Skip to main content

Gordon Brothers 2005 Tradition

Oops, I did it again.

As lovely as the 2005 Tradition was upon opening, it was even better on day two. Tonight, as the last bit of this delectable wine left my glass, just as it was going past my lips, I found myself thinking, "Oh...this is good, it's just now, so very good and it's now gone".

I certainly enjoyed this wine, it was immediately approachable at opening. But the true merits of this wine did not manifest, for me, until the second day. Soft, silky, earthy/leather, touch of graphite, floral elements, good mouth feel (chocolate covered cherries on the sides of my tongue), balanced (by day two) and only 13.5% alcohol - if you have some, stash it away for a few more years. If you can't help yourself, open, taste and save most of it for day two. I purchased this bottle at the Gordon Brothers winery during Crush weekend this September.

Winery notes: Estate Grown, Columbia Valley, 65% Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 8% Syrah.
Production: 1,201 six packs (600 cases).
Winemaking: The 2005 vintage was aged in small, mostly French oak barrels for 20 months, after blending the wine was returned to once used barrels for an additional 2 years of aging. Finally, after bottling, the wine was held for over a year in bottle before being released in September 2010.

I could not help myself, I had to open this bottle yesterday; and I sure as heck did not feel like waiting another 5 years to enjoy this vintage. You just never know what's around the corner. Lovely wine, but so much, much better on the second day.

Web: www.gordonwines.com 

Cheers!

Popular posts from this blog

Spirit Review: Ole Smokey Tennessee Moonshine White Lightnin' @OleSmoky

Today I have crossed the line from wine to spirits. At 100 proof the Ole Smokey Tennessee Moonshine is definitely turning up the volume (ABV 50%). "Moonshine, white lightning, mountain dew, hooch, and Tennessee white whiskey are terms used to describe high-proof distilled spirits, generally produced illicitly...The word "moonshine" is believed to derive from the term "moonrakers" used for early English smugglers and the clandestine (i.e., by the light of the moon) nature of the operations of illegal Appalachian distillers who produced and distributed whiskey." Source Wikipedia My family is no stranger to Moonshine.  That is, my great-grandfather and grandfather were not strangers. Evidently the family occasionally produced their own spirits on their Oregon ranch. My grandfather told me about his younger brother getting into his dads stash with predictable results. Grandmother also told me stories about midnight runs and secretive deliveries d...

Review: Sho Chiku Bai, Unfiltered Sake

Last month in Seattle, I purchased a bottle of Nigori sake at Uwajimaya. Uwajimaya is one of the largest Asian grocery retailers in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve been visiting Uwajimaya for almost 40 years. When I was much younger, I’d buy model ship and plane kits, Japanese comic books (manga) and I never left without at least one steaming Humbow in hand. Today I buy the manga for my son; while I still enjoy the tasty steamed Humbows, now I never leave without at least one bottle of Sake in hand. Uwajimaya has a terrific selection of imported sake. This most recent visit, I left with a bottle of Sho Chiku Bai Nigori sake. Nigori sake is generally the sweetest of all sakes, with a fruity nose and a mild flavor, making a great drink to complement spicy foods or as a dessert wine. Typical sake is usually filtered to remove grain solids left behind after the fermentation process; however Nigori sake remains unfiltered, resulting in a cloudier beverage. Before serving, the bottle ...

Review | Rediscover New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Vintage

New Zealand Wine Puts a Smile on my Face My friends know I am a huge fan of New Zealand wine. In 2012 I became a little obsessed and created a New Zealand wine blog with my friend Julie. We called it " Kiwi Daydreaming " because we could not stop daydreaming about New Zealand wine. Today, I am sharing my thoughts on three Marlborough, New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc wines. Each wine is distinct. Each is delicious in its own way. If you know me, you know that I cannot review any wine without including wine and food pairings. Those are included as well! About Appellation Marlborough Wine: Appellation Marlborough Wine™ was established in 2018 with a strict certification process that the region’s producers are able to apply for. AMW is trademarked in all key global wine markets and it is the legal recognition that sets it apart from other new world certification practices. Wines bearing the Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) quality mark provide consumers the following guarantees: O...