2024 Seven Hills Walla Walla Carmenere

Happy Sunday!  I spent the day doing some indoor chores and relaxing, so not particularly productive, but that's what weekends are for!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from one of my long-time favorite Walla Walla producers, Seven Hills Winery.  The 2024 Seven Hills Walla Walla Carmenere is a made from a varietal that not long ago was thought extinct, so let's see how this lost Bordeaux varietal is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass while the nose presents aromas of blackberry, cherry and plum with undertones of green grass and spice.  The first sip is a refreshing burst of ripe berries with a bit of tartness underneath that eases into some notes of blueberry compote midpalate.  The tannins are subdued, but fully structured to provide a long, smooth dry finish with a bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a pleasant, easy drinking red that would pair well with a range of summer dishes.  This wine would pair well with barbecued ribs, burgers or brats, ideal for the 4th of July.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some beef kabobs and fresh corn on the cob.  It's been a while since I've brought out the skewers, but this turned into a wonderful summer dinner.  Cheers!

2022 Helix Cabernet Franc

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It was a rather uneventful day here, but then it started raining in the afternoon, so a bit melancholy now, all the more reason to enjoy a nice glass of wine!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from one of my favorite makers, Chuck Reininger and his Helix label for the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  The 2022 Helix Cabernet Franc is a limited production wine that's 100% Cabernet Franc from the Weinbau Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep inky purple at the center with bright ruby along the edges, reminiscent of a Cabernet Sauvignon.  The nose presents aromas of aged leather, blackberry and cherry amid hints of lavender over the top.  The first sip is a rush of ripe fruit, black cherry, raspberry and plum in a continuous cascade before transitioning to some earthy oak and basalt midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a wonderful smooth dry finish with hints of vanilla and caramel.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a blending varietal that stands on its own with excellent posture.  This wine seems very easy going, making it ideal for a range of dishes, from pizza and pasta to barbecue and brats, the perfect red for summers on the patio!  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a cowboy crusted ribeye over sautéed onions and mushrooms and grilled asparagus, the last of the season.  Cheers!

2022 Reininger Malbec

Happy Father's Day!  To all you fathers out there, I wish you the very best and hope you had a wonderful time with you kids today!  As I thought about a manly dinner for tonight, I also thought about a manly wine to celebrate and decided to open a bottle of 2022 Reininger Malbec!  This wine is a 100% Malbec from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let see if this wine live up to my manly expectations!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, bordering on the look of a nice Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of ripe blackberry and spiced meat, raspberry and tawny elements of aged leather and oak.  The first sip is rush of ripe berry fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant that wash over your palate before transitioning to notes of spicy black pepper and earthy notes of dusty limestone.  The tannins are robust and well structured for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a great example of a quality Malbec from the northern hemisphere, perfectly welcoming to the gauchos bringing in grilled beef.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dished, from braised short ribs to roasted rack of lamb, but what it really yearns for is a big steak!  Tonight we are in luck as I'm enjoying this wine with a grilled ribeye topped with truffle butter along with some oven roasted beets and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!