Winery - Chandler Reach
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Youthful, plummy, bright, clear and very toasty. The new oak jumps out at you, but then the fruit stands up to it. It’s hard and tannic, taut, compact, serious Cabernet, with plenty of stuffing for cellaring, and just a hint of leather and leaf.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Corella is the winery’s Sangiovese/Cabernet/Syrah blend—a super-Yakiman? This is the best version they’ve made yet, as the tart, astringent berry flavors of the Sangiovese are beautifully set up against the stiffer tannins and deeper black fruit components from the Cab, with just a hint of peppery smoke from the Syrah. It’s a wonderful balance of flavors, with surprising depth and substance.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A luscious, velvety, 100% Merlot—how many places in the world can you make Merlot this tasty for this price? It shows why Washington Merlot stands apart from the crowd—it’s full-flavored, full-figured, and delicious in a ripe, forward, fruit and chocolate explosion.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The Parris wines are the estate-grown reserves, and as the vineyard matures, the wines should gain in concentration and complexity. As before, the Cabernet shows clean, ripe but still young fruit, sweet and plump. Subtle notes are your reward if you are willing to give it some extra attention—finishing streaks of black tea, ground coffee, toffee, pepper and herb. Though 60% new French oak was used, the wine has adjusted well and kept its elegant balance.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is 100% Cab Franc. Chandler Reach has made another terrific example, saturated and lush with sweet, ripe black cherry fruit. There is a hint of leather, plenty of snappy acid, well-modulated tannins and behind the tangy fruit a wine with pleasing texture and balance. It’s muscular without steroids, a fine follow up to the excellent 2002.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Spicy and bright, this could almost be Grenache, with its penetrating acid and the lightness to its fruit. The oak flavors—substantial hits of cracker, vanilla and chocolate—seem rather heavy-handed at this point. On the plus side, the nice spicy fruit carries on admirably into the finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a light, pleasant red blend of 72% Sangiovese, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Syrah. dappled with hints of cinnamon and spice. Not as substantial as the 2004, it’s made for near-term drinking.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Dark, thick and aromatic, this blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Syrah can stand alongside others selling for two or three times the price. It’s a supple mix of dark fruits and spicy herb; it almost bristles with sharp hints of nettle, pepper and green tea. The tannins are supple and smooth, and there is a polish to the wine that extends into a smooth, seamless and very satisfying finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A budget blend of four-fifths Cabernet and a mix of Cab Franc, Merlot and Syrah for the balance. This is what Washington needs more of—bright, full-bodied, everyday reds at everyday prices. There’s good grip here and more substantial fruit than you’ll find elsewhere for the price. This needs just a bit of breathing time to turbocharge the fruit.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Smoky, forward, sweet and laced with a heady mix of plum, prune, coffee and tobacco, this blend is immediately enjoyable. The tannins and heat in the finish suggest that decanting is a good idea, but this is a wine to savor near term.
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