Winery - Walla Walla
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Like this cult winery’s Cabernet, the Merlot is loaded with layer upon layer of rich, textured, chocolatey oak. The flavors are right out of Ben and Jerry— caramel, cocoa, roasted nuts, vanilla and sweet milk chocolate. But there is plenty of fruit there too, and the combo is beguiling, instant gratification.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
In this unusually difficult vintage, the winery sourced some of its fruit from Cold Creek, some from Goose Ridge, some from Sagemoor. The flavors are on the light side, almost thin, not progressing much past the watermelon and strawberry stage. In a flight of meatier wines, this one seemed rather insubstantial, and definitely not up to the winery’s usual standards.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
I found decent overall weight and structure in this vineyard designate, and good, supporting acids under a wash of chocolate and butterscotch. Even so, the fruit is submerged, and much of the detail is lost, or at least missing. The finish shows a bit of heat, and the wine never quite comes into focus.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Scents and flavors of cranberry and raspberry are followed with layers of caramel, brown sugar, espresso and dark chocolate. Very smooth, very seductive, very creamy, it leads into a long, smooth finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Fans of the Leonetti style are sure to find this fragrant, plummy wine a winner. Loaded with ripe fruit, the wine smells of cedarbox and roasted coffee, layer upon layer of smoky oak adding dimensions of flavor and texture. Very good right now. Editors’ Choice.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Hard spices—like black pepper—and brambly fruit, often the signature characteristics of Washington Cabernets, are all present and accounted for. Lively acidity and tannins make for pronounced black-fruit and coffee flavors. A little warm and tight now, it should soften over the next few years. Overall a solid, well-made red that only gets better as it breathes.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Bright berry and cassis, with smoke and licorice woven through. This is firm and chewy, with the tannins showing smoke and herbs. The roasted coffee character of the Cab Franc comes through beautifully at the end.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Classy from the get-go, with an appealing mix of strawberry preserves, anise, licorice candy, smoke and cedar. The fruit and oak are beautifully matched and laced together, and the flavors unfold with a slightly salty, mineral edge. Long, persistent and consistently interesting, right through the finishing notes of dried herb and toasted nuts.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Clearly a cut above the winery’s regular Cab, this is just the second time in 10 years the winery has made a vineyard select. Loaded with sweet/tart berries, this concentrated, pure Cabernet turns up flavors of coffee liqueur and chocolate-covered espresso beans. Good structure and concentration keep it from being top-heavy with oak.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Smooth, buffed and toned, with luscious toffee, coffee and chocolate-covered cherry flavors. Buttery, polished and just plain sexy, it also shows off some interesting, slightly grassy, sweet herb scents.
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