Comments on Sean Sullivan - Washington Wine Report: Final Update! Virtual Tasting - Columbia Crest 200...

Kimberly, for $10, this wine is a steal. Thanks fo...

2009-11-25T17:15:59.098-08:00

Kimberly, for $10, this wine is a steal. Thanks for the comment!

I thought this wine was a great value - I purchase...

2009-11-25T16:47:24.629-08:00

I thought this wine was a great value - I purchased it for a mere $10 and it was a really nice, smooth wine that would be tough to beat at that price point. What struck me the most was that this wine was cakey and chocolately - I agree with the person who commented that you might not initially peg this wine as a cab.

Anon, nothing wrong with a little reflection. As a...

2009-11-24T17:02:32.534-08:00

Anon, nothing wrong with a little reflection. As a 2007, I thought it was drinking pretty well but definitely needed a bit of time to get going. I think another 3-6 months of age would definitely help its cause. Thanks for the comment.

Next day reply here (like to take time to reflect ...

2009-11-24T15:09:03.220-08:00

Next day reply here (like to take time to reflect and edit a bit).
Initially, I quite liked the nose - it had a little floral and earthy thing going on. However, I was not impressed with the taste. I wasn't getting any fruit or distinctive flavors I could describe. I was getting a little more bitterness in the middle that was a bit distracting and was thinking it might be a sulfite condition. At that point, it would be a wine I would drink, but probably not buy again.
However, after it opened (about an hour), it seemed to smooth out quite a bit, and I began getting into it. I would have had trouble guessing it was a cab initially, but now the flavors started coming through. I like the fact that it was still subtle without the big, in-your-face fruit. The finish was still a little shorter than I like, but well balanced. I would buy this wine versus many others in this price range and am very curious how it might taste with more bottle ageing.

PZ, thanks for the comment. Never too late! I agre...

2009-11-23T22:33:41.631-08:00

PZ, thanks for the comment. Never too late! I agree that this wine will have some life to it over the next several years. Nicely balanced.

Coming in a little late here and agree with what m...

2009-11-23T22:20:17.092-08:00

Coming in a little late here and agree with what many others have said. On initial pour, oak notes were a little obtrusive but resolved with air. Good balance of fruit and barrel, acid and tannin; overall impressed and think this has potential to get better with a few months/years.

I agree with both cityroute and Josh! Chocolate fo...

2009-11-23T20:53:38.825-08:00

I agree with both cityroute and Josh! Chocolate for sure, but didn't get it before. Think it was what was cedar before. Taste has completely balanced out. Before I thought it was huge on the mid-palate and and the finish was too small. Now the mid-palate is big but the finish does not diminish whatsoever. More and more it is better and better!

@SPS: Me, too. I can only really recall Cabs that ...

2009-11-23T20:47:52.387-08:00

@SPS: Me, too. I can only really recall Cabs that are produced with a $30+ price tag in mind. With a good many 2nd labels coming online, maybe we'll see some efforts in the coming vintage that will rival Einberger's H3. In the meantime this one's hard to top.

Bottoms up, boys!

Josh, I totally agree on the balance (and also on ...

2009-11-23T20:42:49.143-08:00

Josh, I totally agree on the balance (and also on the finish). I'll check out the Tony Llamas. I'm trying to think of a Washington cab I have enjoyed more (or as much) at this price point.

I agree this wine has a great taste. Columbia Cres...

2009-11-23T20:28:17.365-08:00

I agree this wine has a great taste. Columbia Crest has always been a favorite. Price-wise, they are "pound-for-pound" at the top of my list.

What this wine lacks in depth it makes up for with...

2009-11-23T20:21:53.230-08:00

What this wine lacks in depth it makes up for with balance. Even the finish seems respectable, though somewhat one-dimensional.

The nose for me is a bit of oak, some cedar, bacon (Mmmm), olive brine (It actaully goes really nicely with Katamala olives), and just a little bit of new boot leather. There is a tack shop in the town I grew up in that smelled a little like some components of this wine. Stick your nose in a spankin' new Tony Llama someday.

The palate starts smooth and vibrant and works into a really bright midpalate, gobs of bing cherry and strawberry, and then into a finish that's not mind blowing but pretty darn good for the price. Again, the balance just seems right.

I really like this wine.

cityroute16, no need for descriptors! It's all...

2009-11-23T20:18:09.625-08:00

cityroute16, no need for descriptors! It's all about what you like. For me, I think "Do I like the nose? Does the nose make me want to drink the wine? When I taste the wine, does the taste match what I was expecting? If so/if not, in a good way, in a bad way etc. That said, there is definitely some chocolate on the nose of this beast. Don't get as much on the taste.

I've liked the nose. I confess I am not as kno...

2009-11-23T20:12:38.746-08:00

I've liked the nose. I confess I am not as knowledgeable when it comes to descriptive terms, but it seems to be fruit forward with a hint of chocolate that might be more milk than dark.

Mac, thanks for the comment. Definitely a complex,...

2009-11-23T20:11:45.234-08:00

Mac, thanks for the comment. Definitely a complex, drinkable wine at this price point.

LI, interesting call on the gunpowder. There is so...

2009-11-23T20:09:20.909-08:00

LI, interesting call on the gunpowder. There is something back there at the tail end of the nose that I can't quite put my finger (or nostrils) on. That might be it. I agree on the mid-palate.

krt, definitely a fairly dry wine with a fair amount of tannins.

We liked this wine quite a lot, as well. It wasn&#...

2009-11-23T20:08:35.248-08:00

We liked this wine quite a lot, as well. It wasn't as big as we expected - but found that it was both pleasantly complex enough to be interesting, and still very drinkable.

Spent a lot of time on the nose because it kept ch...

2009-11-23T20:02:24.526-08:00

Spent a lot of time on the nose because it kept changing. Started with raspberry and cherry, and then moved to cherry tobacco. Sweet chocolate followed on, and finally, after a few minutes, oddly oranges. Discussion suggested the sour citrus aroma might be a result of sulphur or acid, but it's still very pleasant.

Liked the palate, even though it was not at all what I expected, given the rich, varying fruity nose. The tannins did a good job of taking all of the moisture out of my mouth and leaving nothing but a very interesting tight woody/tobacco-y taste sensation. I look forward to tasting it now that it's been in the decanter for a while.

cityroute16, very good call on the inexpensive dec...

2009-11-23T19:54:38.681-08:00

cityroute16, very good call on the inexpensive decanter. I need to find the same for wine glasses. just had another casualty on Saturday bringing the troops down to a pretty low level.

Raspberries, cedar on the nose. Gunpowder or mayb...

2009-11-23T19:52:21.435-08:00

Raspberries, cedar on the nose. Gunpowder or maybe match stick as well. Interesting and good but not huge nose.

Palate is great at the mid-palate with lots of tannins that I think will chill out with some decanting time. Finish could be longer though based on the immense mid-palate. Also a tiny bit bitter on the side of the tongue.

I expected more fruit on the palate based on the nose, but it is surprising dry and sucks the saliva right out of your mouth.

I've got several decanters-my favorite is the ...

2009-11-23T19:45:33.270-08:00

I've got several decanters-my favorite is the Dollar Store glass pitcher. Nice gripping handle and a wide mouth. And if it breaks-it was a dollar!

Mr. LaRosee, welcome!

2009-11-23T19:29:12.966-08:00

Mr. LaRosee, welcome!

Reporting for duty: popped and poured. Steaks a...

2009-11-23T19:28:20.450-08:00

Reporting for duty: popped and poured. Steaks a'broilin'.

cityroute16, excellent. I am pouring the wine as I...

2009-11-23T19:11:57.257-08:00

cityroute16, excellent. I am pouring the wine as I type this. Actually, I am asking someone else to pour the wine as I type this. Thanks for joining us.

I am going to open my H3 and follow your lead.

2009-11-23T19:06:20.542-08:00

I am going to open my H3 and follow your lead.