2014 L'Ecole No. 41 Candy Mountain Red Wine

Happy last day of 2017!  It was certainly a very good year, and why not end it with a nice bottle of Washington wine?  Tonight's selection is one from one of my favorite producers in Walla Walla, L'Ecole No. 41, the 2014 Candy Mountain Red Wine.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) and Merlot (50%) grown in the Candy Mountain Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA.  Candy Mountain is just south of Red Mountain, so it share some of the generally warmer climate and resulting complexity of fruit.  I recall really enjoying this wine when I tasted at the winery in Walla Walla back in August, so let's see how it "officially" tastes!

The wine is a nice garnet color in the glass, with great clarity, seemingly of a little lighter body than a typical Cabernet.  The nose is chock full of ripe black fruit, blackberries, currant and cherry with overtones of leather and black pepper spice.  The taste is a marked departure from what your brain suggests should be the taste based on the aromas, it's a rush of wonderful ripe cherry and currant with no hint of pepper.  The taste transitions nicely to some cherry cola, mocha and earthy mineral notes midpalate before the well structured tannins set up the long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's just a lovely drinking wine that I think is quite versatile, pairing with a wide variety of dishes, or just sipping during the evening.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a sesame crusted tuna filet topped with sriracha mayo, basmati rice and steamed broccoli.  This wine would be great with steak, but it's really nice with the steak of the sea!  Cheers and here's to a fantastic 2018!

My 2017 Washington Wine Top-10 List

Well 2017 is about to come to a close, which is when everyone starts publishing top-whatever lists of events, products, etc. so I thought why not start one of my own?  I have a real affinity for Washington State wines, and I've reviewed a lot of them in 2017, so why not publish a top-10 Washington Wine list?  Here are the simple rules: 1) the wine must have been the subject of a blog post in the calendar year; 2) the wine must be from Washington State; 3) the wine must have been rated 9 or higher (there are a lot of wonderful wines that I rated below 9, but I had to narrow this down somehow!).  Based on this population, I then chose my top-10, half objectively (i.e. the #1 wine could not have been rated lower than the #10, etc.) and mostly subjectively (i.e. what I liked best).  Along with the top-10 wines, I also narrowed down my top-5 Washington producers, based on how many times their wines were rated 9 or above.  So without further adieu, here are my top-5 Washington Wine producers based on the number of wines rated 9 or higher in 2017:

#5 Forgeron Cellars
Forgeron is one of those producers that I discovered as a result of a personal recommendation (I think it might have been Julie Titus at Seven Hills when I asked here where I should go tasting downtown sometime back in 2010 or so).  Forgeron was started by Marie-Eve Gilla in 2001, who made a name for herself with her wonderful Chardonnay, but I really enjoy her wines made from some of the less used varietals in the Columbia Valley, like Primitivo and Malbec.  Forgeron had two wines rated above 9 and both made my top-10 wine list.

#4 Doubleback Winery 
Doubleback Winery traces its roots back to 2007 when NFL quarterback and Walla Walla native, Drew Bledsoe retired and planted his estate vineyard, McQueen, on the southern end of the Walla Walla AVA.  Since he launched Doubleback in 2008, with collaborator and childhood friend Chris Figgins of Leonetti Cellar, he has produced some world class Cabernet Sauvignon, but has also expanded the winery to include the Bledsoe Family, Flying B and Stolen Horse labels in an effort to produce great wines that are approachable for a broader audience.  Doubleback and the related labels had three wines rated at or above 9, one of which made my top-10 list.

#3 Reininger Winery
Reininger Winery has been a long-time favorite of mine, as ever since I first met founder and head winemaker Chuck Reininger, I've felt a wonderful connection in that he approaches the creation of his wines in a way that really matches what I appreciate in Walla Walla wines.  From taking broad creative steps with multiple varietals across multiple vintages, such as with his great Desiderata project, he consistently produces eminently drinkable wines that exemplify the true sense of place in the Walla Walla Valley.  Reininger and second label Helix had 4 wines rated at or above 9 in 2017 and one of them made my top-10 list.

#2 L'Ecole No. 41
L'Ecole No. 41 was one of the first wineries I visited on my very first trip to Walla Walla back in 2001.  At that time the winery in the old schoolhouse was one of the first you encountered as you drove in from the west on US 12.  When I first tasted the wines at L'Ecole and neighboring Woodward Canyon, I knew there was something special about the wines of Washington, and particularly Walla Walla.  L'Ecole produces some of my favorite Bordeaux style blends in the valley, including the newer Ferguson blend and my all-time favorite blend, the Perigee.  L'Ecole had six wines rated at or above 9 in 2017 including one on my top-10 list.

#1 Seven Hills Winery
I will always hold a special place in my heart for the very first wineries I visited on that first trip to Walla Walla back in 2001.  On that trip, after visiting the wineries on the outskirts of town on US 12, I came downtown and tasted wine at Seven Hills, which is still in the same location around the corner from Whitehouse Crawford restaurant.  Founder and head winemaker, Casey McClellan has done remarkable work in raising the quality and profile of Walla Walla wines, and keeping with the focus on Bordeaux style blends, his Pentad is one of my favorites whenever it's produced (like any great artist, Casey only makes Pentad when all the conditions are right).  Seven Hills had seven wines rated 9 or above in 2017, with two wines on my top-10 list.

Other wineries that had wines rated 9 or higher in 2017 include: Maison Bleue Winery, Mark Ryan Winery, Milbrandt Vineyards, Result of a Crush, Sleight of Hand Cellars and Tero Estates.

And now, the top-10 Washington Wines of 2017!  (each are linked to the original blog post with summary below).

#10 2014 Maison Bleue Voyageur Syrah
Maison Bleue does such a wonderful job with Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, and since I'm a big fan of Syrah, this one made the list.  The 2014 Voyageur Syrah is a deep ruby color in the glass, with just the heft you'd like to see from a nice Syrah.  The nose is chock full of violets, blueberry and blackberry overlaid with hints of smoke and black pepper spice.  The taste a rush of ripe berries, that transitions nicely to some fresh herbs and chipotle spice midpalate.  There is a bit of a reprise of fruit and a bit of kirsch on the finish, with the soft tannins supporting the long, smooth and very dry finish.  Rating: 9

#9 2013 Anvil Cabernet Sauvignon Dionysus Vineyard Columbia Valley
Anvil is Forgeron Cellars' higher end label, and they do a wonderful job with Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is the first of two from Forgeron on my top-10 list.  The 2013 Anvil Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep inky black color at the center, with bright ruby along the edges,  The nose is a wonderful combination of ripe blackberries, currants and a hint of violet floral notes intermingled with some defined spice notes of black pepper over a hint of smoke.  The taste is just wonderful with some ripe fruit that submits to some lovely spicy pepper notes at the outset, transitioning nicely to some dark chocolate and dried fruit notes midpalate, as you're set up for a reprise of spicy pepper on the long, smooth and luxurious finish.  Rating: 9

#8 2015 Mark Ryan "Little Sister" Columbia Valley Merlot
Mark Ryan has been a growing favorite of mine since I first visited the Walla Walla tasting room back in 2012 (maybe?) and not just because he names his wines after Pearl Jam songs.  Yes, I am a flannel-wearing grunge fan of the 1990s, but these are some seriously good wines.  The 2015 Little Sister Merlot is a deep, inky purple with bright ruby along the edges.  The nose is an intriguing blend of leather, tart cherry, cardamom and baking spice.  The taste is classic, old school Merlot with a rush of ripe fruit up front, cherry, currant and plum, that transitions to some interesting notes of buttered popcorn jelly belly midpalate.  The finish is smooth, with young tannins providing a bit of punch to the long, smooth and dry finish.  This wine is such a pleasure to drink!  Rating: 9

#7 2014 Doubleback Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon
Since my first visit to Doubleback a few years ago, I've been impressed with the quality and aging potential of the Cabernet.  Now with a broader array of wines at more value conscious price points, I'm finding even more to love.  The 2014 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep, inky color at the center, with nice bright garnet along the edges.  The nose is a rich combination of blackberry, currant, oak and a bit of kirsch.  The taste is a velvelty burst of ripe black fruit, plum, blackberry and cherry that envelops your mouth as the flavors transition to some wonderful earthy, mineral notes of dusty limestone overlaid with mocha and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are still youthful, leading to a bit of acidity on the long, smooth and very dry finish.  Rating: 9

#6 2014 L'Ecole No. 41 Ferguson
I had the chance to visit the Ferguson Vineyard with L'Ecole founder Marty Clubb back in 2013 (you can see that post here) and it was fascinating to see some of the underlying characteristics of the vineyard that really express themselves in the wine.  The Ferguson blends have been consistently excellent since the inaugural vintage in 2011 (you can see that one here).  The 2014 Ferguson is a deep, inky purple in the glass.  The nose is a beautiful combination of leather, blackberry and dusty mineral aromas that really speak to the terroir at Ferguson.  The taste is a rush of ripe fruit up front, black cherry, blackberry and plum that transition to some lovely mineral and smoky notes midpalate.  The finish is near perfect, with well structured tannins providing the backbone and just a hint of spice and characteristic Bordeaux "funk" coming in at the end of the long, smooth, and very dry finish.  Rating: 9

#5 2011 Reininger Cima
As I mentioned above, Chuck Reininger continues to impress with his mastery of blending and he is perhaps one of the most creative winemakers in the Walla Walla Valley today.  The 2011 Reininger Cima is a lovely bright ruby in the glass, typical of the Sangiovese in this Washington Super Tuscan.  The nose is a symphony of soft leather, graphite and spice box with emerging hints of ripe cherries and rose petals.  The taste is surprisingly youthful despite the more than five years this wine spent in barrel, with lovely notes of strawberry, cherry and red plums bursting forth at the outset, only to give way to some lovely notes of black pepper spice and tart cherry midpalate, no doubt a testament to the wonder of Sangiovese.  The finish was velvety smooth, as the tannins were mature and expertly integrated to provide a lasting dry finish that begs you to take another sip.  Rating: 9

#4 2014 Seven Hills Pentad
Casey McClellan has been doing wonders for Walla Walla wine since Seven Hills was founded back in 1988 and the Pentad is the pinnacle of the Walla Walla Bordeaux style blend for Seven Hills.  Casey will only make this wine when conditions are right, so we were lucky to have vintages in 2014 and 2015, but there have only been eight vintages of Pentad prior to 2014!  The 2014 Pentad is a deep inky color with bright ruby along the edges, suggestive of the heavy presence of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend.  The nose is a lovely combination of leather, blackberry, clove and dried spice that welcomes you to take a sip.  The taste is wonderfully smooth and balanced, with casual notes of ripe black fruit intermingled with mocha and dark chocolate that transitions to some lovely green herb notes just before the finish.  And the finish is lovely, with chewy tannins that make for a long, firm and exceptionally dry finish that lasts a minute or more.  This is the first of two wines from Seven Hills in my top-10 list.  Rating: 9 - 9.5

#3 2014 Forgeron Malbec
This is the second wine from Forgeron on my top-10 list, and this one makes this list as a true rarity, a wine I really loved, even though it was from a varietal that I don't love.  I am not a fan of Malbec, despite it's waning popularity, but this wine is enough to convert even me to being a fan of the varietal.  The 2014 Forgeron Malbec is a stunning, deep purple color in the glass, picture perfect for Malbec.  The nose is a symphony of aromas that bring you to images of gauchos in the Andes of Argentina, leather, smoke, black cherry and hints of white pepper spice and mocha over the top.  The taste is refined and complex, pretty much the opposite of a big, gut punching Cabernet that's so popular among so many today.  There is a rush of ripe fruit up front, cherry, pomegranate and currant that transition effortlessly to some notes of peppery dark chocolate midpalate.  The finish is just the best part of this wine, with incredibly polished tannins supporting a velvety smooth finish that seems to last the better part of five minutes.  Rating: 9 - 9.5

#2 2014 Seven Hills Pepper Bridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
This is the second wine from Seven Hills on my top-10 list, and by far my favorite wine from them in 2017!  This was a new wine with incredibly limited production that likely will not be made again, so enjoy it while you can!  The 2014 Seven Hills Pepper Bridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep, inky purple at the center, with bright ruby along the edges.  The nose is a magnetic chorus of leather, cedar, boysenberry and a hint of white pepper that combine to suggest something really special is about to happen to your palate.  The taste is an eye opening rush of fruit, with pronounced black cherry that settles in to some more subtle notes of mocha and dark chocolate.  The tannins are still young but remarkably smooth and well integrated, providing the perfect backdrop for the long, voluptuous and very dry finish that seems to last a minute or more. Rating: 9.5

#1 2014 Sleight of Hand Cellars "The Psychedelic Syrah"
The best Washington Wine of 2017 in my opinion is one that was a recommendation from someone at another Washington winery.  It's impressive to me how much of a community there is among the winemakers of Walla Walla, where everyone can view and enjoy the product of competitors in a way that honors the artistry of winemaking as a whole.  So when Julie from Seven Hills recommended this wine to me, I immediately called and ordered some and I wasn't disappointed.  The 2014 Psychedelic Syrah is a deep ruby color in the glass.  The nose is just an explosion of everything that's great about Syrah, green grass, lavender, green olives, smoke and minerals with lovely undertones of ripe purple fruit.  The taste is like nothing I've experienced before, it just takes me right back to the many lovely tasting rooms in Walla Walla, with wild earthy flavors, bursts of ripe cherry, blackberry and blueberry, earthy limestone, licorice and smoke that just give you such a sense of the place that produced this wine.  The tannins are elegant, creating a velvety mouthfeel than envelops you creating a long, dry finish that's silky and very memorable.  This is appropriately names, as this was a psychedelic experience!  Rating 9.5

And there you have it, my first ever top-10 list of Washington wines for 2017.  Best wishes for another wonderful year of Washington wine in 2018!

2014 Hanna Bismark Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Last night I had some of my neighbors over for a glass of wine or two and one of my neighbors brought me a bottle of 2014 Hanna Bismark Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Moon Mountain District of Sonoma County.  We didn't have a chance to open it last night, so I thought it would be good to enjoy tonight, so let's see how this one tastes.

The wine is a lovely ruby color in the glass, with classic dark center, just as you'd expect from a quality Cabernet.  The nose is an interesting combination of leather overlaid with subtle floral notes.  The taste is a rush of concentrated dark fruit, black cherry, plum and currant that transition effortlessly to some delicious notes of peppery spice intermingled with mocha and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are velvety smooth and delightfully integrated, creating a wonderfully long and smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's about as solid as a California Cabernet can be.  I'd easily take this wine over more expensive and less interesting wines from Napa.  This wine is practically begging to be paired with a thick steak, but it would also pair well with a variety of Italian dishes, or as I'm enjoying it tonight, paired with mid-week pizza!  You have to have something to drink with your pizza, it may as well be a nicely crafted Cabernet.  Cheers!

2013 Result of a Crush

Merry Christmas!  It's been a remarkably relaxing Christmas Eve, as it's been snowing all day so I just decided to spend the afternoon lounging around the house, until it was time to get up and open a bottle of wine!  And tonight it's a special bottle that I brought back from my trip to Walla Walla last August, and a wine that ironically I didn't taste until I sat at the VinoVolo in Sea-Tac airport on the way home, the 2013 Result of a Crush Red Wine!  This wine is from a project by two sisters, Amanda and Angela of the Reynvaan Family Vineyards of Walla Walla, who in 2011 decided to focus on wines that are "distinctive, affordable, consistent in quality and showcase the owners' sometimes whimsical attitude toward wine."  So let's see what this one has to offer!

The wine is a lovely garnet color in the glass, very consistent with the predominance of Syrah in the blend.  The nose is an interesting array of earthy and savory aromas, with some vibrant green herbs along with earthy notes of dusty limestone and tar over undertones of ripe black fruit.  The taste is just a real treat, with some wonderful stone fruit notes up front, which transition to some stark mineral notes midpalate.  The flavors of the Rocks of Walla Walla really come through nicely on this wine.  The tannins as very well structured, providing just enough backbone for the velvety and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9 as it's just a pleasant drinking wine and a solid value (I believe this one was around $28).  This wine would pair well with a broad array of dished, from steaks and chops to hearty Italian dishes, but tonight it's Christmas Eve, which means it's time for a more special dinner.  So tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a giant cold water lobster tail along with some fusilli Napoletani sauteed with olive oil, garlic and broccoli rabe.  The wonderful fruit and mineral notes of this wine are a perfect foil to the richness of the lobster.  Merry Christmas!

Fruit Hills Winery Marquette - Non-Vintage

Happy Friday!  We are really getting down to the wire, just 2 days left until Christmas!  I have another big get together planned for tomorrow, so it will be a full day of cooking, but don't fear, I'll probably have enough time for one more post before the big day.  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of wine that I bought from a local producer about 7 miles from here, Fruit Hills Winery.  They source a lot of grapes from other locations, but I tend to focus on the wines made from local fruit (that being Indiana and Michigan!).  The Marquette is a blend of grapes from their vineyard in Bristol, Indiana (mostly Cabernet Franc) along with Marquette grapes from Michigan.  For those unfamiliar, Marquette is a hybrid released by the University of Minnesota in 2006 that traces its roots to Pinot Noir, so that's what makes this a good wine for tonight's dinner!

The wine has a lighter body, very similar to a Pinot Noir.  The nose presents aromas of green grass, plum and red raspberry, along with a bit of that funk that Pinot fans are so familiar with.  The taste is a rush of green grass and floral notes that transition to some warm spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat muted, leaving a finish that is somewhat sharp but still dry.  Very much a Pinot Noir type wine!

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 7, it's not really spectacular, but it is quite versatile when it comes to food pairings.  This wine would pair well with Christmas ham or turkey, a variety of chicken dishes, or seafood.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some fresh sea scallops seared in toasted sesame oil along with buccatini tossed with broccoli rabe sauteed in garlic and olive oil.  Cheers!

2012 V. Sattui Family Cabernet Sauvignon

Another day closer to the big day!  It's interesting that I always enjoy taking wine and food photos with Christmas decorations in the background and ironically enough, the last time I opened a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from V. Sattui it was nearly a year ago, with lovely lights in the background!  So tonight I've decided to open the 2012 V. Sattui Family Cabernet Sauvignon, a lovely Cabernet from a stellar vintage in Napa Valley.  So let's see what this one has!

The wine has the classic look of a Napa Cabernet, with inky dark center and bright garnet along the edges.  The nose presents aromas of green grass, blackberry and white pepper spice over some earthy notes of dusty limestone and tar.  The taste is classic fruit forward Napa Cabernet, with a rush of blackberry, cherry and plum notes that transition to some lovely earthy notes midpalate.  The tannins are robust but well integrated, creating a wonderfully long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5 as it's a quality Napa Cabernet that is drinking nicely right now.  This wine would be idea with Italian food, Sunday pot roast or steak, which is what I'm having tonight, grilled prime sirloin, roasted Brussels sprouts and a big baked potato with sour cream and chives.  Cheers!

2012 Reininger Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I had a rather busy day today, so it will be nice to relax with a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've decided to open a nice bottle of Merlot from one of my favorite Walla Walla producers, the 2012 Reininger Walla Walla Valley Merlot.  This wine is a blend of Merlot (91%), Cabernet Sauvignon (7%) and Cabernet Franc (2%) all sourced from the Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA.  So let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with aromas of black cherry, currant, black pepper over some subtle earthy notes (when I first opened the wine there was a pronounced note of olive, but that subsided with some air).  The taste is somewhat more elevated than a typical Merlot, with some nice fruit up front, particularly black cherry and currant intermingled with a bit of plum that moves smoothly to some spice and earthy notes or tar and graphite midpalate.  The tannins are silky smooth, ushering in a long, smooth and voluptuous dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, it's one of the nicest Merlots I've had in a while, and I thought it was a step up from the 2010 vintage (see here) or the 2011 vintage (see here), both of which were somewhat cooler if I recall correctly.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hard cheeses, hearty winter stews and roasts, and of course steak.  Tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime sirloin over grilled leeks, with some charred cauliflower and a baked potato with sour cream and chives.  Cheers!

2014 Starmont Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Monday!  I got a lot of work done today and even managed to get to the gym, so let's celebrate!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle I recently found at Costco, the 2014 Starmont Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  It was a really good price, so let's see what it has to offer!

The wine looks like a classic Napa Cabernet in the glass, with an inky black center and bright ruby along the edges.  The nose presents aromas of leather, graphite, blackberry and blueberry that just beckon you to take a sip.  The taste is really quite nice, with a rush of black fruit, blackberry, black cherry and some cherry cola that evolve into notes of dusty limestone and white pepper midpalate.  The tannins are robust, providing for the long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish that seems to last a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's a solid Napa Cabernet and the price was a real value at just $20!  This wine would pair well with hard cheeses, pasta with red sauce, and of course a big steak!  Which is what I'm having tonight, a rare grilled prime sirloin with grilled leeks and Brussels sprouts along with a big baked potato with all the fixin's!  Cheers!

2010 Tre Nova Nebbaro

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I found in the cellar, and I have to admit raised more questions than answers!  By all accounts, this wine looks Italian, has a Super Tuscan sort of label, and it's a blend of Italian varietals, but it was from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  I looked further at the label and found it was produced by G. Cuneo, and I remember visiting their tasting room when I was in Walla Walla in 2015, but I don't recall buying this bottle.  In any case, here it is, the 2010 Tre Nova Nebbaro, a blend of Nebbiolo (51%) and Barbera (49%) from the Columbia Valley AVA.  Nebbiolo is the king of Piedmont varietals, from which we get classic Barolo, so let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, somewhat darker than your typical Sangiovese, but just what you'd expect from a Nebbiolo or Barbera.  The nose is a cascade of leather, smoke, dried Italian spices over rich black fruit.  The taste is wonderfully fruit forward, with rich plum, black cherry and cassis amid undertones of dried spice with a hint of mint and licorice.  The tannins are well structured, providing nice backbone for a long, smooth dry finish with just a bit of tartness on the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's a lovely example of some old world varietals meets new world creativity.  This wine would pair well with Italian dishes like a wild mushroom risotto, but it would also be great with a variety of steaks and roasts, ideal for winter.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a little offbeat dinner of oven roasted chicken with wild rice and steamed broccoli.  Cheers!

2015 Pepper Bridge Walla Walla Merlot

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around my house!  We had a bunch of snow today, so to avoid cutting down my Christmas trees in the snow, I went out yesterday afternoon to get them.  And in typical Clark W. Griswold fashion, I probably went a little overboard on the family room tree as it really fills the space!  In any case, you can get a sense of the holiday cheer in the photo below (and yes, that is an official Christmas Story leg lamp in the background!).  I also confess I'm apparently on a bit of a Merlot kick, but to be fair, wineries keep sending me Merlot in wine club shipments so I can't really help it!  In any case, tonight I've opened a bottle from the latest wine club shipment from Pepper Bridge Winery, the 2015 Walla Walla Merlot, which is a blend of Merlot (78%), Cabernet Franc (15%) and Malbec (7%) from the Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and Octave Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley. 

The wine is a deep inky color in the glass, just what you'd expect from a nice Merlot.  The aromas of leather, black cherry, and tea leaf abound on this wine from a very warm vintage (based on my discussions with a lot of Walla Walla folks, the 2015 vintage will likely be much more fruit concentrated and likely better for early drinking rather than cellaring).  The taste is a fantastic rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, plum and layers of fig that yield to notes of black pepper and fennel.  The tannins are lush, supporting the warm, dry and voluptuous finish. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a lovely Merlot that's versatile and food friendly.  This is a wine that just speaks to the upcoming holidays, and I could easily see this wine pairing with anything from fire glazed ham to turkey with cranberries, to dark chocolate and peppermint bark.  Tonight I am relaxing after decorating (more to finish tomorrow!) and enjoying this wine with a dinner of pan seared sea scallops on a bed of baby arugula with pesto penne.  Cheers!

2015 Seven Hills Merlot

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a busy week so far, but at least there's wine.  Tonight I've decided to open a recent wine club selection from one of my favorite wineries, Seven Hills out of Walla Walla.  And much to the dismay of "Sideways" fans everywhere, I am a bit fan of Merlot, and tonight I'm enjoying the 2015 Seven Hills Walla Walla Merlot, so let's see who's right!

The wine is a lovely deep, inky purple in the glass with bright ruby along the edges.  The nose is a subdued affair, with notes of leather, blackberry, cherry and cassis with just the slightest hint of green grass.  The taste is not nearly as fruit forward as some past vintages, but still nice black cherry at the outset that evolves into some lovely white pepper notes before diving into dark chocolate and mocha midpalate.  The finish is quite nice, with somewhat tightly wound tannins with a reprise of tart cherry before the long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's drinking quite nicely now, but has the potential to improve quite a bit with a few years in the cellar.  This wine would pair well with a variety of roasts and stews, classic chill in the air autumnal fare, but tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a prime eye of ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare with some steamed baby red potatoes with butter and parsley and some steamed broccoli.  Cheers!

2007 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, I've been somewhat of a slacker for the past couple months, but I finally remembered to Cellar Saturday, that magical first Saturday of the month where I raid the cellar for something interesting to open.  Tonight I've decided to open a nice one, a bottle of 2007 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, so let's see how this one stacks up!

The wine has the deep coloration you'd expect from a nice Cabernet.  The nose is an interesting combination of black fruit and earthy notes, blackberry, plum and prune interlaced with tar, peat and tobacco.  The taste is a rush of bright cherry fruit that envelopes the palate while easily transitioning to some warm spice notes midpalate.  The finish has a note of sweet cherry, as the well structured tannins still provide the backbone for the long, smooth and velvety dry finish that seems to last a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, it's a really nice Cabernet and I'm glad I let it develop for the past decade as it was well worth it.  This is also a classic, "big" California Cabernet, so it's practically begging to be paired with a nice steak and tonight is its lucky day!  I'm enjoying this wine with a rare grilled filet mignon along with butter braised Yukon gold potatoes and steamed broccoli.  Cheers!