Blind tasting of Washington State wines.

2006 Hestia Sémillon (Columbia Valley ) – smoky apple nose with a
hint of lanolin, clean and crisp on palate

2006 Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen Riesling Eroica (Columbia
Valley) – slightly warm clearly Riesling nose, smooth on palate, with
just enough acidity for balance.

2005 Long Shadows Wineries Pedestal (Columbia Valley) – cocoa and
plumy fruit nose with some cherry later on. lots of tannin, but
ripe, medium to full body and tailing of a little short in the finish.

1995 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate (Red Mountain) – initially white
pepper and a hint of dill, but with 5 minutes in the glass it
transformed into a Bordeaux nose good enough to pass in a blind
tasting. Nice spice on palate, good fruit and overall a classy wine.


2004 Long Shadows Wineries Syrah Sequel – dark wine with a deep nose
of dark fruit, cocoa and a hint of black olives. Nice wine.


2004 Woodward Canyon Syrah (Columbia Valley) – dark wine with an apple
pie and spice nose slightly warm, sweet fruit in the mouth, and good
length. There was enough VA in the nose to put a VA hater off, but I
thought that it enhanced the overall impression.


2005 Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla) - dark wine
with another sweet nose that I saw a hint of raspberry in and lots of
stuffing. Stirred with an oak stave, but not excessively so, and good
acidity. Needs time.


2001 Leonetti Cellar Sangiovese (Walla Walla) – funky nose, smooth in
the mouth, faded quickly at the end. A tired Chianti wannabe that
never shouldabeen.


1992 Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley) – an amazing
amount ofdill in this nose, and some coconut, with some nice spice and
white pepper. Nice mature cab and fun to drink side by side with a
more current version.

1999 St. Innocent Brut (Willamette Valley) – strictly speaking out of
the theme area, but by then none of us cared! Decent nose that made
one expect a Pinot predominance, and the same on palate, but I found
it a bit hollow and it faded fast. Also not much mousse. Still, a nice
way to end an interesting tasting!