2004 Stella Italia Merlot

Me with Justin Baldwin, winemaker - Justin. He was nice enough to pour me a sample of one of my all-time favorites, Isosceles.





But I digress. I visited my local shop Sunday and did my usual round of tasting but noticed one lone bottle off to the side. JP, our local sommelier, didn't offer much information about it, just that this wine was "name your own price."

I don't normally let that interfere with my taste, but I was now intrigued. Merlot is not my normal taste in reds, but this one was very different, being an Italian-made one. Not overly fruity, not a bit flabby, some smoke and earth were the highlights. I can tell it wasn't on par with Barolo or Brunello, but few wines are after all. However, the Stella Italia had something very old-world about it.

After some haggling, I took home 11 bottles of it at an undisclosed price. For all of you who like "little dog night" or "how to score a wine cheap night and impress your friends and family" this Merlot is for you.

T-Scale 90+. I'm adding a point just for the outstanding value in this old-world style Merlot that drinks a lot like a Super-Tuscan, but without the big price tag.

2007 Columbia Crest Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

I've had a taste for Washington Cabernets lately so it was time to pull one of these out of my cellar. Ever since the 2005 vintage was honored as Wine Spectator's wine of the year, the Columbia Crest Reserve has been a bit tough to locate. Even the 2006 alluded me, but I got a jump on the 2007 and secured a few for cellaring.

I popped the cork and sampled, found it to be be a bit tight, but quite drinkable now. After the Vinturi and decanter, it opened right up.

I would agree with the winemaker's notes in that there was a slight mint, a bit of green pepper, definite anise and blackberries. Very well structure cab here, it will cellar for the next 5 years with no concerns. In fact, I plan to leave the others alone for a few years.

This is one of the finest, if not the best cab, at this price point. I bought a few Louis Martini Monte Rossos at a steal price, but still, they were a bit more than this one. Very nicely done, not as large as a Napa or Paso Robles cab, but tight tannins, fruits, green pepper and earth complete the Columbia Crest Reserve, making it a solid all around cab.

T-Scale - 92. I give kudos to the winemakers for letting this one go for $37 or so. I've seen it a bit cheaper, but again, it's pretty scarce.

Quinta do Noval Silval Vintage Port 2000

I took a chance on a close-out, the Quinta do Noval Silval Vintage Port 2000, at one of my local shops. They "clearanced" out a big selection of older vintage stuff and I found this at less than half price... actually more like 70% off...

Vintage port is usually cost prohibitive, especially for a vintage that is ready for consumption. Furthermore, 2000 is a stellar year for port! So, what the heck, right?

The cork disintegrated when I tried to open it, but this was no surprise. I just decanted twice, using a coffee filter to strain out the remaining cork pieces and settlement. Oh my, there was much unfiltered residual sediment in this bad boy! Just as a note, do decant and filter any older port like this one. These are mostly unfiltered and with age, they do drop tannin and other sediment.


I'll quote Thewinedoctor.com's review of this wine from 2003:

Dense and powerful fruit - we have clearly moved up a gear here. Immense richness, power and easily sensed extract on the palate. Piles of tannin, grip and appropriate acidity. A lovely wine which needs a decade in the cellar at the very least. 18+/20 (December 2003)


So how has it aged? Superb! The tannin has subsided into deep dark fruit and mild acidity. This is a great pair to dark chocolate or truffles. The finish is miles long and the taste is expensive. This is living large at a small price! I would jump on this one if you can find it at an affordable price.

T-Scale 92+
Price $29 - $39, but was about $100 at release. Egad.. what a steal!

Big Dog Cab Night Pt. II

We liked the first round of "Big Dog" wine night so much, we went back for round two. No one themed this as fat Cab night, but we proudly presented our brown bags and unmarked decanters, ready to unleash these hounds into the ring.

I. Nickel and Nickel - Sullenger Vineyard (unsure on vintage)

Large and well structured. Green pepper on the nose along with black currant and a bit of cigar box. Deep dark red color and taste to match. Finish is a bit short, with some tart tannin, but overall well done. This needs time in the cellar, but it will be very tasty in a few years.

T-Scale 91 - not cheap as you might expect - $73-$90

II. Alpha Omega ERA - 2008

Big big one here, as well it should be at this price point. I tasted this from the barrel at the winery in August and it is showing oh so well now in the bottle. Do decant this for an hour or more prior to showing it as the big tannin and pepper notes will mellow. Deep dark red color with heavy nose of rich soil, green peppers, and currant. The tannin feels mellow for this age but will only get better with a few more years. This is one of my top American Cab-based wines, but the price reflects a dare-to-dream situation.

T-Scale 94 - I'm almost afraid to tell you... it's $150 or more per bottle.

III. Woodward Canyon Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon - 1999

A real sleeper here, leave it to Phil to dig one up from his cellar that has sufficient age on it to judge fairly. This is a perfect example of what a large-bodied and well-structured Cab will do with adequate aging - it mellows into greatness. I read up on earlier reviews and complaints included stuff tannins and over-oakiness. I assure you that those traits are gone, replaced by smooth blackberry jam and ripe cherries. Super great finish makes this an aged Cab that's very ready now.

T-Scale 93 - probably a good deal at release, but now appreciated all the way up to $60-$75 if you can find it. This is what wine spectating is all about.

Elk Cove Windhill Pinot Noir 2006

The quest for your favorite Pinot Noir should not begin and end in California. Nor should one only consider Burgundy. If you like the bigger and bolder Pinots of Russian River and Santa Ynez, but still appreciate the oaky and old-world style of Burgundy, then try something from Willamette Valley.

Oregon wine making came into its own through the great Pinot Noirs from the Willamette River Valley in and around Salem. I've been amazed at the great spicy quality of most of these I've tried. They pair very well with fish, like grilled salmon, and sharp cheeses. Oregon Pinot Noir and grilled salmon is a pairing institution in Willamette, so I've read.

Ah so comes the deal! Christina attended a private tasting recently and was offered the 2006 Elk Cove Windhill at half price. So, of course, it went into the cellar.. until this weekend. Very nicely balanced and a bit bolder than I would have expected, it retains a dusty spice I like in Oregon Pinot. From what I've read, these don't shelf more than 5 or 10 years, so I wouldn't think twice about opening one of these from 2007 or 2008.

Willamette Pinot is spicier and usually less fruity than California offerings, but overall, I find it to be a better wine for food. Go into these wines with that in mind and you will most likely find something you will go to often for meal or appetizer pairings.

T-Scale 91. Good price for me at $25, most often found between $29 and $40.

Domain du Pegau Chateaunuef du Pape 2005

During the "Big Dog" shootout, a friend of mine introduced this and blew us all away! We aren't alone apparently:

94 points - Wine Spectator
92-94 points - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
95 points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

I'm already a fan of Chateaunuef du Pape, but this one gets the gold star.

Expect a big structure with strong tannins that subside with time and decanting. Very dark fruit, fig, and dusty leather notes. Red cherry cobbler and rare steak flavors with licorice and cigar box present. This one evolves with every taste.. enjoy it very very slowly. The complexity of this wine is amazing, you will not find anything quite like this outside of Chateauneuf. Really.

If you haven't tried a Chateaunuef, this would be a wonderful place to start! As you might expect, it's not cheap - $79 or so for this vintage. 2005 is one of the better vintages, but the 2004 is even better (and more expensive).

T-Scale 94. This is the best Chateauneuf I've tried to date.

Incredible Cabernet weekend - pure hedonism! Six Cabs for your pleasure.

This was the kind of weekend that a novice wine enthusiast (such as me) dreams about. It was my time to sample the famous Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Stag's Leap Cellars, Alpha Omega Cab.. plus a few others deserving high marks.

First and foremost: Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2004

My first taste of a first-growth was blessed with a vintage that was not too high in tannin, therefore, pleasurable to the palette. Not ready yet, one can see how this will be in say... 2015 or so. The wonderful oaky fruits are beginning to show through the stuff tannin structure. If you speculate, I can see why you might choose Mouton. This will be a monster in years to come. As for now, the $400 price tag might be hard to swallow... It was offered to me at $300, however. No, I didn't bite. T-Scale 91!


Stags Leap Wine Cellars - Artimis 2006

Super wonderful wine with steaks! Starts hot but fades with a little time in the glass. Great sage, rosemary, and mineralogical ground cover throughout the glass makes this a bit less fruity and more worthy of a meal Cab. The fruit doesn't overpower your plate. Probably not my first choice as a stand-alone Cab, however. These are about $40 or so, so it's a bit more affordable than say, Winiarski's S.L.V. T-Scale 90


Next up is the 2007 Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon. This is one of my club wines, so unfortunately, you won't find it on the shelves anywhere (but if you do, let me know please!)

I think I could probably drink this Cab exclusively. For me, this is the one. This might actually upset the leader, Justin Isosceles. It won't however, because of its price - $75. I guess if it was cheaper, we'd all be drinking it.. sigh. Anyway, this is one of, if not the best, Cabernet offerings as far as stand-alone quality goes. I would not pair this with a meal, but perhaps a dark chocolate instead. This thing is so fruit-forward it presents itself a bit port-ish, but not overbearing. Ready for this? T-Scale 95! This is the Cab to beat folks.



Ah.. the 2007 Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto, easily the best deal of the weekend at $26. This is a true "Super Tuscan" in which Cabernet dominates. Like a true Italian Cab, one finds old leather, dust, oak, and late blooming fruits with evolve with time in the glass. Do decant (actually decant all Cab before serving) as this will bring the fruits out of hiding. Good stuff and available. T-Scale 91




The Cheval des-Andes Argentina 2002 Cab was probably the most interesting South American Cab I've tried yet. You won't mistake these wines for American or French. I feel they're more Rioja or Tuscan with heavy oak, green pepper, leather and earth, but nonetheless a great wine. Yikes $75!!! Nice, but not that nice. T-Scale 88.



Ah last was Cliff Lede's 2007 Cab. There really is a bit of difference in the Stag's Leap district wines which differentiates them from the rest of Napa. I won't say I like them more, because I don't. They are, however, softer, spicier, and probably a better pair to food. This is no exception. Very nice evolution in the glass, changes to a softer mellow cassis and red fruit with time. Not cheap, $50, but not bad. T-Scale 89.