Winery - Gifford Hirlinger
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a 50-50 blend of estate-grown Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in neutral oak. Dark, plush, well-ripened fruit is the focus of a wine still a bit stiff and steely. It’s classic in the way a Bordeaux is classic, firm and confidently blended.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is pure Merlot, well made, with classic balance and structure. It’s not a flashy wine, but the undertones of dried leaf support and enhance the crisp currant, strawberry and cherry fruit.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
All estate-grown fruit, blended with 11% Merlot, which seems to soften up the tannins a bit. This is aromatic and complex, weaving together scents of cassis, licorice, tobacco and smoke. Flavors follow, with plenty of black cherry fruit in the concentrated core.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This limited (350 case) release is 86% Merlot, the rest Cabernet Sauvignon. There is significant influence from new oak barrels, and the wine is better for it. The oak sharpens the edges and adds tannic definition, with a lightly toasty finish. The fruit is light and pleasant.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is 80% Cabernet and 20% Merlot, and hits just 12.6% alcohol—unusually low. It tastes a bit thin, either young vines or high yields or both. The wine is balanced but lacks focus; it shows tart cranberry fruit and just a hint of spice.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in neutral oak. It’s bright and peppery and lightly herbal, with tart strawberry and cherry tomato flavors.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is 100% varietal—angular and stiff, offering nicely woven scents of herb, toast, and black cherry. The flavors continue with hints of coffee, cinnamon, vanilla and tobacco.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This deceptively named and priced wine is a gem. It’s all estate-grown, and the blend is a fascinating combination of Merlot, Cabernet and Malbec, with a dollop of Tinta Cao, Tempranillo and Petit Verdot. Dark and demonstrative, it has a seductive nose of black fruits, toast and coffee. Currants and black cherries are wreathed in smoke, and the suppleness grows into a lengthy and satisfying finish. Many wines at twice the price would like to be this good.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Clean and well-ripened fruit holds down center court here; tart and tight flavors of currant and berry. It’s wrapped in a shell of tannin that is still hard and seeming to hold the wine back. The best guess is to give it some bottle age and let it breathe, and you will be rewarded with a polished and expressive wine.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This seems to be the first varietally designated Tempranillo from Gifford Hirlinger, and it shows exciting promise. Very little Tempranillo is planted in Washington, and most versions draw on the same vineyard sources; this is estate grown and therefore unique. Smoky and textural, it has a lovely depth of dark fruits and toasty barrel accents. The tannins are juxtaposed, and the match makes for a wine with tension and strength.
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