate reviews from the group. Sweet, bold syrah that promises to wow us with more with time in the bottle.

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• 2005 Mollydooker Shiraz The Boxer 92 Points

  Australia, South Australia

  This wine, indicative of the tasting notes in Cellar Tracker, was all over among the group. Some loved it (classic Aussie Shriaz); some hated it (too sugary, cough medicine). RW picked up on Sparky’s style right away; EN was appalled.

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