WTN: Cayuse, Reynvann, Karl L, Lapierre, others

[Jenise]

2001 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Fully mature and very satisfying; should hold nicely here for some time to come.

2013 Marcel Lapierre Morgon Gamay
Gabe's wine. Pretty red fruits, super aromatics. Less fleshy than the 09--last vintage I drank young so most recent impression--but closer to classic Bojo. Delightful.

2013 Domaine du Salvard Cheverny Pinot Blend, Pinot Noir
Barely medium bodied, lightly fruity/balanced/bright combo of gamay and pinot noir. Amazing QPR in the teen's. Increasingly, this is what I wish more wines were like.

2008 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah In the Rocks Walla Walla Valley
Stinky, meaty, gamey, beef jerky, violets and black raspberries. Outstanding wine showing so much younger than its 09 counterpart with minimal secondary development, not entirely unexpected considering the nature of the vintages. Next bottle: 2018.

2005 Boudreaux Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Washington
Shared in San Jose. Much more youthful than the bottle we opened a few weeks ago which must have been one of those inexplicable early maturing bottles--both were from the same purchase. Bright berry fruit, tobacco, etc--coming along nicely.

2002 Cayuse Camaspelo Walla Walla Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
Shared in San Jose. No sign of fading, just great secondary development and that telltale Cayuse funk. Didn't decant but noted that the wine seemed to get younger and brighter as we got further into the bottle. A *great* showing for aged WA wine.

I think that the 01 KL has been one of the better vintages.

You've heard the KL brand is back?

[Jenise]

No, really? Same guys? They kiss and make up or did one of them find a new partner?

New winemaker. So, no kissing.

[David M. Bueker]

Seems like it would be different vineyard sources as well.

[Jenise]

New winemaker, new fruit sources: is there any reason to expect Karl Lawrence to taste like Karl Lawrence? Or did someone just buy the name in order to revive the brand?

[David M. Bueker]

I think it's still the same owners.

I thought the owners WERE the winemakers. I know it started out that way with the guy who worked for Sequoia Grove--the Karl piece, I think.

Jenise,
thanks for notes. I had the Lapierre '13 again last night, liked even more than first time. Willows sounds great on FLDG.

Saw the KL re-emergence note elsewhere. Looks like only Ric Henry, no mention of Trujillo, who was actual winemaker.

Mike Trujillo was the winemaker and an owner. He has left, and apparently has a new operation.

Not sure how a new winemaker will affect the wines. If the grape sources are different, too, it's whole new ball game, no?

I had the Lapierre '13 again last night, liked even more than first time..

Yeah, I could imagine this would happen. Still, I only bought a few. Can't concentrate on everyone.

[Jenise]

If the grape sources are different, too, it's whole new ball game, no?

An elevated two-buck chuck? Either way, without Trujillo, there's literally and figuratively no Karl. Glad I have what little I do.

[David M. Bueker]

Jenise,

That's an awfully harsh assessment before we have even seen/tasted a single wine from the new regime. Wineries have changed winemakers before. Wineries have changed vineyard sources before.

[Jenise]

That's an awfully harsh assessment before we have even seen/tasted a single wine from the new regime. Wineries have changed winemakers before. Wineries have changed vineyard sources before.

True; point taken. In my defense, though, I met Mike Trujillo in a back room at Sequoia Grove and that's where I tasted my first Karl Lawrence. It was his tiny, first commercial vintage and for me it was love at first sip. I don't think I ever tasted a Cal Cab that had my undying love that fast that way before (or since). So, pretty strong attachment here for the original.

We love the 2013 Lapierre Morgon; I've had it twice recently from magnums. That is going to be a hard one to keep my paws off of to let age a bit - it's so delicious now.

[Jenise]

We love the 2013 Lapierre Morgon; I've had it twice recently from magnums. That is going to be a hard one to keep my paws off of to let age a bit - it's so delicious now.

Very understandable! Try it sometime with roasted rutabaga--wow.