Library wine Tasting Notes, Rypien Foundation dinner guests

Casey and Vicky enjoyed a lovely evening with the winners of the Rypien Foundation Dinner auction package “Winemaker for an Evening”.

1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Klipsun Vineyard, Columbia Valley

Tasted April 2011

Casey and Rypien Foundation dinner guests tasting older vintage wines this April

Clear, some light sediment. Red-purple core with very slight bricky tinge to edge. Opened in the nose with wheatstraw, cedar, and earthy dustiness. Light soy notes and faint leather followed.   Sweet, mature black fruit flavors reminiscent of dried or Morello cherries with some brightness on palate Medium length, drying tannins and pepper tinged finish. Will hold in cellar for several more years, but I am thinking now is a good time to drink it.

1998 Cabernet Sauvignon, RESERVE, Walla Walla Valley

Tasted April 2011

One of my favorite bottlings ever. Has been enjoyable at every stage of its life so far. We tasted this as part of the winery’s “Winemaker for a Day” auction item for the Rypien Foundation of Spokane. Had a great group of six fun people to enjoy this and many other Seven Hills wines with, as well as guiding them to the creation of their own personal blend.

Decanted 1 hour prior to tasting.  No bricking, solid deep red color.  Some sediment.  Amazingly youthful.  Bright, black fruits, cedar in nose, blackberry jam and vanillin.  Broad, dusty blackberry fruit driven palate.  Gentle dry tannin, sweet fruit finish.  Rounded. I’d project another 5-8 years in the cellar.  Can’t wait to see what it does over that time frame.