This year I have decided to track my drinking via this blog. The reason is simple: it will force me to write coherent notes on the wines that I drink. I have found that the best way for me to remember a particular wine is by reading what I wrote at the time I was drinking it. What better way than to ensure that my notes are well written than to make them public on a website.
This post is not a tasting note. Since it is my first post, I thought that I would write about some of the regions and wines that I truly enjoy.
I am a huge fan of Cabernet Sauvignon. This has lead me to collect Cabernet from three major areas. The first wine region that I discovered (and started to collect) was Washington State. Since I am located in Seattle, I can easily drive up to Woodinville to sample some of the best wines that the state has to offer. Last year alone I tasted wines from more than 75 wineries. Tasting through so many different wines has allowed me to get a sense of what Washington has to offer. I truly believe that wines from this area can compete alongside many of the world's best wines. My favorite Washington wineries, as of now, are (in no particular order): Mark Ryan Winery, Gorman Winery, Kevin White, Manu Propria, Tenor, and Force Majeure.
Bordeaux wines need no introduction. They are often considered to be some of the best (or maybe most collectible) wines in the world. However, some of the prices of the Grand Cru’s have made it difficult for me (on a graduate student budget) to sample a large number of them. I do own some in my cellar but sadly most of them will not be ready to drink for at least another few years. My favorite regions in Bordeaux are (again in no particular order): St-Estephe, Pauillac, and Saint-Julien. I really enjoy the lusciousness and terroir of the St-Estephe region. In particular, the wines of Chateau Montrose and Cos d’Estournel are wines that I truly prize.
Finally, there are California Cabernets. I discovered California wines in a recent trip to Napa in June of 2014. Before then, I was never a fan of California wines. Before my trip, I found that California wine was all very similar. They tend to be high in alcohol, over-oaked, and overripe. However, I have now learnt to accept and appreciate the "California-style." My trip to California was two weeks long. My plan was to go to between three and four wineries per day. Ultimately, I tasted wines from 30 or so wineries during my visit. My favorite wines from the trip were from Corison Winery, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Carter Cellars (incredible wine in my opinion), Pride Mountain Vineyards, and Bond Estates.
This post is not a tasting note. Since it is my first post, I thought that I would write about some of the regions and wines that I truly enjoy.
I am a huge fan of Cabernet Sauvignon. This has lead me to collect Cabernet from three major areas. The first wine region that I discovered (and started to collect) was Washington State. Since I am located in Seattle, I can easily drive up to Woodinville to sample some of the best wines that the state has to offer. Last year alone I tasted wines from more than 75 wineries. Tasting through so many different wines has allowed me to get a sense of what Washington has to offer. I truly believe that wines from this area can compete alongside many of the world's best wines. My favorite Washington wineries, as of now, are (in no particular order): Mark Ryan Winery, Gorman Winery, Kevin White, Manu Propria, Tenor, and Force Majeure.
Bordeaux wines need no introduction. They are often considered to be some of the best (or maybe most collectible) wines in the world. However, some of the prices of the Grand Cru’s have made it difficult for me (on a graduate student budget) to sample a large number of them. I do own some in my cellar but sadly most of them will not be ready to drink for at least another few years. My favorite regions in Bordeaux are (again in no particular order): St-Estephe, Pauillac, and Saint-Julien. I really enjoy the lusciousness and terroir of the St-Estephe region. In particular, the wines of Chateau Montrose and Cos d’Estournel are wines that I truly prize.
Finally, there are California Cabernets. I discovered California wines in a recent trip to Napa in June of 2014. Before then, I was never a fan of California wines. Before my trip, I found that California wine was all very similar. They tend to be high in alcohol, over-oaked, and overripe. However, I have now learnt to accept and appreciate the "California-style." My trip to California was two weeks long. My plan was to go to between three and four wineries per day. Ultimately, I tasted wines from 30 or so wineries during my visit. My favorite wines from the trip were from Corison Winery, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Carter Cellars (incredible wine in my opinion), Pride Mountain Vineyards, and Bond Estates.