5/13/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Limited production. Medium golden color. Rich lemon and vanilla oak aromas. Medium-full bodied dynamic palate – but very nicely balanced – with flavors of apple, lemon, and a light minerality culminating in a long toasty finish. Tasted at the vineyard. A phenomenal Chardonnay that’s poised to get even better in the coming years!

5/11/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Methode Champenoise. Light yellow color. Yeasty lemon citrus aromas. Crisp medium-bodied lemon apple palate. Dry medium length yeasty finish. Fresh and very enjoyable throughout; remains one of the better domestic sparkling wines available at this pricepoint.

5/6/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Excellent! 90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay from Aÿ. Medium yellow color with small bubbles. Fruit-driven profile throughout. Rich apple and yeast aromas. Medium-bodied palate of apple and citrus with a medium-long finish. Superb QPR for an entry-level Champagne.

5/2/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Pale yellow color. Sweet yeasty nose. Tart medium-bodied palate with a lemon, apple, and mineral profile. Medium length finish. A perfectly acceptable entry-level non-vintage Champagne – not near as terrible some of the critics suggest. Tasting note from 187ml split. Tasted in-flight onboard ANA domestic.

5/2/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Dark garnet color. Blackberries, black pepper, and spice on the nose. Medium-full bodied fruit-forward palate: blackberries, pepper, and vanilla oak. Light tannins. Medium length finish. Altogether, more than drinkable and not a terrible choice for an airline wine. Tasted in-flight onboard United Airlines.

4/20/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Very good. Dark purple color. Jammy plum nose. Sweet plum, spice, and oak flavors. Slightly hot medium-length finish. Great QPR – a little bit simple but nonetheless it’s hard to do much better at this price point. Impressive consistency. Tasted in-flight onboard American Airlines.

4/20/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Consistent with my previous note. Bright ruby color. Ripe blackberry aromas. Medium-bodied fruit-forward palate showing blackberries, raspberries, and spice. Medium length finish. Very nice for a sub-$10 wine. Tasted in-flight onboard American Airlines.

4/18/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Medium yellow color. Oaky pear aromas. Medium-bodied palate with apple, citrus, and buttery toast notes. Nice structure and character for a bargain Chardonnay. Medium length finish. Great QPR. Tasted in-flight onboard American Airlines.

4/17/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Wow! Completely unexpected – far exceeded my expectations for a Long Island sparkling wine! 100% Chardonnay. Methode Champenoise. Disgorged February 2008. Light yellow color with medium sized bubbles. Light toasty citrus nose. Medium bodied palate with flavors apple, lemon, and toast. Medium length finish. Good QPR! By far – the nicest Long Island bubbly I’ve tasted.

4/8/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Drinking like an incredibly mellowed tawny Port after more than 80 years in the barrel – though it’s hard to believe this wine is actually that old. Pale amber color. Slightly nutty caramelized aromas. Light mouthfeel shows a little apple followed by walnuts and brown sugar. The finish is soft, but with good length. An interesting look into aged Grenache Blanc. “Super Cattle in Seattle” American Wagyu dinner at the Herbfarm.

4/8/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Bordeaux blend of 55% Merlot, 39% Cab Sauvignon, 4% Cab Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. 14.7% abv – though it doesn’t seem so. Dark red color. Inviting floral raspberry aromas. Nicely balanced medium-bodied palate showing a blend of plum and cherry flavors alongside some coffee/mocha and oaky spice. Medium-long finish. Still quite young – give this a couple more years and it’ll be fantastic! Served with wagyu ribeye cap in rosemary jus. “Super Cattle in Seattle” American Wagyu dinner at the Herbfarm.

4/8/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

3% Syrah. Dark purple color. Rather floral blackberry aromas. Beautiful full-bodied palate of blackberries, tobacco, and oaky spice. Long smooth finish. Terrific aging potential. Served with wagyu beef collar in Worcestershire sauce. Perhaps a little heavy for such delicate beef – but nonetheless a fantastic wine! “Super Cattle in Seattle” American Wagyu dinner at the Herbfarm.

4/8/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Excellent! Pale straw color. Peach and mineral aromas. Medium-light crisp palate with lemon citrus and continued minerality. Nicely balanced acidity and restrained sweetness. Medium length finish. Served with wagyu tartare and smoked steelhead roe. “Super Cattle in Seattle” American Wagyu dinner at the Herbfarm.

4/5/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

2010 disgorgement. My first experience with Drappier. Pale straw color, vigorous bubbles. Doughy citrus aromas. Medium-bodied palate shows mostly apple flavors alongside some lighter floral citrus notes . Medium length finish. Excellent overall.

4/5/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Consistent with previous note. Organic/biodynamic. Light golden color with small bubbles. Apple, dough, and some musty mushroom aromas. Slightly oxidized. Medium-full bodied palate: apple, flower, spice. Medium-long finish. Excellent QPR!

3/30/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Light salmon-pink color. Bright yeasty cherry nose. Medium-bodied palate: cherries, strawberries, and toast profile. Medium length finish. Very enjoyable – a slightly more complex rosé version of regular NV Cliquot. Featured Champagne at Cerulean Hotel’s tower bar overlooking nighttime Tokyo – a perfect accompaniment to the atmosphere.

3/25/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Dark garnet color. Sweet cherry aromas. Medium-light bodied palate with sweet cherry, plum, and raisin flavors. Medium length finish, just a touch hot. Overall: a soft and easy-drinking port. Average QPR – I can think of some better entry-level port selections. Tasted in-flight onboard United Airlines.

3/25/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Dark garnet color. Floral black cherry aromas. Nice medium-bodied palate with black cherry, plum, and cinnamon/spice flavors. Moderate tannins. Medium-long finish. Eminently drinkable. Tasted in-flight onboard United Airlines – a nice food-friendly choice.

3/25/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Light golden color. Medium-sized bubbles. Bright apple, floral, and yeasty aromas. Medium-bodied apple-citrus dominated palate with some supporting minerality. Crisp acidity. Medium length finish. Tasted in-flight onboard United Airlines.

3/23/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Largely consistent with previous note. Pale yellow color with medium-sized bubbles. Green apple nose. On the palate: straightforward, fresh, and light-bodied with apple, lemon, and light floral notes.A little minerality. Medium-short finish. Recent disgorgement. Remains a great Methode Champenoise choice for the pricepoint.

3/21/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Light golden color. Tropical butterscotch aromas. Medium-bodied palate with apple, citrus, butter, and oak. Medium-long oaky finish. Good QPR for oaky/buttery styled bargain Chardonnay – it’s hard to do much better at $8/bottle.

3/18/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Chardonnay from Horse Heaven Hills, Canoe Ridge, and Cold Creek. Incredibly bright – glowing even! – yellow color. Spicy lemon citrus nose. Medium-full bodied rich buttery palate with apple, butterscotch, and oak flavors. Long oaky finish. Great complexity! A nice buy if you’re looking for a well-balanced fuller-styled Chardonnay.

3/17/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Outstanding! Light golden color with medium-small bubbles. Sweet yeasty apple aromas still showing relative youth. Medium-full bodied rich mouthfeel with fresh apple and light toasty spice flavors. Medium-long finish. Definite improvement from over two years ago. Purchased at Alfred Gratien in Epernay – I wish their vintage wines were easier to find in the U.S. markets. Excellent – but still with room for further development. Ready to drink now, or anytime over the next five years.

3/14/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

100% Tempranillo. Dark ruby color. Aromas of ripe black cherries and light oak. Medium-light bodied palate showing cherry, spice, and light oak. Smooth tannins. Medium length finish. Good QPR. Enjoyed at Mesa Las Vegas – paired perfectly with Bobby Flay’s coffee-rubbed ancho chili filet mignon.

3/13/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Table red blend: mostly Syrah with 13% Cinsaut, 7% Mourvedre, 4% Carignan, 3% Granache. Bright ruby red color. Fruity strawberry, cherry, and green pepper aromas. Medium-light bodied somewhat simple palate: ripe fruits, green pepper, and oak. Moderately sweet. Medium-short finish. Nice QPR. Very good: a simple, enjoyable, highly quaffable mid-week red. A solid buy at $8/bottle!

3/10/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

14% Syrah. Dense dark purple color. Woodsy plum, pepper, and cedar aromas. Medium-full bodied palate with plum, spice, tobacco, and chocolate notes with some chewy tannins. Smooth medium length finish. Quite enjoyable overall – a true shame Olsen Estates closed following the 2009 vintage.

3/10/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Columbia Valley red blend: 57% Merlot, 29% Sangiovese, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark purple color with violet rim. Tight nose showing hints of cherry and spice. Medium-full bodied blackberry, mocha palate. Nice tannins. Medium-long very smooth dusty finish. Very nice overall!

3/9/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

The Grande Estates label’s Bordeaux-ish red blend of 64% Merlot, 19% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.5% Malbec. Dark red/purple color. Blackberry and vanilla aromas. Medium-full bodied palate showing remarkable complexity for the price with flavors of blackberry, coffee, and oak. Cannot underscore the complexity-per-price ratio here – if such a thing exists. Smooth medium length finish. The finest $8/bottle wine I’ve had in a very long time. Buy this one by the case!

3/6/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

5% Viognier. Light golden color. Lemon, pineapple, and light butter aromas. Medium-light bodied citrus palate with lemon and just a hint of buttery caramel oak. Short finish. Quite drinkable for just under $8. Good.

3/4/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

56% Viognier, 44% Chardonnay. Unoaked. Screwcap. Light golden color. Hardly any nose – just some faint citrus aromas but none of the expected floral notes considering the blending. Medium bodied. Improves quite a bit on the palate with lots of citrus, light minerality, and a grassy character making this drink more along the lines of a Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay blend. Medium-short finish. Very nice all-around, though the Viognier seems to be hiding. Half-price bottle selection at the Purple Wine Bar, Woodinville.

3/2/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Excellent! Light golden color. Yeasty, toasty, vanilla citrus aromas. Medium-full bodied palate: crisp apple and lemon citrus flavors with light minerality and a nice toastiness on the medium-long finish. My best non-vintage Henriot yet. Superb QPR – in my mind one of the best values in non-vintage Champagnes currently available.

2/29/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

80/20 Grenache/Syrah Rhone table red. Dark red color. Soft red berry aromas. Light bodied palate with cherry, spice, and light pepper. Smooth medium length finish. Nice QPR below $10! Overall, a very nice enjoyable drinkable red table Rhone.

2/26/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Pale yellow color. Light and tight nose with some buttery tropical aromas. Medium bodied lemon citrus-driven palate with light vanilla and mineral notes. Light oak throughout. Nice medium length finish. Very enjoyable, and a fair value at $18.

2/26/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Columbia Valley Sangiovese blend. Dark garnet core with a bright ruby rim. Very nice berry aromatics. Medium bodied palate. Dark cherry and reaspberry flavors with a dry, dusty, tobacco backend. Medium-long finish. Easy drinking. Excellent QPR.

2/25/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Pale yellow color. Light effervescence. Fresh floral nose. Medium-bodied palate with pear, lime, and some light floral notes. Slightly sweeter than expected, even for a boutique Moscato. Medium length finish. Another nice Garagiste find.

2/21/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Dark garnet purple color. Dark red fruits on the nose. Medium-full bodied palate: black cherry, blackberries, and chocolate profile. Smooth medium length finish. Continues to drink incredibly well considering the price. Drink now.

2/19/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Excellent! Dark purple core with a tawny-purple rim and significant legs. Aromas of black fruits and pepper. Medium-full bodied dense palate with blackberries and loads of black pepper. Light tannins. Medium length finish. Would have definitely benefited from a few hours of decanting. Clearly quality fruit, and very nicely balanced for an Aussie Shiraz. Should continue to drink quite well over the next several years.

2/18/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Consistent with my previous notes. Solid mousse with plenty of medium-sized bubbles remaining. Yeasty apple nose. Medium bodied with a citrus-driven profile alongside some hints of spice. Dry medium length finish. The overall quality has seemed to drop off very slightly over the past two years; I recommend drinking any remaining bottles soon. Nonetheless, remains one of my best ever Garagiste sparkling wine purchases.

2/17/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Dark red-purple color. Blackberry and vanilla aromas. Medium-bodied palate with blackberries, vanilla, and spice flavors. Medium length finish. Consistent performer and a decent overall value. Tasted in-flight on American Airlines; this wine has been a staple on their transcontinental wine list for years.

2/14/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Similar to previous note. Stellenbosch Cape Blend. Dark purple with nice legs. Ripe cherry aromas. Medium-full bodied showing ripe red berries, and tobacco with some characteristic tar-rubber Pinotage notes starting to dominate. Medium-long finish with some nice earthy spice. Very good overall – still drinking quite well.

2/12/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Wow! Totally unexpected – this was truly outstanding! Very light effervescence with tiny bubbles – seemingly in a cremant style – and I suspect this bottle had more age on it than I originally thought. Citrus-driven aromas with some red berries and yeast mixed in. Medium-bodied creamy palate with apple, lime, roasted nuts, and a flinty minerality. Medium length finish, very slightly sweet. Incredibly complex and rich for the price. This bottle was purchased four years ago in Paris for $30 – I have no idea of its current availability and price but if it’s anything remotely close then it’s a remarkable value. Has done incredibly well with a little time in the bottle – most highly recommended!

2/11/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Dark garnet color. Ripe dark cherry and spice aromas aromas. Medium bodied palate: dark berries, black cherry, spice, and oak. Smooth medium length finish. Continues to drink quite well. Excellent all-round!

2/11/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 12% Merlot. Dark red color. Black cherry, spice, and vanilla oak aromas. Complex medium-full bodied palate with flavors of blackberries, floral spice, coffee, and vanilla oak. Smooth long lasting finish. The best I’ve tasted from Woodinville Wine Cellars – well deserving of its flagship status from this producer.

2/11/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Outstanding! Bordeaux-styled blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Malbec. Dark red-purple color. Spicy black cherry aromas. Full-bodied palate with blackberries, black pepper, tobacco, and oak . Smooth medium-long finish. Excellent QPR already – and this should continue to improve slightly over the short-term. A perfect example why Woodinville Wine Cellars has proven itself to be a great, and largely underappreciated, producer.

2/11/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

100% Sauvignon Blanc. No oak used this year. Pale straw color. Light tropical lemon citrus aromas. Medium-bodied palate with a lemon citrus core followed by grapefruit and herb flavors. Crisp medium-long finish. One of the best Washington Sauvignon Blancs that I’ve ever tasted.

2/8/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Yakima Valley blend: 45% Merlot, 41% Syrah, 8% Malbec, 4% Sangiovese, 2% Petit Verdot. Dark garnet color. Ripe cherry and plum aromas. Medium-full bodied palate: black cherry, plum, and spice. Smooth tannins. Slightly dusty medium length finish. Nice QPR. Plenty of further aging potential – I’d recommend holding any remaining bottles of the 2009 for a couple years and I wouldn’t even think about touching the new 2010 release yet. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable mid-week red.

2/6/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Very nice! Bright ruby color. Sweet raspberry aromas. Medium-light bodied palate: sweet cherry and raspberry flavors with a little vanilla oak. Medium length finish. Quite quaffable. Excellent QPR. Tasted in-flight onboard Alaska Airlines – for what it’s worth this is the best wine that I’ve had on Alaska in years.

2/5/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Corked. Undrinkable. Lot number: 06 03 03_2011.

2/4/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

100% Primitivo (essentially Zinfandel). Dark red color. Nice light nose with blackberry and earthy aromas. Medium-bodied palate: blackberries dominate along with some spice and herbal/earthy notes. Slightly hot. Medium length finish. Nice QPR and very food friendly.

2/4/2012 - BrandrB wrote:

Dark violet color. Ripe aromas of red berries and licorice. Light-to-medium bodied with tart red cherries, red berries, and some lighter tobacco/herbal/dusty earth notes towards the medium-short finish. More tannins than fruit. Overall, a decent budget fruit-driven Bordeaux that should continue to improve over the coming few years.