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!
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