2015 Reininger Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Happy Friday!  It's been a long week and I am surely ready for the weekend, and what better way to kick it off than with a bottle of wine from one of my favorite Washington wine makers, Chuck Reininger.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that came in a recent shipment, the 2015 Reininger Walla Walla Valley Merlot, a blend of Merlot (96%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (4%) from the Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills and XL Vineyards.  I was in Walla Walla in August 2015, just as harvest was starting - one of the earliest harvests on record, so it's nice to finally taste the product I saw being harvested a little over three years ago.  Let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a lovely, deep ruby color in the glass, classic for a nice Merlot.  The nose presents wonderful aromas of ripe dark fruit intermingled with leather, oak and a touch of floral undertones.  The taste is a rush of fruit, to say this is fruit forward is an understatement as notes of black plum, boysenberry and cassis envelop your palate before transitioning gracefully to flavors of cocoa powder and sandalwood midpalate.  The round tannins and bright acidity make for a vibrant foundation for a long, smooth and very dry finish that seems to linger for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as this is a perennial favorite Merlot, and this vintage is a bright one.  This wine would be perfect with a big grilled steak, pasta, pizza or nearly anything grilled, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a simple dinner of linguine tossed with some broccoli rabe sauteed in garlic and olive oil.  Cheers!