Winery - J. Bookwalter
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Despite its 1.9% residual sugar, this is succulent, not sweet. An ex- ceptionally fragrant wine, lush with blossoms, sweet peach, mango and pear. Beautifully ripened and concentrated; vibrant so that it seems to shimmer in the mouth, like a wave breaking over the palate. Poised, racy, fruity and sensuous, it just goes on and on.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This may well be the best Riesling being made in Washington at the moment. Off-dry and very lightly carbonated, it explodes with a bouquet of flower flavors that hit you with lilac, citrus blossom, talcum powder and more. Lively and tight, the flavors gather strength and concentration as they move through a myriad of pretty fruits, finally resolving in a long, slightly honeyed finish. A masterful effort.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
At first tight and a bit unyielding, it sends up little wafts of scent—cinnamon and spice—before slowly broadening out with classic Bordeaux notes of lead pencil, cedar and graphite. Lean but not mean, this shows the grip and polish of very skillful winemaking, married to superb fruit. Classic black cherry and cassis, with the acidity and lean muscularity that distinguishes the best Washington Cabs.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A dead ringer for Napa Merlots costing twice as much, a sensational wine. Beautifully crafted, it displays finesse as well as sheer power, with layers of black cherry, plum and cassis, plenty of baking chocolate, good grip through the midpalate and a dusty, delicious denouement.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The clever blend adds 8% Malbec and 8% Petit Verdot; both grapes boost the tannin and color and give the wine a meatiness lacking in most domestic Merlots. The Merlot part ain’t shabby either: broad, rich strokes of plum and cherry fruit, saturated in barrel-infused layers of smoke, baking chocolate and espresso. The sweet cherry in the center gives the wine a chocolate bon-bon character, and the finish, with a bit of liquorous heat, suggests that it will drink at its best in the near term.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Continuing its string of outstanding Rieslings, J. Bookwalter once again has produced an exceptionally fragrant wine absolutely brimming with scents of sweet blossom, citrus, peach, mango and pear. The mix of fruits is marvelous; equally impressive is the racy acidity that keeps the wine poised, balanced and right on the fence between dry and sweet.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The winery’s first Meritage has a hefty bottle but a rather dull, black and white label. It’s layered and complex, quite young with streaks of pencil lead, licorice and charcoal around dense black fruits and sweet tannins. The wine shows a very strong spine on which the tart fruit hangs; that tartness characterizes optimal Washington ripeness. Full and complete, it hints appropriately at leaf and spice nuances.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Supple and layered, this nicely captures the scope and scale of this superb vintage. It’s still young, tight and quite compact, but shows threads of tobacco, anise, stone and pencil lead, along with full, fleshy, plum and cassis fruit. Great structure and dense, ripe tannins. This is a perfect illustration of why Washington Merlot can claim to be the best in the world outside of Pomerol.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This wine’s dense complexity is immediately apparent in the nose; offering hints of Asian spice, cinnamon, cardamom, along with supple layers of purple and black fruits. The tannins are substantial and fine-grained, perfectly ripe, and the threads of black olive, smoke, tar and coffee weave seamlessly into the finish. There is a balance point here—it has not reached too far; it’s just right.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Predominantly Merlot, the blend also includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot (7% each). Smooth, supple and silky, it’s dense and deeply saturated—inky to the eye and thick against the glass. The flavors show plenty of char and chocolate, with mocha, coffee bean, cherry and cassis thickly applied. Lip-smacking flavor bolstered with natural acids, sweet tannins and a long finish.
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