Friday Sips

For years David O'Reilly has been making this Right Bank Bordeaux-inspired blend and lately it has become one of the smashing values from Washington. Not merely a ‘leftover' wine, this is consistently one of the stalwarts on the Owen Roe roster.

Made from three superb vineyard sites (DuBrul, Red Willow & Union Gap), comprised of 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc, 36% Merlot, 2% Malbec and in true Owen Roe fashion this is a full yet velvety wine. What is most notable is that being decidedly decadent, it shows great balance and restraint with poise and brightness that holds your full attention. The lift in the mid-palate and the complex potpourri of aromas come from the fact that the vineyard sites are relatively cool and of stellar quality. The overall impression is one that coats the mouth with dark plum, raspberry, warm spice and chocolate covered cherry flavors and a finish that doesn't stop. 2012 is the last vintage for this wine under this name and it begs for braised short ribs, slow-roasted leg of lamb or beef tenderloin. Drink now through 2022.

Nine Hats is famed Walla Walla producer Long Shadows second wine and within this project, all 9 of the winemakers associated with this project have their hat in the ring on the various wines. The Columbia Valley Red is always a winner and the 2012 has performs way above what many would think is a mere blend.

33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, 15% Malbec, 15% Merlot, 10% Syrah & 7% Petit Verdot and revealing chewy, hearty, full aromas and flavors of plum, milk chocolate, red licorice, plum, black cherry and nutmeg. In the mouth, it is sumptuous, palate staining and assertive with plenty of Asian spices on the drawn-out, lingering finish. A real Long Shadows experience that can be consumed over the next 5-8 years.

Sleight of Hand is a superb Walla Walla-based producer who happens to excels in the art of blending. Spellbinder is typical of Trey Busch's style, powerful yet with velvety edges.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and a dollop of Grenache and Syrah comprise the blend. Aromas of red cherry and black cherry mesh well with well-placed oak scents of mocha and nutmeg; the texture here is mouth coating and forward with minimal presence of tannin. Classic Washington dusty aspects come through as well as hints of dried herbs. The finish is packed with fruit and spice and is oh so typical of an early-drinking Washington red blend. Drink this now through 2018 and especially while you are waiting for your more treasured Washington wines to properly develop.

We offered this always sought-after Washington red a few weeks back but wanted to do so again. Best of all, we have a bottle to pour today!! The stats for this wine read like a baseball box score. Blended from 42.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1.8% Petit Verdot from 8 vineyards (including the likes of Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun and Red Willow) all with varying percentages, the resulting 2012 is one of the finest versions that this iconic producer has put forth to date.

The newest D2 is from a sturdy, structured, full-fruit vintage that has long-term aging written all over it and can best described as a velvet beast with penetrating black cherry, plum, violet, and anise all nicely encapsulated by underlying milk-chocolate coated espresso bean aromas. Mouth filling and palate staining, there is such an irresistible quality to this wine now, but don't drink it all up at once, it will age nicely for 10-12 years, too.