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tinhart's Review:

I completely agree with jjknight38... but as a big Tempranillo geek (the grape that got me started with wine many years ago, while backpacking through Spain), I'd have to say St. Amant's temp is probably the best I have ever had, anywhere, period. I love how much sweetness theirs has... without completely overwhelming the pepper and spice flavors which are more common and more prominent in all the other Tempranillo I've had. St. Amant's Zin is also wonderful, but my other favorite of theirs is the Barbera.

tinhart's Review:

JM's Tre Fanciulli is reliably one of the best blended reds you'll find in WA state. This year's or any year's really, will satisfy those with a thirst for bold, complex red wines. Flavors of berry, leather, licorice, pepper, and tobacco mingle over the course of a sip. Perfect wine for freshly grilled meats or, as I prefer, all by itself. Truly a superb wine!

tinhart's Review:

John Bigelow calls this Longevity for a reason... it is a wine built to stand the test of time and to bear the weight of greatness, too. I believe John changes up the blend each time he does this, and every year that I have tasted is truly excellent. Like his signature Tre, this wine is masterfully blended and manages to allow all the primary varietals to contribute their strength and character. I find the Longevity dryer than many of John's other wines, with a flavors of rose, licorice, and smooth/reposed berry flavors on the initial palette, with some lingering spice.

tinhart's Review:

I could go on and on about the quality and deliciousness of JM's wines... but I will only comment on those that I know to be absolutely stunning. John's Mourvedre is truly exceptional (even out of the barrel it tastes like its got more finish and quality than most wines I've sampled). John only makes a few barrels of this, maybe not even each year. This 2006, and the forthcoming 2007, both have an amazing, mouth filling pepper to them, that is tempered by just enough sweetness, and a hint of what I would say is lavender. Considering Mourvedre is hard to find, on its own, anywhere, consider this one an especially precious find.

tinhart's Review:

I just drank my last bottle of the 2004 Cuvee (I had three we picked up after one of John's distributor returned several cases when the distributor went out of business). I have to say this is my favorite year for all the Cuvee's I have tasted from JM (2004 - 2007). There are few of these left out there, and what I like the most about it is the sweet, nectar or honey aftertaste. This Cuvee doesn't linger too long on the palette, but its purple hue, delicate sweetness, and soft, floral perfume are unexpected (to me at least) in a red like this.

tinhart's Review:

John Bigelow makes some of the best Malbecs I've ever tasted. Unfortunately, he doesn't make too many of them... most of his Malbec ends up getting blended into his many other fine wines. But this Malbec, of which very little was made, is especially fine. If you are lucky enough to have a bottle, consider yourself rich and lucky. What I like about his Malbec as compared to say the "average" Argentinian Malbec that I might pay $15 - $30 for is that John's is perfectly balanced (in my opinion). I love fruit forward wines, but in this Malbec, John has slightly restrained the fruit, which, I feel, gives room for the spice flavors to come through. Honestly, it has been almost two years since I had any of this (when it was released), and I am cellaring my only bottle a little while longer before opening this treasured release.

tinhart's Review:

This wine (all of Garrison Creek's current releases I would say) is perfectly structured, with a floral and and tobacco nose, a finish that just keeps going and going, and flavors that evolve through berries, sweet spices and licorice, to leather and a little bit of chocolate or caramel. Quite simply, this is one of the best cabs I have ever tasted anywhere in the world.