Aromas of Cassis, licorice and leather make this legendary Bordeaux’s bouquet. The palate is dry with moderate tannins and is very structured. Flavors of cassis, umami and herbs are pronounced. A long finish is to be expected. The drinker needs to be aware that this Bordeaux is still quite young, and I suspect a minimum of another ten years of bottle aging would be required to bring the wine to its peak. Be sure to decant sufficiently before you drink.

Perigee is a Bordeaux style blend made from fruit sourced from specific blocks located in the Seven Hills Vineyard. A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, L’Ecole No. 41 produces another outstanding wine! Aromas of cherry, black currant and cigar box are prominent on this wine’s nose. The palate is balanced with elegant tannins. Sumptuous flavors of black cherry, herbs and mineral deliver an amazing finish. Drink now or cellar and enjoy later.    

Apogee is made from fruit sourced only from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard. A blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 7% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc, this Bordeaux style blend rocks! A bouquet of berries, smoke and toasted oak is featured on the nose. The palate delivers structure, very good viscosity, and moderate tannins. Dry flavors of black cherry, cassis, cocoa, and game prevail. A long finish will be enjoyed by all.

Terra Blanca’s Onyx is a Bordeaux style blend comprised of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. This Meritage wine’s almost opaque, violet core announces intriguing aromas of cassis, blueberry, toasted oak and licorice. Onyx is a medium bodied wine that delivers a balanced palate and elegantly soft tannins. Wonderful, dry, fruit forward, flavors of cherry, cocoa, and licorice are experienced in this textbook example of a great Bordeaux style blend. The finish goes on and on and on. Onyx pairs incredibly well with roasted lamb.

The 2004 Vieux Chateau Certan is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. This Bordeaux is simply amazing! The nose offers an enticing bouquet of vanilla, cherry and herbs. Dry, with a seductive youthful body and elegant tannins, the palate of this Bordeaux is poised and balanced. Flavors of cassis, berries, licorice and subtle cocoa notes are all favorable indicators of this provocative ingénues forthcoming maturity. This Bordeaux pairs wonderfully with steaks and scalloped potatoes. Drink now after decanting or cellar for another five to ten years.  

Occasionally wine can be a truly Zen experience. The gossamer veil of reality parts and time ceases to matter as the wine pours forth. Can enlightenment be found in a bottle? Barrouge is a blend of 80% cabernet sauvignon and 20% merlot, and is a wine that definitely brings one closer to nirvana. Like heavenly incense, aromas of plum, blackberry, cigar box and leather heighten your awareness. The palate delivers terrific viscosity, moderate tannins and structure. Fruit forward, dry, blackberry, pencil shaving, and herb flavors dominate with a slight alcohol burn.

A blend of 42% merlot, 22% cabernet sauvignon, 21% syrah, 11% cabernet franc, 3% petit verdot and 1% carmenere - this is not your typical Bordeaux style blend. This Washington red wine offers the structured muscle of

This Fifth Growth Bordeaux is often termed a “super second” or the “poor man’s Lafite”, rivaling some of France’s best First Growth Bordeauxs. The blend consists of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc. In a word, it is amazing! With an elegant bouquet, this Bordeaux offers up extraordinary tastes of smoke, subtle mocha, blueberry, currant, and graphite. The soft tannins dissipate quickly with adequate decanting, and the finish extends beyond forty five seconds.