Seven Hills Winery Defiant Chapter 1

Happy Saturday!  I've had a busy day and now it's time for a rather rushed dinner before heading out to see a youth play this evening.  Tonight, I've decided to open a bottle that's been in the cellar for about three years, and since I just received chapters 2 and 3, I thought it would be good to finally open a bottle of Seven Hills Winery Defiant Chapter 1.  This wine is a new creation from Seven Hills, based on fruit from their 4.5 acre parcel in the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater.  This wine is a blend of Syrah (82%), Grenache (11%) and Carignan (7%) from the 2021 and 2022 Vintages.  Let's see how this interesting wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with nice clarity, a bit darker given the heavy hand of the Syrah in the blend.  The nose presents exotica aromas of blackberry, anise and black olive amid undertones of and hints of violets.  The first sip is a surprising explosion of ripe fruit, blueberry, blackberry and plum that gently subside as the earthy minerality of the Rocks district starts to shine through.  The tannins are soft and supple, classic for Rhone varietals as they gently guide you to the long, smooth finish that will have you reaching for more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a much more refined version of so many wines coming out of the Rocks district.  This wine would be perfect for a wide range of fall dishes, from hearty stews and casseroles, to roast beef or chili.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a Mediterranean classic, of Greek pork tenderloin stuffed with feta, roasted peppers and artichoke hearts along with balsamic roasted tomatoes and burrata tossed with linguine.  Cheers!

2013 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cellarius I Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of the new month, which means it's time to raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I have opened a bottle that hasn't been in my cellar long, as I bought it from Wines Till Sold Out back in May.  The 2013 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cellarius I Cabernet Sauvignon is a tribute to 17th Century Dutch-German scholar and map maker, Andreas Cellarius, as Stag's Leap seeks to explore Napa Valley winemaking through a variety of unique perspectives.  For the 2013 vintage, the winemakers explore trellising, specifically Moser trellising which creates a split canopy microclimate resulting in supple and elegant Cabernet.  Let's see if it worked!

The wine has the look of a classic Napa Valley Cabernet, inky black at the center, garnet along the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, blackberry and oak with subtle floral undertones that let you know something elegant is about to happen.  The first sip is an explosion of ripe blackberry and cherry that is vibrant yet supple at the same time as the ripe fruit gives way to some earthy mineral notes.  As you approach the finish, you are reminded a bit of a tawny port, as the tannins provide the perfect foundation to the velvety smooth dry finish that will have you wanting to slowly sip this wine through an afternoon.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's a fantastic example of a classic Napa Valley Cabernet that exudes quality and luxury.  This wine would pair well with a range of hard cheeses and charcuterie, but it really wants to be enjoyed with a steak, ideally a rich, marbled prime steak that will balance the mouthfeel of this wine.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared prime ribcap on a bed of sauteed mushrooms, onions and peppers, wild mushroom farro and steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

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!