At every Vancouver International Wine Festival, when I attend the International Festival Tasting Room, I have a plan for which wines to taste. Luckily, as an accredited media person, I can attend the International Festival Tasting Room several times. But each time, is different. For this one session, I visited the theme region, west coast USA, and tasted only red wines.
These are my top red wines coming from California, Oregon, and Washington states. You won’t be able to purchase any at the moment as the BC government has pulled USA wine during our tariff dispute with the American government, but hopefully this dispute will be quickly resolved with trade in general and wine in particular.
My Red Wine Picks
Beaulieu Vineyard Napa Valley Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, California – A deeper, dull garnet colour. Deep, ripe black fruit nos with more on the palate. Also add a hint of capsicum, sweet cherries, oak and pepperiness. A smooth and soft mouthfeel. Elegant. 
Justin Vineyards & Winery Isosceles 2019, Paso Robles, California – A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. It has a deeper garnet colour. Medium intensity aromas of berries, plums and a touch of oak. Medium-plus body, off-dry with a smooth, soft mouthfeel. Fruity, ripe berry flavours along with touches of cedar and herbal. Medium-plus length, finishing with sweet berry fruit and light pepperiness.
Provenance Vineyards Deadeye Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, California – Medium-plus translucent garnet colour. Light aromas of mace, red fruits, and cherries. Light body, with a lean, soft mouthfeel. Plums, cherries and a hint of capsicum on the palate. Medium acidity and fine, light tannins. Medium-plus length with sweet red fruit and cherries on the finish. 
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Wente Vineyards Mount Diablo Highlands Red Blend 2021, Livermore Valley, California – I checked but could not find the blend of grapes that went into making this wine. It has a medium intensity, translucent garnet colour. Raspberries and some tarriness on the nose. Light body with a lean, soft mouthfeel. Raspberries and nutmeg on the palate. Light acidity and tannins. Elegant.
Citation Wine Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015, Oregon – A medium intensity, translucent garnet colour. Red fruits along with some earthiness and mushroom aromas. Medium body with a smooth mouthfeel. Medium acidity and soft tannins. Subtle red fruit and sweet spices on the palate. Medium length with sweet cherries on the finish. –
Citation Wine Oregon Pinot Noir 2006, Oregon – An amazing wine, just released, with 15 years of aging. This wine has a translucent, clear garnet colour with slight bricking. Aged red fruit and oak aromas. Dry, with a medium-minus body. A smooth mouthfeel. Aged red fruits and sweet spices on the palate. Medium acidity and light intensity, fine-grained tannins. Slight pepperiness on the finish. An acid-driven wine. –
Erath Willakia Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019, Oregon – A medium intensity translucent garnet colour. Light red fruit and sweet spices on the nose. Dry with a lighter body. Red fruit flavour with a touch of candied cherries. It has an acidic edge. Light pepper on the finish.
Erath Reserve Collection Pinot Noir 2019, Oregon – A lighter, translucent garnet colour. Rich red cherries, raspberries and cinnamon aromas. Red fruit, sweet spices and pepperiness on the palate.
Aquilini Wines Chasing Rain Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Red Mountain, Washington – Has some Petit Verdot blended with the Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a deep, translucent garnet colour. Medium intensity, juicy berries and sweet spice aromas, with more on the palate. Plus a touch of capsicum and red apples. Sweet fruit flavours. Peppery on the finish.
Rodney Strong Wine Symmetry 2017, Sonoma County, California – a deeper, translucent garnet colour. Medium intensity aromas of dark fruit and capsicum. Medium body, soft and lean with a light mouthfeel. Ripe black fruit and some pepperiness. Medium acidity and tannins. Medium length.
The Wine Group, Imagery Monterey County Pinot Noir 2021, California – Light, clear garnet colour in the glass. A light intensity red fruit nose. Medium body, dry, with a lean mouthfeel. Tasty red fruit, sweet spices, oak and floral flavours. A little peppery. Medium acidity and lighter tannins.
Adelsheim Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2021, Oregon – Medium intensity, translucent garnet. Light red fruit nose. Medium body, dry with a soft mouthfeel. Red fruits along with light pepperiness. Medium acidity and light tannins. Very nice.
In my two upcoming articles, I will cover west coast USA white wines and wines from around the world, excluding the USA.
