• About Caspernick
  • Star Ratings
  • The Master tasting list

Caspernick's Blog

~ My personal wine tasting notes

Caspernick's Blog

Tag Archives: columbia valley

Watchful Maker Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Columbia Valley, Washington

12 Tuesday Jan 2021

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$23, 5 stars, 90 points, cabernet sauvignon, columbia valley, firstleaf, washington


This Washington State Cab Sav is a murky, dark shade of purple and totally opaque. On the nose I get a whiff of alcohol followed by plums, black currants and cedar shake. The palate starts off with a healthy dose of tannins and black fruit salad. When I say healthy, I mean teeth coating astringency- wow. The fruit flavors are having a hella time trying to get center stage here. The mid palate has black currants and tea notes that are vying for space with the grip of tannins. On the finish it is a very dry affair that is short lived from the fruit. I need to get the Vinturi out and re-try. I picked the right wine for tonight’s pairing- Picanha steaks, which have a thick edge of fat in need of some hefty tannins. This wine has tremendous structure and will cellar nicely for a few years but if you need it now, aerate it or you will be lost in a sea of mouth searing tannins. Overall I think this wine will end up really nice and considering the aging capacity I am going with 90 points. It retails for $23 and gets 5 stars from me. Drink from 2023 till 2027. Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen Eroica Gold Riesling 2015, Columbia Valley, Washington

27 Friday Nov 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$15, 5 stars, 92 points, columbia valley, riesling, washington


Pale gold.  The nose is sugary- apple juice meets apricot jam.  On the palate it’s quite sweet with great minerality, nice acidity and notes of apple cider and green apple pie.  A great midpalate with medium level acidity and some mouth filling glycerine.  It’s delicious, sweet but not unctuous and has a nice cut with a great, rounded mouthfeel.  It would work well post prandial or as an aperitif but I feel it would need some Foie Gras to mellow out the acidity and sweetness.  I’m really enjoying it. 92 points and 5 stars- $15 for 500ml bottle.  Drink till 2030. Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Domaine Ste. Michelle ‘Michelle’ Brut, Columbia Valley, USA

27 Friday Nov 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$13, 4 stars, 87 points, chardonnay, columbia valley, Sparkling wine, washington


Pale yellow with a combo of medium and large bubbles.  On the nose l get biscuits, some green apple and grapefruit.  The palate is medium dry with good fizz.  Yellow apples, a touch of citrus and more of that biscuit flavor all meld nicely with the bubbles on the palate.  The wine lacks any serious acidity but it drinks nicely at our Thanksgiving brunch.  87 points and 4 stars for this $13 quaffer. Makes a great Mimosa btw. Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Charles Smith CasaSmith ‘Vino’ Evergreen Vineyard Pinot Grigio 2018, Columbia Valley, USA

09 Sunday Aug 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$12, $7, 5 stars, 91 points, columbia valley, pinot grigio, pinot gris, VWTC, washington


This was our first wine at the #7 virtual tasting event.  It turned out to be my wine of the night.  Charles Smith makes good wine, and is very reasonable.  I’m a fan and was happy this wine rocked.

We tasted the wine at room temp and chilled.  I preferred the room temp wine as it had a far wider nose, more generous fruit flavors and was more complex.  The chilled version was still very good.  Apples, lemon, pineapple and pear notes were recorded with the first tasting while Granny Smith apples, honeysuckle and more acidity were noted with the chilled version.  It’s difficult for me to do a proper tasting while conducting the virtual tastings but this wine gets an overall score of 91 from me.  At $12 per bottle this needs to bought by the case, 5 stars.  Drink till 2023.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Cameron Hughes Lot 622 Riesling 2016, Columbia Valley, Washington

04 Wednesday Mar 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

$12, 4 stars, 89 points, columbia valley, riesling, washington


Tonight I’m cooking outside the box, chicken livers in peri-peri sauce and some in a Port wine reduction.  I’m grilling a pork loin as a backup.  So, I needed something white that will take the heat of the spicy sauce, Riesling is the obvious choice.

It’s a light shade of yellow in the glass,  the nose is very fresh with citrus, melon, apple peel.  On the palate it’s quite sweet, round and full bodied.  It’s not as focused and acidic as I was hoping for, it’s more of a salmon or pate on toast kinda wine.   It will work I think, but the style is wrong for the pairing.

The palate offers up yellow pear, banana, melon and a touch of candied apple.  Not a lemon or lime in sight.  The midpalate is really rich, expanding into those flavors whilst the finish is short and sweet- literally.  I’m enjoying this wine all by itself, really tasty and easy to drink.  I’m going 89 points and 4 stars for this $12 bottle.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Le Chateau 2013, Columbia Valley, Washington

04 Tuesday Feb 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$25, 4 stars, 90 points, cabernet sauvignon, columbia valley, washington


Medium strength purple in the glass with a touch of cloudiness.  The nose is unique.  Raspberries, sweet rhubarb jam, rooibos tea.  The palate is yummy, crunchy, a touch acidic.  I get dark fruits instead of red, an interesting transformation.  Delightfully tannins greet me as we transition to the midpalate of crushed black cherry, graphite, black tea and mouth drying tannins.  The finish has a short burst of black berrries, tea and an earthy minerality.  This wine is drinking young at 7 years old, it still needs cellar time.  Drink from 2023-2030 with Ribeyes or a Penne Arrabiata.  90 points and 4 stars for this $25 Cab.  Salut

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

L’Ecole No. 41 Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Columbia Valley, USA

04 Tuesday Feb 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$25, 4 stars, 90 points, cabernet sauvignon, columbia valley, washington


Very dark purple in the glass.  The legs are almost nonexistent, belying the 14.5% alcohol.  The nose has sweet cassis, fresh figs and a blueberry reduction.  The palate is delightful, rich and smooth.  Layers of blackberry, dark cherry, charcoal and anise flow from the initial to the finish.  It’s a seamless transition with a nice touch of tannic bite at the end.  I’m pairing with Picanha, mashed potatoes and grilled Brussel sprouts.  Drink till 2028. 90 points and 4 stars for this $25 Cab.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Washington, USA

18 Friday Oct 2019

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$15, 5 stars, 91 points, cabernet sauvignon, columbia valley, washington


This winery is one of the most consistent mass producers out there.  I have never had a bad bottle and the QPR (Quality Price Ratio) is always tops.  So, when I saw this at my local Costco- no brainer.

We start off with a slightly cloudy medium hued purple.  It’s opaque AF though.  The nose is lovely- leather, plums, cassis…. I am excited.  The palate lives up to my expectations, lovely pure fruit flavors of plums, black currants and very well integrated oak.  The mid palate is scrumptious.  More dark fruits, some leather and a touch of wood.  I will say:  There is a very fine grained tannic component that is barely perceptible making this wine delicious and easy to drink now but does not bode well for extended cellaring.  The acidity is feint and nicely balanced.  The finish is relatively short but tasty, black fruits galore and that touch of dryness.  This is a real treat to pop and pour if you can find it (just go to Costco!).  It will pair well with many a mid-week meal yet hold it’s own against a leg of lamb on a Sunday roast.  I’m really thinking Lasagna is the perfect match.  Either way, enjoy this 91 point gem and drink till 2023.  5 stars for sure as you can pick it up all day long for under $15.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Januik Red 2015, Columbia Valley, USA

16 Sunday Sep 2018

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$20, 4 stars, 89 points, cabernet sauvignon, columbia valley, Malbec, merlot, syrah, washington


Bright purple.  The nose is fruity, vibrant and full of blackberry and black cherry.  On the palate- delicious rendition of dark berry compote meets vanilla bean and coffee reduction.  The wine exhibits some dryness with slight tannins appearing midpalate.  The dryness opens up on the finish and leaves the back cheeks somewhat astringent.  The mid plate concentrated on black fruits and the finish carries it through with some cedar plank to boot. 89 points and 4 stars for this $20 blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah and Franc.  Drink now with tapas, grilled Pork chops or pasta.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Baer Winery Arctos 2013, Columbia Valley, USA

09 Sunday Sep 2018

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

$40, 4 stars, 90 points, Cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, columbia valley, petit verdot


Very dark in the glass, somewhat murky.  The nose is lush with plums, eucalyptus, bramble and fir tree.  On the palate it echoes the flavors with delicious purple plum paste and fresh earthy herbs.  A green note pops up on the mid palate which gives a bit of pique.  The tannins are well integrated and the acidity shines through at the end.   Green bitterness hits right on the back end which detracted me for a sec.  I love the blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (84%) with the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.  The greenness I’m guessing is from the Verdot.  Overall a very delicious, layered wine that drinks well now through 2022.  90 points and 4 stars for this $40 effort.  Salut….

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts

RSS Me!

RSS Feed

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 263 other followers

Follow Caspernick's Blog on WordPress.com

Archives

Blogs I Follow

  • L'OCCASION
  • Charles Rose Wines
  • K&T Wine Notes
  • The Wine Wankers
  • Darren Brogden
  • Whine And Cheers For Wine
  • the drunken cyclist
  • Wine Star Services
  • The Armchair Sommelier
  • Red Wine Diva
  • The Fabulous Voluptuary
  • The Bubbly Professor
  • The Slant
  • Pound Grape.
  • The Wine Lab
  • From Vinho Verde to Barolo with Love
  • The World through My Glass!
  • grapefriend
  • Talk-A-Vino
  • Wine Visuals

Blog at WordPress.com.

L'OCCASION

Charles Rose Wines

Passionate about beautiful wines, spirits and gifts.

K&T Wine Notes

Kristina and Tony's personal wine notes

The Wine Wankers

G’day, you’re at the best wine blog ever! We're all about wine; without the wankery.

Darren Brogden

Words, wise or otherwise, about wine

Whine And Cheers For Wine

The Wine Experience and everything that comes along with it.

the drunken cyclist

I have three passions: wine, cycling, travel, family, and math.

Wine Star Services

The Armchair Sommelier

Kirsten Georgi, DipWSET, CSW

Red Wine Diva

It's a Wine Life: Musings and Tastings

The Fabulous Voluptuary

vo·lup·tu·ar·y noun: a person whose life is devoted to the pursuit and enjoyment of luxury and pleasure.

The Bubbly Professor

Excellent Adventures in Wine and Spirits Education

The Slant

running & wine...the perfect pairing

Pound Grape.

.....all about wine.

The Wine Lab

Smile! You’re on the coolest wine blog ever.

From Vinho Verde to Barolo with Love

Life reflected in wine

The World through My Glass!

Red, White and Sparkling!

grapefriend

grapefriend. wine. fun.

Talk-A-Vino

Wine, food and life

Wine Visuals

Cancel
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
%d bloggers like this: