WTN: Vire-Clesse, Petite Arvine, Concha y Toro, Snoqualmie

Notes from a dinner meeting at Cafe Ysabel.

Domaine de la Bongran Thevenet Cuvee Tradition Selection E. J. Thevenet 2003 - From Vire-Clesse. Medium-dark gold. A little spicy with gentle, lightly honeyed sweetness. Smoky. A little bitter in the finish. Probably perfect now and although I found it good the first time I tried it about a year ago, it's showing much better now. Very good.

Le Pichet Petite Arvine AOC Valais 2007 - Medium gold. Definite sulfur on the nose which blew off after some vigorous swirling to be replaced by honey notes. On the palate, yellow tropical fruit and orange. Abrupt and acidic finish. Pleasant wine for immediate consumption.

Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - Firm, vibrant, modern. Leafy tobacco. Good varietal character. Dryish and a little short on the finish. Good, solid wine for the price.

Snoqualmie Reserve Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - Curry spice. Soft. Blackcurrant. Oakiness evident but not overdone. Acidic finish. Probably just past peak for my taste although it's still a good drink. Just not too interesting.

[David M. Bueker]

I'm just surprised you had access to a Snoqualmie.

[Jenise]

Snoqualmie in the Philipines--I'm pleased that you were able to be kind to it. Overall the brand is not one of my home state's better efforts by far, and the wines are typically oaky, soft and more inclined toward fruit-forwardness than not for the segment of the market whose favorite wine adjective is "smooth". That said, I actually enjoyed a bottle of the Reserve cab that my friend Susan opened late one night not long ago, but all the other Snoqualmies I've had were sub-par.

I'm just surprised you had access to a Snoqualmie.

This was imported a few years back but didn't sell well. The importer is trying to sell off whatever stocks remain. I don't think any more of it was brought in.