Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

We met & visited a number of Bordeaux producers while 2005 was still in the tank or just into barrel.

In talking with Winemaker-Owners about the 2005 vintage, you could see the twinkle in their eye as they were asked questions. They knew they had Bordeaux magic for the first time in five years.

We tasted this at what was deemed an “Affordable Bordeaux Tasting.” This was on the higher end of that tasting at $35. It is delivering a little better than its young expectation and the jewel to date from that tasting.

With and without protein, the 05 Chateau de Candale moved between 92-93.

The nose reveals; warm alcohol, immersed fruits of; black raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, dark cherries, poached/slightly baked, dark cherries, dark spices, purple fruit, cola mix, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark, rich, candied, forest floor, fresh & dry tobacco, graphite, slight, moist clay, stones, dry, crushed rock chunks, whiff of bay leaf & sage, dry stems, pepper quality with candied, dark, dark red, purple, blue with violets & lavender.

This is a very good first look at this 2005. God willing, I have another look in on bottle two of three in another five years. This 05 has another 15 plus years of good drinking ahead with proper storage.

The body is full, tarry with big, sticky, chewy tannins. Baked/poached, floral fruits of; black raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, dark cherries, black plum, pomegranate, dark spices with a heavy, heated presence, purple fruit, cola mix, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark, rich, candied, forest floor, fresh & dry tobacco, loads of graphite, slight, moist clay, stones, dry, crushed rock chunks, dry top soils, whiff of bay leaf & sage, dry stems, muted eucalyptus, pepper quality with candied, dark, dark red, purple, blue with violets & lavender. The acidity is round & full just holding, for me, the slightly higher ABV in check. The long, heavy, dark, well knitted, more earth/spice dominated finish is showing the quality of the vintage. Yet, it still needs more time to be its best.

Photos of; Chateau de Candale, harvested Merlot fruit, recent buyers of Chateau de Candale - Thibaut Decoster and Magali Decoster and their barrel room. — 6 years ago

Joe Gillies

9.5

Amazing! Big luscious dark fruits. Paired perfectly with braised lamb shank and risotto. Wife's new favorite wine! Which I am not sure is a good or bad thing yet ?!?!? — 7 years ago

Justin Wade

9.6

Big fan of Hess wines, and this one doesn't fail to satisfy. Very balanced, great body, not too fruity. Very enjoyable. — 8 years ago

Mike R

9.5

It's a baby / this will age for 30 years - notes are simple big bold and 100% cab - love it and first year with this wine - man is this good - a limited release Cabernet Sauvignon of 200 cases - pure elegance and balance and yet a powerful wine- nose reveals delicate aromas of dark red fruits and berries - first to last sip in your glass is a revealing experience that talks loud and clear and says remember me - and I will - love it and smiling bright and big tonight — 9 years ago

Heather Doyle Meyer

9.2

Better the second day! Very big wine, attractive packaging. Will buy often. — 9 years ago

Anthony George

8.9

smokey wood fire/this is like red hot candy/dry red meet big red 🍷 — 10 years ago

with Derek and Kaitlin

Paul K

8.9

RP 95 and WE 93 This is good. It has a great nose, it’s well balanced, and has good structure, may be a bit simple, but sometimes I love that. There’s a purity of fruit that I like as well. I just don’t love the profile. I wanted to, but there is an earthiness / mushroom that was out of place IMO. Both on the nose and palate. Great deal on this right now and I was going to pick up volume (I’m stocking up on ‘16’s, think it’s gonna pay off big) just not on this one. Please give me a hollar if you have this and think it’s great. — 6 years ago

Patrick Lunn

9.3

Teldeschi vineyard. Big powerful zin but very smooth. — 6 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.1

This dark ruby wine’s nose shows bright red cherry and plum, black pepper and hint of vanilla. The palate features big fruit, mocha and a nice savory tobacco edge. Great tannins and acidity make it a wonderful wine to pair with beef. The oak treatment is beneficial, not overdone. The wine finishes strong with fruity earth notes. — 7 years ago

Matthee Curtis

9.0

Big flavor. Very good — 8 years ago

Mary H

8.9

Winemaker Margot's plaything, named for the winery's address. A lot of big red flavors but heavy handed with tannins and could use more balance. — 8 years ago

Doug Adams

9.2

Nice nose of dark fruit. Big and complex. Opens up nice and can stand to age more. — 9 years ago

David Fernandez

8.9

A really velvety and rich wine with lost of fruit forward and a big nose !
Will buy again — 10 years ago

James P Grover

8.9

Blackberry and plum aroma. In the mouth it’s heavier, spicier, and hotter. It brings in wood, black pepper, and pretty strong acidity. It might settle down with some air. But first impressions is that it’s big and interesting, and a good value. — 6 years ago

Norma Normington

8.9

This wine was marked on clearance - big mistake! It’s worthy of a lot more than what we paid! Full bodied and great tasting. — 6 years ago

Merckx Ragan

9.5

Big fella! Very oaky , very much our style — 7 years ago

Mark

9.4

I felt it was a great bottle big fruit but still have a lot of complexity for such a young wine very approachable now in five years will be a superstar — 7 years ago

with Dave

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Feather is 100% Cabernet. This is made in coordination with Randy Dunn. On the nose, dark, lightly spiced currants. Black oil, loamy soils, black licorice and fresh floral bouquet. On the palate, the mouthfeel is thick & rich. There's a good presence of wood shaving. Rich, ripe blackberries, dark cherries, candied black plum, plum, black raspberries, loamy soils, dark rich moist earth, leather, tobacco, spice-box, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, black licorice, violets and fresh red florals. Acidity is round and mouthwatering. The structure is big. The tension perfect as is the balance of fruit and earth. This is definitely a Parker wine. It's so easy to drink young, yet will cellar 10-15 years nicely. Photos of the tasting rooms hand blown glass lighting...lit up. The Feather artwork and the famous Boushey vineyard in Yakima Valley — 8 years ago

Jason Osper

9.0

Very akin to the warm santa inez sunshine - pleasant and bright on the pallet, but somewhat lacking depth and complexity. Cherry and tobacco — 9 years ago

Derek Raymond

9.3

smokey wood fire/this is like red hot candy/dry red meet big red 🍷 — 10 years ago

with Kaitlin and Anthony