2021 Helix Petit Verdot

Happy Sunday!  With not rehearsal this afternoon, I had plenty of time to catch up on yard work, laundry and now I am ready to ease into dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from one of my favorite Walla Walla producers, Chuck Reininger, and in this case his Helix label of Columbia Valley wines.  The 2021 Helix Petit Verdot is a 100% Petit Verdot from the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of leather, ripe blackberry and cassis amid undertones of lilac and sage.  The first sip is a rush of ripe blackberry and plum that easily step aside for flavors of oak and peppery spice.  The tannins seem to start out grabbing your lapel and shaking you awake, before settling down to support the smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate.  

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's an intriguing wine that continues to evolve as it opens up.  This wine would pair well with a range of casual summer dishes, from burgers and brats to beef kabobs and barbecue.  Tonight, I am enjoying what seems like the last gasp of summer and having some Carolina barbecued spareribs, corn on the cob and fresh sriracha slaw.  Cheers!

2021 Brendel Cooper's Reed Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  I rushed around doing errands today and now I am home for a quick dinner before tonight's community theatre performance.  In any case, I've opened a bottle that I picked up on said errands as it was on clearance at my local wine store.  The 2021 Brendel Cooper's Reed Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (94%), Petit Syrah (5%) and Merlot (1%) from the North Coast appellation of California.  Let's see if this one was worth the clearance price!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, classic look of a North Coast Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of tart cherry, blueberry and hints of green grass.  The first sip is a rush of green grass intermingled with snoky oak with a crown of ripe black fruit that is at once engrossing yet shy.  The flavors echolve into some earthy graphite and hints of tobacco.  The finish is very smooth and dry, with supple tannins in support.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's punches well above ite weight class for a cleatrance wine of $17!  This wine would pair well with hard cheeses and charcuterie, rustic Sunday diahes of braised shortribs or pit roast, but it really seems to call for a steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip with a mushroom cream sauce, roasted broccoli rabe and a bit baked potato. Cheers!

2007 Geyser Peak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month, which means it's time to raid the cellar looking for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle and I have no idea where it's from or when I bought it, but it's safe to say it's been in the cellar for more than a decade.  The 2007 Geyser Peak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is blended from smaller vineyard lots in the heard of Sonoma, and although I don't remember buying this wine, I did review its cousin back in 2013 (see: 2007 Geyser Peak Walking Tree Cabernet.  Let's see if this one held up to the test of time!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edtes, still vibrant color after 19 years.  The nose presents aromas of leather, subtle black fruit and vanilla caramel amid undertones of oak.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry that subsides into notes of blackberry and cassis before tranititioning to some dusty loam midpalate.  The tannins are still very much present, providing for a wonderfully smooth, lingering dry finish that could easily be mistaken for a vintage in the 2020s.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just an overall pleasant drinking Cabernet that has withstood the test of time.  This wine is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon, so pairings should be treated accordingly, steaks and chops, hearty roast beef or wild mushroom risotto would all stand well with this wine.  Tonight, however, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled, bone-in ribeye with roasted gem potatoes and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!