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Passport to Woodinville '05
Tasted April 3, 2005 by lorenzo with 1,209 views
Flight 1 (1 note)
Unfortunately Baer was not pouring Ursa and the Arctos was closed.
Red
2002 Baer Winery Arctos
Wow. This was not open for business.
Unrevealing nose.
Attacked by tannins and an acidic (?) bite on the very closed palate.
Definitely some fruit (cherry) lurking but
The bottle was just opened unfortunately -- and we didn't have time to wait for the palate to unfold.
Wish they would pre-open and decant (wines that need it) for these tastings !!
Must retaste (but i'd guess in the 87-89 range.)
Got to try a barrel sample of the '04 Stillwater Cab Franc.
Grapey/Cherry/Raspberry fruit and fine tannins
Unrevealing nose.
Attacked by tannins and an acidic (?) bite on the very closed palate.
Definitely some fruit (cherry) lurking but
The bottle was just opened unfortunately -- and we didn't have time to wait for the palate to unfold.
Wish they would pre-open and decant (wines that need it) for these tastings !!
Must retaste (but i'd guess in the 87-89 range.)
Got to try a barrel sample of the '04 Stillwater Cab Franc.
Grapey/Cherry/Raspberry fruit and fine tannins
Flight 2 (5 notes)
Arrived at the same time as large tour bus. This place was 'asses to elbows'
Red
2002 Januik Merlot Columbia Valley
87 points
<tasting room was very crowded and cold -- less than ideal conditions>
Rasberries and Wood on the Nose.
Rasberries, mocha and wood on the palate.
Nice mouthfeel and length.
Fellow pouring said give it some age and watch it shine.
Wish the wood was a little more in the background.
Rasberries and Wood on the Nose.
Rasberries, mocha and wood on the palate.
Nice mouthfeel and length.
Fellow pouring said give it some age and watch it shine.
Wish the wood was a little more in the background.
Red
2002 Januik Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
85 points
<tasting room was very crowded and cold -- less than ideal conditions>
No mistaking the nose as a Cab.
On the palate - Cassis, dark cherries and a decent finish.
rather approachable now.
84-6
No mistaking the nose as a Cab.
On the palate - Cassis, dark cherries and a decent finish.
rather approachable now.
84-6
Red
2002 Novelty Hill Winery Cabernet Sauvignon
87 points
Nice QPR.
At $20, I found this tasting as well or better than anything else at this stop.
Very nice nose of Plums and Dark Fruits.
A ripe cab that finishes with decent length, tannic finish
87-89 - this could go higher with a little more age (or air.)
At $20, I found this tasting as well or better than anything else at this stop.
Very nice nose of Plums and Dark Fruits.
A ripe cab that finishes with decent length, tannic finish
87-89 - this could go higher with a little more age (or air.)
Red
2002 Novelty Hill Winery Merlot
86 points
Enjoyable merlot.
ripe rich cherries and berries, chocolate on the palate.
good length and character.
a slightly offputting vegetal note that kept popping up was the only thing that kept this from going higher.
i'd like to retaste at some point to see if it reappears. i could see this reaching up.
ripe rich cherries and berries, chocolate on the palate.
good length and character.
a slightly offputting vegetal note that kept popping up was the only thing that kept this from going higher.
i'd like to retaste at some point to see if it reappears. i could see this reaching up.
Flight 3 (2 notes)
Multiple IPods hooked up to slick small speakers pumping rock music to a crowd that (at least when we were there) had no idea what they were listening to -- 'are we in woodinville anymore?' 'I don't know, but the rock star / winemaker will sign your body with a metallic pen if you like.'
Red
2002 Mark Ryan Long Haul Ciel du Cheval Vineyard
88 points
A very enjoyable Merlot, but I wish the wood was slightly more restrained.
Chocolate, Rasberries, cherries.
A med-long nice finish.
I would happily drink this.
$35 -- 88-89
Chocolate, Rasberries, cherries.
A med-long nice finish.
I would happily drink this.
$35 -- 88-89
Red
2002 Mark Ryan Dead Horse Ciel du Cheval Vineyard
92 points
My Wine of the Day/Event.
A very nice surprise.
Complex palate -- Lush with lots of vibrant fruit,
restrained wood.
Was just about to congratulate the Owner, when I realized he was discussing the possibility of signing someone's butt with a metallic pen.
Hmmm -- nevertheless, this was a classy and well presented beverage.
$38 -- 92+
A very nice surprise.
Complex palate -- Lush with lots of vibrant fruit,
restrained wood.
Was just about to congratulate the Owner, when I realized he was discussing the possibility of signing someone's butt with a metallic pen.
Hmmm -- nevertheless, this was a classy and well presented beverage.
$38 -- 92+
Flight 4 (3 notes)
Cathy and Bob couldn't be nicer and their wines continue to impress.
Red
2002 Betz Family Clos de Betz
92 points
Wow this was a surprise.
Big Dark fruits on the nose and some evidence of wood.
The big juicy fruit carried over to the palate, the wood was very restrained, and there were some nice mocha/espresso and spicey notes.
Nice long Finish with noticeable tannins.
Big Dark fruits on the nose and some evidence of wood.
The big juicy fruit carried over to the palate, the wood was very restrained, and there were some nice mocha/espresso and spicey notes.
Nice long Finish with noticeable tannins.
Red
2002 Betz Family Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille
91 points
Very dark with a very inviting nose of sweet dark fruits.
When the wine hit my palate, it was not as sweet and lush and I expected.
Clos De Betz that preceeded this taste, was a bigger juicier experience.
Cathy retrieved this for us from a private stash -- I wish I knew how long it had been opened.
Nonethelss this was very enjoyable and obviously well crafted,
Medium bodied, soft round fruit and a very nice long finish.
91+
When the wine hit my palate, it was not as sweet and lush and I expected.
Clos De Betz that preceeded this taste, was a bigger juicier experience.
Cathy retrieved this for us from a private stash -- I wish I knew how long it had been opened.
Nonethelss this was very enjoyable and obviously well crafted,
Medium bodied, soft round fruit and a very nice long finish.
91+
Red
2004 Betz Family Syrah La Côte Rousse
92 points
Barrel Taste
This wine has a long life ahead of it and will surely change considerably over the next few years.
Wild nose that was smokey, gamey, slightly green, but all the while dark fruits looming in the background.
Great stuff - Myriad of Syrah flavors in a big ripe and lush palate.
I look forward to seeing how this evolves
92+
This wine has a long life ahead of it and will surely change considerably over the next few years.
Wild nose that was smokey, gamey, slightly green, but all the while dark fruits looming in the background.
Great stuff - Myriad of Syrah flavors in a big ripe and lush palate.
I look forward to seeing how this evolves
92+
Flight 5 (3 notes)
I realize others disagree, but these wines never seem to excite me, and they also seem overpriced.
Red
2002 Matthews Claret
82 points
Mousey / Gamey Nose.
Cherry notes and some chocolate on the palate,
but the wood was dragging me down
Cherry notes and some chocolate on the palate,
but the wood was dragging me down
Red
2001 Matthews Red Wine
84 points
Interesting Nose - Cinnamon, cherry, some vegetal notes.
Cherries, cassis. Spicy, tannic finish.
Noticeable wood was slightly distracting
Cherries, cassis. Spicy, tannic finish.
Noticeable wood was slightly distracting
Red
1999 Matthews Red Wine
87 points
Picking up gamey notes and wood on the nose.
Blackberries, cherries and chocolate on the palate.
Fine tannic finish.
Blackberries, cherries and chocolate on the palate.
Fine tannic finish.
Flight 6 (2 notes)
Strong showing for Delille.
White
2004 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Blanc
90 points
<Barrel Sample>
I was very impressed with this white. 58% SBlanc and 42% Semillion
Murky and Cloudy at this stage.
Strong aromas of grapefruit and honey carried right onto the concentrated palate.
Crisp acidity and a nice lingering finish.
I was very impressed with this white. 58% SBlanc and 42% Semillion
Murky and Cloudy at this stage.
Strong aromas of grapefruit and honey carried right onto the concentrated palate.
Crisp acidity and a nice lingering finish.
Red
2003 DeLille Cellars D2
90 points
<Barrel Sample>
My experience with Delille (and D2 specifically) only reaches back several vintages, but todays 2 barrel samples were the clearly the finest of their respective ilk.
This looks like it will shape up as my favorite D2. Bigger, Bolder and more complex than other D2s I've had. Round mouthful of Cherries and Mocha. Enough fruit to hold up the wood.
My experience with Delille (and D2 specifically) only reaches back several vintages, but todays 2 barrel samples were the clearly the finest of their respective ilk.
This looks like it will shape up as my favorite D2. Bigger, Bolder and more complex than other D2s I've had. Round mouthful of Cherries and Mocha. Enough fruit to hold up the wood.
Flight 7 (5 notes)
Owners Peggy and John were extremly nice, the wines just were not singing my tune.
White
2004 JM Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Klipsun Vineyard
80 points
Really enjoyed speaking with owners Peggy (and later John)
They are very nice folks, but their whites failed to excite.
They are very nice folks, but their whites failed to excite.
Red
2002 JM Cellars Columbia Valley Cuvée
81 points
Can't really read all of my notes. I tried to take them quickly and discreetly after speaking with one of the very likable owners. Decent Fruit, persistent tannins on the finish but something (bitter?) was off and distracting.
Red
2002 JM Cellars Syrah
83 points
I am noticing a trend here. Either my palate is suddenly tweaked or there is something slightly bitter happening here as well.
Raspberries and spice but lacks a concentration and depth of fruit. 82-3
Raspberries and spice but lacks a concentration and depth of fruit. 82-3
Red
2002 JM Cellars Tre Fanciulli
87 points
53% Cab/32% Merlot/15% Syrah
Syrah really pokes through on the nose.
Cherries and Cassis on the palate... but not quite enough to keep pace with the Wood.
Syrah really pokes through on the nose.
Cherries and Cassis on the palate... but not quite enough to keep pace with the Wood.
Flight 8 (5 notes)
We also stopped by Woodhouse Family Cellars. The two wines they were pouring were enjoyable -- a Maggie (?) Merlot (84-86points) and a Kennedy Syrah (86-88 points.) I didn't get the appropriate materials/handouts and they have so many names/labels you need a program!
White
2004 DiStefano Sauvignon Blanc
75 points
sugary sweet, and only on the short finish did subtle grass/vegetal characters show up.
not as crisp or as complex as I like my SBlanc
$12
not as crisp or as complex as I like my SBlanc
$12
Red
2002 DiStefano Meritage
85 points
Cherries and berries
A nice med-long tannic finish.
At $20 -- a decent QPR for the US.
A nice med-long tannic finish.
At $20 -- a decent QPR for the US.
Red
2001 DiStefano Merlot
80 points
Lacks depth of Fruit to hold up the wood.
Not the quality of the other Merlots that were around today.
priced at $25
Not the quality of the other Merlots that were around today.
priced at $25
Red
2002 DiStefano Syrah R
82 points
Priced at $32.
Nothing glaring or overtly wrong.
It just falls a little flat.
Did not get the depth of fruit or complexity I like in Syrahs.
Nothing glaring or overtly wrong.
It just falls a little flat.
Did not get the depth of fruit or complexity I like in Syrahs.
Red
2002 DiStefano Sogno
85 points
Did not catch the price, but this was pretty tasty.
Strawberries, Rasberries and slight vegetal notes.
Restrained wood.
Pretty quaffable.
Strawberries, Rasberries and slight vegetal notes.
Restrained wood.
Pretty quaffable.