~$40US, 100% Syrah, DuBrul Vineyard Yakima Valley, Washington

Luxurious and rich reddish purple. Massive red and black berries on the nose, some ripe plum. A curious lanolin ointment and dried mint components underlying. Mouth-filling body, very round and weighty with an unconscious balance of tannins and acidity. The alcohol nips a little in the midpalate, but the wine is extraordinarily lengthy in the finish.  A slight maple-syrup edge speaks of the oak, which adds to the overall delicious impression.

A generous and satisfying wine, hitting that great sweet spot of complexity and accessibility. This wine makes a great case for Washington’s Syrah potential, and portents great things in the next decade as the vines age and mature. Drink now and through the next 2-3 years to enjoy the freshness and poise.

~$20US, 100% Riesling, Columbia Valley, WA

Floral nose with white peaches. Medium bodied palate with Korean plum-hard-candy flavors throughout. Focused acidity providing a lively counterpoint to the fruit ripeness. Developed secondary flavors like banana and ripe honeydew with airtime as it warmed to room temperature. Very balanced in a dry style with a slightly minerally finish. Clean and pure - One of the strongest new-world Rieslings I’ve had. Perfect with Chinese - especially with shellfish dishes.

 ~$20US, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Columbia Valley Washington 

I believe the bottle to be flawed or damaged. Over-oxidized balsamic and grape Robotussin flavor. Disappointing and will reserve judgement on Owen Roe wines until after I try the 2006 ‘Lady Rosa’ Syrah maturing in the cellar. 

Fontanafredda Barbera Briccotondo Piedmont 2006: Bright, fresh. Some interesting vegetal notes and sour cherry. Irony (bloody?) and sweet finish. Superb value.

Apex II Cabernet Columbia Valley 2004: Christmas spices, vanilla, currants. Oaked, but proportionate to the fruit. Very friendly, smooth, and full-bodied. Round, soft tannins.

Leviathan California Red 2005: Deep and brooding - black fruit and brambles, with some curry and dusty aromatics. Full-bodied and weighty, liqueur-like. Reminds me of The Prisoner, but with some deeper 2nd and 3rd tier aromatics and a slightly firmer stucture on the back-end. Decadent as all get-out.

All 3 wines were knock-out efforts with the Rib roast dinner - the Barbera being the surprise of the night, Apex being the easiest drinker, and Leviathan living up to expectations and the high bar of winemaker Andy Erickson.

~$17US Claret blend: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot, and 10% Malbec, Columbia Valley, Washington

Nose: Black currant, bell peppers, pine sap
Palate: No doubt the strong suite here: Well-integrated tannins, smooth and round on the palate. Bell pepper again.
Finish: Slightly artificial caramel and vanilla notes detract from the overall restraint and balance

Easy-drinking. Well-crafted, generous, and balanced. A terrific value, but not blowing my mind with any 1 aspect or an overall impression…