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WINE REVIEWS & RATINGS
washington state
2003 & Beyond
Order:
Cabernet Sauvignon (Top)
Merlot (Middle)
Syrah (Bottom)
2003 Abeja Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $$$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Coffee, spice
Taste: Smooth tannins, spice and pepper. Medium complexity.
Finish: Solid medium finish, a little tannic but nothing two or three years of aging won’t take care of along with earth and spice.
Evaluation: A very nice wine from a great 03 vintage from Washington State. 89 points
2003 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Columbia Valley Cabernet $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Earth
Taste: Bitter Tannic Bomb
Finish: Tannic with the dry cotton mouth sensation
Evaluation: I hope this improves with five more years of cellaring as I own six more. Decanted two hours prior which didn't help. On the next day tried it again and it had softened a little but still not showing much fruit. 82 points
BOTTLE VARIATION CONCEPT
2003 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Columbia Valley Cabernet $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Plum and Cherry with earth tones
Taste: Red currants, earth, oak, vanilla, and a touch of spice
Finish: Medium with currant, oak and vanilla
Evaluation: Bottle variation from the 1st bottle. This happens due to several factors but this one was far superior. 89 points
2003 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Columbia Valley Cabernet $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Plum, cherry, spices, oak
Taste: Cherry, spices, oak, vanilla, subtle earth
Finish: Medium with smooth tannins
Evaluation: Sampled in 09 and drinking really well 91 points
2003 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet $
Color: Medium Purple
Nose: Red pepper, hint of currant, earth,, some alcohol
Taste: Red Pepper, spice
Finish: Red Pepper, spices into a medium finish
Evaluation: A simple table wine but for the price a winner 85 points
2003 Columbia Crest Two Vines Cabernet $
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spice, plum, mineral
Taste: Plum, cherry and spice
Finish: Medium spices, mineral and pepper
Evaluation: Great price! 87 points
2003 Columbia Crest Reserve Cabernet $$$
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Forest floor, oak, spice,
Taste: Gritty texture, forest floor, oak, spice, earth,
Finish: Gritty with earth, butter notes, oak, vanilla
Evaluation: A earth style wine which is rare from Columbia Crest as normally there is a good mix of earth and fruit components. 87 points
2003 Columbia Crest Walter Clore Reserve $$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Pepper, darker fruit with cherry, plum and spice
Taste: Pepper, earth, with a buttery note
Finish: Cherry, buttery note, little tannic, into a long finish.
Evaluation: This wine will improve with cellar time. 91 points
2003 Hogue Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $$$
Color: Dark Ruby Red
Nose: Earth, Sour Cherry
Taste: Tobacco with moderate fruit. Chewy tannins. Nothing is jumping out at me.
Finish: Medium with cherry and tobacco
Evaluation: Certainly not as good as the 2001 which had more detectable fruit. I would predict that two or more years will help this wine come together and improve. 86 points
2003 Owen Roe DuBral Vineyard Yakima Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $$$$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Explosive with cherry, plum, oak, vanilla, spice
Taste: Fruit forward with cherry and plum with a nice mix of earth character
Finish: Long and well balanced. This would cost $130 plus if it was from California
Evaluation: 95 points
2003 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon $$$$$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Plum, earth, pencil lead
Taste: A huge mouthful of plum and spice with hints of pepper. Very complex.
Finish: A multi layered finish with spice, pepper, currants and a lingering buttery finish. This was a long extremely enjoyable finish.
Evaluation: My Wine of the Night and of the Year! 97+ and I could see how this would develop into a 100 pointer.
Comments: The notes are somewhere and will turn up. The 02 and 03 were completely different wines from memory. The 03 was the best Cab based wine I have ever had and I believe will achieve perfection. The 02 was not as impressive and I think it will be the weaker of the 2 vintages.
Decanting: The 02 we had 2 samples brought and I know one had 9 hours of air time and the other not as much. I am guessing I got the less aired out one and will just have to pop one open for New Years to see where it is at. The 03 was given at least 10 hours of air time and performed perfectly. Another 03 was going to be at the event with a last minute no show.
2004 Hogue Genesis Cabernet Sauvignon $
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Plum, dark cherry, oak, vanilla
Taste: Plum, dark cherry, nice acidity, oak, vanilla
Finish: Spicy, toasted oak, cherry, vanilla
Evaluation: A superstar wine for $9.99 at Hennepin Lake. 90 points
2005 Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Forest floor, plum
Taste: Little sweet with plum, cherry, spice
Finish: Medium
Evaluation: Every day quality 85 points
2005 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Forest floor, cherry, plum, spice, oak
Taste: Wow! Forest floor, cherry, plum, spice, oak, not too tannic
Finish: Intense and powerful
Evaluation: Best wine ever for under $10 to date. 92 points
2005 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon $
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Cherry, smoke, oak, vanilla, plum
Taste: Smoke, cherry, oak, vanilla, meat
Finish: Ripe fruit and balanced earth tones on this medium finish
Evaluation: Great wine! 88 points
2006 Baer Winery Ursa - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (9/1/2010)
Once again Kevin with a great bonus wine. Classic Washington with forest floor, cherry, plum, minerals and oak. Medium finish and good acidity. (91 pts.)
2006 Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills H3 Cabernet Sauvignon $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spices, cherry, vanilla, plum and oak
Taste: Spices, sweet fruits, cherry, vanilla, oak
Finish: Medium and concentrated
Evaluation: Super Star wine for the price 91 points
2007 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Estates - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (2/15/2010)
Dark purple. Nose shows off dust, cherry, plum, spices, and oak. On the palate a nice balance of spice, cherry, plum, oak, and vanilla. Medium finish. This is the best Grand Estates Cab I have tasted. For $7.50 you can't get much better. (89 pts.)
MERLOT
2003 Columbia Crest Columbia Valley Grand Estates Merlot $
Color: Deep ruby red
Nose: Earth, plum and ripe fruit
Taste: Pepper and spicy notes with floral components
Finish: Medium finish with all the tastes interweaving together
Evaluation: Drink me right now or buy and a case and enjoy over the next few years. A tremendous value from Columbia Crest who make in my opinion the best reds for under $10 year in and year out. Crowd pleaser at a party. 88 points
2003 Columbia Crest Merlot/Cab Two Vine Blend $
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Plum, cherry
Taste: Cherry, acidic, oaky
Finish: Medium with oak, cherry, but thin
Evaluation: Not as good as 02. 80 points
2003 Owen Roe DuBrul Vineyards Yakima Valley Merlot $$$$
Color: Medium red
Nose: Cherry, plum, tobacco, oak
Taste: Sour cherries, tobacco, oak, vanilla, plum moderate tannins
Finish: Powerful, full bodied wine for Merlot. Nice fruits, tobacco, oak, vanilla, and earthy components.
Evaluation: Cellar but this shows a lot now if decanted. 90 points
2003 Owen Roe Red Yakima Valley (Merlot, Cab Franc and Cabernet) $$$
Color: Dark red
Nose: Earth, raspberry
Taste: Minerals, spice, floral, hot pepper
Finish: Mouthful of spice which settles into a mild buttery finish lasting for a minute.
Evaluation: The cab franc really shows through on this wine with the spice and intense heat. An interesting wine that would go well with red meat. 89 points
2003 Pedestal Columbia Valley Merlot $$$$
Color: Dark ruby
Nose: Currants, earth
Taste: Spice with too much tannin at this point
Finish: Medium with heavy tannins, spice and a gritty component
Evaluation: This wine is very young and should be cellared for three to five before trying another. 89 points
2003 Spring Valley Uriah (Merlot based) Tasted Blind $$$$
Color: Deep ruby red
Nose: Menthol and floral components.
Taste: Earth tones with licorice and plum emerging later in the glass.
Finish: Medium finish.
Evaluation: This might improve a few points in the future with proper storage. 90 points
2004 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot $
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Smoke, earth, cherry, plum
Taste: Smooth tannins, smoke, earth, cherry, plum, oak
Finish: Long with a beautiful combination of smoke, oak, earth, and fruit. In perfect balance.
Evaluation: The best Merlot in the world for the money. 90 points
2004 Columbia Crest Merlot Reserve - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (3/12/2010)
Medium purple. Nose of cherry, cedar, tobacco, and dust. On the palate spices, cherry, dust, cedar and floral notes. The finish is medium and is really shows a complex array of elements. This is one of my favorite Merlots in the world for under $30. I love Right Bank Merlot based wines and Washington State Merlots. (92 pts.)
2004 Hogue Columbia Valley Merlot $
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Plum, cherry, earth
Taste: Plum, sour cherry, earth, spice
Finish: Medium and somewhat balanced
Evaluation: Simple wine. 84 points
2005 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot $
Color: Dark Purple
Nose: Cherry, plum, oak
Taste: Fruit forward effort with smooth tannins
Finish: Smooth, medium finish with cherry, plum and oak
Evaluation: Again the best wine under $10. 89 points
2005 Desert Wind Ruah Columbia Valley (45% merlot, 40% cab, 15% cab franc) $$
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Plum, earth, spice, red pepper
Taste: Spice, floral, red peppers, earth
Finish: Dirty with red peppers, floral
Evaluation: Enjoy with a burger this is a food wine. 84 points
2005 Meek Family Estate Inherit - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (3/16/2010)
This Bordeaux Blend features Merlot, Cabernet, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Aromas of blueberries, vanilla, oak, and cherry. The palate is smooth overall and the oak is well integrated into the wine. Medium tannins and the finish is polished. Drink now or hold for 5 years. (92 pts.)
2005 Sheridan Kamiakin Yakima Valley Merlot $$
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Big with spice, cherry, earth, and mineral
Taste: Flavorful with spice, cherry, plum, mineral, and coffee
Finish: Long and intense. Needs some decanting time or a juicy steak.
Evaluation: A wine that I help bring to Minnesota and are proud of it. 89 points
2005 Three Rivers Columbia Valley Red (Merlot 40%) $$
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Plum, spice, oak
Taste: Spice, plum, tobacco, medium tannins
Finish: Medium with tobacco, oak, plum
Evaluation: Needs food. 84 points
2006 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Columbia Valley Merlot $
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Spice, earth, red pepper
Taste: Cherry, spices, roasted peppers, minerals
Finish: Medium and a bit bitter
Evaluation: Not the best vintage for this wine 85 points
2006 Sheridan Vineyard Mystique - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (11/4/2010)
Dark purple. Intense nose with blackberries, stones, violets and spice. The palate reveals a concentrated wine with violets, spice, blackberries, crushed rock and minerals. Big finish and firm tannins. This should age for a five plus years. (92 pts.)
2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot $$
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Cherry, spice, oak, vanilla, smoke
Taste: Cherry, spices, plum, vanilla, oak, minerals, smoke
Finish: Medium with multi layers of flavors
Evaluation: Really nice $13 wine 90 points
SYRAH
2003 Columbia Crest "Two Vines" Shiraz $
Color: Medium purple: Medium purple
Nose: Plum, earth, pepper
Taste: Mouthful of chewy fruit and earth, a little bitter due to tannins
Finish: Medium with nice fruit currants and a bit of acid
Evaluation: This $6 bottle actually needs some cellar time. Quote me on this that this is the best $6 red in the world year in and year out!!! 87 points
2003 Cayuse En Cerise Syrah $$$$
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Broccoli, barnyard, spice
Taste: Currants, barnyard
Finish: Barnyard, little musty
Evaluation: Thought this was a Northern Rhone but turned out to be Washington State. 89 points
2004 Columbia Crest "Two Vines" Shiraz $
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spice, plum, cherry, pepper
Taste: Cherry, plum, spice
Finish: Medium and balanced
Evaluation: The best under $10 wine year in and year out. 87 points
2004 Meek Family Estate Syrah WJ - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (3/21/2009)
A dark colored wine with cherries, spice, oak and floral notes. Full of flavors and hard to believe this wine sells for under $15. (89 points)
2005 Columbia Crest "Two Vines" Shiraz $
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Blackberries, smoke
Taste: Cherries, blackberries, smoke, a bit bitter
Finish: Medium with a nice fruit profile
Evaluation: Simple but good 85 points
2005 Saint-Laurent Syrah mrachek vineyards - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope (3/12/2011)
Swirl Wine Class (Afton) (Afton House, MN): Fun wine to drink and while not the most structured wine it has some cherry, plum, spice and subtle oak coming together. Medium finish. (89 points)
2005 Meek Family Estate Syrah - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (3/16/2010)
Dark purple. Nose is new world syrah with cherry, blackberries, oak, vanilla and spices. The palate reveals amazing concentration and features oak, vanilla, blackberries, smoke, spices and blueberries. Medium and multi layered finish. I think this is one of the top Syrah wines under $30 in the world. (93 pts.)
2005 Meek Family Estate Syrah - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (1/7/2011)
Not as good as previous bottles but still impressive with smoke, gravel, spice and blackcurrants. Medium finish and concentrated. (90 points)
2005 Sheridan Vineyard Syrah - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (3/22/2009)
Plum, cherry, truffles, and violets explode from the glass. The palate is amazing and flavorful. Overall smooth tannins and drinking really well right now. Highly recommended. (92 points)
2006 Columbia Crest Vineyard 10 Red Blend (Syrah, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and other) $
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Oak, plum, cherry, and Intense
Taste: Spice, oak, vanilla, mineral, plum, cherry
Finish: Intense and concentrated
Evaluation: Best red under $10 ever. Tastes like a $50 wine. 90 points
2006 Meek Family Estate Syrah WJ - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (2/2/2011)
DARK purple. Nose oak, cinnamon, forest floor, blackberries and vanilla. The palate is showing ripe fruits featuring plum, blackberries and raspberries along with spices, oak, vanilla and forest floor. Medium finish and soft tannins. Really drinking well now but should continue to evolve over the next three years. (91 points)
2007 Columbia Crest Vineyard 10 Rose (Syrah based) $
Color: Light pink
Nose: Strawberry and mineral
Taste: Strawberry and mineral and a touch of sweetness
Finish: Short but refreshing
Evaluaton: Nice wine 86 points
2007 Sheridan Vineyard Syrah Kamiakin - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (3/4/2010)
Dark purple. Nose of cherry, plum, spice and earth. Really nice on the palate cherry, spice, floral and plum. Medium finish and really balanced wine. (90 pts.)
