Wine Tasting: 2012 Mullan Road Cellars Red Wine Blend

Tonight's vino is a Columbia Valley, Washington red blend that consist of 51% Cabernet, 37% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Franc.

2012 Mullan Road Cellars Red Wine Blend

Tasting Notes:
Ink like in color, and aromas of bountiful red fruit and spices.   Black cherry, and relaxed blueberry with hints of ginger and allspice.  Initially fruit forward, yet a wet earthen mossy flavors tame the bouquet of fruitiness to leave you analyzing the depth of it’s complexity.  Finish isn’t substantial and slightly more subdued that I would hope for.  Tannins and acidity just a touch off.

Final Thoughts:
This is a good wine.  Just not spectacular.  In my personal opinion, I do not believe the QPR is there for this wine at around the $40US range

Wine Tasting: 2014 Columbia Crest Horse Haven Hills Reserve Chenin Blanc

Tonight's wine is a wine I've been really excited to try and I'm happy to say it did not disappoint!

2014 Columbia Crest Horse Haven Hills Reserve Chenin Blanc

Tasting Notes:
Light straw in color with scents of pineapple and lemongrass.  Flavors of lemon, lime, pear and light apricot.  Light, lively, just beautiful.

Final Thoughts:
I'm a huge fan of Chenin Blanc and this is a good one.

Wine Tasting: 2014 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Limited Release Gold Red Blend

I ordered a dozen wines from the Columbia Crest Wine Club.  Tonight I am tasting the Grand Estates Limited Release Gold Red Blend.

Tasting Notes:
Medium+ body and dark garnet in color with medium legs.     Nice fragrances of blueberries and radishes.  Up front savory flavors of cranberry and red plum followed up by a late sour cherry.  A smooth, but not silky texture and a mellow acidic finish.

Final Thoughts:
Very good for $12US.  Much better than most $12 off the shelf American wines you find.

Wine Tasting: 2014 Columbia Crest Chardonnay Unoaked Reserve Estate

I'm really becoming a huge fan of Washington wines.  I received my wine club order from Columbia Crest not too long ago and one of the wines they sent was an unoaked reserve Chardonnay.   2014 Columbia Crest Chardonnay Unoaked Reserve Estate

Tasting Notes:
Light golden straw in color. Light and crisp scents of citrus and dried fruit. Voracious honeydew accented with lemon and slight hints of lime buried in the late balanced acidity. Medium bodied with smooth texture and very nice finish.

Final Thoughts:
While I generally lean towards oaked Chardonnay, I do not like them heavily oaked. This is a very good unoaked Chardonnay. One I'm very happy with.  Excellent wine!

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: 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 Ashan Chardonnay, Kestrel Vineyard

Like sands through an hour glass.  So drains the wine from my glass!  Today I am tasting Kestrel Vineyards 2013 Ashan Chardonnay created by winemaker Chris Goman.  Their website states that their vines are the oldest in the state.  (Washington State)

Tasting Notes:
Yellow gold, very faint on the nose. Mostly rubber and citrus though as I noted, the fragrance is quite weak. It's medium bodied, dry with a heavy punch of acidity. Flavors of apricot, lemon, and a touch of grapefruit.

Final Thoughts:
I think the wine has good quality, but not exactly my tastes. It may have had to do with the wine pairng being a shrimp scampi that had a touch of lemon zest competing with it.  I have another bottle.  Next time I will try it without the pairing or find a more suitable pairing for it.