Four couples came over to celebrate my husband's birthday. They brought food including five huge racks of baby backs, and I provided the wines. We opened:
2023 L'Ecole No. 41 Sauvignon Blanc Frenchtown Columbia Valley
This wine, L'ecole's first 100% Sauv Blanc, was released way too early last March. Tight and ungenerous, it wasn't ready. Neither was a bottle opened in August. I put aside the last bottle and hoped for better. Well, better's here, though IMO it's still on the upside swing. Classic SB flavors with just a hint of grassiness and Eureka lemon.
2023 Domaine Dupeuble Pere et Fils Beaujolais Rosé Gamay
Beaujolais rose doesn't get much better than this.
2021 Daydreamer Chardonnay Marcus Ansems Okanagan Valley VQA
A bottle two years ago showed a lot of oak and sugar; a bottle one year ago some oxidation, and (oddly) this bottle last night textbook perfection for a new world Chardonnay whose winemaker is an actual MofW. Sturdy fruit, good body, ample acidity and that magical minerality that makes BC whites so brilliant. Loved it.
2014 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah Stonessence Walla Walla Valley
Very reticent on opening so I Andouzed this all afternoon to coax out more fruit. If I had tasted this and the two syrahs it was served with blind, I'd have bet this was a Northern Rhone. Specifically, St. Joseph and perhaps in the company of Gonon with a killer nose that was strangely more exotic than the dark fruit, green olives, white pepper, garrique and minerality on the palate. Though Reynvaan is IMO the most Northern Rhonish producer in Washington state, that much green olive and white pepper were not what even I expected though no less delightful (at least to me, the only one present who gets this style).
2017 The Walls Vineyards Mahana Walla Walla Valley Syrah
When I first sampled this years ago, I said "this is the Cary Grant of syrahs from [the Rocks]. That is, the funk's there but it's a suave and elegant purring kitty compared to the roaring tiger character of most Rocks syrahs, and I love it for that." Still true. Expansive red and black fruit, silky mouthfeel, long and lasting finish.
2008 Buty Syrah Beast Clone Noir Phinny Hill Vineyard Horse Heaven Hills
At 17 years old, in the company of an 11 yr old and an 8 year old, not showing as old at all. Interesting secondary development but not mature, with bright red fruits, spice and terrific minerality. Sorry I don't have more to track over the years to come.