2019 Chacabuco Malbec

 Happy New Year's Eve!  It's been a lackluster one to say the least and I along with many others are bidding a bon voyage to 2020 and desperately hoping that 2021 brings better tidings!  To help bid the old year nigh with a fond goodbye, I've decided to open another bottle of wine from the recent Wines Till Sold Out case sale.  The 2019 Chacabuco Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina was produced with grapes from the Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley, where some of the best and most affordable Malbec hails from.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting.

The wine is a deep, inky purple in the glass, with garnet at the edges, just as you might expect from the varietal.  The nose is basket of ripe red fruit, cherry, currant and plum that exude a sweetness.  The taste is a rush of ripe cherry, currant and raspberry that eases into some notes of vanilla bean and toasted oak midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat soft at first, with a turn to sharpness for the long, dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a pleasant example of an Argentine Malbec at a price ($10) that makes this wine easy to sip.  This wine, like most Malbec would pair well with beef, steaks, roasts, chops, as well as hearty, earthy dishes like a wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight I am going the traditional route and enjoying this wine with some braised short ribs over mashed potatoes and some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2017 Pure Bred Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out during their case sale (this one included all wines for $10 each, or $120 per case).  The 2017 Pure Bred Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendocino County California.  I had the chance to go to Costco today and pick up some prime New York strips, so I needed to open a nice Cabernet this evening, so let's see how this one is shaping up!

The wine is a deep, inky, brooding affair at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a California Cabernet.  The nose is a rush or ripe, red fruit, cherry, currant and raspberry, dancing with aromas of green grass and cardamom.  The taste is a bit different from the heavy hand of Napa, with a rush of tart cherry at the outset that transitions to earthy notes of tar and dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are still a bit tightly wound, but a nice backbone to the long dry finish with a kick of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's a bit young still but has all the makings of a nice quality Cabernet that's priced for everyday drinking.  This wine would pair well with steaks, chops, barbecue or hearty fall dishes like stews of chili.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with the aforementioned prime New York strip grilled rare, along with some grilled leeks, oven roasted Yukon gold potatoes and steamed asparagus with Hollandaise.  Cheers!

2018 Forgeron Mourvèdre

Happy Sunday!  For today's Sunday dinner, I've decided to make my traditional Christmas ham, so the challenge is what wine to pair with it?  I've long thought that a nice Mourvèdre makes a nice pairing with pork generally, so why not ham as well?  So that's what I've opened, the 2018 Forgeron Mourvèdre, a 100% Mourvèdre from the Heart of the Hill Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this one is shaping up!

The wine is a lovely ruby color in the glass, with crystal clarity, just as you might expect from this varietal.  The wine exudes aromas of blackberry, blueberry and vanilla bean, with undertones of leather and tobacco.  One sip, and a flood of ripe, sweet fruit washes over your palate, blackberry, cherry and currant that eases into some notes of vanilla and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, but still a bit youthful, providing a nice base for the long, dry finish with a nice bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very pleasant drinking example of this pure varietal.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from pasta with cream sauces, cedar planked salmon and lamb.  But, tonight it's time for my traditional Christmas dinner with a wonderful glazed ham, mashed sweet potatoes and green bean casserole (because it's not a holiday without green bean casserole!).  Cheers!

2018 30 Miles Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Boxing Day!  At least to all my friends in the British Commonwealth.  The holidays are winding down, and I like many others are really looking forward to next week when we can put 2020 in the rearview mirror.  But one of the good parts about the holidays are the wine gifts that folks give, and my friend Tennille makes a solid effort to find me a good, value priced wine each year for Christmas, and this year she gave me a bottle of 2018 30 Miles Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  So, let's see how she did this year!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, but not quite as brooding as some of the biggest Napa Cabernets.  One whiff and you are immersed into ripe jammy fruit, blackberry, plum and cassis that transition nicely to some earthy aromas of sandalwood and minerals.  The taste doesn't deviate much from the nose, as blackberry, cherry and currant wash over your palate, before easing into some vanilla and oak midpalate.  The tannins are a bit tight, but offer a nice base for the long, dry finish with plenty of lingering fruit.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a really nice everyday Cabernet, that is likely a great value under $20.  This wine would pair naturally with a nice steak, but would also be at home with some hearty pasta or barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime center cut ribeye along with grilled leeks, steamed red potatoes and some asparagus with Hollandaise.  Cheers!

2018 DaMa Stoney Vine Vineyard Syrah

 Merry Christmas!  This being Christmas Eve, I am pretty much done with all my shopping and preparations, presents have been delivered and I am getting ready for a lovely winter's nap in front of the fire with a cup of hot buttered rum, easy on the butter, listening to a rebroadcast of a radio play of "It's a Wonderful Life" that I did with the Elkhart Civic Theatre two years ago.  But before that can happen, it's time for a glass of wine and some dinner.  Tonight I've chosen to open a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2018 Stoney Vine Vineyard Syrah.  This wine is the first that DaMa has produced from Syrah grown in the Rocks AVA, so I expect this 100% Syrah will be a bit more muscular and earthy, hence the image of Hercules on the label.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with great clarity.  The nose is an interesting combination of ripe black fruit, blackberry, plum and currant with strains of savory notes of black olive and umami.  The taste is a rush of black fruit that washes over your palate, with hints of anise and rose petals, that transitions effortlessly to some mineral notes of dusty limestone with this faintest hint of vanilla midpalate.  The tannins are soft and well integrated, providing a velvety smooth, and very dry finish that lingers.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of the more approachable Syrahs I've tried from the Rocks District, muscular but not brutish.  This wine would pair well with many classic Syrah pairings, from lamb to salmon, pasta to barbecue.  Tonight I am trying this wine with a new recipe I found on Instagram from a gentleman who goes by the moniker, "dontgobaconmyheart" for Boursin linguine.  I've modified the recipe slightly for such a special dinner as Christmas Eve and replaced the smoked sausage with Jonah crab claw meat.  In any event, the creamy, herb laden sauce on this pasta is ideal with the black fruit and minerality of this wine.  Cheers!

2016 Château Grand Bouchon Médoc

Happy Sunday!  I spent the afternoon finishing the Christmas shopping, but as I was starting think about wrapping all the presents, it was nearing suppertime, so I thought why do today what I can put off until tomorrow?  So instead I've opened a bottle of wine and starting to prepare dinner.  And the wine I've opened is a recent one I purchased from Wines Till Sold Out, as they had a $120 case special, so I selected four different wines and bought a case.  Among them was the 2016 Château Grand Bouchon Médoc, a classic blend of Merlot and Cabernet from the left bank of the Gironde, so let's see how this one is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with great clarity.  The nose is a fountain of raspberry, red plum and vanilla that flows through some earthy mineral notes.  The taste is a rush of blackberry, raspberry and black cherry, with a hint of sweetness among the fruit before transitioning to some notes of dusty limestone and cedar midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat chalky, but complementary to the fruit, providing for a lovely, long dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a very nice example of a Médoc, which is a personal favorite of mine among Bordeax.  This wine would pair well with the classic red meat dishes, from steaks to prime rib, but it would also be great with a fall root vegetable galette or mushroom risotto.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a herb crusted rack of lamb with garlic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus and a red wine and olive reduction.  Cheers!

2005 Helix Columbia Valley Merlot

Happy Saturday!  So, I've taken the rest of the year off from work, so you might expect me to be posting a bit more, particularly since I have a number of great dinners planned over this time.  Today, however, I was busy Christmas shopping and getting ready for the holidays and came home mid-afternoon to enjoy a virtual "mystery" tasting of Helix Merlots with Chuck Reininger and Dorian Williams, the cellar manager for Reininger Winery.  I was able to order a pack of four "mystery" library Merlots for the tasting, including a 2003, 2005 Columbia Valley, 2005 Stillwater Creek and 2006, and I decided to open just the 2005 Columbia Valley for the tasting (but don't worry, I'll be sure to share the rest with you through future blog posts!).  So let's see how this wine is tasting after 15 years!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry and prune at first, but once it opens up for a few minutes in the glass, the prune gives way to rich black cherry.  The taste is filled with black cherry, blackberry and plum intermingled with Asian spice and smoke that transitions to some notes of vanilla bean midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured with a good bit of acidity, providing for a wonderfully smooth, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just about to peak, perhaps another year or two before it gets over the hill.  This wine would pair well with a lot of casual dishes, from tacos and pizza to burgers and sushi.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled bison New York strip served with mashed potatoes and gravy and some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2012 Reininger Tahoma

Happy Tuesday!  Tonight is set to be a wonderful evening, as I will be participating in a virtual wine tasting hosted by Chuck Reininger, the founder and genius behind some of the most creative wines coming out of the Walla Walla Valley today.  So among the wines featured in tonight's virtual event is the 2012 Tahoma, named for Mt. Rainier and a nod to Chuck's mountaineering days, this wine is a blend of Sangiovese (47%), Merlot (24%), Cabernet Sauvignon (21%), Malbec (5%) and Petit Verdot (3%) from the Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and XL Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  This wine is interesting in that was aged in barrel for eight years before bottling and release this year!  So let's see what the extra time did for this wine.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity.  Aromas of blackberry, currant and cherry intermingle with earthy notes of leather and hints of floral elements that exude a luxurious vibe.  The taste is a rush of the ripe fruit so prominent in the nose, with some exotic spice notes amid bright acidity that ties it all together.  The tannins are wonderfully soft, but elegantly structured to provide for a long, voluptuous finish that lingers on for what seems like several minutes.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant sipping wine and a wonderfully creative example of the style of winemaking that Chuck is known for.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of fall and winter dishes, from Christmas ham to prime rib, rack of lamb to hearty beef stew.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with the last of my picanha, served with grilled leeks, béarnaise sauce, steamed Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes.  Cheers!

2017 Elodia El Manzano Don Arturo Estate Malbec

 Happy Birthday!  I mean yes, thank you!  It's my birthday today, which means that I went out on my annual hunting trip to get Christmas trees, and today I landed a couple of really nice white pines.  Then I came home, made out Christmas cards and made an apple pie and now it's time for some wine and dinner!  It didn't seem like I did much today, but now that I see the list I'm pretty impressed!  So tonight I've opened a bottle of 2017 Elodia El Manzano Don Arturo Estate single vineyard Malbec from the Uco Valley in Mendoza Argentina which I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out, and you'll see why I've opened this wine when we get to the pairing.  So let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep inky indigo at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a nice Mendoza Malbec.  The nose presents aromas of cherry, blackberry, leather and pumice that shows the character of Argentina.  The taste is a rush of ripe fruit that washes over your palate before transitioning to some wonderful earthy mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are vibrant and youthful, but well structured, providing for a very smooth, dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as I think this is a new favorite Malbec (truth be told, I ordered four bottles of this one and enjoyed three of them before I got around to reviewing it!).  This wine is an ideal steak wine, which is ideal since I've decided to enjoy this wine this evening with a Brazilian steakhouse favorite of rare grilled picanha!  For those unfamiliar, picanha or sirloin cap, it's a delightfully tender steak, comparable to a filet, but with a lovely cap of fat to add incredible flavor.  Tonight I am grilling this with some bacon roasted brussels sprouts and a baked potato.  Cheers!

2018 Forgeron Walla Walla Merlot

 Happy Sunday!  I wish it was a fun day, but alas I spent much of the afternoon working, but at least it's now wine-thirty and I'm ready for a glass and a nice dinner!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars, the 2018 Merlot.  This vintage is a 100% Merlot from the  Minnick Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington, so let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity, just as you might expect from a pure Merlot.  The nose is a cascade of ripe red fruit, raspberry, currant and cherry intermingled with some earthy forest notes.  The taste is a rush of fruit up front, cherry and currant that transitions nicely to some notes of dried herbs and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins as bright and well integrated for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very nice example of this often ignored varietal, that I just happen to love.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from lamb to braised short ribs to pasta.  Tonight I am taking the road less traveled and enjoying this wine with some chicken and vegetable green curry over jasmine rice.  Cheers!

2009 Lisini Brunello di Montalcino

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of the new month, so it's time for me to raid the cellar and find something at least a decade in the making to enjoy.  Tonight I've gone with the 2009 Lisini Brunello di Montalcino, a classic Sangiovese wine that has been dubbed the king of Italian wines, and one which I view as needing at least a decade of maturity before coming into its own.  Normally Brunellos aren't even released for more than four years after harvest due to the regulations involved, so it's somewhat easier to let a nice Brunello age in the cellar, since it might only take five more years after purchase.  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a wonderful garnet color in the glass with great clarity and just a hint of amber along the edges.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry, anise and leather, just as you might expect from a pure Sangiovese.  The taste is a rush of tart cherry intermingled with some earthy notes of tar, basalt and tobacco, that eases into some floral notes of dried rose petals midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing a nice base for the long, dry finish with a nice acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a really nice example of a Tuscan classic that is just coming into its own.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of Italian dishes, from pasta and risotto, to a nice thick Tuscan T-bone, aka bistecca Fiorentina.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic Italian lasagna, as it's been chilly here today and having a wonderful, warm baked pasta seemed like the thing to do.  Cheers!

2017 DaMa Wines Cabernet Franc

Happy Saturday!  It's so relaxing when I don't have 6 or 8 hours worth of leaves to collect on a Saturday, so today I ran some errands, visited with friends, and cut up a Coho salmon I bough at Costco yesterday (more on that later!).  So tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2017 Cabernet Franc from the XL Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a beautiful garnet color in the glass, with great clarity.  The nose presents a cascade of varying aromas, with a wave of earthy aromas, leather, green grass and basalt that transitions to so some red currant and strawberry.  The taste is quite unique. as I think of many of the Cabernet Francs I've tried, perhaps an ode to the Chinon area of the Loire Valley than Mary referenced in her write up on this wine.  There is a rush of red currant, raspberry intermingled with some wonderful minerality and hints of fresh herbs and lavender.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, but still provide plenty of structure for the long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a great representation of a lighter bodied Cabernet Franc that presents more diverse pairing opportunities.  This wine would pair well with many seafood dishes, from Dungeness crab to charred octopus, but would also feel at home with venison or lamb.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a grilled Coho salmon steak, along with grilled white asparagus and some steamed faro.  Cheers!

2017 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon

 Well Happy Black Friday!  I must admit, although I'm not much of a black Friday shopper, I did go to Costco today, but mainly to get a wreath and some fresh garland to do my traditional day after Thanksgiving outdoor Christmas decorating.  Mission accomplished!  So now it's time to have a nice bottle of wine and a dinner that does not involve turkey of any sort.  Tonight's wine is the latest vintage of a wine that I've enjoyed for quite a while, the 2017 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon.  This vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), Cabernet Franc (13%), Petit Verdot (1%) and Merlot (1%).  So let's see how this vintage is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass and the nose presents aromas of leather and green grass, before opening up to some lovely fruit notes of blackberry, currant and cherry amid warm spice notes.  The taste is a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that wash over your taste buds before transitioning to some notes of cedar, warm caramel and cocoa midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured presenting a lovely base for the long, and velvety dry finish that seems to linger for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's easily lived up to its namesake as one of the premier Cabernets of Washington state.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from braised short ribs to hearty pastas to big steaks.  Of course I'm in luck as I happened to receive a shipment of steaks from Wild Fork Foods (I highly recommend them, see their site: https://wildforkfoods.com/) on Wednesday, so tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a big honkin' tomahawk ribeye grilled rare with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2018 DaMa "Venus" Syrah

Happy Taco Tuesday!  I bet you'll never guess what I'm having for dinner tonight but the wine is a different story.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, which has been a personal favorite from Walla Walla for quite some time now.  Tonight's wine is one of a pair of intriguing wines, this one the feminine one, the 2018 DaMa "Venus" Syrah from the Lonesome Springs Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA of Washington.  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, quite classic for a nice Syrah.  The nose is an inviting combination of floral notes, violet and rose petals with a hint of green grass with some undertones of sea spray and a hint of ripe fruit.  The taste is a rapid departure from the nose with a rush of fruit, blackberry, tart cherry and marionberry that wash over your palate before transitioning to notes of vanilla bean, toasted oak and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are superbly structured, offering a voluptuous balance between the acidity and long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as this is just a wonderful example of what a nice Washington Syrah can be.  The fruit, acidity and spice notes make this an ideal wine to pair with bold flavors, from mussels fra diavalo to a Cajun crawfish boil, and of course tacos!  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some classic chorizo and bean tacos topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato and sour cream a perfect balance of heat and cool.  Cheers!

2014 Reininger Cima

Happy Sunday!  It's been a relatively relaxing weekend, in which I was planning to do some yard work, but the weather today didn't cooperate, so amidst the cold rain I took the afternoon off and decided to watch movies and nap (sometimes simultaneously!).  Tonight I've decided to cook indoors and needed something of an Italian flair, so I settled on a recent wine club selection from Reininger Winery, the 2014 Cima, well anticipated having been aged in barrel for the past six years.  This wine is crafted in a style of a super Tuscan blend, mixing the classic Sangiovese with some Bordeax varietals.  For this vintage the blend is Sangiovese (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), Merlot (17%) and Petit Verdot (8%) from the Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a lovely deep garnet color in the glass, a testament to the heavy doses of Sangiovese and Cabernet in the blend.  The nose classic of a Tuscan blend, with aromas of cherry, raspberry and currant intermingled with green cedar, violet and dried spices reminiscent of an old Italian grocery in New York.  The taste is a rush of tart cherry, with wisps of smoke and charred oak that transition to some blackberry and raspberry midpalate.  The fine grain tannins offer a perfect base for the long voluptuous dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking and elemental wine, the speaks to its complexity as well.  This wine would pair well with a variety of classic Tuscan dishes, from bistecca alla fiorentina, to classic pasta dishes to fava beans on Tuscan toast.  Tonight I am going with a bit of a classic Italian dinner of fusilli with hearty meat sauce with hot Italian sausage with onions and peppers topped with shaved parmesan and fresh basis.  The fruit and earthy notes of this wine are perfect with a spicy pasta, cheers!

2015 Mark Ryan Water Witch

Thank goodness it's Friday!  It's been a busy week for me and I'm looking forward to relaxing a bit this weekend ahead of the holiday.  So tonight I've opened a bottle of wine I randomly came across in the cellar (don't ask me why I haven't opened this wine for a couple years) the 2015 Mark Ryan Winery Water Witch!  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (8%) and Petit Verdot (2%) from the Quintessence Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center, with bright garnet along the edges.  The nose is a cascade of wild berries, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry and cassis lingering over aromas of vanilla bean and spice.  The taste is a voluptuous burst of black fruit that washes over your palate before transitioning nicely to some notes of cocoa powder midpalate.  The tannins are finely structured, providing a velvety mouthfeel and excellent structure to the long, smooth dry finish that bites back with some white pepper spice and tarragon.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking Bordeaux style blend that highlights the craft of Washington.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty fall dishes, from braised short ribs to wild mushroom risotto, lamb chops to beef stew.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Prime New York strip topped with béarnaise sauce and served with some grilled white asparagus.  Cheers!

2018 Pepper Bridge Winery Seven Hills Red Wine

Happy Thursday!  It's been a busy week and it seems things are finally getting under control in my life, well at least as good as can be expected.  It was unusually mild here today, so I had the chance to go for a quick bike ride in the 45 minutes between when I finished work just after 5:00 and when it got dark, so at least I feel like I accomplished something healthy today.  And now for the remainder of my healthy efforts, I've decided to open a bottle of 2018 Pepper Bridge Vineyards Seven Hills red wine.  The blend on this wine changes with each vintage, but all the fruit is sourced from the Seven Hills Vineyard to highlight what this long-standing Walla Walla Vineyard has to offer.  The 2018 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Cabernet Franc (17%), Merlot (9%), Malbec (9%) and Petit Verdot (9%).  So let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with deep indigo at the center, a sure indication of the heavy hand of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend.  The nose is a mesmerizing combination of blackberry, cherry and cassis intermingled with hints of cedar and exotic spices and a mild undertone of citrus.  The taste is a cool rush of cherry and blackberry that washes over your palate before easing into some mineral notes of dusty limestone.  The tannins are vibrant and supportive of a velvety mouthfeel amid the long, smooth and exceptionally try finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a classic, high quality Bordeaux style blend from a premier Walla Walla producer.  This wine is ideal for fall, sipping on the sofa in front of the fire, but it would also pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from pasta to lamb, steaks to roast beef.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse with some grilled leeks and asparagus.  Cheers!

2017 True Grit Reserve Petite Sirah

Well, anyone that knows me is well aware that I am a big fan of the Duke, John Wayne, which of course means that I could never pass up a wine with "True Grit" on the label.  So as I was browsing the wines at Costco this weekend I had to pick up a bottle of 2017 True Grit Reserve Petite Sirah from Parducci Wines.  This Mendocino County California wine represents what is truly interesting to me of the California wine scene outside of Napa - interesting varietals with interesting terroir!  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, characteristic of a nice Petite Sirah (which as I always say, seems to be neither petite nor Syrah).  The nose presents a cascade of aromas, blackberry, cherry amid wild game notes that exude a sense of pioneering wonder.  The taste is an absolute rush of cool black fruit, blackberry, blueberry and plum that envelop the palate before transitioning to some notes of dark chocolate and while pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are very chewy, providing nice backbone for the long, smooth and very dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a pleasure to sip and would give any big Cabernet a run for it's money when it comes to food pairing.  This wine was also a terrific value at just under $14 at Costco (I think I might need to get some more!).  As for pairing, this wine practically begs for steak, but would also do well with hearty pastas, braised short ribs of hearty chili on a cold fall evening.  Tonight I can oblige with a rare grille petit Angus porterhouse with grilled leeks and asparagus.  Cheers!

2018 Bledsoe Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

Well this wine almost went past the boards as I received eight bottles with my wine club shipments and I was down to three bottles (now two!) before I had a chance to review this wine.  The 2018 Bledsoe Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%), Merlot (11%) and Syrah (11%) from the Bob Healy, Loess, Seven Hills and Golden Ridge Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is shaping up before I head out to the theater this evening!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with great clarity, as you might expect from a nice Walla Walla Cabernet.  The nose is a rather subdued affaire, with a bit of green grass and mint under black cherry and fig aromas.  The taste is a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, plum and mulberry that transitions nicely to some dusty limestone and cocoa midpalate.  The tannins are still a bit tightly wound, but well integrated for a lingering dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it seems to have taken a step back in this vintage (formerly, under the "Flying B" label, this wine peaked with the 2016 vintage in my opinion).  This wine would be a very good steak wine, and would pair well with a variety of hearty fall and winter dishes, from beef stew to hearty pasta dishes.  Tonight I'm trying something new, as I bought some pre-marinated Korean beef bulgogi at Costco, so I've prepared that with some jasmine rice.  Cheers!

2007 Domaine de Marcoux Chateauneuf du Pape

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's that magical first Saturday of the month where I raid my cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  And tonight I have to admit, I am exhausted!  Yesterday the city came by to pick up leaves and my pile filled two 2 1/2 ton dump trucks and today I started over again and did the front yard and roof and replaced about half the pile they just took!  Needless to say if you see any funny typing on this post, I've likely fallen asleep with my head on the keyboard.  Oh, the wine!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of the wine of the pope, the 2007 Domaine de Marcoux Chateauneuf du Pape, a wonderful blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre from a family that's been producing since 1345!  This particular wine was produced from grapes produced by lower yielding 40-year old vines, so let's see how it's shaped up for the past 13 years!

The wine is a vibrant garnet color in the glass with a bit of amber along the edges.  The nose is a pleasant combination of tart cherry, raspberry with an undertone of mint.  The taste is surprisingly fruit forward, with a rush of cherry and strawberry that transitions to some earthy notes of tar and tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are soft but well structured, providing an ideal foundation for the smooth, dry finish that lingers on the palate with a reprise of raspberry.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's a well done example of a nice Chateuneuf du Pape with all the character you could want.  This wine would pair well with a variety of fall dishes, from roasts and stews, to pasta or risotto.  Tonight I am going a bit off the beaten track, as my local market had a special on chicken leg quarters for just 19￠ a pound, the only catch was you had to buy a 10-pound bag!  So I've been enjoying a lot of chicken this week including tonight as I've made some chicken Tikka Marsala over some basmati rice to go with this wine.  Cheers!

2016 Anvil Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon

 Happy Friday!  It's been an inordinately long week, and although I haven't posted, you can rest assured that I still consumed a lot of wine!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars, the 2016 Anvil Dionysus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (89%) and Petit Verdot (11%), from blocks 11 and 13 of the Dionysus Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  Since I've been ready for a glass of wine since noon, let's see what this baby has to offer!

The wine is a deep indigo at the center, with bright garnet around the edges, just as you might expect from an expansive Cabernet.  The nose is chock full of fruit, black raspberry, cherry and currant intermingled with fresh herb notes lingering over the top.  The taste is a rush of rich black cherry that dances around your tongue, beckoning the flavors of green grass, cocoa and fig to join the dance.  The tannins are nicely rounded, providing for a generous mouthfeel and a solid base for the lingering dry finish that leaves you asking for more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a classically formed Washington tribute to the Bordeaux of the left bank.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty fall dishes, from braised short ribs to hearty pasta with Bolognese sauce, lamb chops to hearty chili.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a big honkin' Angus T-bone steak grilled Pittsburgh rare with some grilled leeks and Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2012 Barons Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

 Ok, let me start by saying by all accounts I should be asleep on the couch right now, after spending so much of the weekend battling the leaves!  Yes, it's ,y annual battle, but today was the epitome of the battle as not only was I battling the leaves, I was also battling wind and our first snow of the season!  But alas, I think we are now past the halfway point, so it's all downhill from here (famous last words!) and now it's time for a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out, the 2012 Barons Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvigon (90%) and Merlot (10%) from the Hedges Estate Vineyard in the Red Moutain AVA.  So let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, suggesting a big wine.  The nose is classic big Washington red wine, suggestive of a Bordeaux style, with some black cherry, and plum edging toward prune, vanilla bean and suggestive spices.  The taste is a rush of black cherry and cola, that transitions to some notes of mint, dark chocolate and spicebox midpalate.  The tannins are round, but I have to admit the finish left me wanting, as it was just a bit flat.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's probably approaching it's peak but still a nice easy drinking Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with a lot of heaty fall and winter dishes, from beef stew, to the venison chili I had last night.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic Sunday dinner of a rare grilled Angus T-bone on a bed of grilled leeks, some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and a big baked potato with sour cream and scallions.  Cheers!

2018 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir

Well, this is a post I've been anxious to write, since I recently became a shareholder in this winery!  There are very few publicly traded wineries, but Willamette Valley Vineyards is one of them.  I recently bought some of their preferred stock (and by no means is this to be considered investment advice, please consult your own investment professional!) which has a lot of benefits for being a shareholder, including wine discounts, special events at the wineries, and a bonus of you choose to receive your preferred stock dividend as a wine credit!  

So since I'm now a proud shareholder, I searched around and finally found a bottle of wine to taste tonigh, the 2018 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir, so let's see if my investment is paying off!

The wine is a brilliant ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity, just as you would expect from a nice pinot noir from Oregon.  The nose is a pleasant rendering of lovely floral and herb notes, lavender, lilac and hints of orange blossom and mint with earthy undertones.  The taste is a rush of lovely red fruit, cherry, plum and lingonberry washing over your palate before transitioning to some wonderful earthy notes of tar and tobacco midpalate, with a bit of white pepper spice at the end.  The tannins are expertly structured to provide a wonderfully smooth, dry finish that lingers with w bit of fruit.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as this Pinot noir falls into the category that I like, lighter but full of great flavor (a Pinot that us Cabernet lovers can get behind!) and it was also a darn good value at just $22 here locally.  This wine would pair well with the classic Oregon fare, salmon, Dungeness crab and fantastic Thai food, and tonight I've gone one of those routes.  I'm enjoying this wine with a nice Alder planked wild Alaskan sockeye served with some mango, pineapple and jalapeno salsa and some black beans and rice.  Cheers! 

2018 Raymond Reserve Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

 Happy Saturday!  I know I've been completely slacking on my blog posts, but this has been a busy week for me, so I hope you can forgive my lack of wine sharing.  In any case, today was a day filled with errands, which of course meant a trip to Costco where I found tonight's wine, the 2018 Raymond Reserve Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  Having visited Raymond in Napa Valley and seeing the somewhat eclectic decor, it wasn't a surprise when they somehow came up with a way to do a label on this reserve wine that feels like red velvet!  In any case, let's see how this one tastes.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with an inky center, just as you might expect from a hearty cabernet.  The nose is a trip down the yellow brick road, with aromas of black fruit then some leather, then some violets and lavender, that somehow all work together.  The taste is classic big Napa Cabernet, with a rush of ripe blackberry, cherry and currant that washes over your palate, before careening toward some notes of mocha and the faintest hint of black pepper midpalate.  The tannins are supple and smooth, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish without the sharpness that you can often find in a big Cabernet.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasure to sip, and at $28, it's one that you can sip regularly without breaking the bank.  This wine would of course pair well with a nice steak, but this would also do well with some lamb chops, braised short ribs or classic pasta, all good options now that the fall weather is in full effect.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime ribcap, big baked potato with sour cream and chives, and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2018 Stolen Horse Syrah

Happy Sunday!  It's been cold and rainy here today, so I've been holed up in my house doing some laundry and preparing for the class I'm teaching starting on Tuesday.  So this past week, I received a couple of wine club shipments, including one from the Bledsoe Family Winery, which had some 2018 Stolen Horse Syrah.  I am a fan of Syrah generally since it's such a versatile, food friendly wine, which comes in handy when you have an eclectic taste in cuisine like I do!  This particular wine is primarily Syrah (96%) co-fermented with Viognier (4%) from the Lefore, Kenny Hill and Loess Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep garnet color in the glass, ideal for a Syrah.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry and kirsch with a good bit of smoky, earthy goodness.  The taste is a rush of blueberry, blackberry and cherry, that transition easily to some notes of smoked meat and just a hint of menthol midpalate.  The tannins are smooth and well integrated, providing for a warm dry finish that hits you with a reprise of black fruit and mint.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as this is a classic Walla Walla Syrah that seems to get better with each passing vintage.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from lamb to sausage, barbecue to wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight I am once again taking things off the beaten path and enjoying this wine with a classic chili con carne, with cornbread and all the trimmings, an ideal dinner to take the chill from a cold rainy fall day.  Cheers!