Deeply scented ripe red cherry, strawberry and cinnamon evolve towards dark cherry, blackberry and a touch of milk chocolate in the mouth. Supporting tannins and acid are harmoniously balanced. Solid value in this price range.
This Pinot has heft and you know you’ve got it on the palate. Dense purple colour with a spicy, black cherry nose supported by vanilla oak. Medium-bodied, it offers a fruity, black cherry flavour; firmly structured with a lively acidic spine.
A stylish California style showing ripe peach and floral notes on the nose and generous apricot, peach and honeyed flavours, balanced by zesty acidity with a long harmonious finish. Pair with richer seafood and white meat dishes.
A bargain-priced Chardonnay from the Evergreen State. Pale straw colour with a nose of vanilla oak and spicy apple; full-bodied, richly extracted flavours of pineapple and melon with balancing acidity and a minty finish.
Tasted blind I would have taken this for an Auslese from the Rheingau. Straw-coloured with nose of petrol, honey and grapefruit. Light- to medium-bodied, sweet peach and grapefruit flavours with enough acidity to balance, ending on a white chocolate note.
A delicious Cab from Washington State. Deep ruby colour; blackcurrant and black cherry nose with a cedary note; full-bodied, with a sweet and savoury flavour given a lift by a floral note. Nicely integrated oak and a firm finish.
This full-bodied blend of Chardonnay, Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Chenin Blanc “and a few other varieties” has the most offensive label I’ve ever seen (a blindfolded prisoner lashed to a stake). The nose is peppery, tropical fruit and spicy oak; it’s fat and over-extracted with spicy, toasty orange and mango flavours. Not my cup of tea but there are some who will like its over-the-top flavours.