Special Wine Tasting for NYE
Finally got around to posting my NYE tasting notes (yes, I'm lazy). We had a great time, and opened some spectacular wines! See below.
- 2013 Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (12/31/2019)
Tied for my WOTN. Decanted 2 hours, could have used more. Massive wine, full of fruit, structure, and deliciousness. Gobs of black cherry, fig and plum fruit at various times and depending on what I was eating, followed by a wall of tannin and some vanilla sweetness from the oak. This has a long life ahead, so unless you're planning to decant for many hours, I recommend holding another year or two and drinking through 2035 or longer. (95 points) - 2014 Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (12/31/2019)
Tied for my WOTN. Decanted 2 hours then funneled back into the bottle to serve. Lots of funk and savory flavors with this one, as expected from Cayuse. Black olive, espresso, almost a coppery sanguine flavor, grilled meat, and some black fruit showing nicely. The 2 hour decant was perfect on this wine, which I would consider too young to really enjoy otherwise. Drink now with air - 2030+. (95 points) - 2014 Rasa Vineyards Fianchetto XL Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (12/31/2019)
Decanted 2 hours and funneled back into the bottle for serving. The label on this bottle is a mess, thanks to my new wine fridge getting too humid inside over the summer. Looks like mold starting to form, and the label had fallen off at one point but I got it to stick again. I love this blend and the wines from XL are massive. Delicious, big black fruit, lots (!!!) of structure, and a very nice mocha finish. Could have used more time in the decanter, but was very enjoyable. Drink 2022 - 2035, perhaps longer. (94 points) - 2012 Owen Roe Cabernet Sauvignon 1973 Block Red Willow Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (12/31/2019)
P&P. Black cherry fruit, loamy earth, cigar box, mocha finish. This was a hit at the party and was gone pretty fast. Easy drinking and tasty! Drink now - 2028. (93 points) - 2015 K Vintners Syrah Phil Lane - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (12/31/2019)
Popped and poured (could have used a couple hour decant, IMO). Lots of luscious black fruit with espresso and oak flavors. A tad chunky right now, as this could ideally use another couple more years to evolve. Good now, especially if given some air. Drink now - 2030. (93 points) - 2015 K Vintners Syrah The Deal Sundance Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope (12/31/2019)
P&P. Followed the 2015 K Phil Lane, and paled in comparison. While still quite tasty, it was less delicious and not showing as much complexity. Blackberry and plum fruit, a bit of wood and pipe tobacco. Drink now - 2025. (91 points) - 2014 Natalie's Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Red Willow Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (12/31/2019)
P&P. Opened this one later into the evening, so my notes are not very detailed. Sweet cassis and black cherry fruit, violets, and earth. Drink now - 2029. (90 points)
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