Washington

• Columbia Valley
• Horse Heaven Hills
• Red Mountain
• Wahluke Slope
• Walla Walla
• Yakima Valley

This is one of the best values in Washington State high end Cabs.  Block One refers to the first block planted of the Champoux Vineyard, one of Washington's best.  It retails for around $65.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is concentrated with dark cherries, cedar, cassis, slight tobacco, slight hint of poblano pepper.  Also just a slight touch of volatile acidity.  On the palate, this is young.  Not as bold as one might think but plenty of cherry and black cherry fruit.  Tightly packed and quite concentrated.  It unwinds in the glass with layers of fruit and tobacco and spice.

This is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and a little Syrah from three different vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA or Washington state.  At 12 years from vintage it seems to be in a great spot although it should have at least 5 more years before starting to slowly go downhill.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with cherries, coffee, leather, slight chocolate, cassis and tobacco.  On the palate, this is still fresh with lot of fruit; cherries and black raspberries.  Layers of fruit, damp earth and tobacco.  Nice finish.  This is not a big wine, but not shy either.  Wo

Light golden in color.  The nose has a fair amount of oak on it.  A bit fleshy with vanilla and slight lemons.  The oak became more pronounced with air. On the palate, the oak continues and at times it is searing and bitter.  There is also vanilla and lemons.  It does have a very nice texture.  I drank in a crowd and many liked this and even enjoyed the oak profile which is fine.  This may be a divisive wine based on that but seems to be otherwise a consistent wine.  It was being closed out for $8 which is hard to beat!

This is always a great value in wine.  Its basically, the ends of the myriad of bottlings that are produced here all blended into one wine.  It costs under $25 and every vintage, though a bit different is tasty.  It also lasts for at least five years probably at least ten.  This one is purple in color.  The nose has dark cherries, some chocolate, sour cherries and spice.  On the palate, this has a nice complexity.  Slight depth.  Slight tannins.  Juicy acidity.  Works well with food or on its own.  Long finish.  A crowd pleaser every time.  

Over the last few vintages, this has become one of my favorite inexpensive go to whites.  It is tasty, unique and affordable.  At $20, direct from the winery if you can't find it locally, this is a really interesting version of Gruner.  Light silver/green/gold in color.  The nose has canned peaches, limes and minerals.  On the palate, this is much fatter than the Austrian versions and more fruit.  Canned peaches and minerals come thru.  A tart citrus as well.  Good acidity.  Food friendly.  Nice finish.  I would drink these in the first few years.  It might last longer but that verve won't

This has improved a bit over the past few years.  It still needs time though.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has cassis and still a fair amount of oak showing as fresh cut lumber and spice.  On the palate, this has a nice mouthfeel.  Good depth.  Cassis, with a slight earthiness.  Nice finish.  Easy to drink on its own, a crowd pleaser.  Hold a bit and there is some upside.  

From one of oldest Zinfandel vineyards in the Pacific Northwest dating back to the early 1900's.  I love this Zin as it is not boisterous but it is intense.  It also ages well.  Purple in color.  The nose has raspberries, cherries and some spice.  On the palate, this is deep.  Tight right now.  Cherry and black cherry fruit.  Great acidity.  Nice finish.  Food friendly.  Good now but will get more complex with age.  

Purple in color.  The nose is mature with cigar and cherries (fresh and dried).  On the palate, this has nice layers.  Cherries, slight dark chocolate and dried leaves.  Complex.  Seems to be at peak.  These should be drunk sooner than later at this point.  It won't get better and might start its downward slide.  That said, a really nice Merlot right now.  

From the younger vines in the Champoux vinyard, hence the name (although the vines are around 30 by this time).  A delicious Washington state Cab from an Oregon producer.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, slight bell pepper (in a good way), leather and spice.  On the palate, this is full bodied and bold.  Firm tannins.  Deep but tightly wound.  Lots of cassis and black cherry fruit.  Nice finish.  This needs some time and should peak in another ten years or so.  There is some upside. 

The cork broke on opening so this was decanted thru a filter.  It was interesting to drink side by side with the Cailloux Vineyard which was pop and pour.  This opened up first as expected but then the played back and forth over the evening.  In the end, I liked this a tad more though they were basically even.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cedar, black raspberries and rocks.  On the palate, this is complex with black raspberries, slight cedar, a bit of pepper and slight earthy notes.  Nice texture.  Good balance.  Also drinking much younger than its 15 years would lead on