March 30, 2018
Not Just Good Friday BUT GREAT FRIDAY!!! Washington Reds!
1. 2014 K Vintners The Cattle King Syrah Upland Vineyard Snipes Mountain
Coming from the Upland Vineyard on Snipes Mountain, the 2014 Syrah Cattle King is a huge, powerful, unctuous beast that gives up decadent notes of black and blue fruits, freshly crushed rocks, graphite, iron and licorice. Unctuous, sexy and with gorgeous purity, it carries itself with incredible grace and elegance, without ever being over the top. It flirts with perfection and is one of the highlights of the vintage—and the region. Give it a few years and drink through 2029. Rated 99 The Wine Advocate
2. 2015 Windy Canyon Syrah Walla Walla Valley
The aromas are lively, with notes of smoke, raw meat, white pepper and red fruit. The palate shows considerable restraint, with an elegant silky feel to the fruit and savory flavors. Wine Enthusiast Magazine
3. 2014 Saggi The Long Shadows Vintners Collection Columbia Red Wine Walla Walla
An intensely colored wine with red current and cassis aromas wrapped around a core of licorice. Soft and silky on the entry, the 2014 Saggi is a flavorful package loaded with wild berries, fresh plums and hints of oak spice complemented by the wine's lively acidity and firmly textured mid-palate that turns silky on the finish. 94 POINTS - WINE ADVOCATE
4. 2011 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
Still quite young and showing an herbal side to the sharply-defined red fruits, this Cabernet will need a bit more bottle age to soften the rough edges. Nonetheless, the complex weave of bark, herb, earth and wild berry is balanced and effective; just give it more time. Wine Enthusiast Magazine
5. 2015 Sleight of Hand Cellars "The Conjurer" Columbia Valley
A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and a splash of Petit Verdot, the 2015 The Conjurer should end up being a smokin’ value. It offers complex notes of tobacco leaf, black currants, spice and earth in a medium to full-bodied, nicely textured, balanced style. It's going to drink nicely right out of the gate. Rated 92 The Wine Advocate
6. 2015 Seven Hills Merlot Walla Walla
This wine comes from the original Merlot blocks at this vineyard, planted in 1982. It's aromatic, with notes of plum, raspberry, clove and generous spices. The flavors coat the palate from end to end, backed by firm tannins that need time to soften out but have the strength to go the distance. It will be best after 2022. Rated 92 Wine Enthusiast Magazine
7. 2013 Wines of Substance Super Substance Merlot Northridge Vineyard Wahluke Slope - Merlot grape
Reviewed last year under the K Vintners label, the 2013 Super Substance Merlot Northridge is a serious effort that’s reminiscent of a top flight Pomerol. It sports a deep ruby/purple color as well as ample black currants, plums, wet clay and earth in a rich, full-bodied, concentrated, layered package that’s already hard to resist. Nevertheless, I suspect it will be even better with 2-3 years of bottle age and drink well over the following 10-15 years. Rating: 94+ The Wine Advocate
8. 2011 Michael Florentino Mezclado Garnacha Red Mountain - blend of Grenache 79%, Syrah 7%, Monastrell 7%, and Tempranillo: 7% grapes
The nose has raspberry, coffee, smokiness with a touch of chocolate in the end. The flavors of strawberry, violets and black cherry quickly flow into spices of white pepper, cumin with some leather/Tobacco that lingers into a nice finish. The depth this wine is intriguing. Winery