Wednesday, December 3, 2008

'05 Waterbrook Melange, Washington This wine was given an 89 rating by the Wine Specatator (reviewer(s) unknown) in 2007. Waterbrook Melange 2005 is made by Eric Rindal and the Waterbrook Winery is located in Touchet, Washington in the Columbia Valley AVA. It is called Melange because it is a blend of 5 varietals including 40% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Sangiovese, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Syrah.
Color: deep garnet with a light magenta rim.
Nose: every sniff carried a different aroma: 1st:chalk 2nd: spicy oak 3rd: black fruit ie; black plum, blackberry, black cherry cola 4th: leather 5th: Dr. Pepper!
This is how all of the aromas come together... nice complexity...

Mouthfeel: cherry/pomegranate/leather finish with a medium plus linger. What is this wine lacking that the Wine Spectator could only bestow an 89 upon it? It has balance, acidity, supple tannins. It is not an oaky fruit bomb (thank god). It is more subtle and smooth. Does it not represent the terroir of the Columbia Valley? Are the 5 varietals not as well-blended as they could be? I am looking forward to addressing these and other issues in rating a wine during our blind tasting of 89 point wines in the Twitter Taste Live event coming up on December 13th www.twittertastelive.com For a better idea of how this will work visit www.lusciouslushes.com This is one of the best under $10 wines I have reviewed. It is lovely and satisfying. Well, I am giving it a 90 so there, WS! -BrixChick Xandria

6 comments:

dhonig said...

What a terrific review. I wonder if you answered your own question about why it didn't get to 90- Washington State and under $10. Or am I just being cynical?

Xandria said...

Your cynisism reigns, dhonig! But remember that the Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay 2006 received a 90 from WS...

Will Eyer said...

So when you have a 1/2 case of this wine opened I guess you have a Mötley Crüe, being this wine is a melange.... bet this wine really rocks! Lol...

Xandria said...

Purpleteeth2 this wine does rock so keep on rockin'!!

wild walla walla wine woman said...

Liza, This is a terrific post and also it just happens to be my go-to-wine. I have written several blog posts, besides a few magazine articles about it. I've been drinking this wine for the last 7 years and the percentage of blends haven't changed much. It is always reliable and it definitely shows off the whole Columbia Valley very well. Further more, as you pointed out - you can't beat the price. Again, great review.
Cheers,
C~

Xandria said...

Thank you, Catie. I am glad you enjoyed my review (Liza posted it for me). Many good wines out of Washington State but you would know more about that than I!! Look forward to having some more...