Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec Flashcards
2009 Boudreaux Cellars Merlot (leavinworth, wa)
Medicine cabinet, licorice, leather and dried and fresh red and black fruit aromas lead to rich, concentrated flavors. The variety seems subsumed by the style but it’s still pretty delicious.
Boudreaux Cellars is located on the Icicle River just outside of Leavenworth, Washington. Four miles off the power grid (the only winery in Washington State completely self-powered), Rob relies heavily on Nature in many ways to aid his wine making. The 160 barrel cellar is completely underground providing very constant temperatures for the somewhat extended two and three year barrel aging. Above ground thick insulated walls and propane heat when necessary provide good wine making conditions for blending, bottling labeling, waxing, and shipping. Gravity provides transport for wines from the press to the barrel. Blending is done in a series of tanks ranging from 225 gallon poly to 1700 gallon French oak. The site is not well-suited for grape farming although Rob is experimenting with pinot noir, lemberger, and reisling in our estate vineyard.Eventually the winery will be faced with local granite stone blending it into the majestic Stuart Range setting. Just the drive from Leavenworth up Icicle Road along the river to the winery is worth the trip. The spectacular wines are a bonus!he site is well-suited for living deep in the Cascade Mountains in majestic surroundings and the views from the winery tasting room windows are spectacular. The Newsom’s log home, located next to the winery, was used extensively as a location by Warner Brothers for the Steven Segal movie, “On Deadly Ground”.Boudreaux Cellars is open by appointment only. Please plan ahead. The winery is not accessible to tour buses. Roads are passable year-round except during the worst snowstorms. Call ahead for details if you are interested in bringing a group or van. We want your visit to be a pleasant adventure.
Il Vintners Merlot ‘Pepper Bridge’ and Walla Walla
This harmonious wine boasts a seductive core of red cherries and mixed berries. Hints of cedar, cola, anise , Asian spices, and a gravel-like minerality introduce a lush layer of dark chocolate. A rich, luxurious mouthfeel of silky tannins is counterbalanced by racy acidity, creating a mouthwatering, lingering finish.
Mark Ryan Long Haul columbia valley
Vineyard Source Ciel du Cheval, Red Mountain Klipsun, Red Mountain Red Willow, Yakima Valley Force Majeure, Red Mountain Olsen, Yakima Valley
Blend 51% Merlot 40% Cabernet Franc 8% Cabernet Sauvignon 1% Petit VerdotThe 2013 Long Haul is ruby in color, darkening gradually toward the inside of the glass. Aromatically, the wine shows off brambly, wild blackberry and raspberry, along with sweet baking spice. The first sip surprises with bright cherry and darkens to a range of black fruits toward the end of the sip. Subtle minerals mingle with the fine, dusty tannins bright acidity on the finish.
columbia valley sub avas
Horse Heaven Hills AVA, Rattlesnake Hills AVA, Red Mountain AVA, The Rocks AVA, Wahluke Slope AVA, Walla Walla Valley AVA, Yakima Valley AVA
Chateau Gueyrosse 2004
Right Bank Bordeaux. Aromatically VERY lively. Tons of cigar box, cedar, and even a dried green bamboo hint, or something else equally green and stemmy. Interestingly woody. Black and blue fruits on the palate. Nice, rounded tannins, but still hearty and lingering.
The vineyard is planted to 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Il fauno di Arcanum merlot
Tuscany: The 2009 il fauno di Arcanum is a very beautiful wine with a deep, brilliant black cherry color and elegant aromas of peppery spice and minerality. On the palate, the oak is discreet with a strong presence of spice and salted nutmeg. This is a balanced wine with beautiful length and bright acidity that comes together for a smooth finish of soft tannins and black pepper notes.
Blend: 61% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc 2% Sangiovese, 1% Petit Verdot
gauthier ‘clos nouveau’ bourgueil
Loire Valley: The color is intense and deep ruby . Intense aromas of ripe black fruit and black pepper mingle with rocky peaks. The palate is bright fruit, juicy , frank and delicate. The wine envelops the palate in a stunning grace. The balance between concentration and mineral freshness is breathtaking . The tannins are firm but elegant . The finish is an incredible draw. This New Clos is a marvel that will become great over time .
Pas Saint Martin La Pierre Frite
Loire Valley: In the heart of Saumur, the Domaine du Pas Saint Martin produces an impressive portfolio of still and sparkling wines. Their Saumur rouge La Pierre Frite is made from Cabernet Franc grown organically on silica-rich limestone soils and fermented in stainless steel with the specific intention of producing wine approachable in its youth while also being expressive of the Saumur’s special terroir. Translucent black-plum in color, Pas St. Martin’s Pierre Frite opens with smoky, leafy, tobacco-tinged cassis fruit complicated by floral and herbal top notes. Brisk acidity drives the wine’s core of cherry and plum fruit, while fine tannins and a lovely undercurrent of soft limestone minerals add balance and complexity. Suggestions of violets, tobacco, menthol, tar and smoky earth complete the wine on the finish. This is splendid, authentic Saumur rouge that’s ready to drink now and over the next two years. Serve this superb, warm-weather rouge with everything from burgers to chops to braises to stews.
Close de Gamot Malbec
Cahors: southwest france known for malbec
There’s good dense fruit here, with a blackberry jam quality to the ripe fruit. The wine misses some richness, but makes up for it with its lively smooth tannins and acidity, and ripe, juicy aftertaste.
This bottle is very good but is very young. Dark red fruits on the palate with a bit of herb and bitter spice. Nice minerality and acidity. This was wonderful with a braised goat dish. I am holding my stash in a cool cellar, and will look in on these in another 5 years.
VISUEL hurlât foncé, dense, noir
OLFACTIF notes de pommes, noix, terre.
GUSTATIF terreux et robuste. Concentration absolue mais avec une belle acidité en milieu de bouche.
ENSEMBLE voilà un vrai Cahors avec tous les attributs du terroir. Super !
aMaurice Malbec ‘Gamache Vineyard’
Columbia Valley: Deep dark purple color. Strong nose of ripe plum, grilled bread, cloves and blackest of black currants. The tannins hold the stage in the large voluminous wine. Blackberries, blueberries and all things dark hold through while balancing on the rich mouth feel and acidity. Persists with plum (flesh and skin) and clove on the finish.
