2007 Cupcake Chardonnay

This last weekend in August and it just felt like a chardonnay night. I opened the 2007 Cupcake Chardonnay and what a nice aroma this wine gives off.

Pear, apple and loads of vanilla (if you read this blog you know I Love Vanilla). Sticking the big snoz in a 2nd and 3rd time I sensed some oak but really nice fruit balance.

First in the mouth nice apple/pear mix with a citrus hint, then comes the vanilla with spice and finally here comes mr oak at the end but not overpowering.

Nice inexpensive Chardonnay and my first try at Cupcake Vineyards. I'll recommend to my friends to try.

2000 Hogue Genesis Cabernet Sauvignon

I was very surprised by this wine. Most Washington wines I have tasted seem medium to full bodied and big. Fooler here with a more soft approach.

Very nice selection this 2000 cabernet was very smooth (like butter). Aroma's of cherry, vanilla and oak.
The taste was silky with cherry and blackberry at the start and a liquorice/spice finish. Excellent balance of fruit, spice and long finish.

2005 Meridian Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot

Finally I worked a Friday and was able to participate in our weekly wine drink session. I would refer to it as a taste but after the first sip it turns into a drink free for all. Wine one was a Meridian 2005 Merlot. Nice aroma of vanilla and spice ( even out of a makeshift cup). On the palate nice raspberry start followed by blackberry and a cola/spice finish.

Wine two was the 2005 Meridian Cabernet Sauvignon. A very mild cabernet this wine had an aroma of cherry and a slight vanilla/oak combination. This wine on the palate gave me an excellent balance between vanilla, cherry and spice.

The merlot was the favorite choice from these 2 selections.

2008 Castle Rock Cuvee Pinot Noir

Excellent selection from Castle Rock. The 2008 Cuvee a nice ruby red color with a wonderful big cherry aroma when first opened up. I also smell spice, red berry and hint of cola. Excellent smooth silky wine with a perfect cherry flavor start to finish and a slight spice at the end. Year after year Castle Rock produces excellent Pinot. I paid $10.99 for this bottle and should be much more.

2008 Bogle Sauvignon Blanc

Crisp white wine from Bogle. Citris and grapefruit were the flavors of this wine (big grapefruit but not overpowering). Very mild and soft at the finish. 12.9% alchohol.

2007 Bogle Chardonnay

What a nice wine from Bogle. Into the glass the aroma of apple and pear and then the vanilla just perfect ( I love vanilla). On the palate apple to start and a butter/vanilla finish with a slight touch of oak. My second Bogle wine and so far I have been amazed by the quality for such a low price. Both the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir taste like they should be $25.00+

Tassel Ridge Prelude White Wine

An excellent wine from the folks at Tassel Ridge Winery here in Iowa. Prelude is a very nice crisp white wine with a big citris taste (perfect on a hot muggy Iowa summer day). Hints of lemon, lime, orange, pear and a tropical fruit sensation at the end (felt like I just dove into a fruit bowl yum). Excellent balance of fruit and sweetness. I'm told this is their second most popular white wine and I can see why. Made of grapes from both Iowa and California (St Pepin from Ia and Muscat from Ca). Tassel Ridge Winery is one of the top 3 producers here in our state and they are located in Leighton Iowa (SE of DesMoines). Check out their website www.tasselridge.com for more outstanding Iowa wines.

2007 Kenwood Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Wow! Awesome Pinot Noir and was on sale for less than $18.00. Beautiful ruby red color and a huge cherry aroma. Cherry flavor with a slight redberry/spice middle to finish. Found this wine to be very smooth and silky. Enjoyed this wine with some fine chocolate from one of our locally owned chocolate shops. Make sure you have this on hand because its a gem from Kenwood.

2007 Bogle Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Good stuff here folks. Opened both bottles (yes there were 2) and a big cherry aroma filled the nose. Next comes the cherry/cola combination in perfect harmony, slight oak and some excellent spice at the finish. Nice ruby red color. $15.00 RRV Pinot and this ones a gem. Keeping this one on hand.