WTN: Winter Reyn

[Jenise]

2012 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon The Classic Walla Walla Valley
Having no idea what to expect but on the mailing list since 08 for the syrahs, I ordered a six pack of this new cabernet when it came available. We opened our first bottle about three or five months ago and were disappointed. It was thin and lackluster, showing more like a sub-$20 wine. After reading other CT reviews reflecting better, I gulped in fear and refrained from reviewing pending another sample. That happened last weekend, and this was the wine we hoped for. Another reviewer gave it 95 points and complimented it for a very classic restrained elegance and purity that avoided the padding of more populist California and Washington reds, and I agree.

2013 Mullan Road Cellars Red Wine Blend Columbia Valley
California wine legend Cakebread is making wine in WA now, and it's this. Great QPR, and I love that they manage to skip the extract and blue fruit notes typical of so many WA cabs. It's California-esque without being Californian. Had this in Hawaii a few weeks ago and purchased a few more for the cellar on returning home.

2008 Tua Rita Perlato del Bosco Toscana IGT SuperTuscan Blend
Decanted one hour to soften tannins, minor sediment removed. Sweet fruit hits blackberry notes with spice and flowers, very little sign of age. Pretty and feminine next to the earthy, red-fruited 2010 Umbrian served alongside it. Needs 3-4 more years.

2010 Tenuta Vitalonga Terra di Confine Umbria IGT Red Blend
Pretty much in full secondary development now--all earthy red fruit, rust and leather. Fantastic evolution for a $15 wine. Should have bought more.

1999 Matthews Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
Outstanding bottle. Aging gracefully but not yet even fully mature. Gave it 98 points based on this wine's unusual lasting quality within the world of 17 year old Washington reds.

2011 Covington Cellars Syrah Columbia Valley
A friend acquired this from Full Pull. It's excellent: shows some of that Rocks funk but with pretty, complex fruit on a good cool-vintage frame. Great deal on WA Syrah at $20.

[David M. Bueker]

Interesting. All my late 1990s Matthews cabs went volatile and thus down the drain.

[Jenise]

'99 was a special year, at least as viewed through the rear view mirror. Matthews, Woodward Canyon, Col Solare, Delille and Quilceda Creek all made great wine in that vintage that lasted where others either side of it didn't fare well. I don't know what anyone thought at the time, though--not sure this outcome was expected by the critics anyway.

[David M. Bueker]

Even my '99s went volatile.

[Jenise]

Then something happened during chain of custody, one has to think. This is my third Matthews 99--all were good, but this was the best by far.

[David M. Bueker]

Then something happened during chain of custody, one has to think. This is my third Matthews 99--all were good, but this was the best by far.

Bought on site. Carried home in fine fashion. Three bottles, all the same.

[Jenise]

Then something happened during chain of custody, one has to think. This is my third Matthews 99--all were good, but this was the best by far.

Bought on site. Carried home in fine fashion. Three bottles, all the same.

Weird! Cuz mine came from Winebid, two different purchases last five-six years. You, somehow, must have got a bad batch.