Having had some positive experiences with Columbia Crest Merlot in the past, I splurged on a bottle of their 2002 Grand Estates Shiraz. Opening the bottle last night, the only thing that greeted my nose after an hour of breathing was a faint scent of petroleum. If I want to smell oil in my wine, I have only to drive to West Texas where the French have established a 1000 acre vineyard/winery on leased land right in the middle of an oil pumping field. I have had the misfortune of consuming that fluid on more than one occasion.
After entering the glass, the odor of "Eau de Gym Sweat Socks" began to predominate. The mouth feel was thin but some highly seasoned food made it somewhat palatable. Virtually any of the examples of this genre from Australia easily overshadow this Washington State poor copy. If I were in a generous mood, I could give it 14 on the 20 point Davis scale.
Godzilla