| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More... |
|---|---|---|
| Red |
2009 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo more |
11/26/2020 - WaWineWill Likes this wine: 94 pointsThanksgiving 2020, this tied for WON next to a 2012 Cayuse Cailloux. Just a few of us podding together, all were blown away at how this 904 continued to blossom after being open for a few hours. The nose started off with straightforward notes of toasted coconut, pipe tobacco and cranberry flavors, with the pallet showing similarly. Soon after, the wine completely opened up for business with pungent notes of sweaty leather, truffles, forest floor, blood and iron. Definitely a little high toned, with acidity for days, but paired beautifully with the flavors on the table. What was so impressive about this rustic, traditionally styled Rioja is that it stood right up next to the Cayuse on the table, which was modern, riper, full of umami, saline and blue fruit. This 904 however was an elegant wine, perhaps too early to open today, but nevertheless absolutely lovely and undeniably powerful. If drinking now, give it a couple of hours in the decanter to open, then put back in the bottle before drinking. 4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1) |
| Red |
2016 Lapostolle Carménère Cuvée AlexandreApalta more |
2/14/2020 - WaWineWill Likes this wine: 92 pointsAs a lover of carménère, I wanted to pop this on the young side to see where it was at. On the nose, I was greeted (after an hour decant) by a lovely plume of dust and smoke lifting a streak of green fruit. The palette showed much of the same, perhaps a little more purple fruit with bell pepper and asparagus, as well as a structure replete with fine tannins and upper-toned acidity. Surprisingly great balance, and just what I love about the varietal—showcasing the tension of grape vs green. Nice QPR, enjoy now through 2025. |
| Red |
2011 Griffin Creek SyrahRogue Valley more |
11/22/2016 - WaWineWill Does not like this wine: 84 pointsDecanted for an hour. In the glass, the nose was a bit muted with only bright red fruits discernible. On the palate, the wine was fruity and bright, leaning toward overly acidic, acerbic and a little acrid. I'm having a hard time seeing what this will amount to with significant cellaring. As much as I wanted to give this the benefit of the doubt, I couldn't find very many redeeming factors, and eventually I had to just stop sipping and trying. Maybe an off bottle, but in the event that you get the same, pair this with the fattiest dish possible. |
| Red |
2010 Cayuse Syrah En Chamberlin VineyardWalla Walla Valley more |
8/15/2015 - WaWineWill wrote: 95 pointsVibrant crimson in color. The nose made its way across the room with raw meat, smokey salumi, truffle, forest floor, cedar and other notes as the wine opened throughout the evening. On the palate, the wine picked up where the nose left off yet deepened with an umami, saline and briny characteristic, as well as a lovely plum and red cherry complexity. With medium acidity, the tannins were silky, the weight was light, the finish explosive, and every drop until the last yielded a new and fascinating dimension. |
| Red |
2012 Evening Land Vineyards Pinot Noir Seven Springs VineyardEola - Amity Hills more |
8/9/2015 - WaWineWill wrote: NRBeautiful color, deep crimson. Unusually dark for Willamette style pinot, especially after taking in the austere nose. Right off the bat I'm thinking old world inspired. Although prominent, the dark fruit seems to be taking more of a back seat to the musty barrel notes, as well as smoked meats and violets. On the palette, the wine carries a reductive quality that adds to the complexity, and confirms the old world homage. Tannins are silky and acid is appealing. I will cellar my other bottles for a couple of years to let the profile work itself out, but recommend cracking a bottle (if you have multiple) to see for yourself, as this wine is noteworthy for its distinctive character. |
| Red |
2011 Southard Red Wine Lawrence VineyardColumbia Valley Grenache Blend, Grenache more |
7/25/2014 - WaWineWill wrote: 92 pointsDecanted for two hours. Lighter bodied WA grenache blend (28% syrah). On the nose there was a remarkable freshness to the strawberries, pomegranate and raspberries, followed by wet slate and coffee grounds, which all nicely carried over to the palate, silky and weightless. But what made this wine memorable was that it didn't drop off at all across my palate, and carried a ripe, rich soil component, which created a great symmetry between fruit and earth, all establishing solid integration at such a youthful stage. It goes without saying this will improve with cellaring, but man, what a great summer red now! |
| Red |
2008 Rasa Vineyards Creative ImpulseYakima Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more |
7/10/2014 - WaWineWill Likes this wine: 95 pointsDecanted for 3.5 hours. Opaque and then slightly bricking at the rim. Nose showed menthol, eucalyptus, pencil shavings, graphite, pomegranate, and other red fruits that all carried over to the palate, seamlessly. Full throttle on the mid and back palates, with additional chocolate, coffee, truffle and leather notes. Every sip showed a new facet, yet the overall effect of this wine was slightly zesty with silky tannins, weightless and wonderfully integrated, even at this relatively youthful stage. A very memorable wine, and as far as I've had the good fortune of noticing, a high mark for Washington Bordeaux blends. With a good decanting this is approachable now, but will definitely reward with patience. |
| Red |
2012 Waters TremoloWalla Walla Valley Red Rhone Blend more |
6/7/2014 - WaWineWill Likes this wine: NRDecanted for 4 hours. Nose was dominated by vanilla, oak, cola and blue fruit. On the palate, medley of blue fruit, vanilla, green olive, smoke and a dominating note of cola. Was a big fan of the 2010 vintage, so couldn't hold back from seeing if this too was also approachable at a young stage. Not so much, which is ultimately unsurprising. Has a ton of potential with great symmetry between ripe fruit, pinpoint acidity and the youthful characteristics that typify a wine that lives on the meaty, funky spectrum. 91+ Will crack into my next bottle in 2016. |
| Red |
2007 Basel Cellars MerrimentWalla Walla Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more |
6/7/2014 - WaWineWill wrote: 90 pointsTwo hour decant. Pleasant left bank inspired blend from Walla Walla. Medium bodied. Nose and palate were fairly consistent with sweet earth notes, coffee, eucalyptus and fresh red berries. On the tongue, the nicely integrated tannins led to a thin mid palate, and finished decidedly hot. Disjointed but distinctive for a wet, sweet earth character, definitely indicative of Walla Walla terroir. |
| Red |
2007 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valleymore |
5/25/2014 - WaWineWill Likes this wine: 93 pointsPopped and poured. Slowly enjoyed over the course of an evening. Tight at first, but opened nicely after about an hour, showing dusty blue and black fruit notes, chocolate, espresso, graphite, warm earth, iron and cured meats. A complex, texturally round (although a little heavy) and bold wine, with fine sandy tannins and plenty of acidity. This can definitely sit in the cellar for several years to come, but it's also in an approachable place now, with many of those youthful hallmarks beginning to subside. Unfiltered, so be sure to decant. |
| Red |
2008 Domaine Vincent Paris St. JosephSyrah more |
5/24/2014 - WaWineWill wrote: 88 pointsMedium bodied syrah, starting to brick at the rim. Interesting nose dominated by a strong vegetal note and deepened by muddled red fruits and smoke. On the tongue: distinctive vegetal flavors (asparagus and bell pepper?), followed by raspberry, plum, and then smoke and various herbs. Some may find this unappealing for its savory dominance, however, if you like your syrah done in a rustic, old world style (and I do), this is very interesting, just make sure to give it a couple hours of air. |
| Red |
2010 Otis Kenyon MerlotWalla Walla Valley more |
5/21/2014 - WaWineWill Likes this wine: 90 pointsNot usually a big fan of single varietal merlots. Decanted this for over an hour and ultimately found it to be quite enjoyable. The red fruit was very forward, dusty and ripe, and framed a distinctive tomato leaf and iron core. Slightly sweet with that characteristic Walla Walla earth and mineral presence. Tannins fine and food friendly, this is one of the rare occasions that I wish I had more merlot. Ready now, but no rush. |
| Red |
2007 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-PapeRed Rhone Blend more |
5/14/2014 - WaWineWill wrote: 93 pointsDecanted for an hour and poured back in the bottle. Seemed ready to go after this, and even continued to evolve nicely over the course of an evening. On the nose, blue fruits, licorice, chocolate and got a strong campfire note. On the palate, very ripe red fruits, coffee, tobacco, green olive, smoke and little bret. Medium to full-bodied with silky tannins, long finish, yet the whole consistency seemed weightless. Quite complex yet very drinkable, which is what I tend to strive for. |
| Red |
2009 Southard Syrah Lawrence VineyardYakima Valley more |
5/10/2014 - WaWineWill wrote: 92 pointsInky on sight and pleasant on the nose with not an overpowering bouquet of blue fruit, smoke and cured meat. Decanted for about an hour and poured back in the bottle. On the tongue there was blueberry, cassis and bit of pepper all wrapped up in a core of iron. As the wine opened further, a briny quality developed, as well as game, olive and various tea notes that, along with that iron, reminded me of a young Côte-Rôtie. Could develop with more time in the bottle, but is very enjoyable now with plenty of air. |
| Red |
2009 Château du SeuilGraves Red Bordeaux Blend more |
5/7/2014 - WaWineWill wrote: 89 pointsTook awhile to open, but eventually revealed to be fairly complex, and definitely on the rustic side. Very little fruit, maybe some muddled blue and black. Tar/black tea, mint/graphite, smoke/cigar and bit of black olive. Off-putting at first, but as it opened, it gained more balance and I found it to be striking for it's distinctive character. Needs to be decanted. |
| Red |
2006 Cavatappi Winery Nebbiolo Maddalena Red Willow VineyardYakima Valley more |
5/7/2014 - WaWineWill wrote: 87 pointsDecanted for an hour. Mildly aromatic nose of dusty red fruits and rose pedals. Up front, very ripe palate with raspberry, bing cherry, and a prune/fig note that added a fair amount of sweetness. Then there's a vegetal complexity that, between the sweet and vegetal, makes this a distinctive expression, or to some, perhaps an inferior. Prickly tannins, but long finish. More time in the bottle will probably improve the rough edges. |
| White |
2010 Darby Marsanne Live Wire Boushey VineyardYakima Valley more |
4/30/2014 - WaWineWill wrote: 87 pointsModerately but pleasantly aromatic with bright pear and floral notes. Palate is dominated by pear, chalky minerals, green fig, a touch of grapefruit and melon, and a crispness (acidity) that tells me heartburn if I have more than a glass without food. Ultimately a big, rich white, which is likely designed for food, and not for nipping on the patio. Nevertheless, fairly enjoyable and appropriately priced. |
| Red |
2007 Thibault Liger-Belair Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Le Clos du PrieuréPinot Noir more |
4/26/2014 - WaWineWill wrote: 85 pointsDecanted for fifteen minutes, then poured back in the bottle and let sit for an hour. Enjoyed over the course of the evening. Not much in the way of fruit, perhaps a touch of muddled red berries. Both nose and palate were dominated by dry underbrush and scorched wild sage. Definitely on the vegetal side of things. Sweet leather, orange blossom and a bit of smoke were also present, and all seemed to deepen -- as oppose to evolve -- as the wine further opened. Not sure much more time in the cellar would benefit this wine; maybe if anything time would help mellow the immediacy of the vegetal/green qualities. |
| Red |
2010 Domaine de la Maurelle GigondasRed Rhone Blend more |
4/9/2014 - WaWineWill wrote: 87 pointsEnjoyed over two evenings. I think it took every bit of 24 hours to open up as the second night was far more enjoyable. Lots of tart black fruit, then black tea, garrigue, orange peel and bit of tobacco. Definitely needs more time in the cellar. Still figuring out its equilibrium. |
| Red |
2009 Reininger Sangiovese Helix Stillwater Creek VineyardColumbia Valley more |
4/15/2014 - WaWineWill Likes this wine: 88 pointsDecanted for an hour. Enjoyed over the course of two evenings. Mildly aromatic nose. On the palate, showing a distinctive sour cherry note, as well as other red and blue fruits. On the darker end of the Sangio spectrum, but with the higher acidity and dense tannins the varietal typifies. As the wine opened, eucalyptus/menthol and a hint of forest floor and wet slate emerged. Enjoyable now, but with time in the cellar, this could definitely improve. |
| Rosé |
2012 Reininger Helix Rosé Columbia ValleyRosé Blend more |
4/11/2014 - WaWineWill wrote: 88 pointsLight ruby color. Strawberry, watermelon and various citrus and floral notes. Nice crispness. Very drinkable on a warm Sunday afternoon. |
| Red |
2006 McCrea SiroccoYakima Valley Red Rhone Blend more |
4/13/2014 - WaWineWill Does not like this wine: 79 pointsDecanted for 30 minutes and poured back in the bottle to enjoy over the evening. Hot, fruity nose. On the palate, unclear dark fruit notes and alcohol. Out of balance. Finish was tired and sweet. Poured it down the drain. Not my style. Inappropriate to make a judgement call on one bottle, but if I had to guess, this may be past its peak. |
| Red |
2010 Castillo de Feliciana Tempranillo Rosebud VineyardWalla Walla Valley more |
4/12/2014 - WaWineWill wrote: 90 pointsDecanted for about an hour. Medium bodied. Pleasantly aromatic nose. At this point in this wine's life, on the palate the fresh cherry and plum notes take a back seat to a fair amount of sweet leather, tobacco, cured meats and herb notes. Enjoyable now with plenty of air, but could last in the cellar for at least a few years. |
| Red |
2009 Reininger SyrahWalla Walla Valley more |
4/5/2014 - WaWineWill wrote: 91 pointsDecanted briefly. Enjoyed over the course of an afternoon and evening. Bouquet of black fruits, smoke, sweet earth and hoisin. On the tongue -- plum, cassis, macerated cherry, fig compote, smoke and molasses. With more time and air, roasted meat, iron and tar notes emerged. There was a touch of heat that never really seemed to mellow, nor did the somewhat tannic finish. Guessing this needs more time in the cellar, and with the lovely flavor profile potential, this is a good thing. 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1) |
| Red |
2006 Reininger Syrah Ash Hollow VineyardWalla Walla Valley more |
4/3/2014 - WaWineWill wrote: 94 pointsBeautiful wine. Olive, smoke, brine/saline, cured meat, sweet leather and a touch of barnyard all beautifully harmonized with blueberries and plum flavors. Definitely showcasing the rustic, savory side of syrah, but in gorgeous fashion. Decanted for 15 mins and enjoyed over the course of an evening. No need to decant very long, no need to cellar much longer; in a great place right now. 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1) |
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- Tasting notes: 30 notes on 30 wines
