On Sunday we felt like enjoying a rich red and I pulled this from the cellar thinking "time to make it go away". I pulled a backup bottle of something else too, thinking I'd find this one too reductive or that it had developed brett like a previous vintage did. It's actually a local wine being sold commercially in these parts--two Ukrainian brothers who live here make wine in their basement, and I bought a few out of kindness.
2016 La Chanterelle Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley
In the 15 months since we last tried this, the gobby fruit has backed off quite a bit, the alcohol (an absurd 15.4%) has calmed down and substantial structure is now evident. The blackberry fruit had good concentration, spice and just a touch of herbs. Though powerful, big wasn't too big after all and we quite enjoyed it.
Meanwhile last week I'd planned to take this to lunch in Vancouver.
2018 Envinate Migan Valle de la Orotava Listan Negro
Opened this top-of-the-line Envinate Wednesday night to take to an event on Thursday. Gorgeous, light color, Burgundy-ish. Left uncorked to Andouze. Re-tasted Thursday morning. Oof--astringent, fruitless. So took something else to the event, and came back to this on Friday night when the fruit had filled out but it seemed both screechy and jammy--I know, opposites. Ended up feeding it to the camellias as it wasn't "worth the brain cells", as we tend to put it.
Also last week:
2015 Gary Farrell Zinfandel Grist Vineyard Dry Creek Valley
PnP, which was wrong. Taut and tannic on first opening. No progress in the glass so put aside and finished two days later when it showed very very well, claret-like. Needs an all-day decant or more years in the cellar--best years likely 2024-2030. I realize that Gary Farrell wines are now a Jess Jackson project, but the winery has pretty much been left alone to continue making serious, structured zinfandels in Gary's original style, and I remain a fan.