Catching up on so much good wine!

I've noticed that my notebook is getting very overcrowded, so I'll try to take care of that over the next week or so. With the Vancouver International Wine Festival only a week away, I need to get caught up! Let's get right to it, in no particular order.

Quails' Gate 2012 Old Vines Foch ($22.00)

Dark, brooding aromas of black cherry, blackberry, cedar and a hint of smoke. Herbaceous flavors, as well as some cedar, black plum, charcuterie and toasty oak. Rich mouthfeel. 89.







Quails' Gate 2011 Merlot ($22.00)

Aromas of coffee, dark berries and black cherry. Red cherry dominates the palate, with a touch of chocolate. Smooth, round and straightforward. 88








Church & State 2009 Chardonnay ($45.00)

Beautiful notes of marshmallow, graham....almost like S'Mores in a bottle. That's an apt description for the palate as well, with a hint of caramel on the finish. 89.

Church & State 2007 Syrah ($45.00)

Funkier than Rick James. Funky funky funky...but not in a bad way. Forest floor and intense mushroom aromas. The palate features lots of black fruit, cigar box, and graphite. Very unusual and very nice. 90.

Church & State 2014 Coyote Bowl Viognier ($20.000

Beautiful aromas and flavors of peach, apricot and pear. Well balanced acidity and a lovely finish. 89.








Stag's Leap 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($49.99)

Intriguing nose of plum, blackberry, mint, mushroom and a touch of black pepper. Rich mouth feel and lovely finish, with flavors of black fruit and just a hint of pepper. Drinking well now but another few years in the cellar would only enhance the pleasure. A good example of what a good producer can do even in a less-than-stellar vintage. 91.





Joseph Phelps 2014 Viognier ($30.00)

Beautiful aromas of white flowers, orchard fruit, honey and pear. Apricot, peach and pear flavors. Nicely balanced and a beautiful finish. 90.








Joseph Phelps 2013 Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard Syrah ($60.00)

Dark purple in colour, toasty oak, cassis, coffee and tobacco notes. Complex flavors of plum, blackberry, mocha and graphite. Long finish. Lovely. 92.







Cedarcreek 2013 Cabernet Merlot ($17.99)

58% Merlot
18% Cab. Franc
16% Cab. Sauv.
  8% Malbec

Aromas of blackberry, mint and herbs. Plums, cocoa and blackberry on the palate. A real nice wine at this price. 88.





As part of Tracey's Xmas wine, I bought four bottles from a winery we were not familiar with, except that they are a well-regarding winery from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. We put a couple bottles away for a while and have opened up the two 'cheaper' bottles already. So far, I must consider them a MAJOR disappointment.

Evening Land 2014 Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir ($45 USD from the winery)

Light nose of blueberry with a touch of mint. The palate features some sour cherry and a hint of spice. The flavors just never really developed into anything, despite decanting and lots of time in the glass. 86.






Evening Land 2014 Seven Springs Vineyard Chardonnay ($45 USD from winery)

Light notes of hazelnut, butterscotch and toasty oak. Caramel notes on the palate with a bit of minerality. Well balanced acidity. Perfectly decent, but not spectacular. 88.