Washington Wine Blog added 2 new photos.

Seattle, WA -- Feb 20, 2019

Caymus Cabernet SauvignonOne of the iconic wineries in California, Caymus built a name for themselves by crafting some stunning Cabernet wines for decades. While some might say that Caymus Cabernet has taken a step back in quality, as their hedonistic style of wine is might not be loved by all, I can frankly respond that this writer is absolutely enchanted by these recent set of releases. Their new Cabernet bottling show not only gobs of fruit but an incredible minerality that accompanies the mid-palate richness. That combination of fruit weight and tension in the wine really excites me.Back in 1972, Chuck Wagner started Caymus Vineyards with his parents, Charlie and Lorna, and created incredible success with their wines. Caymus Cabernet is sourced from 8 of Napa Valley's 16 appellations and the Caymus ‘Special Selection’ is the only wine in the world to be honored twice as Wine Spectator magazine's “Wine of the Year” for the 1984 and 1990 vintages.Caymus and their Wagner Family of Wines produces everything from Chardonnay to Sauvignon Blanc to even a pretty killer Rose. For those who do not enjoy huge extraction in their wines, kindly glance away. Like last years release, the 2016 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 94) shows amazing intensity on the mid-palate with a gorgeous finish. Even better is the new 2015 Caymus ‘Special Selection’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 97) which is one of the great Napa wines I have sampled in the past year. This seductive new wine exudes class, with serious range on the mid-palate that combines with the glorious fruit weight and minerality. This massive wine really needs at least another year in the cellar to fully sing its high C. Learn more about these outstanding new wines at www.caymus.com Here are the beautiful new release wines by Caymus Vineyards.2016 Emmolo Merlot- Entirely sourced from the Napa Valley, and weighing in at 15.2% alcohol, the wine starts off with baking spice, blackberry cobbler and mocha aromas that fill the glass. The palate is silky, revealing a beautiful texture as the wine glides across the mid-palate. Mocha, chocolate covered dark cherry and cassis flavors all combine marvelously in the glass. Ripe and generous, this delicious wine will continue to drink well over the next decade. Drink 2019-2029- 922016 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from eight separate districts across the Napa Valley. Inky in color, this begins with alluring aromatics of ripe dark fruits and wild blackberry cordial along with roasted figs and milk chocolate which continue to bring you back to the glass. On the palate this possesses a wonderful opulent mouthfeel as well as a seamless quality that makes this nearly impossible to resist. Flavors of crème de cassis, mocha, tar, graphite and blackberry jam continue to build on the palate and expand through the long finish. A stunning wine, with outstanding weight and poise, this will cellar marvelously for the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2019-2033- 942015 Caymus ‘Special Selection’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2015 Caymus ‘Special Selection’ Cabernet Sauvignon is an epic follow-up to the exceedingly good 2014 edition of this wine. The wine shows considerably better following a two hour decant. An inky, glass-staining purple color with a core resembling a black hole, this massive wine begins with aromas reminiscent of creme de cassis, dark chocolate shavings, graphite, blueberry compote and licorice candy. The fruit weight that engulfs the mid-palate exudes decadence. Mouth-watering acidity alongside black tea, Black Forest Cake and creme de cassis flavors with lighter earthy undertones all entice the senses on the palate. While obviously not for the weary, this gorgeous wine is impossible to resist now and will provide drinking enjoyment over the next two decades. Drink 2020-2040- 97 ... See MoreSee Less

Washington Wine Blog added 2 new photos.

Seattle, WA -- Feb 19, 2019

Columbia CrestOne of the outstanding value Washington producers, Columbia Crest is the only Washington winery to have their wine appear at #1 on the Wine Spectator Top 100 list. That pedigree is shown in their lineup of not only good value wines but their higher tier wines as well. Founded in 1982, Columbia Crest is one of the longer-serving Washington wineries as their first wine release was back in 1987. Juan Munoz-Oca has presided over these wines since 2011 and has done a really fantastic job after taking over from eminent Washington winemaker, Ray Einberger. This past summer Katie Nelson was named new Columbia Crest winemaker (www.washingtonwineblog.com/blog/2018/11/12/interview-with-katie-nelson-winemaker-at-columbia-crest) and brings her talents to the forefront, previously serving as assistant winemaker for K VIntners. I am very excited to see Katie’s influence on this great program.The new wines were all sourced from warm vintages. I was blown away with the value of the 2016 Columbia Crest ‘H3’ Sauvignon Blanc (WWB, 90) which is one of the great value wines that I have seen from this hot vintage in Washington. The wine shows good opulence and acidity with bright pear and kumquat flavors. The best wine I tried was one that had some age, their later release 2014 Columbia Crest ‘Private Reserve’ Red Wine (WWB, 93) which has tremendous length, richness and a Bordelaise feel. This beautiful wine is one for the cellar. Learn more about these outstanding values at columbiacrest.com Here are some of the great new wines by Columbia Crest.2016 Columbia Crest ‘H3’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2016 Columbia Crest ‘H3’ Sauvignon Blanc is a superb value from this great producer. The nose shows good richness with ripe apple, pear and melon aromas. The palate shows good weight with kumquat and bright pear, finishing strong with minerals. Drink 2018-2024- 902016 Columbia Crest ‘Grand Estates’ Syrah- The 2016 Columbia Crest ‘Grand Estates’ Syrah is another good value from this winery. The nose shows toasty oak with dark fruits. The palate shows good mid-palate richness with black and blue fruits with milk chocolate that come off slightly sweet. Drink 2018-2022- 892016 Columbia Crest ‘Grand Estates’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 ‘Grand Estates’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a fantastic value. The nose shows dark fruits and chocolate with red bell pepper on the nose. The palate shows a good combination of freshness and richness with good acidity. Black and blue fruits dominate with a touch of chocolate. Drink 2018-2024- 902014 Columbia Crest ‘Private Reserve’ Red Wine- This compelling wine is a blend of 46% Cabernet sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 8% Malbec. The nose shows toasty oak that wraps around blackberry pie, blueberry compote and mocha. The palate is plush and shows good minerality with black tea, Asian spice, sandalwood, mocha and anise. I love the sense of balance here. Lightly tannic, this outstanding wine will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2018-2030- 932015 Columbia Crest ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the Columbia Valley, the 2015 Columbia Crest ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 25 months in French oak prior to bottling. Crushed mint, creme de cassis, Turkish coffee and blackberry pie aromas impress. The palate shows a good combination of richness and tension. Mocha, anise, blueberry cobbler and sagebrush flavors all nicely amalgamate in the glass. Seductive and rich, enjoy this over the next decade. Drink 2018-20280- 92 ... See MoreSee Less