2011 DaMaNation

Happy Wednesday!  We've reached hump day and now it's time to open up a little delicious wine to celebrate the middle of the week.  Tonight, given all of the recent and various wine club shipments that seem to be delivered almost daily, I've decided to open a bottle of 2011 DaMaNation GSM blend from DaMa wines in Walla Walla.  You know how I love me some GSM, and this one is 45% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 15% Mourvedre, so let's see how she stacks up!

The wine is a gorgeous ruby in the glass with bright clarity.  The nose evokes perfumed aromas of blackberry and cassis along with some lovely violet and rose petal notes.  The taste is a rush of ripe fruit, blackberry, strawberry and plum that transitions nicely to some earthy mineral notes midpalate.  The finish is divine, with velvety smooth tannins providing the structure for a voluptuous and dry finish that beckons another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's really a nice example of a domestically produced GSM blend that would stack up well with the wines of the Rhone Valley.  Although this wine would be perfect with many Mediterranean dishes, tonight I am enjoying it with a rather uncharacteristic dinner of rare grilled filet mignon, baked potato and grilled Brussels sprouts.  The smooth fruit of this wine is a perfect balance for a hearty meal.  Cheers!