Greetings From The Columbia Valley

Osoyoos Larose

Le Grand Vin Okanagan Valley Merlot Blend 2014

I’m a day early for Canada Day. This wine checks all the boxes though. Aged, complex but soft. Bordeaux blend for a France win but farrrrrr west. Paired with dry aged bone in Striploins from the Pacific Northwest. Beef and grapes from the same area is a great marriage. — a day ago

Andrew Will

Two Blondes Vineyard Merlot Blend 2017

Poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2017 “Two Blondes Vineyard” pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with cassis, black cherry, cocoa, flowers, herbs, soil, Band Aid, and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. A lighter, more elegant expression of this wine than I have been used to in the past. Drink now through 2032. — 5 months ago

Zach, Douglas and 6 others liked this

Baer Winery

Ursa Merlot Blend 2012

Paul J
9.3

1hr+ decant. Dark red, almost purple color. I wavered across the spectrum on this from 92 to 95. Strengths = Bordeaux like nose with cherries and cedar, silky texture, refined flavor on the palate. Opportunities = medium minus depth, very short finish, was expecting more fruit. 92.5 and rounding up. Torn on if it needs more or less air. — 4 years ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
Milissa, Tom and 3 others liked this

Gramercy Cellars

Columbia Valley Syrah 2015

Great wine through and through. A little peppery but with a lot of vanilla and butter from the oak which blends perfectly with the othetwise fruit forward flavors. Sort of reminds me of a nutty fruit tart actually. — 6 years ago

Chateau Ste. Michelle

Indian Wells Columbia Valley Merlot 2016

It's time for some Merlot on this#MerlotThursday. Here's a nice one from Washington State.

Dark ruby in color with a purplish rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, sweet cherries, cedar, leather, earth, vanilla, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, mocha, spices, coke and peppercorn.

Full bodied with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate and fruity with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, leather, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, mocha, coke, earth and peppercorn.

Nice length with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a very tasty Merlot from Washington State. Rich and well balanced with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel, spicy and tasty.

This 4 year old is drinking very nicely now. Good by itself or with food.

Good right out of the bottle and better after an hour of airtime.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$14.
— 6 years ago

Dawn, Daniel and 20 others liked this
Kirk F

Kirk F

@"Odedi" these are such great values!
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

I totally agree with you @Kirk F

K Vintners

The Deal Sundance Vineyard Syrah 2015

About what I’d expect from this wine. Easy. — 8 years ago

Quilceda Creek

Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Initially a strange aspect to the nose which hopefully will blow off. An oxidised note which is not apparent on the palate. Last time I tasted this wine 5 years ago I raved and gave it a 98 point score. This time that slightly irritating note on the nose but that same gorgeous palate. 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot. I imported several vintages of Quilceda Creek from an outlet in San Francisco (Vinfolio) many years ago and this was my last bottle. Have never seen it offered in Australia but back in the day I was mightily impressed. 100 💯 points from Robert Parker. — a month ago

Ray, Tom and 17 others liked this
Neil Valenzuela

Neil Valenzuela

Fantastic! Cheers!
Jamie Lauder

Jamie Lauder

This is top tier from Washington State.
Freddy R. Troya

Freddy R. Troya

Awesome 👏

Tantalus Vineyards

Okanagan Valley VQA Old Vines Riesling 2020

2020 vintage.
Originally planted in 1978, these are the oldest Riesling vines in British Columbia. The grapes come from a 2 acre north facing vineyard.
Bright, pale green gold colour.
Peach, petrol, wet rock, nectarine and white flowers on the nose.
Crisp, mouth watering acidity.
Lemon and lime rind. Slate, apricot pit, mandarin and white peach flavours.
The last bunches were harvested in late October only 12 hours before first frost and snow with whiteout conditions.
Old Vines Riesling is aged for 2 years in the bottle before release.
— 3 years ago

Bob, Alan and 1 other liked this
Alan Hense

Alan Hense

Nice! My favourite Riesling producer from Okanagan

Long Shadows Vintners

Pedestal Columbia Valley Merlot 2016

Time for a good Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Here's a delicious one from Washington State.

Deep purple in color with a short purplish rim.

Nose of black plums, cedar, chocolates, coffee, cooked cherries, leather, light vegetables, earth, licorice, black tea, tobacco and black pepper.

Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cherries, chocolates, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, light vegetables, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Merlot from Columbia Valley. Nicely balanced with a great mouthfeel. Another delicious wine from Michel Rolland.

Still young, but already tasty. Drinking very nicely now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years.

Good by itself or with food. Good right out of the bottle, but better after an hour of airtime, as the complexity comes in. Showing nice complexity already.

Wine Enthusiast 89 points.

Tangy and interesting. A Delicious wine.

A blend of 75% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Aged for 22 months in (85% new) French Oak barrels.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$65.
— 6 years ago

Julia, Eric and 27 others liked this
Martijn

Martijn

Beautifull glassware too!!
Eric

Eric Influencer Badge

Interesting. Thanks for your notes. How would you compare this to a right-bank?
Martijn

Martijn

@"Odedi" may I ask which glassware this is?

Joie Farm

A Noble Blend Okanagan Valley White Blend 2018

Never disappointed with this Alsace-inspired blend from Okanagan which includes Gewurtztraminer, pinot blanc, pinot meunier, riesling and a touch of muscat. Not as sweet as one might think. Clearly on the young side but perfect with a steelhead trout. — 7 years ago

P, Serge and 1 other liked this

Long Shadows Vintners

Sequel Columbia Valley Syrah 2014

Another terrific example from one of my very favorite wineries. Dark and nearly opaque. Inviting floral nose. Rich earthy taste of dark fruit, spices, vanilla and pepper. Long, round finish. This will continue to improve for at least four or five years. — 7 years ago

Alex liked this

Black Hills Estate Winery

Nota Bene Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022

VA
9.1

Drinking in 2026, will continue to benefit from further 3-5 years of cellaring. — 17 days ago

K Vintners

Milbrandt Vineyard Syrah 2017

Washington State Syrah from the Wahluke Slope AVA. Dark ruby color with a few black highlights. Aromas of cooked blue and black fruit, wet soil, purple flowers and smoked meat. Flavors of blackberry/blueberry jam, black olives, dark chocolate, dried herbs and roasted nuts. A bit of black pepper spice on the long and deeply concentrated mineral laden finish. Medium-plus body with slightly chewy fine grained tannins. Well balanced acidity and a slightly creamy texture. Quite good. Memorial Day 2026. — a month ago

Tom, Dave and 4 others liked this

Quilceda Creek

Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, plums, cooked cherries, spices, mint, vanilla, cedar, cola, licorice, eucalyptus and peppercorn.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate and fruit forward with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, licorice, spices, graphite, peppercorn and black tea

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a gorgeous 12 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Red Mountain in Washington State. Complex and fruit forward. Rich and elegant.

I had a more recent vintage not too long ago, and it’s definitely better with age.

This Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is absolutely fantastic now. Drinking at its peak, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 7 years.

Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel and a gorgeous nose. Loved smelling on it. The high alcohol is well integrated by now.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and paired beautifully with the delicious Wagyu Steak.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged in all new French oak barrels for 20 months.

15.2% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$180.
— 8 months ago

Tom, Paul and 19 others liked this
ESF

ESF

nice pull!

Matthews Cellars

Claret Red Bordeaux Blend 2015

Few wines have hit me like this one hit me: the wonderful complexity of it stems from the sweet notes of plum and strawberry mixed with herbal spices, complemented ever so ironically by just a tad of smoke — 5 years ago

Long Shadows Vintners

Poet's Leap Columbia Valley Riesling 2017

Any day of the week! Great off dry Riesling from one of my favorite wineries. Sweet orchard fruit that goes down with frightening ease. — 6 years ago

Jason, Shay and 8 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Not sure I could take your description that far. Hoisin Sauce, sugar, Tamari soy sauce, sherry wine vinegar, rice vinegar, scallion, Tobacco sauce, Kum Lee chilli sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, white pepper, sesame oil & cup of chopped cilantro.
Martin Sher

Martin Sher

Thats the one - that is what they are calling it on their website. Sounds great - will give it a try, thanks for the suggestion!
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

It’s great complex spice blend and the Poetry Riesling compliments it perfectly.

Owen Roe

Yakima Valley Merlot Blend 2012

Another wine from our Friday night gathering we opened the 2012 Owen Roe Red Wine a Bordeaux land of 36% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Malbec.

On the nose there was dark fruit, black cherry, blackberry, black currant, dark chocolate, dried herbs, spice and a good earthy component.

On the palate was dark cherry, blackberry, green bell pepper, black currant, violets, a touch of sweetness and some earth.

This wine is full bodied with medium + acidity and medium + sandpaper tannins that lead into a long dark fruit finish. The weekend is upon us so enjoy your wine and please be safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
— 7 years ago

Severn, Paul and 12 others liked this
Jeff D.

Jeff D. Influencer Badge

Love these wines, always delicious!

Tenet Wines

The Pundit Columbia Valley Syrah 2015

Steak Sunday. Gift from Cody. Fantastic wine with good character and balance. Pepper and raisin — 8 years ago