Tasting notes

Red Wines
RW1	Robert Mondavi Solaire, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 (Oakville, California) $17. Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah 3% Malbec, 2% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. This blend of grapes from three varied Mondavi regions provides a wine with interesting layers of complexity, balance and elegance. Style: dry red; dark red-purplish color; aromas and flavors: blackberry, cassis and plumwith hints of sweet vanilla oak; full-bodied; soft and approachable now, will improve with careful cellaring for ten years. (Alc. by Volume: 13.5%)
RW2	Robert Mondavi Woodbridge, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 (Oakville, California) $8. Blend: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Sirah, 5% Merlot, 4% Syrah and complimentary varieties; Style: dry red; dark red color; aromas: rich blackberry and black cherry with hints of dark chocolate, cedar and black olive; ripe, fruity flavors like blackberry liqueur; medium body; smooth, velvety tannins on a balanced finish. Food Pairing: grilled steak, pork, lamb, roast beef or a hearty soup. (Alc. by Volume: 13.5%)
RW3	Robert Mondavi Private Selection, Meritage, 2006 (California) $11. A Bordeaux style dry red with an appealing blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 8% Malbec. Its aromas and flavors include dark plum, dark cherry and blackberry. It has a velvety texture and a full body. The long, balanced finish has nicely integrated tannins. Food Pairing: rich, hearty foods such as grilled rib-eye or porterhouse steak, grilled lamb chops, osso bucco and flavorful cheeses. (Alc. by Volume: 13.5%)
RW4	Festival 34, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 (California, Central Coast) $13. Blend: mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah; Style: dry red; dark red color; aromas and flavors: raspberry and plum with hints of cedar, mint and cassis; medium body; long, balanced finish. (Alc. by Volume: 13.5%)
RW5	King Estate, Eugene, OR. 2006 Pinot Noir ($29). Varietal(s): 100% Pinot Noir; bright garnet color with ruby tint; cherry, raspberry jam, blueberry and oak spice aromas; dark cherry and raspberry flavors; medium body; smooth, soft finish. King Estate, OR. 2006 Pinot Noir, Domaine $60; Style: dry red; dark red color; Cherry, cranberry and currant aromas with hints of roses; flavors: cherry, vanilla, caramel with hints of spice; medium body; soft, balanced finish. Food Pairing: most any food. King Estate, OR. 2006 Pinot Noir, Block 4D, Clone 777 $60; Style: dry red; dark red color; blackberry, boysenberry and anise aromas with hints of coffee bean; flavors: blackberry, currant and vanilla with hints of tobacco; medium body; smooth finish with nice tannins. Food Pairing: most any food.
RW6	Festival 34, Merlot, 2007 (California, Central Coast) $13. Blend: mostly Merlot with small amounts of Petite Sirah and Malbec; Style: dry red; deep black-red color; aromas: rich black fruit, blueberries, cocoa and cinnamon stick; flavors: ripe plum and black cherry; medium body; soft finish with supple tannins. (Alc. by Volume: 13.8%)
RW7	Cline Cellars, Zinfandel, Ancient Vines, 2007 (Sonoma, California) $16. Style: dry red; ruby red color; aromas and flavors: raspberry, blackberry, white pepper and spice with hints of coffee, vanilla and chocolate; full body; ripe fruit and soft tannins on the finish. (Alc. by Volume: 14.5%)
RW8	Cline Cellars, Mourvedre, Ancient Vines, 2007 (Sonoma, California) $16. Style: dry red; dark red color; aromas: dark dusty berry fruit; flavors: deep plum; full body; soft tannins on the finish. Food Pairing: Anything grilled. (Alc. by Volume: 15.0%
RW9	Sterling Vineyards, Vintner’s Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 (Calistoga, CA) $14 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; Style: dry red; dark red color; aromas and flavors: blackberry, plum and cherry fruit with hints of vanilla toast; medium body; balanced finish. Food Pairing: roast lamb, grilled steak or potatoes au gratin. (Alc. by Volume: 13.9%)
RW10	Sterling Vineyards, Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 (Calistoga, CA.) $24. Blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc; Style: dry red; deep ruby-red color; aromas: spicy black cherry and blackberry with hints of cedar and mocha; flavors: ripe plum and blueberry fruits with hints of clove and all-spice; full-bodied; ripe tannins on a balanced finish. Food Pairing: try grilled lamb chops with rosemary and garlic mashed potatoes, or grilled steak with green peppercorn sauce. (Alc. by Volume: 14.2%)
RW11	Ravenswood Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Vintner’s Blend, 2006 (Sonoma, California) $10. Blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Syrah, 5% petite Sirah and 6% Cabernet Franc; Style: dry red; deep red color; aromas and flavors: cassis-like fruit with hints of spicy oak and earth; medium body; long, spicy finish. (Alc. by Volume: 13.5%)
RW12	Ravenswood Winery, Merlot, Vintner’s Blend, 2007 (Sonoma, California) $10. Blend: 76% Merlot, 8% Syrah, 8% petite Sirah and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon; Style: dry red; dark red color; aromas and flavors: spice, sherry, vanilla and plums with hints of dark chocolate; medium body; smooth and balanced with a cherry-spice finish. Food Pairing: grilled red meats or roast chicken with herbs and garlic. (Alc. by Volume: 13.6%)
RW13	Ravenswood Winery, Shiraz, Vintner’s Blend, 2007 (Sonoma, California) $10. 93% Shiraz and 3% Petite Sirah; Style: dry red; deep red color; aromas and flavors: black fruit with hints of eucalyptus and dark chocolate; medium body; soft, round finish. Food Pairing: rich meats or hearty pastas. (Alc. by Volume: 13.5%)
RW14	Domaine Serene, Pinot Noir, Evenstad Reserve, 2006 (Dayton, Oregon) $58. 100% Pinot Noir; Style: dry red; medium ruby color; rich, concentrated aromas and flavors of cedar, cinnamon, clove, cassis and raspberry; medium body; well integrated, oak, tannin and acidity for a lengthy finish. Complex enough to continue evolving for 3-4 more years. (Alc. by Volume: 13%)
RW15	Matua Valley, Pinot Noir Marlborough, 2008 (New Zealand) $14. 100% Pinot Noir. Style: dry red; vibrant cherry-red color; aromas: sweet red berry fruit and floral perfume; flavors: sweet strawberries and cream fruit with hints of spicy oak; medium body; soft, lengthy, complex finish. (Alc. by Volume: 13%)
RW16	Colores Del Sol, Malbec Reserva, 2008 (Argentina) $12. 100% Malbec; Style: dry red; deep ruby color with bright purple hues; intense aromas of ripe blackberry, black cherry and hints of smoke; flavors: juicy fruit, brown spice and mocha; medium body; balanced finish. Enjoy now or cellar until 2013 (Alc. by Volume: 13.5%)
RW17	Kendall-Jackson, Meritage, 2005 (California) $17. Blend: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc; Style: dry red; dark ruby red color; aromas: blackberry, black licorice and rich Bing Cherry; flavors: cherry, cassis and coffee; full body; full-flavored finish. (Alc. by Volume: 13.5%)
RW18	Kendall-Jackson, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 (California)$20. Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec; Style: dry red; dark black-red color; aromas and flavors: black cherry, blackberry and cassis; full body; cedar and vanilla notes linger on the finish finish. (Alc. by Volume: 13.5%)
RW19	Saint Laurent Estate Winery, Syrah, 2005 (Malaga, WA) $15. Tasting Notes: Blend: 97% Syrah, 1.5% Viognier, 1.5% Counoise; Style: dry red; deep purple-red color; aromas: black pepper and cloves with a hint of smoke; flavors: boysenberry and blackberry; full body; lingering finish. (Alc. by Volume: 14.1%)
RW20	Ravenswood, Old Vine Zinfandel, Napa Valley, 2006 (California) $18. Blend: 86% Zinfandel, 13 % Petite Sirah, 1 % Carignane; Style: dry red; dark ruby color; raspberry and plum aromas with hints of sweet spice and cedar; flavors: ripe plum with lingering notes of raspberries, cloves, cardamom and vanilla; medium body; fine tannin structure on a lingering finish. Drink now or lay down for a few years. (Alc. by Volume: 15.4%) Ravenswood, Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, 2006 (California) $12. Blend: 78% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah, 1% Carignane; Style: dry red; dark ruby color; aromas and flavors: sweet plum, blueberry and spice; medium body; soft, balanced lengthy finish. (Alc. by Volume: 14.8%) Ravenswood, Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma County, 2006 (California) $15. Blend: 79% Zinfandel, 12% Carignane, 5% Petite Sirah, 4% mixed blacks; Style: dry red; dark ruby color; aromas and flavors: ripe raspberry, blackberry and vanilla with hints of cinnamon; medium body; great balance and structure with a long berry-like finish. (Alc. by Volume: 14.5%)
RW21	Michael & David Family of Wines, 7 Deadly Zins, Zinfandel, 2006 (California) $17. Blend: Mostly Zinfandel, blended with small amounts of Petit Sirah and Petit Verdot; Style: dry red; dark ruby red color; aromas: sweet plums and pepper; flavors: blueberry, raspberry, cinnamon and black pepper; medium-full body; silky-smooth tannins on a fruit-driven finish. (Alc. by Volume: 14.5%)

White Wines
WW1	Michael David Phillips, Chardonnay , 2007 (California) $17; 100% Lodi Chardonnay; Style: dry white; light straw color; aromas: tropical fruit with hints of banana and pineapple; flavors: light lime with a hint of butter; medium-full body; balanced finish with nicely integrated acidity. (Alc. by Volume: 14.5%)
WW2	Sagelands Vineyards, Riesling, 2007 (Wapato, Washington) $14; Tasting Notes: A 100% Riesling in an off-dry style. It shows aromas and flavors of white peach, D’Anjou pears and citrus with hints of minerals and flowers. A medium-bodied wine, balanced with nice acidity on the finish. Food Pairing: lighter fare such as halibut, chicken in a cream sauce, or light Thai or Vietnamese style cuisine. (Alc. by Volume: 11.44%)
WW3	Beaulieu Vineyard, Riesling, BV Coastal Estates, 2007 (California) $9. Blend: 80% Riesling, 13% Viognier and 7% Gewurztraminer; Style: off-dry white; light straw color; aromas: fragrant pear and dried apricot with hints of orange blossom; flavors: juicy peach and lychee with a hint of minerals; medium body; balanced, flinty finish. Food Pairing: Thai food. (Alc. by Volume: 12.5%)
WW4	Sterling, Riesling Vintner’s Collection, 2007 (Monterey, California) $10. 100% Riesling; Style: off-dry white; light straw color; aromas: a core of sweet peaches with fragrant jasmine and flinty minerals; flavors: ripe summer fruit, hints of minerals and green apple; medium body; tart finish. Food Pairing: roasted duck in cherry sauce, pork sauteed with apples, lightly spiced Asian dishes. (Alc. by Volume: 12.5%)
WW5	Robert Mondavi Solaire, Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands, 2007 (Oakville,California) $15.100% Chardonnay; Style: dry white; light straw yellow color; aromas and flavors: fresh tropical fruits and citrus with hints of vanilla cream and brown spices; medium body; rich, balanced finish (Alc. by Volume: 13.5%)
WW6	Festival 34, Chardonnay, 2007 (California, Central Coast) $13. A typically heady Chardonnay with aromas and flavors of pear, green apple and lemon, with hints of caramel, toast and minerals. It has a medium body and a balanced, smoky finish. (Alc. by Volume: 13.5%)
WW7	Sterling Vineyards, Vintner’s Collection Chardonnay, 2007 (Calistoga, CA.) $10 100% Chardonnay; Style: dry white; Light straw-yellow color; aromas: tropical fruit, green apple and hints of lemon; flavors: pineapple, fig, peach and pear; full body; mouth-filling creaminess on the finish. Food Pairing: grilled fish, or pasta with basil, chicken and veggies. (Alc. by Volume: 13.8%)
WW8	Sterling Vineyards, Napa Chardonnay, 2006 (Calistoga, CA.) $15. 100% Chardonnay; Style: dry white; light straw-yellow color; aromas and flavors: fresh pear and ripe apples with hints of flowers, melon and tropical fruits; medium body; toasty oak on a balanced finish. Food Pairing: barbeques shrimp topped with mango, citrus, red onion and cilantro salsa; roasted chicken served with a wild mushroom sauce; serve simply with Brie cheese and fresh fruit. (Alc. by Volume: 13.9%)
WW9	Matua Valley, Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, 2008 (New Zealand) $13. 100 % Sauvignon Blanc; Style: dry white; light green color; aromas and flavors: tropical and citrus fruits with hints of herbs; medium body; classical Marlborough acidity gives it structure and a lengthy finish. Drink within the next 2 years. (Alc. by Volume: 13%)
WW10	Ravenswood Winery, Chardonnay, Vintner’s Blend, 2007 (Sonoma, California) $10. Blend: 95% Chardonnay, 5% Muscat Canelli; Style: dry white; light straw yellow color; aromas and flavors: fresh citrus and tropical fruits with hints of buttery vanilla, minerals and toasted almonds; medium body; fresh, balanced finish. (Alc. by Volume: 13.5%)
WW11	Kendall-Jackson, Riesling, 2007California $12. Blend: 88% Riesling, 9% Gewurztraminer and 3% Muscat Canelli; Style: off-dry white; light straw color; aromas and flavors: honeysuckle, apricot and peach with hints of Anjou pear, orange blossom and jasmine; medium body; crisp finish. (Alc. by Volume: 13%)
WW12	King Estate, Domaine Oregon Pinot Gris, 2007 (Eugene, Oregon $25. Blend: 100% Organic Pinot Gris; Style: dry white; Pale straw color; aromas: tangerine, pineapple, grapefruit, melon and spice; flavors: citrus, apple and peach; medium body; crisp, balanced, spicy mineral finish. Food Pairing: . (Alc. by Volume: 13.0%)
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Sparkling Wines
SW1	Domaine Ste. Michelle, Woodinville, WA. NV Extra Dry ($12). Primarily Chardonnay, this off-dry sparkling wine is a rich gold color. It has aromas and flavors of pear, guava and citrus, a medium body, and a lingering finish.
SW2	Paringa 2004 South Australia Sparkling Shiraz ($9.22) Style: Sparkling wine; inky-dark purple color; aromas and flavors: blackberries and blueberries and a whiff of menthol, typical fruit-forward South Australia Shiraz and a prickly and frothy sparkling wine; medium body; creamy, smooth finish. Food Pairing: Fine for sipping by itself; it made a decent pairing with a dinner salad topped with thin strips of teriyaki-style beef.
SW3	Delmas Blanquette de Limoux, France NV Brut $11; Blend: 80% Mauzac, 20% Chardonnay; Style: Champagne; light straw color; A dry, creamy, full-bodied sparkling wine with a fine yeasty character in the aroma, and toasty green apple & lemon flavors; long, full finish. (Alc. by Volume: 12%) History tells us that Blanquette de Limoux, the world's first sparkling wine, dates as far back as 1531. At the time, the monks of the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Hilaire, near Limoux, were producing a somewhat unusual white wine in their cellars. Inside its glass flask, with a cork top - very rare for wines at this time - it acquired a natural sparkle. This was the forefather of the brut which is tasted today at the world's most prestigious tables.
SW4	Pomeroy, Reims, France NV Brut Champagne $42; Blend: 35% Chardonnay, equal parts Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier; Style: Champagne; light straw color; aromas and flavors: citrus fruits; medium body; balanced, supple finish. (12.5%Alc.)
SW5	Pommery, France, NV Brut Rose’ Champagne ($70). Blend: 1/3 Chardonnay, 2/3 Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier; fragrant aromas of strawberries; medium body; fresh and finely balanced finish. Food Pairing: alone, mousse, poultry, shellfish or red fruit desserts. Pommery, France, NV Pink POP (Product of Pommery) Rose’ Champagne ($14) (375ml). aromas and flavors of red fruit scattered from currant to pomegranate on a base of Viennese pastry; medium body; a touch of sweetness on the finish. Enjoy anytime with most cuisines.
SW6	Yellowglen, Australia NV Pink, $12; a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Style: Sparkling Wine; soft ice pink color; aromas and flavors: strawberries with a splash of citrus bubbles with hints of berries, lime and lemon; medium body; clean. mellow finish. Food Pairing: pastas, salads or grilled seafood. (Alc. by Volume: 11%) and Yellowglen, Australia NV Yellow, Sparkling Wine $12; 100% Chardonnay Sparkling Wine; light straw color; aromas: crisp citrus; flavors: creamy mousse mouthfeel; medium body; clean finish. Food Pairing: Aperitif, fresh oysters in the half-shell or chilled scallop salad. (Alc. by Volume: 11%)