Bordeaux Blend

This is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc from Washington.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, cedar and spice.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is a big, ripe wine (especially for Walla Walla) but there is some depth.  Black cherries, some cassis and cedar notes.  This drinks well now and should continue for another ten to fifteen years.  It drinks very well on its own but should work well with food to go with the ripeness (i.e. Duck a L'Orange).  

First time trying this winery.  This is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc from Washington.  Inky purple in color, slight ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, spice, and slight char.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is not super ripe.  Black cherries with a mint/herbal note that is nice.  Nice finish.  This is nice on its own, but better with food.  This would be a nice wine with a grilled Portabella sandwich.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

Another slowly developing 2000 Bordeaux.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cigar box, leather and spice.  Full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries and cassis with some leathery notes and underlying forest floor.  Nice complexity.  Good finish.  Drink over the next five to seven years.   Better with food, this would work nicely with Beef Wellington.  

A good vintage if better on the right bank, this wine is drinking at or maybe slightly past peak, but still very nice.   It is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.  Old school in style.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with tobacco, cassis, forest floor and spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, cassis, tobacco with underlying earthiness.  Good texture.  Complex.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and will work nicely with lamb chops.  Drink over the next few years.  

This is always one of the best values in Bordeaux.  The 2000 vintage in particular seems to be a slow developing vintage and at age 22, this is just about at peak.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Cassis, tobacco, with slight earthiness.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  Better with food, this is the perfect wine for Meatloaf.  

This is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 5% each of Malbec and Petit Verdot.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with black cherries and spice.  Light tannins.  Deep and complex.  On the palate, black cherries, cherries and some spice.  Nice balance.  Nice finish.  This seems to be about at peak and should drink well for another five to eight years.  A nice match with Lamb Stew. 

This could have been a beautiful wine but unfortunately has TCA.  Not a lot, but enough to ruin the experience.  

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.  Purple in color with slight ruby swirls.  The nose is interesting with clay, black cherries and cassis.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet with cassis and cedar.  Nice finish.  Drinking well now.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  A nice match with roasted duck.  

This is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is dusty with cherries, and cedar.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this has nice depth.  Black cherry fruit with slight spice.  Good finish.  Drinking well now and should drink well for another eight to twelve years.  Nice on its own, this will work nicely with lamb chops. 

This is a blend of 42% Cabernet Franc, 42% Merlot, and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Impressive showing.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight at first but opens to show black cherries, cherries, chocolate, and brown tobacco.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Wonderful velvety texture.  On the palate, this is delicious with black cherries, iodine, blueberries and crushed leaves.  Complex.  Still not fully mature but getting there.  Long finish.  No harm opening now, but another five to eight years and this might get a 100 score.  Great on its own, it will take big food right