2017 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Red Wine

Well, the weekend is almost over, and we even lost an hour during the course of the 48, but at least being leap year we're still ahead by 23 hours for the year so far.  I got a few things done that were on my to do list today, but it seems no matter how hard I try that list never gets any smaller.  But at least there's wine, and tonight I've opened a bottle from one of my favorite Washington producers, the 2017 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Red Wine from the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (48%), Merlot (31%), Cabernet Franc (11%) and Petit Verdot (10%).  So let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep indigo at the center with bright ruby along the edges, as you might expect from this blend.  The nose is a classic for a Bordeaux style blend with aromas of rich leather, cherry, blackberry and a hint of tobacco and black pepper.  The taste is a voluptuous affair with smooth dark fruit, intermingled with anise, black tea and a bit of dark chocolate all dancing in time.  The tannins are smooth and well structured, providing just the right backbone for the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it just ticks all the right boxes for a great red blend.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from steaks to soups, tacos to pizze and pasta, or my favorite just for sipping on its own.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse along with some bacon roasted purple carrots and Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!