Wine Tasting: 2013 Luke Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon

Couple of long days at work and tonight.  Just a tasting and then I'm going to kick back and just enjoy the wine.

Tasting Notes:
Dark garnet in color with black cherry, raisin, and licorice on the nose.   Cranberry, dates and lavender on the palette.   Comes off as a bit thin, but the abundance of power flavors surprises and the long finish keeps your attention.   Nice acidic balance.

Final Thoughts:
Not a home-run, but yet.  Still quite good and well worth the $22US.

Wine Tasting: 2011 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Creek Vineyard

My last wine tasting update was also a Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon.  The 2013 Indian Well I believe it was.  Today it's the 2011 Cold Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tasting Notes:
Dark violet in color with lavender and dark fruit rind on the nose.   Medium to medium plus body,  fairly smooth with tart raspberry, cherry, with a medium wet granite finish.

Final thoughts:
Good, but not great.  I had noted in the Indian Wells tasting notes that Chateau Ste. Michelle had better wines than the Indian Wells, this is definitely one of them.  Though, this one comes with a larger price tag too boot.  I still feel the QPR is a little low on this wine though.

Wine Tasting: 2013 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Indian Wells

This evening I decided upon a wine I just picked up as a sixth bottle of a wine purchase.  I was really only looking for the five wines, but my local wine shop gives a 5% discount on six and well.  This one was practically free with the discount on the others.

Tasting Notes:
Dark violet in color, blueberry, cherry, and red beet on the nose. Black current, black olive, and wet granite on the palate. Semi-smooth with a long finish.

Final thoughts:
It's okay.  You won't impress anyone with it.  Chateau Ste. Michelle has a lot better offerings if you're looking for a good wine.

Wine Tasting: 2014 Crowdsource Cabernet Sauvignon

My shippment of 2014 Crowdsource Cabernet Sauvignon came in not long ago.  I recieved three bottles of it.  With three bottles, I figured it was worth opening one early and let the other two age.

Tasting Notes:
Dark ink in color, with scents of black cherry, plum, and licorice.  Powerful flavors of a tart plum, fig, potting soil, and tobacco.  Fully bodied though not as full as some and semi-smooth which I expect will improve with a little more time.

Final thoughts:
A quality wine with a very pronounced and juicy flavor profile.  It's definitely an interesting wine and of course it's a discussion wine with it's bold flavor and the fact that it's a history making wine being the first publicly crowdsourced wine!

Wine Tasting: 2015 Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé

I've been trying more Rosé wines. Haven't had the chance to make many notes on them, but here is one.

Tasting Notes:
Smells of rose petals. (fitting) On the palete, a zing of marmalade, lemon, and lime followed up by softer florals on the finish.

Final Thoughts:
Light, not too sweet, not too dry. With a slight chili on the wine combined with the light citrus notes makes for a nice little evening summer wine to relax with.

Wine Tasting: 2013 Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon

I actually had this wine the other night, but I'm only getting around to posting my thoughts tonight.

I must say, that I am definitely becoming more of a Washington State wine fan of late.  Though I must admit a winemaking friend of mine who is really a fan of Washington wines  has really made me examine more Washington wines.

So, this wine is the 2013 Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tasting Notes:
Garnet in color with scents of plum, and licorice. Cranberry, with earthen flavors of forest floor and minerals with a long peppery finish. Smooth, but not quite silky. Good body and the alcohol punches forward, yet the bold flavors and long finish make it blend well.

Final Thoughts;
I enjoyed this wine, though another winemaking acquaintance of mine said he didn't qutie appreciate the 2014 version of this same wine.  Could be age, could just be a lacking wine.  Anyway, I do like the 2013 vintage.

Wine Tasting: 2013 Columbia Crest Wautoma Springs Vineyards Reserve

Tonight was the night to ensure my Columbia Crest Wine Club shipment wasn't tainted by the heat during shipping. (a week shipping and 90F+ heat) I would have rather cellared it, but I needed to know if I had to send it back.

I like the packaging.  Simple yet elegant black and gold label with winemaking notes on the front of the label.  An ornate cork that is quite attractive.  

Tasting Notes:
A dark lushish purple and surprisingly fast legs.  On the nose there is florals, blueberry and an earthen minerality.  Medium bodied, yet very juicy with flavors of plum, black cherry and allspice.  It finishes is quite long and it begs for another taste.

Final Thoughts:
A bit thin and young, but very good none the less.  It doesn't appear tainted by heat during shipping.  I recieved two in my shipment and I may purchase another to replace this one in my cellar.

Wine Tasting: 2014 Intrinsic Cabernet Sauvignon

Tonight's wine is a very youthful wine.  I choose this wine from a friend of mine who loves Washington wines not to mention it has a fantastic wine label!

It's 2014 Intrinsic Cabernet Sauvignon from the Intrinsic Wine Company which is owned by Ste. Michelle and the winemaker is the head winemaker for Columbia Crest.  Juan Muñoz Oca.

Generally, I would drop a 2014 Cab/Sauv in the cellar and wait for it, but I wanted to try this one.  If it was good, I would pick up a couple of more bottles to age a bit.

Tasting Notes:
Dark purple and it’s youth can really be seen at the edges. Red fruit, mainly plum rind on the nose. Really minimal aromas at this point. On the palate, it’s very fruit forward and juicy, but comes off a bit thin. It has an edge to it like a young wine will and with some decanting would probably open up a bit more.

Final Thoughts:
I would say this wine is a buy and hold. It definitely has upside. Hopefully it being a bit thin doesn't hurt in the long run.  Though I think it will be fine.

Wine Tasting: 2013 Rama Cabernet Sauvignon

Today we are going with a 2013 Rama Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley region.  The winemaker is Mario Bazán who immigrated from Oaxaca, Mexico back in 1973.

Tasting Notes:
Dark garnet in color with aromas of peppery red fruit and tar. On the palate its silky smooth with a red plum, slight sour cherry and damp peat moss. A medium minus acidity that keeps the wine well balanced.

Final Thoughts:
Very smooth, easy drinking.  Great everyday wine, but better than your average table wine.  I like it.

Wine Tasting: 2011 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon

Tonight's wine was a gift from a co-worker of mine.  I haven't tried Louis Martini wine before, so I'm happy to have it.

Tasting Notes:
Dark garnet and full bodied.  On the nose and palate there is dark cherry and plum.  There is also nutmeg and other spices that give it a more earthen warmth in the flavors.

The wine is quite juicy and the texture feels lighter than you expect from a full bodied wine.  Less tannic.  The acidity is very good.

Final Thoughts:  I like it, though it's not a great wine.  Very easy drinking.  A great table wine.

Tasting: 2010 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ~ Black Label

This Cabernet Sauvignon is like dark red ink with crimson at the edge.  The legs are slow and it almost tastes just like it smells.  Blueberry and raisin though the taste also has a bit of licorice in the finish.  I would say it has a leathery texture and a medium finish.  The acidity gives it a decent balance.

I always enjoy the perceived  irony of finding a very good screw top wine.

Tasting: 2011 Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon

The wine is barn red in color and the legs appear to be medium.  The aromas of blueberry, fig, and clove pervade the nose.  The tastes of cherry, clove, with a smoky tar and plum essence.  The body is medium/full. The wine beautifully polished with a medium plus finish and low acidity.

Pair with strip steak topped with Gorgonzola, rosemary potatoes, and steamed vegetables.  Everything about tonight's dinner was top notch.  Not just the incredible wine!