2008 Fort Walla Walla Cellars Reserve Red Wine

Well, it's the first Saturday of the year and the first Saturday of the month, which means it's Cellar Saturday!  That magical time when I raid the cellar and open a bottle of something that's been around a decade or more, and since it's a new year, that means we can go back to any vintage 2009 or earlier.  Tonight I've opened a wine that I purchased on a trip to Walla Walla back in 2013 (see that post here), the 2008 Fort Walla Walla Cellars Reserve Red Wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (66%), Merlot (14%), Cabernet Franc (9%), Malbec (6%) and Petit Verdot (5%), highlighting the classic Bordeaux style blend which Walla Walla does so well.  Sadly, Fort Walla Walla Cellars didn't survive as long as this bottle of wine, as the two owners went on permanent vacation in September of 2017.  So let's see if this wine is as good as I remember it!

The wine is a deep inky purple at the center, with brighter garnet tones along the edges.  The nose presents wonderful aromas of leather, blueberry, plum and kirsch with undertones of dried herbs.  The taste is as good as I remember, a rush of lush, ripe fruit envelops the palate, blackberry, blueberry and raspberry that transitions to some wonderful notes of anise and white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are supple and well integrated, providing great structure for the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, and it was certainly worth bringing back a bottle in my case of checked wine on Alaska Airlines back in 2013.  This wine would pair well with many French or Mediterranean dishes, as well as steaks, chops or even barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some smoked ham, Amish butter noodles and steamed asparagus, a perfectly Midwestern weekend after the holidays meal!  Cheers!