Live blogging red wine 1-12

For those who may not know what I am doing: this is the speed dating of wine tasting. 3 minutes per wine for the winemaker to charm us.

Nicholas Cole 05 Camille Bordeaux style 45% merlot 28% cab franc 25% cab sauv 1% petite verdot
This is their current release 14.6% alcohol 500 cases $35 Natl distribution Founded 2001 Merlot sourced from Canoe Ridge, other grapes and wines are estate. 41 acres planted. All hand harvested, min irrigation. Sustainable practices. 1150-1275 elevation. Whole berry fermentation. Free run juice. All french oak, new and neutral 65% on the Camille. Native yeast secondary, hopes to use for both eventually.

Spofford Station 04 Cab Sauv This is the current release. Holds 4 years in barrel. 14.9% Neutral French and American Oak. 90 points from Paul Gregutt. Lynne Chamberlain grows grapes and makes wine. $36. Uses her cab skins to feed the cattle, called Cabernet cows.

Castello Banfi 07 Belnero 82% Sangiovese, also some cab, syrah and merlot 13-14% alcohol $39 New wine, this is the second vintage Horizon project: fermenter is part stainless, part wood. Can adjust wood easily.

Monthaven 07 Cabernet Sauv. 3 liter package: Octavin bag in a box 13.9% alcohol $23.99

Dark Lady 09 Pinotage Doolhof Wine Estate 13.5% alcohol South African Imported by Worthwhile Wine Co. Bio-wine initiative -reverting grapes to native fauna and flora. Aged in toasted oak, lots of mocha and chocolate.Worthwhile brings in 18 different producers, 4 pinotages. $19.

07 House red blend Magnificent Wine Co @magnificentwine Walla Walla 7 grape blend cab sauv 32% syrah 31% merlot 30% 50,000 cases $13. All negociant grapes, all Columbia Valley

Ortman from Paso Robles 08 Sangiovese 100% Sangio $20 13.8% alcohol 2nd generation, Matt Ortman is the winemaker, they buy the fruit. 500 cases. Goal is balance, fruit as focus, varietal characteristics. Hand picked, de-stemmed, punch down open top. 1 year old barrels and older, all french oak.

06 Louis M Martini lot 1 Cab 15.48% Napa wine. 1000 cases $120 retail One of these things is not like the other. This one sure stands out. Goal is approachable yet can last. Hand harvested, vibrating sorting table, submerged cap and then punchdown. Nationally available in top accounts.

07 Isenhower Cellars Cab Columbia Valley fruit, winery in Walla Walla 14.5% alcohol 325 cases, $28 retail Only sells direct. Only de-stem do not crush cold soak 3 days. Only free run. 50% new french oak.

08 The Crusher Petite Sirah 13.5% alcohol, CA Delta 10,000 cases, $12 Reverse osmosis to cut down on alcohol. Ripe blackberry fruit.

Desert Wind 08 Ruah 46% merlot, 40% cab sauv, 14% cab franc Columbia Valley 14.5% alcohol $20 10,000 cases 60% american oak 40% french. Greg Fries winemaker. 92% estate grown.

The final wine:
Duckpond 08 Red Blend 52% merlot, 29% syrah, 19% cab sauv 14.5% alcohol Oregon based winery but these grapes are from Washington. 13 months French and American oak. $15. 2500 cases, this is their second vintage of this wine.