The March Installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on great bottles from some of the best producers in Washington. As I mentioned in the first installment, the purpose of this series is to provide insight into specific wines or producers you may currently have in your cellar. The winning bottle will be opened this Sunday and a Bottle Note will be published later that week.
March is Taste Washington Wine Month. Taste Washington Wine Month in March is an annual celebration of Washington State’s award winning industry. The culmination of Taste Washington Wine Month is Taste Washington, a massive tasting of food and wine held at the CenturyLink Field Event Center.
The Contenders:
- 2006 Betz Family Winery Pere de Famille – The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Malbec. Opaque purple, the wine has a brooding nose of wood smoke, earth notes, mineral, spice box, black cherry, and blackberry. This is followed by a layered, opulent wine with superb depth and concentration and 6-8 years of aging potential. This promising effort should be at its best from 2015 to 2030. 95 points from The Wine Advocate.
- 2006 Cayuse Camaspelo – It is made up of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc. The already complex perfume reveals mineral, graphite, creme de cassis, and black cherry. In the mouth it offers a lovely combination of power and elegance, along with very ripe tannins, leading to a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. Give it 3-4 years of additional cellaring and drink it through 2021. 95 points from The Wine Advocate.
- 2006 Leonetti Merlot – One of The Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Wines of 2008. The 2006 Merlot has 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Carmenere, and 4% Petit Verdot in the blend. This bright, aromatic, vivid wine opens with a bowlful of berries and cherries. There is plenty of acid under the ripe fruit, which takes center stage at the moment. The signifcant additon of Carmenere (from the Seven Hills Vineyard) adds black pepper to the engaging mix of flavors. Despite its youth, the flavors persist for a remarkably long finish. 96 points from The Wine Enthusiast.
Which 2006 Washington wine should I open?
- 2006 Betz Family Winery Pere de Famille (45%, 38 Votes)
- 2006 Leonetti Merlot (29%, 25 Votes)
- 2006 Cayuse Camaspelo (26%, 22 Votes)
Total Voters: 85
Loading ...Thanks for voting! I’d love to see a comment below on why you picked one bottle over another. Also, let me know if you have any suggestions for the April installment of Pick My Next Bottle.
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My pick is the 2006 Leonetti Merlot. With only 13% cabernet sauvignon in the blend, I’m thinking that this wine might age faster than the other choices which are predominantly cabernet. I find that domestic merlot ages faster than cabernet, in general, although Leonetti could be different. So, in terms of drinkability, the Leonetti is probably more mature than the other wines. Whichever wine wins, I’m sure it’ll be a terrific tasting experience. Cheers!
Peter, I think you are pretty much spot on. Leonetti Merlot really hits a sweet spot from about years 5-8.
I love when the Merlot takes on the the Cabernets head to head. Enjoy.
I agree with Peter.
Betz and Leonetti are reviewed a lot, the limited nature of cayuse wines makes me want to see your thoughts on these wines!
Of the three, I believe the Leonetti merlot is the most ready to drink now.
We have a winner. Check back soon for a Bottle Note on the ’06 Betz. Thanks as always for voting.