Capitol Swills Blind Tasting PNW Red Single Varietals

To bridge the absence of California Sparkler, we decided to do a PNW red single varietal tasting to practice our skills and drink some purp

• 2011 Coelho Winery Pinot Noir Atração 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  WOTN, brick, light bodied with nice acid, citrus and smoke on the nose, graphite, citrus peel and grapefruit flavors on the palate, great all around pinot, would make a great Thanksgiving pinot, drinking wonderfully now

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2012 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon H3 90 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills

  Great QPR as always, slightly fruitier than the other wines of the night, a bit thicker and less subtle, but still delicious. Leather, sandalwood, baking spice, a nice curveball well below the price point of the other wines in the blind tasting, but it held up well as was my assumption.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2011 J. Bookwalter Cabernet Sauvignon Foreshadow

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  Bottle may have had light TCA taint, but it blew off after a little while, would be curious to try another bottle to compare as this was our first one. Slight wet money on the nose initially, meaty and green pepper on the palate, medium bodied and solid structure. Black fruit was initially muted but opened up after the mustiness blew off. Curious one for sure, so I'm not scoring.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2011 Barrister Winery Cabernet Franc 91 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  Smoky and light/medium bodied, tobacco and red fruit, a little funk and light tannin, nice balance.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

The pinot noir was the overwhelming winner and the other three were basically a three-way tie, with the cab franc narrowly edging out the two cabs for 2nd place.