2022 Forgeron Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  It’s been a busy day full of training an errands and now I am ready for dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I am opening a bottle from a long-time favorite Walla Walla producer, Forgeron Cellars!  The 2022 Forgeron Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon is a Cabernet sourced from the Minnick Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine if tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, an ideal Cabernet representation.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, basalt and dusty limestone, a wonderful representation of the terroir of Walla Walla.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that washes over your palate in expectation of what’s to come.  The tannins are subtle, yet well structured and perfectly suited to support the long ,smooth dry finish with a reprise of the earthy leather and minerals that started your journey.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it’s a classic example of what a solid Walla Walla Cabernet is capable of achieving,   This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty fall stews to pasta or wild mushroom risotto. Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared prime rib cap, garnished with fresh rosemary and horseradish, bacon roasted brussels sprouts and a big baked potato with sour cream and chives.  Cheer!

     

2019 Château de Camparian Pessac-Léognan

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I teach late on Wednesdays, so I just got home a little while ago, so while I'm waiting for my dinner to cook, I thought I'd open a bottle of mystery wine, mystery in the sense that I have no idea where I bought this wine, how long I've had it or what sort of blend it is.  That said, the 2019 Château  de Camparian Pessac-Léognan is from the norther part of the Graves region of Bordeaux, with similar character to a Médoc, with a heavy hand of Cabenet in the blend.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, more akin to a Merlot that Cabernet, but with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry jam, dusty limestone and leather, with subtle floral undertones.  The first sip is a rush of ripe berry fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that is more reminsicent of a Zinfandel than a typical Bordeaux.  The fruit eases into some notes of charred oak and basalt midpalate, before easing into the dry finish that lingers modestly on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a 7.5, as it's a pleasant wine, but nothing to write home about.  This wine would pair well with a range of soft cheeses, grilled lamb or a classic choucroute garnie.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an Asian marinade pork tenderloin, mushroom farro and bacon roasted brussels sprouts, as I attemt to mimic the classic pork and fermented cabbage dish. Cheers!

2021 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  It's been rainy here today, which means I had a chance to get some indoor work done ahead of my community theater performance tonight.  Before I go, I have to have dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from a wine club shipment that must have come a year or so ago.  The 2021 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (84%), Malbec (7%), Merlot (6%) and Petit Verdot (4%) and these add to 101% likely due to rounding!  The grapes were harvested from the Pepper Bridge, Octave and Yellow Jacket Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's taste this wine!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of leather, blueberry, vanilla and an undertone of floral notes.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit that gives way to some notes of charred oak, dusty limestone and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured, providing the perfect base for the long, velvety smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic Washington Cabernet, with great earthy texture and a backbone to stand up to hearty meals.  This wine would pair well with hard cheeses and charcuterie, grilled lamb or earthy mushroom risotto. Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled ribeye, roasted pappers and Brussels sprouts and a big baked potato with sour cream and chives.  Cheers!