2021 Castelli del Grevepesa Sasso del Falco Chianti Classico Riserva

Happy Saturday!  We went from summer to fall this week, going from the upper 80s on Tuesday to the upper 30s this morning!  With the solid move to fall weather, it's time to start thinking more of hearty meals and nice red wines to go with them.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2021 Castelli del Grevepesa Sasso del Falco Chianti Classico Riserva that I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  As a Chianti Classico, this wine is 100% Sangiovese aged a total of 36 months in Oak.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a lighter body, bright ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Sangiovese.  The nose presents aromas of strawberry, bright cherry and currant amid some mineral notes and hints of nutmeg.  The first sip is classic rush of tart cherry, currant with a good bit of harvest spice notes, ideal for fall.  The tannins are fine and a bit tightly wound, providing for a smooth dry finish with a good but of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a classic example of a solid Chianti at a classic value price.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from classic Italian pasta, sausage with onions and peppers or eggplant parmesan.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic Midwest fall dinner of roast pork tenderloin, mushroom farro and oven roasted poblanos and broccoli rabe.  Cheers!

2023 Browne Family Vineyards Forest Project Red Wine

Happy Sunday!  I had a rather relaxing day, did some chores, a little grading and now I'm ready for dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I recently bought at Costco. The 2023 Browne Forest Project Red Wine is an undisclosed blend of red varietals from the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington, and what makes this wine interesting is the commitment to reducing resource use while engaging in reforestation projects around the country.  The bottle is lighter weight and the lack of paper labels further reduce demand for trees.  It's a very interesting project and laudable goal, but let's taste the wine!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, typical of a Washington Bordeaux-style blend.  The nose presents aromas of green grass, leather, black cherry and plum.  The first sip is a rush of cherry cola and baking spice that eases into some earthy notes of basalt.  The tannins are well structured providing a solid base for the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate the wine a solid 8, but the project a 10.  The wine is just a pleasant drinking everyday wine that would pair well with a wide range of dishes, from burgers and brats to barbecue and steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with our last gasp of summer, spicy barbecued ribs along with a chile relleno casserole with roasted chipotle salsa.  Cheers!

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!