2003
Columbia Valley
Inspiration
Reserve Claret
Joe occasionally asks for a glass of inspiration while we are working at the winery. We felt that name fully described the few select barrels of reserve quality wine.
The 2003 Columbia Valley Inspiration reserve Claret is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot, 11% Malbec, 11% Cabernet Franc from our vines at Phinny Hill and McKinley Springs Vineyard in Washington’s newest appellation, Horse Heaven Hills. It was aged in 100% new French oak for 25 months. The alcohol by volume is 14.5%, pH is 3.51, and titratable acidity is 0 .6g/ml. Only 75 cases, bottled January, 2006.
SOLD OUT
REVIEWS
93 Wine Enthusiast (Cellar Selection) All of the best barrels are in here, and it shows. This limited (75 case) Bordeaux blend is wonderfully concentrated with sweet, sappy fruit. Juicy in the mouth, but tightly wound, it is fleshed out with buttery oak flavors of vanilla, toast and caramel. Young, hard and a little hostile, this needs major decanting, or stick it away and let it blossom for a decade or more.
Excellent Wine Press NW AThis blends Cab, Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, and aMalbec and emerges with aromatics of cola, cranberry, sarsaparilla, toasted nuts, green peppers, earth and tea. A tart blackberry approach leads into a strawberry/rhubard midpalate.
Year's best Washington wine? Here's my top 100 by Paul Gregutt
Special to the Seattle Times
