2012 Evening Land Vineyards Gamay Noir Seven Springs Vineyard Eola - Amity Hills
A one-hour decant successfully tamed the initial and somewhat offputting muskiness and from which black raspberry-pomegranate fruit, a twist of orange rind and a little earth emerged . Enjoyably, credibly Beaujolais-like, but closer to Lapierre than Foillard. I forget which top Burbundy family this winery belongs to (they're the ones who purchased the Seven Hills vineyard out from under St. Innocent), but it might be Lafon. Delighted to have a few more bottles.
2007 Buty Rediviva of the Stones Walla Walla Valley Syrah Blend, Syrah
Big wine. Drinks fine now and shows strong, primary syrah flavor, but it lacks the kind of character that marks a sense of place. Too, reads 'young'. Has lots of time left but we didn't pick up an iota of secondary nuance here that indicates true maturing vs. just chronologically older than when first released. To be fair, other CT reviewers (possibly unused to aging wines) were kinder to it than I'm being.
2011 Result of a Crush Walla Walla Valley Red Blend
From the Reynvaan family--probably their declassified lots. Pinot-like body, nose of green olives, white pepper and a little funk like a knock-off Crozes Hermitage. Not much tannins or improvement to be gained by holding, but delightful now at $27.
2002 DeLille Cellars Harrison Hill Yakima Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
2nd bottle opened out of six recently purchased, and where the first was 'done' if not slightly cooked in the way of a bottle that hadn't been stored well, this one was good. Needed about 15 minutes to pop the red/blue fruit/complexity and leathery contours of maturing cabernet. Held up well over the next two hours.