2013 Helix Bacchus Vineyard Merlot

Happy Tuesday!  It's been a while since I've posted because last week I was actually in Houston all week helping with the relief efforts down there.  It was quite a bit of hot, sweaty, backbreaking work, but it was really worth it to see the appreciation of the folks down there that were in such desperate need of a helping hand.  In any case, I'm back now and ready for some wine!  Tonight I've decided to open a recent wine club wine from Reininger's Helix brand, the 2013 Helix Columbia Valley Merlot from the Bacchus Vineyard.  So let's see what this one has to offer.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, the ideal representation of the varietal.  The nose presents lovely aromas of strawberry, red currant, leather and oak that just make you want to dive right into the glass.  The taste is as smooth as can be, with lovely flavors of ripe red fruit, cherry, currant, marionberry that transitions to some lovely earthy mineral notes midpalate.  The finish is quite smooth, despite the tightly wound tannins, which provide a bit of tartness right at the end of the smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's drinking nicely now, but will likely improve with a few years in the cellar.  This wine would pair well with hearty fall dishes from stew to chili to lovely Italian pasta, but as always I am going against the herd.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with seared sesame crusted Ahi tuna on a bed of baby arugula with some wild rice.  I know red wine and fish may not make sense to some, but after all, Tuna is the steak of the sea!  Cheers!