One Horse Town
Horsepower Vineyards
Sur Echalas Vineyard Syrah 2013
Popped yesterday, notes from 24 hrs open. I used to buy and drink Cayuse wines. but I've soured on these wines in the last 4 years or so...last time I popped a horsepower wine with friends, the joke by the end of the night was: friends don't let friends drink Horsepower. Tasting this alone, I can see what I liked, but a lot of what I didn't like also. Aromatically compelling: strawberry compote, loads of olive brine, pickled cabbage, medicinal.herbs, charcoal, and a fair amount of bretty funk. On the palate: just kind of flat. Ok acidity (better than I remember), some bitter burnt notes, but just missing something; seems a touch thin and weedy and attenuated tannin on the thin finish. Love the fact this is 13.0% ABV, but there is a very long list of Syrahs I would drink over this one...esp given the pricetag.
P.S. I've had all the debates about ageability of these wines, granted the lack of acidity, and vintage variation. These wines are novelty wines, yielding a rather esoteric interpretation of the varietal character of syrah. They were fun for a while, but I don't want novelty anymore: I want depth of character. — 4 years ago
Andrew Will
Sorella Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013
Andrew Will’s top selection, I was stunned at how good this was.
This was consumed from bottle over the course of about four hours. Dark purple at the core, with just a touch of red starting to grow around the rim. The first hour this was open, it seemed disjointed as it had a pronounced herbal twang and sawdust note. Hours 2-4 this totally blossomed and became one of the best WA state cabs I’ve ever had, especially at the price. This leans to the dark fruit side of the spectrum (blackberry, black currant) highlighted by streaks of bright/high toned red fruits. Beautiful nose of tobacco, dark chocolate and mocha to go along with the fruit. Mid palate has a beautiful mineral/and scorched black cherry core and finishes with silky tannins. Extremely well balanced and seems like it’s nearing the top of its potential. — 3 years ago
Bolla
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Corvina Blend 2015
When Abele Bolla opened up Al Gambero Inn in the northern Italian town of Soave over 100 years ago, no one could have guessed that the favorite pastime of winemaking would continue for four generations. Deep Ruby with aromas of jammy berry fruits, spice and oak. On the palate cherry and dried plum with bold spice, floral, cacao and cedar. Structured firm tannins, nicely balanced on long finish ending with fruit, cedar and earthy spice. Just starting to drink well now with room to age. — 4 years ago
Donald Williams
One of the best Chardonnays on the planet. Typical of Iron Horse. — 5 months ago