Washington Wine Notes

2001 Cuneo Del Rio Syrah
Lovely deep aromas of cocoa and black fruits. Dry tannins in a medium bodied mouth feel, flavours became more black raspberry with a nice nutty length of finish. Very good with a nice use of toasted oak and ripe fruit.

Served with Duck and duck confit with mixed greens with a sweet drizzle of red onion dressing:


2002 Cadence Tapteil Vineyard Red Mountain
Dark and deep tarry fruit, great structure and tannins, nice nose of smoky forest fire, moderate oak allowing the dark fruit to dominate. A good balance of tannins and fruit with a helping complexity of acid.
Needs several years but will likely reward with cellar time. Not fully appreciated by those who like the thin acidic one foot in the grave grandpa wines :wink:

Served with Venison Carpaccio, a drizzled chive infused oil and huckleberry compote:


1998 Woodward Canyon Artists Series
The first of two brought, this one was still very primary and well structured. Very prominent lush coconut oak and sweet fruits. Excellent sweet full cassis and blueberry juices, well structured tannins and soft acid, definitely a ripe vintage. Well done !

Served with porchini mushroom risotto, truffle oil and hangar steak:


1998 Kestrel Cabernet
Not pleasant and a bit medicinal. Fruit is hampered by acid, much less concentrated in comparison to the other wines and lacking fruit structure. The acid is high here, probably because this wine lacks fruit complexity, but it is smooth but simple on the finish and in a the 'decent' quality category.
Served with BBQ pork butt and grilled pork tenderloin on a bed of potato mash and chive:


2001 Donedei Merlot, Columbia Valley
I guessed this as a blend but was told no, then I narrowed this to a pure Merlot, no wonder I loved this so much. Rich and unctuous, plushy raspberry and blackberry fruits, a bit of licorice and soft ripe tannins. Lovingly sweet with dark fruits but good acid structure. Definitely a favourite of mine last night !!
Served with lamb chop and fillet on a bed of Stilton Polenta, with a caramelized onion and lamb reduction sauce:


1992 Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley)
Sour and thin, tired apricoting red fruit, Flintstone vitamins or vitamin C on the nose, bitterness with sour on the finish.
Yucky.
Served with mushroom filled ravioli in a sea of orange squash puree, sorry this picture was taken late when this dish was already half eaten :oops: :


1998 Woodward Canyon Artists Series
The second selection of this wine I found a softer and less complex version. I wish I would've saved the first for comparison purposes as I felt this one lacked some structure and complexity. Who brought this one, Tony or Anne ?

The evening was finished with a beautiful array of artesian cheeses and delicious diced cedar plank baked pears:


The Wines:


Thanks to Anne for organizing this, my favourite wines in order would be the Donedei Merlot '01, Cadence Tapteil '02 and the first '98 Woodward Canyon Artist Series served.
Bravo to the Chef, the foods were delicious and well presented with the wines, thanks again to this venue for making this evening so very special :D 8) ..

Special thanks also to Ed for hosting these pictures !!!!! :D