Winery - Hard Row To Hoe
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The winery also makes Barbera, and this shares with that wine a certain ultra-ripe, Port-like aroma. Here the alcohol hits 15.5%, and there is less supporting acidity. Barrel flavors dominate—vanilla, tobacco, and liquorous heat.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The barrel influence is laid on a bit thick, but the fruit flavors mix berries, cherries and bleed into licorice, chocolate and a hint of tar. Tasted against a comparable Fielding Hills it’s just a bit lighter and less well integrated.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a pure Cab Franc, stylish and varietal. The new oak was limited to just 30%, giving a kick to the natural toastiness of the grape. The fruit mixes blueberries, black cherry and a streak of cassis, then runs into luscious mocha and espresso, with highlights of black pepper and cedar. The tannins have been beautifully managed.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Made from 100% Sangiovese, grown on the shores of Lake Chelan, one of Washington’s newest and smallest AVAs. The extra year in bottle has softened and opened the aromas, which bring exceptional complexity to what might appear to be a more simple wine. Not just fruity, though there is plenty of tangy strawberry nectar, along with hints of orange peel and chai tea. The complexity here is remarkable.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A lovely example of Pinot Noir from one of the rare places in Washington that can do the flighty grape justice. It is a 50/50 blend of the 2008 and 2009 vintage—a crafty winemaker decision that has worked beautifully. The wine strikes a perfect balance, neither too young and sharp, nor too soft and fruity. Light touches of cedar and smoke wrap around fruit flavors of strawberry and cherry pie. It stops a little short at the moment, but that might just be a function of limited bottle age.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Piercing aromas of very ripe fruit, verging on scents of raisins and prunes, mix in with dark streaks of cedar, coffee, and baking chocolate. Nothing shy here! This is full-bodied, forceful, big, bold and still balanced, though not a wine to pair with anything but the most robust foods.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This pure variety from an emerging new Washington AVA has some guts and character. The acids are sleek, the wine suitably focused, the fruit an interesting mix of wild berries, citrus and pineapple. The flavors develop, adding in layers of butterscotch, toasted almond and buttercream.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Syrah does well all over Washington, but the Lake Chelan region has a particular mix of qualities that are most appealing. The scents swirl through a circus of attractions—coffee and toast, berry and cassis, loam and funk, spice and citrus peel. They seem to go on almost infinitely. The flavors continue along the same lines; just as you think you’ve nailed them down, they morph into something new.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This Barbera is very pruney in the nose, with scents of smoked meat under the fruit. Despite the suggestion that the grapes got a little baked, there is plenty of acid, perhaps an indication that this varietal is difficult to get right in Washington State vineyards. Drink this one soon.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Good fruit from the Riverbend vineyard brings earthy complexity to the wine. Sappy boysenberry fruit, soaked in barrel flavors of Kahlua and cinnamon, shows just a bit of alcoholic heat heading into the finish.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
