Happy Wine Wednesday! So a few weeks ago, the Reveal Walla Walla Charity Auction was held. I was last at this great event back in 2018 (you can see my post on the auction here) and although it was a lot of fun, I was not a winner. This year the event was held virtually and the folks did a terrific job of organizing and running the auction, but without the chance to browse the event and meet the wine makers and sample the wines it wasn't quite the same. I'll give the organizers credit though, as they were willing to send some samples out, depending on the winery, and I was fortunate enough to receive two samples of the 6 lots I bid on, and tonight I'm going to review the 2018 Valdemar Estates Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stone Valley Vineyard in the Rocks District AVA of the Walla Walla Valley. I was interested in this wine as Marie-Eve Gilla, formerly of Forgeron Cellars, is now the winemaker at Valdemar. So let's see how this young wine is shaping up!
The wine is a deep, inky color at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as a classic Cabernet should look. The nose is am old-world style layered affair, with some hints of violet and black plum intermingled with some mineral notes graphite and undertones of sage and mint. The taste is a rush of black fruit, with some cherry, blackberry and fig, that transitions nicely to some cocoa powder midpalate. The tannins are expertly structured, making for a very Bordeaux-esque exceptionally dry finish.
Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant Cabernet that is a real example of the best of the old world and the new. This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and roasts, to earthy mushroom risotto. Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some zhatar seasoned lamb loin chops served with bucatini tossed in a mint and basil pesto with peas. Cheers!
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