David Shaw

9.1

Ruby red, light to moderate pigment extraction. Raspberry aroma, raspberry and cherry flavor. Light body, fruity, slightly tart, slight skin astringency and seed bitterness on finish. Decant at least 90 minutes; the red fruit flavors change and a hint of bergamot (Earl Grey tea) emerges — 3 months ago

David Shaw

9.0

92/6/1/1 blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussane, Picpoul and Marsanne (back label), 625 cases made. Pale white, sparkling clarity. Orchard fruit and citrus in mouth - pear, orange, dried lemon, a hint of apricot. Dry, very slight seed bitterness, almost crisp. Not getting much in the way of aroma initially beyond a maybe for white floral, but it’s not Viognier either — 6 months ago

Nicole Tyler

8.9

Smooth and a little juicy. Nice sipping with a light summer dinner. — 3 years ago

David Shaw

9.2

270 cases made. Ruby red, very good clarity, light to moderate pigment extraction. Strawberry and cherry skin aromas, flavors. Rounded soft mouthfeel with slight skin astringency and red berry flavors on finish with light seed tannin bitterness. Slight spritz with orange and black pepper aftertaste. There’s an earthiness and bright fruitiness that I have not gotten from other Washington state Grenaches. Fresh cherry flavor develops after 90 minutes. Complex yet on point varietally, well crafted as is typical from this producer. — 4 years ago

David Shaw

9.3

Wallula Vineyards, Horse Heaven Hills. Winery tasting notes mention Bing cherry, blueberry, citrus and sage flavors. Not sure I get the floral character on the initial pour. Dark red, high pigment extraction. Tannins are fine grained and mostly seed tannins initially though skin astringency starts emerging after 15 minutes. Elegant. Bright acidity. Some white pepper finish. A perennial favorite for me, with less herbal expression than some previous vintages, but there is definitely sage going on. 24 hours later,the fruit is fully forward, tannins mellowed, with brightness intact. — 3 months ago

David Shaw

9.3

La Combe Verte Vineyard. Herbal and Marionberry notes in the nose with a hint of butter. A panorama of berry flavors - blue, black, rasp - in the mouth. Soft, good acid but needs some time to open. Hint of black licorice on the finish. After an hour, a fine grind of seed tannins emerges while fruit flavors integrate and acid softens. Nice fluid mouthfeel too. More time needed? After three hours, hints of lavender and black currant emerge. Overall, a wine of subtlety with some remaining aging potential. — 2 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.4

2010 is in such a lovely place right now. Such freshness and so fragrant (opened an hour before Xmas dinner): raspberries, red and black currant, bing cherry, geranium, anise seed, dill, potting soil, sandalwood, cocoa butter, cayenne pepper, cumin, iron. Paired with herb-crusted, slow roast pork butt, heirloom beans, turnips and chard (aka Christmas carnitas). — 3 years ago

David Shaw

9.1

Let it open awhile, at least 45 minutes. It’s a lighter style of Malbec, we need more examples of it out there. Yummy. Blueberry aroma and flavor, blackberry flavor with depth and length, if you are patient enough, seed bitterness finish. Light alcohol, light acid roundness, heavy pigment extraction but almost no skin astringency. There’s a nice playoff between the fruit, acid and bitterness. — 4 months ago

David Shaw

9.0

Thanksgiving week so time to open this PDX baby up, made in Portland but grapes grown in Columbia Valley (they are an urban winery, fun place to visit). Purple, slightly cloudy, medium pigment extraction. Blackberries, blueberries and black currants in the nose. Soft, moderate alcohol, fruit with length and mild seed tannins in the finish and aftertaste. Graphite as well. I love this stuff in the autumn; get some now. Nothing fancy, just tasty, rustic and evocative — 6 months ago

Vanessa

9.1

This is a medium ruby wine with medium(+) intensity of ripe plum, prune, red currant, black cherry, violet, anise seed, nutmeg, cardamom, clove, leather, and forest floor notes.

Tannins are ripe, fine-grained, and well-integrated. Alcohol is high!!! 16% ABV.

This is a ripe, full-bodied, and high octane wine that has great potential for further aging. I’m excited to revisit down the road.

Clos Saint Jean Vieilles Vignes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge (2019) — 3 years ago

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