Maryhill Winery 2007 Zinfandel Sponsored Wine Review by Billy

Nose: Warm black pepper and mashed blueberry/raspberry/cherry presents itself surrounded in a vanilla spicy oak.
Palate: Warm, bold and full on the palate. This is a delightfully crafted Zinfandel. In the mouth this Washington State red wine is layered and full.
Finish: Warm Vanilla and more fruit at the end.
Overall: This wine was sent to us at The Wine Cask Blog free for review. On initial tasting this 2007 Washington State, Columbia River Valley, Zinfandel presented quite tight so I decanted it. It is big fruity and accessible. A very nice Zinfandel. Decanting opened it up from its initial tightness and presented more nice berry forward flavors and smalls. Overall a very nice zinfandel from Mary Hill Winery in Washington State.

Raise a Glass!

Columbia Crest 2005 Gewurztraminer wine review by Billy

Nose: honeydew melon, soft nutmeg, charming.
Palate: short on acids this feels flabby in the mouth leaving more than a little to be desired. Some brightness exists on the back of the palate but not enough to make up for the initial lack.
Finish: honey and green stem finish that sticks to the palate.

Overall, the nose is elegant and charming. The body leaves more than a little to be desired. I paid about $7 for this wine. At $5 or even $6 I'd say it's fairly priced. At $7 it's ok but not great. If you're looking for a Gewurztraminer then look for one from France or Germany but pass by the Columbia River Valley this time around. PB reviewed the 2002 vintage here and also found the acids a bit lacking. But he liked the wine better overall. As he is something of a Gewurztraminer junky, I'll let it pass but I need a bit *more* from this wine to call it good.

Either way, Raise a Glass!