Chehalem 3 Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 - $20

David: Medium depth, ruby red in color. Nose is nice, cherry and baking spices, some oaky overtones but not overly aromatic. Medium bodied, with good cherry fruit, good weight and good acidity balance. Layered tastes. Silky mouthfeel with some tannins. Finish is solid with a little liquorish and mild spice.
Score: 4.1/5

Pacific Rim Wallula Vineyard Riesling 2007 - $15

David: Light gold in color. Nose of white flowers, pineapple and some minerals. Medium to full bodied, with big citric acid, big peach, lime fruit. Nice purity and good structure. Sweetness is not very apparent behind the acidity. Overall, I think the citrus gets carried away. Not a style that I really like.
Score: 3.8/5

Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling 2009 - $6

David: Pale gold in color. Nose of white peach, apple, lime and chalk. Medium bodied. Immediately sweet but with decent acidity to balance. Honeyed apple flavor dominant. Decent structure. Sweetness wins out in the end. Not overly complex but quite pleasant and a good value.
Score 3.8/5

Chateau Ste. Michelle Syrah 2006 - $9

David: Purple in color. Nose, its best feature, of smoked meats, black current and earth. Full bodied and chewy, medium acidity. Good fruit. Not much for spice or tannins and finish is subdued but decent. Pretty good value but not too exciting.
Score: 3.8/5

Nelm's Road Merlot 2007 - $21

David: Dark crimson in color. Big nose of rich, ripe red cherry, berries, vanilla. Fox fur, maybe shoe polish. Big opulent fruit on the palate. Moderate acidity. Strong tannins. Some spice. Good structure and complexity. Lots of sediment. Solid finish with some heat.
Score 4.1/5

Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay 2008 - $8

David: Yellow in color. Nose of flowers and tropical fruit and of course oak. Very soft mouthfeel. High alcohol but not harsh. Overall, a nice, likeable, low-priced Chardonnay.
Score: 3.9/5

Jessica: Solid no frills chard. Did the job. Crisp with subtle fruits. Oak present but not overwhelming. Easy summer drinking wine.
Score: 3.8/5

Confluence , by McKinley Springs 2007 - $14

David: From Horse Heaven Hills, Washington State. 77% Chenin Blanc and 23% Viognier. This wine is semisweet and reminiscent of Sauterne but lighter. Pale straw in color with greenish tints. Nose has apples, minerals and some citrus with oak and honey. Thick mouthfeel. Acidity balances the sweetness perfectly. High alcohol so gets a little hot when warmed. Better served chilled. Went well with chicken in creme sauce. (Disclosure: I still have a cold)
Score: 4.2/5

Jessica: Crisp with green apples. Pale straw hue. Sweet tones as it warmed. Full-bodied. I agree it was better at a cooler temp. Strong alcohol.
Score: 4.3/5

Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Indian Wells 2007 - $14

David:
A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Syrah and 1% Malbec. Purply red in color. Nose has dark fruit, vanilla and spice box, maybe leather. Light acidity, full bodied with black cherry and berries. Fine tannins are followed by blackberry jam which lingers into a long pleasant finish. Similar in a way to the Hess we drank recently but (unsurprisingly given the price difference) not quite as good, but very pleasant nonetheless. Low acidity makes it fun to squish around in mouth.
Score: 4.1/5

Jessica:
Delightfully robust wine, dark fruits evident in nose, slight bark, earthy scent. Long finish, jammy. Drank this happily.
4.2/5