Harbringer Chardonnay Vintage: 2006 Purchased: Sep 1st 2007 Price: $21.00 Purchase Location: Harbinger Winery - (http://www.harbingerwinery.com/) Categories: Chardonnay - Washington - White

Tasting Notes:

This was a wine I really loved when I had it at the winery. That is unusual for me since domestic chardonnay is probably my least favorite wine. After tasting this though, maybe I need to give more of it a try.

When the bottle was opened and poured it was a nice golden straw color and had a nice weight. The nose though was overpowered by alcohol. This was odd as it wasn't what I would call a super high alcohol wine. After about an hour of being opened the alcohol smell completely blew off. If I had it to do again, I'd definitely decant. the remaining nose was a very pleasant apple and pear dominated aroma, with just a touch of citrus and vanilla. I didn't get any of the tropical fruit scents that so often crop up in domestic chardonnay. On the palate the weight was perfect with well mingled acids and the apple flavor. There was just a hint of lime before it built to the finish that was just slightly oaky-spicey. There was also a surprising yeastieness on the finish. The oak flavor was just prevalent enough to be good without being overpowering.


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Harbringer Rapture Vintage: 2005 Purchased: Sep 1st 2007 Price: $34.99 Purchase Location: Harbinger Winery - (http://www.harbingerwinery.com/) Categories: Cabernet Franc - Red - Washington

Tasting Notes:

I remember loving this wine at the winery. I also thought that it would be a good match with the course I was serving it with. This wine is labeled as a cabernet franc, but it's actually a blend of: 85% cabernet franc, 12% cabernet sauvignon, 3% syrah.

It is a deep opaque purple, almost black with a lighter purple ring. This is not a medium bodied cab franc in the style of Chinon. One look, swirl, and whiff, lets you know this is going to be full bodied and powerful. This is what I imagine Cheval Blanc being like.

The nose is fruity with black fruits dominating. I also smelled a bit of tobacco and chocolate. In the mouth, it starts very fruit forward with good acidity and blackberry flavors. A peppery component takes over and leads to quite a long finish. The finish contains the spice but also a bit of herbaceousness and some chocolate flavors.


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