The December installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on three of my favorite producers from 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 on Christmas Eve and a Bottle Note will be published the following week.
Things are a little different here and Zinfandel Chronicles HQ and the holidays are not quite the same this year. That being said Christmas Eve deserves a special bottle so vote accordingly!
The Contenders
- 2014 Cayuse Grenache God Only Knows – There are 533 cases of the 2014 Grenache God Only Knows Armada Vineyard, and as always, it’s an unknown blend that’s dominated by Grenache (reportedly from vine cuttings from Rayas). It’s fermented with just about 100% whole clusters in concrete and aged mostly in neutral puncheons and foudre, with one concrete egg. A bigger, richer wine than the No Girls cuvée, this beauty packs a punch in its black cherry, reduced strawberry, herbes de Provence and crushed violet aromas and flavors. 97 points from Jeb Dunnuck.
- 2007 Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon – The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (76%) also contains 17% Merlot, 4% Carmenere, and 3% Malbec. It was aged for 22 months in a mix of new and used French oak. The nose displays herbs, olives, Asian spices, coffee/mocha, a hint of balsamic, black currant, and blackberry. This leads to a savory, intense, incipiently complex Cabernet that will benefit from 5-7 years of additional cellaring to show its full potential. It will be in its prime from 2015 to 2027. 94 points from the Wine Advocate.
- 2007 Quilceda Creek Palengat – The 2007 Palengat Proprietary Red Wine is made up of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, with the balance Merlot and Petit Verdot. Deep purple in color, it delivers a captivating nose of olives, herbs, Asian spices, blackberry, and plum. Medium to full-bodied and elegant on the palate, it has outstanding volume and concentration, an opulent texture, and a suave personality. Already complex, it will continue to evolve with another 5-7 years of cellaring. Drink it from 2015 to 2027. Quilceda Creek remains Washington’s benchmark for world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. The Golitzins were ecstatic about the fruit quality in 2007, a near-perfect vintage from their perspective. 96 points from the Wine Advocate.
Which Washington Wine Should I Open for Christmas Eve
- 2014 Cayuse Grenache God Only Knows (38%, 11 Votes)
- 2007 Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon (31%, 9 Votes)
- 2007 Quilceda Creek Palengat (31%, 9 Votes)
Total Voters: 29
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 January Installment of Pick My Next Bottle.
2007 Palengat. I have a couple of bottles of that! Love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks for voting Adonis! Happy Holidays.
I had that Cayuse GOK late last year and it was probably the greatest grenache I’ve had. I kept thinking this is as good as great Burgundy. It was called out for great drinking now by Elizabeth Bourcier in that webex she in Christophe did earlier this year. Maybe this wine is at a peak?
Could be at peak but I can’t remember the last Cayuse I had that I thought might be past its prime. They age so well.
I have some of the 2007 Leonetti Reserve Cab in my cellar. Perhaps this Christmas is the time to celebrate and pull the cork. They have aged fairly well, but I like to decant them for six hours or so prior to dinner to allow them to really open up.
I suspect the 07 Leonetti Reserve is killer right now with years to go as well.
It was absolutely wonderful after decanting; paired with beef wellington.
Thanks for the update! Happy Holidays.