2021 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Red Wine

Happy Taco Tuesday!  Well I guess that ruined the surprise of what's for dinner this evening.  Of course, there are so many good red wines to enjoy with classic tacos, but tonight I've settled on a bottle of 2021 Pepper Bridge Vineyard red wine.  This wine is a classic Walla Walla red blend of Merlot (34%), Malbec (33%), Cabernet Sauvignon (24%) and Petit Verdot (9%), making this an ideal wine for steak tacos! This wine is composed of varietals exclusively sourced from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington, so let's have a taste shall we?

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, as you might expect from such a blend.  The nose presents an intriguing blend of aromas, blackberry, ripe plum with undertones of anise, baking spice and cocoa powder.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit counterbalanced with tart cherry, that eases into notes of cedar and dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a lush mouthfeel and a deliciously smooth dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a solid example of the quality of red wine blends consistently produced in Walla Walla.  This wine would pair well with grilled steak, classic spaghetti and meatballs, rack of lamb, tacos or barbecue.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with my Taco Tuesday dinner of steak fajita tacos with all the trimmings.  Cheers!

2022 Helix SoRho

Happy Sunday!  Today was an eventful day, as not only did I finish my laundry, I managed to complete all of my Christmas decorating, including the three trees, leg lamp and the stormtrooper (new for this year!).  So, now I am ready for a spectacular dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Given my menu choices this evening, I've decided on a something inspired by the south of France, the 2022 Helix SoRho blend!  This wine is a blend of Grenache (35%) Cinsault (34%) and Mourvèdre (31%) from the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, with a lighter balance as you might expect from such a blend.  The nose presents aromas of cherry, plum and cassis intermingled with earthy peat and rustic herb notes that have you thinking you are out in the pasture in rural France.  The first sip is a rush of sweet fruit, cherry, strawberry and red currant that transition easily to notes of vanilla and toasted oak midpalate.  There is a mild acidity that carries through to the finish, which is supported by modest tannins for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that will leave you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a pleasant domestic homage to a blend from the south of France, making it a wonderfully food friendly wine.  This one would pair well with a variety of dishes, from rustic seafood to hearty stews, braised lamb to grilled steak tacos.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a two course celebratory dinner, starting with seared sea scallops over a bed of greens with aged white balsamic and pomegranate, leading to the main course of Scottish black pearl salmon with oven roasted sweet potatoes and asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2022 DaMa GSM

Happy Saturday!  Today I went on my annual hunting trip to bag a couple of trees to decorate for Christmas, and it was a successful venture (more on that tomorrow).  I also had a chance to meet some new friends at a wine bar that opened here in town, which could be an interesting development, but again more on that later.  Tonight, I am focused on enjoying a nice bottle of wine that would offer an excellent pairing with my dinner this evening.  The 2022 DaMa GSM is a classis blend of Grenache (52%), Syrah (30%) and Mourvèdre (18%) from the Yakima Valley of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a lighter bodied affaire, with bright garnet color in the glass, just as you might expect.  The nose presents aromas of strawberry and plum, intermingled with notes of lavender, green grass and basalt.  The first sip has a lot going on, a rush of cherry cola with a hint of tartness that will have you second guessing what is happening in you mouth. Midpalate you are treated to some ripe black fruit and undertones of floral notes and earthiness.  The tannins are well integrated providing for a wonderfully mellow dry finish, with a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine an 8.5, as it's a very good example of a pleasant drinking GSM that is food friendly.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty pasta to crispy skin salmon, braised lamb to prime steaks.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classing pairing of risotto with butter poached lobster tail as the subtle fruit and mild acidity pair well with the richness of the dish.  Cheers!