Blind Wine Tasting hosted by Elizabeth & Andy
This week we went back to the “Blind” tastings where we cover the wines with (clean!) socks so that we are not influenced by the name or price of the wine.
Check out the sample sock ------>
Wine #1: Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Columbia Valley
Tasting comments:
Becky “It looks to be a white wine”
Mike “She’s peeking!”
Jess “Smells crisp”
Bob “It’s that pear taste. I’m going to guess a Pinot Grigio – but maybe not!”
Elizabeth “Crisp”
Andy “Refreshing”
Bob “The brie makes it crisper”
Elizabeth “It’s not brie…it’s camembert”
Becky “It’s good with the camembert”
Karen “It’s fizzy”
Winemaker notes:“The cooler vintage led to a more herbal style of Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of grass, fresh herbs and grapefruit with a clean, fresh finish. The mostly stainless steel fermentation makes this a crisp wine that would pair well with dishes with cream sauce.”
- Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker
WINE #1 SCORING:
Bob 5, Karen 3, Mike 8, Becky 7, Andy 6, Elizabeth 7, Jess 7, Bryan 6
Wine #2: Chateau Ste. Michelle 2010 Merlot Columbia Valley
Tasting comments:
Bob “Very good. A peppery finish.”
Elizabeth “Spicy”
Bryan “Very spicy”
Jess “The initial taste is mild”
Becky “I agree. The very first taste is kind of watery; mild”
Mike” Mild. Plain”
Bryan “I don’t like it that much”
Elizabeth “I like it. It’s spicy. I like it best with the Camembert cheese.
Bryan “I like it best with the Campo cheese because I can’t taste it”
Bob “Not bad”
Karen “Not dry”
Winemaker notes:
“We craft this wine to be our complex yet approachable Merlot. The wine offers aromas of black cherry, leather and spice with layers of rich dark red fruit flavors and a long, smooth, sweet finish. A touch of Syrah adds a jammy fruit character. I think of this wine as a great ‘any day red.’”
- Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker
WINE #2 SCORING
Bob 6, Karen 6, Mike 5, Becky 5.5, Andy 6, Elizabeth 6, Jess 6, Bryan 4.5
Wine #3: Chateau Ste. Michelle 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Indian Wells
Tasting comments:
Elizabeth “I smell spice in it, but not as much”
Becky “You get the spice quick”
Bob “It’s a nose turner!” (said with a “stank” face)
Karen “Tastes musty”
Andy “Tastes raw”
Bob “We haven’t used that word before!”
Karen “Rough”
Mike “Bad taste in the back of the throat”
Bob “Ewww”
Elizabeth “I’m slightly disappointed. I was expecting more” (Elizabeth cheated and knew what the wine was!)
Andy “Next time don’t buy it at Quickie Mart”
Elizabeth “You told me to keep the cost down”
Andy “Got better over time”
Winemaker notes:
“The Indian Wells Cabernet is our warm climate, ripe, jammy “New World” style of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine really typifies the Wahluke Slope region with dark fruit aromas and flavors with hints of vanilla. Vineyards in the area are more than a decade old now and showing character and complexity.”
Bob Bertheau - WINEMAKER
WINE #3 SCORING
Bob 5, Karen 5, Mike 5, Becky 5, Andy 6, Elizabeth 5, Jess 5, Bryan 4.5
Note: This is one of our “go to” wines! We were quite surprised when it scored it so low.
