Black fruit and Smokey meat dominated nose. Medium intensity and little complexity. Sweet and ripe palate. Tasty and straightforward. Loose structure. Hot finish. #horseheavenhills #cabernetsauvignon #doublecanyon #washingtonstate #ctbucklinwine — 7 years ago
Out to pick up a couple of cheap bottles, I caved and pulled this, already cold, Sauvignon Blanc from the local mega producer here in Seattle. Horse Heaven Hills AVA is on the south end of Washington bordering Oregon, a sub-appellation of the Columbia Valley AVA. Chateau Ste. Michelle owns a huge stake in the 2005 AVA, as it owns the Columbia Crest winery, the largest wine making facility in Washington. Don't look to a Sauvignon Blanc for any type of aging potential, drink them young unless you like overtones of vegetal flavors, (think peas and asparagus). Notable exceptions exist, (Sauternes, for one), however, in my opinion, (stress my opinion), as the bottling trend towards screw cap - the drinking tends to <3 year vintages. Paired this with a red pepper flakes Margherita pizza to match with the acid. On its own, it's a bit too assertive. ~$14 | #chateaustemichelle
#sauvignonblanc #horseheavenhills
On the eyes: Clear, pale yellow straw, star bright, med- stain, med tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Grapefruit, lime zest, honeysuckle blossom, and wet slate. Med+ alcohol.
On the tongue: Med+ acid, med tannin, med+ alcohol, med round body and slightly sweet. Lemon, not quite ripe white peach, vegetal-grass, good mineralty, light on the flavor. You're getting what you pay for here. Pair it with something spicy. — 8 years ago
December Cabernet Franc drinking continues with another bottle destined for a now forgotten blind tasting. Cor Cellars is a small bouquet winery that sources most grapes from the Columbia Valley. This Cab Franc, one of my favorite red varietals, was sourced from Horse Heaven Hills - a border AVA between southeastern Washington and Oregon. Alder Ridge Vineyard is owned by Precept Wines who is the biggest supplier of Horse Heaven Hills AVA grapes. Planted within shouting distance of the Columbia River, the grapes benefit from the deep marine influence the Columbia Gorge provides the region allowing favorable hang times for many grape varietals. Drank this one on its own - though would benefit with spicy or fatty foods due to high acid. ~$20 | #corcellars #cabfranc #horseheavenhills
On the eyes: Med concentration, bright strawberry-magenta, med tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Cedar, tobacco, black raspberry, strawberry, violet, chalk, med alcohol.
On the tongue: High acid, med+ tannin, med alcohol. Rhubarb, strawberry, tart cherry, hints of tarragon and a bit of earthiness; new oak(?). A bit out of balance for me - not sure cellaring will fix its issues. Best drunk now. — 7 years ago
Vasanth Balakrishnan
Delightful #horseheavenhills #washington red blend from Nice Winery. Plummy, briary dark fruit is assertive on the nose with cocoa and leathery notes below the surface. Lovely balance on the palate with tart plum, blackberry up front, medium-plus tannins in the mid sip entwined with dark chocolate, cocoa following through with a slightly peppery finish and long tannins trailing off. — 2 years ago