2006 L’Ecole No 41 Apogee
Very dark chocolate and pencil lead run through a blend of black and red fruits from the cabernet sauvignon and the merlot. Plums, blackberries, and black cherries lead are the fruits. The cabernet franc shows ...
2006 Deerfield Ranch Red Rex
This red blend is a real Frankenwine, lots of different parts sewn together creating a bit of a monster. Candied cherry shines through on the nose from the Sangiovese, but on the palate the Syrah blasts its way to the fore. Smoked meat, blackberries, and sage are there, but they're fighting it out with the Cabernet's blackcurrants and black cherry from the Merlot. Tannins are powerful to the point of harsh. Acids are just as big. The two together, along with the kitchen sink blend, make for an aggressive mouthful of wine. It might settle down settle down and knit together in five to ten years, but right now if you put it in your mouth it just tries to fight its way out to look for a village to burn and a kid to throw in the river.
2008 Estampa Gold
Green aromas and flavors really dominate this wine. There is no mistaking the green pepper of Chilean Carmenere, or the tobacco leaf of Cabernet Franc. They appear on the palate, too, along with red currants and very tart cherries. Tannins are rather big and rough, but balanced by loads of acid. Tannins and acids will settle down over time, but as fruit fades green flavors will get even more dominant. Little hints of violets in the finish indicate some florals might shine through after a few years in the cellar. Drink with beef cazuela or ropa vieja.
2007 Opus One
The 2007 Opus One is clearly aimed at the Bordeaux aficionado, offering a balance of dark fruits with spice and floral flavors, all with a balance of acid and tannins that suggest long cellar life.
Palate Press Wine of the Week- Deerfield Ranch Winery Cabernet Sauvignon
A big wine, a full, spicy mouthful of black fruit - blackcurrant and blackberry - and loads of spice - black pepper, white pepper, eucalyptus and toasted maple. Wood treatment is obvious, but the fruit is big e...
2005 Deerfield Ranch Winery Cabernet Sauvignon
A big wine, a full, spicy mouthful of black fruit - blackcurrant and blackberry - and loads of spice - black pepper, white pepper, eucalyptus and toasted maple. Wood treatment is obvious, but the fruit is big enough to balance it out. Tannins are powerful but smooth, showing years of remaining cellar life. Drink with a porterhouse, with the filet side early, and the strip side after it gets some air.
Palate Press Wine of the Week – 2007 DeLille Cellars Harrison Hill
The Harrison Hill was the top of the heap for me in our DeLille tasting (with the Doyenne and Chaleur Blanc close behind). Big and dark and tannic and complex, with a finish that lasted well into each next taste. A bit pricey at $75 a bottle, but this one I think is worth it. Read more on RJ's Wine Blog.
2007 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate – Red Mountain, WA
Like the 2007 Harrison Hill, the tannins are huge on this wine. Black fruit, herb, and vanilla notes, it's definitely a mouthful, but still incredibly well balanced. The finish on this thing goes on forever. I would suggest decanting for 1-2 hours before drinking. Read more on RJ's Wine Blog.