Big Fat Wine

Yet another cool evening here in the Pacific Northwest. I almost reached for the thermostat to turn the heat up. I think a wine review is a better choice…

2007 ”CSM” Red 

I have to come right out and give this a ”VOLUPTUOUS” Score from Big Fat Wine. An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. Terrific! From the label (yes I said label) to the deep jam colors and aromatic red fruits mixed with brown sugar, this bottle presents itself romantically well! Where it’s from: (winemaker notes) “100% of the fruit was sourced from the Wahluke Slope, a warm region known for ripe, jammy reds. The most northern Ste. Michelle growing area, the Wahluke Slope is bordered on both the west and the south by the Columbia River. The region’s warm days cause the grapes to assert sweet citrus and tropical characteristics, while the cool nights promote good structure, balance and flavor intensity”. Our wine reviews began with a white wine! I have been reminding myself that for about 2 weeks. So now I leap forward to one of our favorite places, Chateau Ste. Michelle. This wine was part of our membership wines and we couldn’t wait any longer to pour some at home.  Blend: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Syrah, 7% Malbec. It has some of my favorite qualities; It is a “heavy” red blend, balanced but pronounced tannins, and the ”sparky” berries stay with you long afterwards. It is late at night so firing up the grill is probably not going to happen. This is one for the beef slab. The huge chunk of london broil that Jona tosses onto the rack and sears on both sides, slices up and tosses it on your plate before it even knows it was out of the package. This wine is however, beautiful by itself. Color depth is deep and a purple garnet hue. The nose is definitely tobacco / leather /blackberry /  fig.  It is grapey, thick and lasting. Perfect for these cool Washington “summers”. C’mon summer. Get with it! Red’s will dominate our tasting reviews because that is what we prefer. I guess what that also means is that when a white is spoken highly of, it is worth the leap.
 

[JBC]5July2010 / BFW