"Odedi"

9.2

Trothe Winery Horse Haven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Washington State

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Soft nose of black fruits, cedar, chocolates and spices.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with plums, currants, cherries, spices, cedar, licorice, vanilla, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, dark chocolates, earth, herbs and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington State. Rich and fruit forward. Nicely balanced and elegant.

Still tight, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years.

Grapes were aged for 23 months in (77% new) French Oak barrels. A tiny production of only 9 barrels.

14.7% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$190. — a month ago

Tom Garland

9.5

1.5 hour decant (little cloudy sediment). An incredible medium murky dark garnet color. On the nose: stunning aromas of black currants, some of that Cayuse funk(luv it), smokey roasted meat, herbs, tobacco. Taste: elegant, chewy, energetic, savory medium plus body wine with some blackberry, iodine, orange peel, touch of blueberry, earth, and a bacon fat mineral medium plus finish. YUM!! — 3 years ago

with Brenda

Vanessa

9.1

I’m excited about this acclaimed Washington State Bordeaux blend from Andrew Will, named after the founder’s (Chris Camarda’s) nephew, Andrew, and son, Will (now winemaker).

Sorella is a single vineyard wine coming from the Champoux Vineyard, just five miles from the Columbia River, in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Columbia Valley, Washington. This particular wine was named Sorella – meaning sister in Italian – a tribute to the winemaker’s late sister when it was first produced in 1994.

It is comprised of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot.

This is a deep ruby wine.

On the nose it has medium(+) intensity of developing aromas. Aromas include baked blackberry, cassis, black cherry, also potpourri, licorice, green bell pepper, chervil, anise, black licorice, black pepper, clove, leather, earth, and sweet tobacco.

On the palate, this wine is dry. It has medium acidity, a medium(+) body, medium alcohol, medium(+) tannins, and medium intensity of flavors consistent with the nose. This wine has a medium(+) finish.

Andrew Will, Sorella, Champoux Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington. Vintage 2011. ABV 13%. — 3 years ago

with Deked1

Dave Parker

9.3

Happy Valentine’s Day — 8 months ago

Tom Garland

9.4

1 hour decant (lots of cloudy sediment). An amazing medium dark ruby red color. On the nose: bursting out of the glass are notes of strawberry, smoked meat, that Cayuse funk(luv it), dry forest floor, bacon fat. Taste: Wow...smooth, savory, silky, rich wine with cherry/raspberry, earth, gamey notes, spice, and a cedar tea intense long finish. A must try if you like the savory funk! Cheers. — 2 years ago

with Brenda

Jay Kline

9.3

Presented double-blind. Visually, showing a garnet color with an opaque core. Some slight browning at the edge; could be varietal characteristics…could be signs of age? On the nose, there’s lovely cherry fruit with a kiss of barnyard, some tomato leaf, earth and spices. There seemed to be signs of oak but likely large format (thinking botti or foudre). On the palate, cherries again with some bramble fruit, earth, and mushrooms mixed in for good measure. Medium + tannin; medium + acid. I vacillated between Italy and Southern France, ultimately settling on Brunello from a very good, traditional producer. I was so impressed to see this was Beaucastel. My first Beaucastel with some real age. If this is what these wines become with age, it’s no wonder why they are so beloved. Loads of life left. Bravo. — 3 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

Cherry flower on the nose.

Cherry with some bitterness on the palate. Classic liaison.

That sexy interplay between sweet fruit, bitterness, acidity and minerality. No one else on earth does it like this. No one.

Fass selections — 9 months ago

Vino Joe

9.5

Annata Biondi-Santi. This is absolutely delicious. Always special from this producer. Love the color. Classic Sangiovese. Orange rimmed next to the pale red. Balanced between some grippy but delicate tannins and approachable fruit. The nose has some spice and some earth but they don’t bring a kick so much as depth. The bottom line is you can tell it’s great because the wine drinks so fast! — 2 years ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.0

Lovely aromatic with red fruit, pomegranate, some cassis and an undertone of dark, moist earth. A hint of pencil shavings, too.
On the palate this is medium bodied, cool, fresh & juicy, the tannins adding a nice, firm frame. Nice interplay between the sweet & sour red fruit and savoury undertones. Long silky finish with a touch of mint & sage.
Fresher & cooler than 2016, but consistently v. good & brilliant value for a Bordeaux blend! Yum! — 3 years ago

Shay A

9.5

This was a real treat to enjoy courtesy of @Bryan Kesting being in town, and since we both share an affinity for Antica Terra wines, he was kind enough to bring a 2012 Antikythera.

In the past month, I’ve had the 2012, 2015 and 2017, and this 2012 shows just how incredible these wines can age. I would say this is probably the most impressive OR Pinot I’ve had to date. So much balance here. On the nose, it is quite expressive with potpourri/red and purple floral notes and herb crusted black cherries. The palate is supremely balanced between the herbal/earth/clay like notes encapsulated by underripe red and black fruits and a kiss of sweetness...kirsch like? The core here nods to burgundy with structure. While I don’t think this gets any better, I do think it will cruise for years and evolve in to a somewhat different wine. Thanks again @Bryan Kesting for opening this! — 3 years ago

with Bryan