Comments on paul gregutt's washington wine blog – unfined & unfiltered: further thoughts on aging washington wines

Here's one more red that seems to have stood t...

2010-03-04T12:48:10.274-08:00

Here's one more red that seems to have stood the test of time (from an OR reviewer/retailer):

"A very good friend of mine gave us a bottle of 1999 Hightower Cabernet Sauvignon before Christmas. I didn’t think too much about it, except to note that it was a ’99 (which was interesting) and that the person that gave us the bottle is someone whose taste in wine I trust completely. We opened the bottle a few weeks ago and I was astonished by how delicious it was. It pushed ALL my buttons – just enough fruit, earthiness, delicacy and elegant leathery, licorice notes, and a long finish. It wasn’t tired at all – it was much more European in style than most American wines, but it was unmistakably domestic. What more could a wine lover ask for?

"I immediately set up a meeting with Hightower to taste through their current releases. I am happy to say that the same quality is still there that I first tasted in their wines a decade ago. We can't get you any of the 1999 vintage, but I think you will enjoy this Cabernet and Merlot very much. They are delicious right now (much bigger and fruiter than they will be when mature). These wines (especially the Cabernet) are well worth laying down for 6 to 8 years. (Possibly longer if you have excellent storage.) Where so many domestic wines fail to age and lose any semblance of balance at an early age, these wines will live and improve for many years."

inspired by these posts/comments, I cracked open a...

2010-03-02T22:41:26.396-08:00

inspired by these posts/comments, I cracked open a Sineann 1999 Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley), bought for $12/ (case discount?) at the time. Really nice. Beautiful color, balance, long finish. Been open for a few hours now and loving how it keeps changing. No where near the downhill. Wish I had more (bottles, and wine in this last bottle).

Andy, although still very young, one of the many minerally WA whites I really enjoyed this past year that I wish I had bought more of to hold onto, to see how it developed over time, was Syncline's Grüner Veltliner. Whenever we'd pick up more, just never seemed to sit for very long. Too tempting/tasty.

Jeff

Great and interesting opinions. Lots of votes for ...

2010-03-01T05:33:03.505-08:00

Great and interesting opinions. Lots of votes for Buty's Sem/Saub Blanc...makes me want to grab a few and see how they do. Have enjoyed a few L'Ecole Sems will some age that were lots of fun. Love Jared's list, just wish I could keep my hands off my Cayuse to see how they age, haha! I'd throw out Woodward Canyon's Artist Series as a great 10 year old wine.
Darren

Just had a 1990 Columbia Crest Cab last night. Th...

2010-02-28T02:07:38.563-08:00

Just had a 1990 Columbia Crest Cab last night. The wine was stored in a crawl space of his house in Oregon so we did not have high hopes but were very surprised how good the wine was. 13% alcohol very nice nose, seemed to have more acid then some of todays wines which I think helped the wine survive. Very nice bottle indeed!

I can't see the Leonetti. I haven't had on...

2010-02-26T22:00:07.894-08:00

I can't see the Leonetti. I haven't had one that was typical of Leonetti fruit and finesse after 8 years. I love older Woodward Canyon as well as Col Solare. I have numerous L'Ecole and Barnard Griffin Semillions stashed away as well as Kiona Riesling.

Andy-If you haven't tried the white wines from...

2010-02-26T19:33:17.820-08:00

Andy-If you haven't tried the white wines from Claar Cellars at Pasco WA. you are misssing some of the best whites from Washington state! Their reislings are oustanding and the chardonnay's are exquisite. Their winemaker is french and really understands how to make superior white wines.

Also try Gordon Brothers reds-they make great reds that store for many years.

DonW

I'm laying down some whites for long-term fun....

2010-02-26T17:18:48.207-08:00

I'm laying down some whites for long-term fun. I don't have quite amixed case, but have some Chardonnay, Riesling, and Roussanne (Suggestions welcome.)

My 2 cents....in no particular order. 1) Poets ...

2010-02-26T12:57:10.620-08:00

My 2 cents....in no particular order.

1) Poets Leap Riesling
2) Buty Semillion/Sauv Blanc
3) aMaurice Viognier
4) Leonetti Reserve Cabernet
5) Andrew Will "Sorella"
6) Pepper Bridge "Pepper Bridge Reserve"
7) Cayuse "En Chamberlin"
8) Waters "Forgotten Hills" Syrah
9) Rotie Southern Rhone Blend
10)Betz Cabernet Pere de Famille
11)Memaloose Grenache
12)Woodward Canyon "Old Vines"
13) Gramercy (shameless)

Paul - agree that the Nebbiolo is the biggest wild...

2010-02-26T09:13:25.862-08:00

Paul - agree that the Nebbiolo is the biggest wildcard. I figured in 10 years I would want to have at least one bottle in the case that would scare me a little with its unpredictability.

I'm surprised I haven't seen the Pepperbri...

2010-02-26T07:35:57.106-08:00

I'm surprised I haven't seen the Pepperbridge wines showing up on these lists. In my opinion, J-F is making some the most age-worthy wines in the state. I believe the cab he poured at Vintage Walla Walla was by far the best wine at that event. Also, based on their flavor profile, I think the Cote Bonneville wines will be drinking very well for well over 10 years.

Andrew Will Sorella.....an automatic

2010-02-26T05:17:17.110-08:00

Andrew Will Sorella.....an automatic

Nobody mentioned Seven Hills Winery? Casey makes l...

2010-02-25T21:53:55.988-08:00

Nobody mentioned Seven Hills Winery? Casey makes lower alcohol, ageworthy wines with the best of them. I was in Berns Steakhouse in Tampa and ordered a late 80's Cab that was dynamite from start to finish.
And Jared, how predictable! All Cayuse...you crack me up.

We have had good experience with aging Washington ...

2010-02-25T21:52:58.287-08:00

We have had good experience with aging Washington and Oregon wines, and I don't think that "breaking the bank" is necessary. I just finished the last of a case of 1991 CSM Late Harvest Riesling, and they were exquisite. The 2000's are still holding well. Ditto, multiple bottles of the '94 and '98 Andrew Will single vineyard Merlots (the Ciel and Klipsun in particular)were spectacular after 10+ years.

Very hard! With wines that do not currently pay f...

2010-02-25T19:19:51.540-08:00

Very hard!

With wines that do not currently pay for my food and shelter:

1. Doubleback Red (first release)
2. Abeja Cabernet (beautiful balance in a hot year)
3. CSM Eroica (has a little more cut than Poet's Leap)
4. Syncline Steep Creek Ranch (try to find a more Rhone rhone)
5. Woodward Charboneaux (do not know if they made a 2007, or how to spell it, but it is one of the best ageing WA reds in my cellar)
6. Soos Creek Ciel du Cheval Red (great wine, very nice guy)
7. L'Ecole late Harvest 7 Hills Semillon (yummm sticky)
8. Feather (Randy Dunn = ageability)
9. Reynvaan the contender (love fruit, not 4 pH)
10. Kiona Chenin Blanc Ice Wine (a Washington Icon)
11. Walla Walla Vintners Merlot (already had Abeja)
12. Canoe Ridge Vineyard Reserve Cabernet (known for Merlot, but try this!)

Too much, too little time. throw a Tamarack Firehouse Red in there just for FUN!

Here is my 2007 mixed case of Washington wines. I...

2010-02-25T16:02:06.627-08:00

Here is my 2007 mixed case of Washington wines. If anything, at least I'm predictable!

1. Cayuse Camaspelo (Bordeaux blend)
2. Cayuse Flying Pig (Bordeaux blend)
3. Cayuse Cailloux Vineyard Syrah
4. Cayuse En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah
5. Cayuse En Cerise Vineyard Syrah
6. Cayuse Armada Vineyard Syrah
7. Cayuse Bionic Frog (Syrah0
8. Cayuse God Only Knows (Grenache)
9. Cayuse Widowmaker (Cabernet)
10.Cayuse Impulsivo (Tempranillo)

I had a '75 Chateau Ste. Michelle cab about 6 ...

2010-02-25T15:52:55.535-08:00

I had a '75 Chateau Ste. Michelle cab about 6 months ago and was floored at how vibrant it was. Still relatively purple with fireworks of aged cedar on the nose. The palate wasn't quite as spectacular but distinct cassis and even a bit of menthol were no slouch. Almost no fading of structure or presence with the two hours that it sat in the decanter. I know these wines were made differently, but WA cab can certainly age and age with grace!

Here are mine. Though the Woodward Canyon is actu...

2010-02-25T15:35:13.767-08:00

Here are mine. Though the Woodward Canyon is actually the only one that I have had with that much bottle age on it.

1. Ste Michelle Eroica Riesling
2. Rulo Chardonnay Sundance Vineyard
3. Boudreaux Chardonnay
4. l'Ecole #41 Semillon Fries Vineyard
5. Leonetti Merlot
6. Baer Ursa Bordeaux Blend
7. Pomum Shya Bordeaux Blend
8. Cadence Bel Canto Bordeaux Blend
9. Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Galitzine Vineyard
10. Rulo Syrah Silo
11. Betz Syrah La Cote Rousse
12. Animale Petit Sirah

I'd just quibble a bit with Leonetti (or any) ...

2010-02-25T15:13:46.563-08:00

I'd just quibble a bit with Leonetti (or any) Merlot, as it has been one of my biggest disappointments in terms of ageing. Also, I wonder if Bob Betz would agree that his Syrahs can last for ten years given that he once projected 2-3 years (from release). Perhaps wine-making techniques have changed, though, as this was some time ago. I'll be looking forward to seeing other readers' top-12 lists!

Paul - good ideas. I might question the Nebbiolo -...

2010-02-25T14:46:00.192-08:00

Paul - good ideas. I might question the Nebbiolo - not much of a track record for ageworthiness in this state (Peter Dow would probably disagree, but that's my opinion anyway). But a good list otherwise. Anyone else want to take a shot at it?

Glad to see this topic was worth coming back to. ...

2010-02-25T12:07:06.108-08:00

Glad to see this topic was worth coming back to. Good call on the rieslings. It's easy to forget about them and focus an aging discussion only on reds. Also like your "rule of thumb" for monitoring wine age ability at home.

Paul - the mixed case of 2007s to be opened in 202...

2010-02-25T11:46:42.713-08:00

Paul - the mixed case of 2007s to be opened in 2020 is too fun an intellectual exercise to pass up, so I'm jumping in with mine (it's alarming how much time I spent thinking about this):

1. Mountain Dome Brut (assuming they do a vintage bottling in '07)
2. OS Winery Riesling Champoux Vineyard
3. Poet's Leap Riesling
4. Buty Sem/Sauv/Musc
5. Boudreaux Merlot
6. Rotie Cellars Southern Blend
7. Fielding Hills Cabernet Sauvignon
8. Cadence Camerata
9. Cavatappi Nebbiolo Red Willow
10. Betz Syrah La Cote Rousse
11. Waters Syrah Forgotten Hills Vineyard
12. Gramercy Syrah John Lewis Reserve