Opened two weeks ago to celebrate a personal event:
2005 Leonetti Cellar Merlot Columbia Valley
Nose of violets and sage wash over sweet (in the company of three cabernets) and dense black currant fruit with dark chocolate bringing in the finish. Great, but still relatively unevolved for a 16 year old merlot. Next bottle: 2025.
2014 Woodward Canyon Charbonneau Walla Walla Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
Tasted and purchased at the winery several years ago; only medium bodied then and seemed like an earlier drinker (compared to some past vintages) and we've already consumed two of our stash. Was surprised, then, at how much weight this has put on in the last year. It's less herbaceous and more chocolatey with some grit in the tannins. Still delish but on the rustic side at present; I'd hold remaining bottles.
2010 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
Decanted about three hours before serving: cassis and graphite, with some brambly spice and super-fine tone from acidity and tannins. Gripe as you may about the price you'd never mistake this for a $50 wine, it's really special and this is a great vintage. Not even close to mature, should cellar well to 2030 and beyond. My favorite of these four wines.
1997 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines Columbia Valley
What I said in '18 about another bottles holds true for this one, which was decanted an hour before serving: complex nose of blackberry, cassis, root beer and herbs, silky mouthfeel but still has some tannins. One of Washington's greatest reds, drinking beautifully.
