Columbia Valley

In a tasting, two bottles were tasted side by side.  They showed differently.  Was it because the wines were in a different place in the line-up or the bottles came from different stores and had been treated differently?  Hard to say, but tasted in a group, we had different reactions.  There is an inherent bias that blind tasting removes prejudices and it probably does, but it also introduces its own set of biases that can not be discounted.  Bottle #1 was the first glass tasted while bottle #2 was the 9th.  

The name for this wine comes from the fact that way back in the day, these were the youngest vines in the Champoux Vineyard.  They may still hold that distinction, but these wines are getting close to thirty years old now.  This wine is a great example of Washington Cabernet.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, cherries, slight spice and some leather.  On the palate, this seems to be getting close but not yet at peak.  Layers of cherries, cassis and dry earth.  Mild tannins.  Nice finish.  This will go well with heartier foods.  It may still have some upside and certain

When you own a wine cellar, every so often you lose a bottle only to rediscover it a few years later.  Sometimes it is over the hill by then, but you never know.  This one was one of those.  Abondante is a blend of leftovers at Sineann.  It is a great value and usually, they are consumed in a year or two.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is leather with good dark cherry fruit.  A bit of spice.  On the palate, this is tart red berries.  Cherries mostly but something a bit deeper.  Slight tannins.  Good finish.  There is some complexity there but not a ton.  Very food friendly.  T

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.

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