2017 Noirvana Pinot Noir

Happy Taco Tuesday (I bet you'll never guess what's for dinner tonight!) and let's have some wine!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of Michigan wine, and you know I'm not such a big fan of Michigan wines, but a friend of mine gave be this bottle for Christmas, and it's made by her boyfriend's family, so I had to give it a try.  The 2017 Noirvana Pinot Noir is from the Karma Vista Vineyards in Coloma, Michigan, so let's see how this wine is tasting.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity, just a touch darker than you might expect from the varietal.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of cherry, currant, lavender and oak, with virtually none of the funk that's usually present with a Pinot Noir.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of ripe red fruit, cherry, strawberry and raspberry that transition to some classic earthy elements of tar and dusty limestone that are classically associated with the varietal.  The tannins are nicely developed and firm enough to support a supple dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's one of the better Michigan red wines I've tried, and likely would be a good comparison to many west coast Pinot Noirs.  This wine would pair well with a variety of more elegant dishes, from herb crusted rack of lamb, venison tenderloin or a classis risotto.  But, since it is Taco Tuesday, I am enjoying this wine with some steak fajita tacos, topped with cheese, sour cream and some fresh jalapeno.  Cheers!

2019 Hillside Napa Valley Calistoga Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Merry Christmas!  I know it's only Christmas Eve, but I probably won't be posting tomorrow, so enjoy the greetings while you can!  I'm enjoying a relaxing Christmas Eve, listening to the broadcast of the play I was recently in, which will be played on our local public radio station tonight.  To help in that effort, I've opened a bottle of 2019 Hillside Napa Valley Calistoga Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon that I bought from Wines Till Sold Out.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Calistoga district in Napa Valley.  I've heard good things about the 2019 Napa vintage, so let's see how this wine is shaping up.

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edges, as you might expect from a nice quality Cabernet.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of blackberry, cherry and toffee aromas that are warm and inviting.  Take a sip and your greeted by a rush of ripe blueberry, blackberry and plum with just the faintest floral undertones of violets.  Midpalate, you have some wonderful earthy mineral notes that are expressive of the volcanic soil of this vineyard, before reaching the climax, with well integrated tannins providing for a velvety dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.  

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderfully drinking Cabernet at release, but would likely benefit greatly from a few years in the cellar to mature.  This wine would pair well with steaks, lamb, venison or even braised short ribs, as the flavors would stand up to the richest fare.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared filet mignon, along with some mashed potatoes and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2019 Pepper Bridge Merlot

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I admit it's been a while since my last post, but I've been so busy between work and the play I was in at our local civic theatre, but the last performance was a Sunday matinee and now I am officially done with work for the year, so expect more than a few postings between now and early January!  Tonight, I've opened a perennial favorite Merlot, the 2019 Pepper Bridge Walla Walla Valley Merlot.  This wine is a blend of Merlot (77%), Cabernet Franc (15%) and Malbec (8%) sourced from the Seven Hills, Waliser, Pepper Bridge and Octave Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, somewhat lighter than the more boisterous Cabernets, but just as you'd expect from a nice Merlot.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry with an overlay of baking spice, cocoa powder and just a hint of green cedar.  At your first sip, you're greeted with a rush of ripe black fruit up front, blackberry, cherry and currant that transition easily to some warm spice notes, intermingled with some earthy minerality.  The tannins are supple and velvety, providing for a wonderfully smooth, dry finish that already has me reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's always a wonderfully build Merlot.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty, comfort dishes so prominent in the winter months, from braised short ribs to Yankee pot roast, wild mushroom risotto to truffle mac and cheese.  Tonight though, I am enjoying this wine with a tomahawk ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, along with some oven roasted baby potatoes with rosemary and some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2018 Nelms Road Cabernet Sauvignon

Thank heavens it's Friday!  It's been a long week and I am surely ready for a break.  Between work and rehearsals for an upcoming community theatre production I'm in, it seems like I was up at 5:30 each morning and then running non-stop until 11 pm!  But, no rehearsal tonight so I get to enjoy a bottle of wine and a dinner that does not consist of quickly reheated leftovers.  So, with that in mind, I've opened a bottle of 2018 Nelms Road Cabernet Sauvignon, a second label Columbia Valley Cabernet produced by Woodward Canyon Winery, a winery that I first visited over 20 years ago!  Let's see how this wine is shaping up.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from a mellow Columbia Valley Cabernet.  A gentle swirl releases aromas of ripe black plum, currant and cherry, intermingled with notes of black pepper spice and a bit of green cedar.  A first sip reveals a rush of black fruit, dried herbs and a hint of leather, that just has a wonderfully velvety mouthfeel.  Midpalate provides a bit of vanilla bean wrapping up with some black pepper spice on the finish.  The tannins are well structured and approachable, for a lovely dry finish that will have you soon reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a solid everyday Cabernet at a value price of just $25.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty, winter comfort dishes, from braised short ribs to hearty pasta, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a mid-rare grilled bison New York strip along with some oven roasted potatoes and beets, and asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2017 Kevin O'Leary Wines Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

I'll admit I used to watch Shark Tank regularly, and I could never figure out whether I like Kevin O'Leary (aka Mr. Wonderful) or not.  Over the years I've seen him in the CNBC studio on the floor of the NYSE, and I recalled that he always had a thing for fine wines and even started making some on his own.  So, when I saw the 2017 Kevin O'Leary Wines Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon on Wines Till Sold Out, I couldn't resist buying a few bottles.  So, let's see if this wine is as wonderful as Mr. O'Leary thinks he is!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright ruby, just as you might expect from a Napa Valley Cabernet.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, cherry and baking spice with undertones of cedar and cocoa.  The first sip presents a rush of blackberry and plum that transitions nicely to some earthy notes of earthy peat and red meat midpalate.  The tannins as a bit subdued but still provide a nice base for the long. smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or two.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as I think it stands up well for a Napa Valley Cabernet from a somewhat lackluster vintage.  It may not have been such a value at the original price of $50, but for $20 from Wines Till Sold Out, this wine was a very good value.  This wine would pair well with steaks and chops, braised short ribs or hearty wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a bone-in bison ribeye with some oven roasted root vegetables and some grilled baby cauliflower.  Cheers!

2016 Castelli del Grevepesa 'Castelgreve' Chianti Classico Riserva

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a short while since I've posted, so I thought why not go for a mid-week treat?  Tonight I have decided to go Italian and open a recent bottle from Wines Till Sold Out, the 2016 Castelli del Grevepesa 'Castelgreve' Chianti Classico Riserva!  This Tuscan classis is a blend of Sangiovese (90%) and Merlot (10%) which lends to it's somewhat richer color than a typical Sangiovese based wine.  So, let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a lovely garnet color in the glass, with great clarity.  A swirl of the glass releases aromas of strawberry, cedar and floral aromas that are typical for a nice Chianti.  Take a sip and you're greeted with delightful flavors of black cherry, tobacco and vanilla bean, with undertones of earthy tar and leather.  The tannins are nicely structured providing for a velvety dry finish with a reprise of savory notes at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderful example of a Chianti Classico, at a typically value price point for an Italian red.  This wine would pair well with grilled steaks, pastas or risotto, many of the Italian dishes that have become our favorites.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic Italian sausage with onions and peppers and some spaghetti tossed with garlic and olive oil.  Cheers!

2018 Forgeron Cellars Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

While most of the country was desperately spending money on holiday presents today, I decided to spend the entire day trying to finish the leaves in my yard, and though I made progress I did not finish (though my back may be telling me that I am indeed finished!).  So, now I'm ready for a nice dinner and a good bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars, the 2018 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon.  So let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a beautiful ruby color in the glass, with a bit of indigo at the center, just as you might expect from a quality Cabernet.  A gentle swirl releases aromas of black cherry, earthy graphite and hints of peppery spice.  Take a sip and you quickly realize the Bordeaux styling of this Cabernet with a rush of black cherry and currant at the outset, that transitions easily to some notes of cedar, dark chocolate and black pepper spice that has a nice bit of acidity at the finish.  The tannins are nicely integrated to give backbone to the lingering dry finish that will have you reaching for your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a really nice example of they classic Walla Walla Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty fall dishes, from braised short ribs to rack of lamb or hearty pasta.  The winery recommended pairing this wine with prime rib, which is ironic as I actually bought a prime rib roast and sliced it into some steaks since my local market didn't have any thick cut ribeyes!  That thick cut steak grilled Pittsburgh rare along with some steamed asparagus with hollandaise and a big baked potato make for a perfect dinner with this wine.  Cheers!

2018 Titan Octave Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I finished work early today and had a chance to play with a couple of new toys, my new Stihl backpack leaf blower and a set of radio equipped hearing protection, so I could clear leave while listening to Christmas music on the radio.  Two hours later and I can see the end of the 2021 leaf harvest in sight!  Now, ahead of the overeating that will occur tomorrow, I've decided to make a modest dinner and enjoy a bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 Titan Octave Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a single-vineyard Cabernet from Rutherford area of the Napa Valley AVA.  This is a limited production wine (144 cases) that I found for a terrific price at Wines Till Sold Out, so let's see how this practically newborn wine is shaping up!

The wine is an inky indigo at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a nice Rutherford Cabernet.  A swirl of the glass releases aromas of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant with some subtle floral undertones that transition easily to aromas of fig and candied plum.  A sip reveals flavors of leather, cedar and rich black currant and raspberry intermingled with Rutherford dust that presents as a combination of spice box, cinnamon and cedar.  The tannins are vibrant and well structured, providing for a lingering dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking Napa Cabernet that presents an interesting pairing conundrum given it's evolving flavor profile.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty fall dishes, from grilled steaks and chops, to meaty lasagna or osso buco.  Speaking of veal, tonight I've taken a different route and am enjoying this wine with some Madras curry spiced veal chops along with some oven roasted baby carrots, beets and Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2018 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  Yesterday was a full day of leave blowing and vacuuming, so I barely had time for anything but rest (in fact I fell asleep around 9 pm!).  But tonight I am in much better spirits, ready to cook a nice Sunday dinner and enjoy a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon, that was a recent wine club shipment.  This wine is a full Cabernet sourced from the Heather Hill Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington, so let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with a classic darkness at the center.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of cherry cola, cedar and warm peppery spice that captures your imagination.  Take a sip and a flood of ripe black fruit envelopes your palate, black cherry, plum and marionberry that transition effortlessly to some notes of dried herbs and Asian spice midpalate.  The tannins are well structured and integrated providing a great foundation for the long, smooth and beautifully dry finish that lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking Cabernet that can stand up to some hearty fall dishes.  This wine would pair well with steaks, prime rib, wild mushroom risotto, or classic barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a thick Angus ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, on a bed of grilled leeks with some asparagus with hollandaise and a big baked potato with all the trimmings.  Cheers!

2019 Reininger Mr. Owl's Red

Happy Sunday!  It's been a rather miserable weekend, with snow and rain every day, so I could hardly get any work done on getting rid of all the leaves in my yard, but at least there is wine!  So, I've decided to cook a wonderful fall Sunday dinner and open a bottle of 2019 Reininger Mr. Owl's Red.  Affectionately named for Reininger assistant wine maker, Raul, this wine has become a labor of love as Raul takes some of his favorite grapes from each vintage to craft this wine.  The 2019 vintage is a blend of Malbec (38%), Merlot (24%), Cabernet Franc (19%), Cabernet Sauvignon (9%), Syrah (5%) and Petit Verdot (5%) from the Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills, StoneTree, Stone Valley and XL vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with great clarity.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of blackberry, pomegranate and smoky oak, which combined reminds me of my time in the Reininger barrel room!  A sip will have wonderfully rustic black fruit washing over your palate, blackberry, plum and currant that transition to some notes of cranberry midpalate.  The fine grain tannins provide an ideal platform for the long, smooth dry finish that just lingers till your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a fantastic new world style Bordeaux blend that is inconceivably priced at just $25 (on sale now for just $22.50 here: Mr. Owl's Red!).  This wine would pair well with steaks, burgers, pasta, or a good movie on the couch!  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with my Sunday dinner of roasted chicken breast with roasted root vegetables and some bacon maple Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2018 Forgeron Malbec

Happy Friday!  I've been waiting for the weekend, though not to relax as I have a lot of leaf gathering yard work to accomplish over the next two days.  So, since it's dark by the time I'm done with work, I can't start early, so I may as well enjoy a bottle of wine before the hard work begins.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from a wine club shipment I received today, the 2018 Forgeron Malbec, a 100% Malbec from the StoneTree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep, inky purple in the glass, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a nice Malbec.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of smoke, ripe blueberry and currant, with undertones of leather and earthy limestone.  Take a sip and a wash of ripe fruit overruns your senses, blueberry, blackberry and currant that transition easily to some earthy mineral notes intermingled with espresso and white pepper, for an intriguing combination midpalate.  The tannins are supple and fully comfortable in a supporting role for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a Malbec that tastes and feels like something more than a Malbec.  This wine would pair well with a variety of rich and hearty fall dishes, from braised short ribs to linguine carbonara, as well as midweek easy dinners like pizza or burgers.  Tonight I am going with the latter and enjoying this wine with some chorizo and black bean tacos on corn tortillas and topped with lettuce, cheese, sour cream, avocado and fresh sliced jalapenos.  Cheers!

2018 DaMa Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Well, it was a relaxing Sunday, as I finished most of the yard work yesterday, so I had the chance to lounge around and go for a bike ride this afternoon before it got dark at what seemed like 4 pm, tell me why we still do daylight savings time?  In any case, I've been cooking my Sunday dinner as a taste of fall, so what better wine to open than a fall release from DaMa Wines?  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 DaMa Walla Walla Valley Merlot, a 100% Merlot from the Seven Hills Vineyard.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Merlot.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of tart cherry, cranberry and dried herbs with just a hint of violet.  Take a sip and your palate is enveloped in sweet candied fruit notes, cherry, currant and raspberry that transition effortlessly to some earthy notes of dusty limestone and spice box midpalate.  The tannins are well structured providing for a lengthy and enjoyable dry finish that will have you reaching to take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a classic example of the varietal with a definite old world flair.  This wine would pair well with a range of red meat, from steaks and chops, to venison or a classic prime rib.  Tonight I am taking a definite fall approach with this wine and enjoying with with a blackened spice grilled veal loin chop along with some oven roasted root vegetables that I picked up at the farmer's market.  Cheers!

2011 Tenuta Vitanza Beunello di Montalcino Riserva

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's that magical first Saturday of the month when I raid the cellar and open a bottle that's been in development for at least a decade.  I am a lover of Sangiovese, and since Brunellos usually hit their stride at the 10-year mark, why not spend a Cellar Saturday on one of these?  So, I've opened a bottle of 2011 Tenuta Vitanza Beunello di Montalcino Riserva that I know has been in my cellar for at least five years, so let's see if it was worth the wait!

The wine is a lovely garnet color in the glass, with just the faintest hint of amber along the edges, just as you might expect from an adult Brunello.  A gentle swirl releases aromas of anise, prune, cedar and spicebox that bring be back to the aromas I smelled when walking into a small grocer in Florence.  Take a sip and you are greeted with a surprisingly vibrant bit of fruit, strawberry, red currant and raspberry that ease into earthy notes of tar and tobacco, with a hit of black pepper spice over the top.  The tannins are still quite vibrant, providing for a long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a really pleasing example of a nice Brunello from a somewhat lackluster vintage.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of Italian fare, from risotto to classic pasta, steak or veal.  Tonight I am enjoying this with a poor man's version of bistecca Fiorentina, a porterhouse grilled Pittsburgh rare on a bed of grilled leeks with a baked potato and steamed asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2018 Helix Cabernet Franc

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a while since I've posted and it's because last weekend was just crazy busy for me, but I'm back not and able to open up a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight's selection is a recent wine club shipment from Reininger, the 2018 Helix Cabernet Franc.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Franc from the Weinbau vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this underappreciated varietal is tasting!

The wine is a bright garnet color in the glass, with great clarity.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of pomegranate, violets and raspberry with subtle undertones of dusty limestone.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of ripe red fruit, raspberry, mulberry and cherry, that transition easily to some earthy notes of tar and tobacco, before easing back into notes of pomegranate.  The tannins are expertly structured providing for a wonderfully long, velvety dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a perennial favorite for this varietal, and this vintage is a real treat to drink.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from grilled lamb chops, to venison, pork tenderloin to veal chops.  Tonight however, I am going a different route and enjoying this wine with some Thai red curry chicken and vegetables atop a bed of jasmine rice an a sprig of fresh Thai basil.  Cheers!

2019 Bledsoe Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been raining all day, with temperatures in the 40s, so I decided to make some butternut squash soup today, which turned out well.  And now I'm ready for a nice Sunday dinner and a glass of good wine. Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from the Bledsoe Family Winery, the 2019 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (75%), Merlot (13%), Malbec (11%) and Cabernet Franc (1%) from four different vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting.  

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a great Cabernet.  A quick swirl in the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, cherry with undertones of earthy minerals.  The taste is a lovely combination of tart cherry and ripe blackberry up front that transitions easily to some earthy notes of graphite and cedar midpalate.  The fine grain tannins are ideal to support the long, velvety dry finish that lingers to your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's young and drinking nicely now, but will doubtless improve over the coming decade.  This wine is a classic Cabernet that demands to be paired with a big, juicy steak which is fortunate as tonight I am enjoying this wine with a big porterhouse grilled rare along with some grilled leeks, steamed cauliflower and a baked potato.  Cheers!

2017 Anvil Dionysus Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, today was just a marathon of yard work, collecting leaves, mowing and trimming hydrangeas, I am ready to relax!  So it's a good thing that I have a nice dinner to enjoy and a wonderful bottle of wine to help me enjoy the evening.  Tonight I've opened a perennial favorite Cabernet, but a new vintage that I received this week, the 2017 Anvil Dionysus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this latest vintage is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a vineyard known for it's Cabernet.  A gentle swirl releases aromas of ripe red fruit, cherry, raspberry and currant with wonderful earthy aromas of cedar and oak that just take me back to the barrel room at Forgeron.  Take a sip and deep flavors of black cherry cola, anise and oak wash over your palate before transitioning to some earthy notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are youthful and vibrant, which combine with the bright acidity to provide a wonderfully smooth dry finish that will leave you reaching for another sip. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a perennial favorite for Columbia Valley Cabernet that stacks up with the best of the Walla Walla Valley or Napa.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty fall stews to steaks and wild mushroom risotto.  Forgeron is always kind enough to provide a pairing recipe, and with this wine they offered a pan roasted duck breast with wild mushrooms, which is sure to please.  But tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a prime ribeye grilled rare with some grilled leeks, bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2018 Basilica Cafaggio Chianti Classico

Happy Sunday!  I spent the afternoon doing some work along with laundry and other chores around the house before heading out for a bike ride before the sun set.  So, not it's time to make some dinner and open a bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle I recently found at Costco, the 2018 Basilica Cafaggio Chianti Classico is a 100% Sangiovese that was just released.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, just as you would expect from this varietal.  A quick swirl in the glass releases aromas of black cherry, currant and the faintest hint of anise and prune.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of cool black fruit, cherry, currant and plum that wash over your palate before transitioning to some notes of spice box and violet midpalate.  The tannins are soft, but well structured for the long, smooth dry finish with just a kick of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's just a pleasant drinking wine that would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes.  This wine was also a solid value at just $9!  This wine would go well with hearty pasta dishes, steaks and chops, and even a midweek pizza.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some hot Italian sausage with onions and peppers along with some spaghetti with garlic and olive oil.  Cheers!

Woodward Canyon NV Red Wine

Well, it's finally starting to feel like fall, with highs in the 50s and lows in the 40s, and with that it seems that leaves and pumpkins and preparing for the winter will soon be upon us.  In the meantime, I'll enjoy the local high school football games and a whole lot of yard work, along with some wonderful big red wines.  Tonight is one such wine, a perennial favorite for and everyday drinking red wine, the Woodward Canyon non-vintage red wine.  This one is a combination of Cabernet Franc (46%), Merlot (18%), Barbera (16%), Petit Verdot (7%), Cabernet Sauvignon (5%), Chardonnay (4%!), Syrah (1%), Mourvedre (1%), Grenache (1%), and Dolcetto (1%). These wines were sourced from vintages including 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 from the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a beautiful deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity, a testament to the two right bank Bordeaux varietals.  A quick swirl in the glass releases aromas of leather, oak, violet and undertones of black cherry.  Take a sip to have a rush of blackberry, black cherry and currant wash over your palate, with intermittent hints of earthy tar and spice box, before transitioning to some peppery spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are nicely integrated to support the smooth dry finish that is very old world in style.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5 as it's such a treat to drink and a wine you can enjoy often at just $25.  This wine would really pair well with just about anything, from steaks and chops, to barbecue and pizza.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a barbecued chicken breast along with some oven roasted root vegetables (see I told you fall was here!) and some steamed Italian green beans.  Cheers!

2015 Reininger Cima

Happy Sunday!  This afternoon just got away from me, as I think I was a bit too ambitious on yard work and cooking, as I decided to vacuum leaves and mow, while deciding to make eggplant parmesan for dinner, which is neither quick nor easy!  But at this point it's worked out (though I have to taste my concoction to determine if my first solo effort at this dish turned out well, as the last time I made this was in grad school 22 years ago and my friend did most of the work!).  Since my dinner is nominally Italian, I thought, why not have a wonderful super-Tuscan style blend from one of my favorite winemakers?  I just received the 2015 Reininger Cima in my fall wine club shipment, which is a blend of Sangiovese (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (22%), Merlot (22%), Malbec (3%) and Petit Verdot (3%) from the Pepper Bridge, Seven Hills and XL Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  What makes this wine really special, is that it's aged in barrel for six years before bottling, so let's see how this latest vintage is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a credit to the Bordeaux varietals in the blend.   A swirl in the glass releases aromas of leather, blackberry, fig and spice box that are reminiscent of Italy.  The taste is a rush of blackberry, black cherry, and currant that transition well to some notes of cedar and peppery spice midpalate.  The rounded tannins are an ideal base for the wonderfully long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish that easily convinces you to take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's another terrific effort from Chuck and the crew to bring innovative, creative and wonderfully drinkable wines.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty fall dishes, from beef stew to classic Italian dishes, pastas to Tuscan toast.  As I alluded earlier, tonight I am enjoying this wine with my first solo effort at eggplant parmesan, as I bought some eggplant at the farmers market yesterday and needed to do something with them!  Cheers!

2018 Domaine Deliance Givry 1er cru Clos Charle

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's certainly been a while since I've posted on a Wednesday, so hopefully this is a good one.  Tonight I've opened up a bottle of Burgundy that I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2018 Domaine Deliance Givry 1er cru Clos Charle is a pinot noir from the chalky limestone soils and cool climate of Givry.  I admit I've been on a bit of a pinot noir kick lately, so let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a beautiful garnet color in the glass, with great clarity, as you might expect from the varietal.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases ample aromas of strawberry, sweet cherry and earthy peat with just the faintest hints of the classic Burgundy tar.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of ripe berry fruit that eases gently to some earthy mineral notes of dusty limestone and smoke midpalate.  The tannins are at first gripping, but then they soften to support the dry, supple finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a lovely Burgundy at a value price of just $27.  This wine would also pair well with some more challenging fare, from duck, to pork, Indian cuisine to chili.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a sesame grilled pork tenderloin along with oven roasted sweet potatoes and asparagus with Hollandaise.  Cheers! 

2017 Time Waits for No One Monastrell

Happy Sunday!  It was a rainy day today, so I didn't do a whole lot except for indoor chores like laundry.  As tiring as all that can be, it's now time for a nice bottle of wine with my Sunday dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that was a recent Costco find, the 2017 Time Waits for No One oak aged Monastrell, a fine Spanish Varietal that should go nicely with my dinner.  And besides, with Halloween rapidly approaching, who could resist a label with a skull and crossbones?  So, let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with great clarity as you might expect from this varietal.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of rose petals, tawny dark fruit and a good bit of oak.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a tempest of flavors, with a rush of mulberry and cherry up front that transitions nicely to some vanilla caramel notes midpalate.  The tannins are well structured to provide for a wonderfully long, smooth dry finish that lingers with a bit of oak.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a value (I think this was around $12) that is quite food friendly.  This wine would pair with a variety of Spanish dishes, grilled lamb, wild mushroom risotto or a hearty pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a Zhatar seasoned New York Strip grilled rare on a bed of grilled leeks with grilled purple cauliflower and some oven roasted rose fingerling potatoes.  Cheers!

2009 Syzygy Saros 136

Happy Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of October, which means it's Cellar Saturday, that wonderful opportunity to raid the cellar for a wine at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened another wine that's aged but hasn't been in my cellar very long, as I picked it up on my Walla Walla adventure back in July.  The 2009 Syxygy Saros 136 is a fascinating blend of Tempranillo (59%), Malbec (35%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (6%) from the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see what this interesting blend has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, no doubt a credit to the Malbec and Cabernet in the blend, but also has some bright clarity as the Tempranillo provides some balance.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of black cherry, overripened plum, spicy pepper notes and some earthy minerality.  Take a sip and you get a rush of cherry cola, blackberry and plum that transitions easily to some earthy notes of peat and dusty limestone, balanced with some spicy pepper notes midpalate.  The tannins are supple and well integrated, providing for an exceptionally smooth, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's drinking very nicely now, but likely will peak in just a few years.  With a heavy Termpranillo hand, this wine would pair well with some old world paella, new world Cajun dirty rice, or just some nice fresh grilled meat and vegetables.  The latter is what I'm enjoying this wine with tonight, a rare grilled New York strip, some oven roasted white sweet potatoes, grilled leeks and peppers and steamed asparagus with Hollandaise.  Cheers!

2018 L'Ecole No. 41 Perigee

Happy Sunday!  I did a little work this afternoon and then went for a bike ride given that the weather was sunny and nearly 80 degrees today.  So, to conclude my weekend I'm having a nice patio dinner and enjoying one of my favorite wines, the 2018 L'Ecole No. 41 Perigee.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (16%), Cabernet Franc (16%), Petit Verdot (9%) and Malbec (9%) all sourced from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center of the glass, with bright garnet along the edges, just as you might expect from a heavy Cabernet blend.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and marionberry intermingled with earthy notes of cedar and tobacco.  Take a sip and you are greeted by an amazingly complex and layered combinations of flavors, with blackberry and cherry undertones giving vibrancy to some violet, oak and herbs de Provence before your taste journey transitions to some anise and roast beef notes midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured, bringing nice body and silkiness to the long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it just reminds me of being in Walla Walla, barrel tasting some of the great Bordeaux style blends, and this wine just exemplifies that tradition (and it's also perhaps my favorite vintage to date of the Perigee!).  This wine would pair well with a broad range of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops, to rack of lamb or hearty pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled New York strip topped with Béarnaise along with a bounty of oven roasted vegetables, including leeks, broccoli rabe, garlic scapes and blistered yellow cherry tomatoes.  Cheers!

2016 Famiglia Castellani Chianti Classico Riserva

Happy Saturday!  I basically spend the day working around the house and running errands, and with some cooler weather, I'm looking forward to a fire on the patio tonight.  But until then, it's time to open a bottle of wine and enjoy some dinner.  Tonight I've opened a recent purchase from Costco, the 2016 Famiglia Castellani Chianti Classico Riserva.  Who doesn't love a nice Sangiovese based wine, and this one should be just about to hit its stride, so let's have a taste!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, with great clarity, just as you would expect from the varietal.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of cherry, strawberry, leather and oak with undertones of spicy peppery notes.  Take a sip and your greeted with plenty of ripe red fruit, cherry, strawberry and currant that lingers on the palate before transitioning to earthy notes of dusty limestone and a hint of anise midpalate.  The tannins are soft, creating a wonderfully supply, dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a really pleasant drinking example of a Chianti Classico at a value price of just $14 at Costco.  This wine practically begs to be paired with Italian food, and I would enjoy it with a classic bistecca Fiorentina to a risotto alla Milanese, hearty pasta with red sauce or my dinner tonight, some sweet Italian sausage sautéed with onions and peppers along with some linguine tossed with garlic and olive oil and broccoli rabe, topped with shaved Parmesan.  This is the type of dinner that reminds me of the great Italian fests, like for San Gennaro back when I lived in Hoboken in the 1990s.  Cheers!

2018 La Pruladière Lussac Saint-Émilion

Happy Thursday!  It's been a busy time lately, with a lot going on, especially last weekend but now things are opening up a bit in my schedule so I might actually have time to make a few posts.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of Bordeaux that I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out, a new wine that I haven't heard of before.  The 2018 La Pruladière Lussac Saint-Émilion is a blend of Merlot (98.5%) and Cabernet Franc (1.5%) from Lussac Saint-Émilion which is to the north of the Saint-Émilion known for clay-limestone soils with moderate climate for grape growing.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, as you might expect from a heavy Merlot dominance.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, violet and oak with bright overtones of blackberry, blueberry and cherry.  A sip reveals ample fruit with a rush of blackberry and currant that transitions easily to some notes of tart cherry and rustic wood notes midpalate.  The tannins are chewy, providing for a smooth dry finish that should hold up well against the heartiest of meals.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's just a pleasant, everyday drinking red, with a hearty appeal.  This wine was also a solid value at just $16, and would pair well with a variety of warm fall dishes, from braised short ribs to mushroom risotto.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled New York strip topped with some béarnaise along with steamed broccoli and a big baked potato topped with sour cream and scallions.  Cheers!

2015 Prodigo Lazio Syrah

Happy Sunday!  Today I got some work done in the yard, despite the heat and humidity, I succeeded in permanently installing the windmill from my uncle's house, I dug up a number of unwanted trees and shrubs and transplanted a small ginkgo sapling.  And now it's time for dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Based on my dinner choice, I opened a bottle of 2015 Prodigo Lazio Syrah, a 100% Syrah from Italy that I purchased from Wines Till Sold Out a few months back.  So let's see how this Italian Syrah is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from a nice Syrah.  A quick swirl releases ample black fruit aromas, blackberry, blueberry and currant amid undertones of leather, cedar and peppery spice.  A sip reveals wonderfully rich black fruit flavors with just a hint of sweetness before transitioning to some tobacco and earthy mineral notes midpalate.   The tannins are subtle, but still provide a nice structure to the smooth, dry finish that lingers.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's not a spectacular wine, but a nice everyday sipper, and a terrific value for just $10!  I would normally say Zinfandel is the best varietal with barbecue, but recently I've come to the realization that Syrah is also a great wine for barbecue, which is what I'm pairing this wine with tonight, barbecued pork spare ribs along with some mustard baked beans and sriracha slaw, an ideal patio dinner as we near the end of summer.  Cheers!

Eclipse Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Zinfandel

Happy Sunday!  I got a few things accomplished this afternoon, including painting the base coat of the windmill I brought home yesterday as well as smoking a large short rib plate which will be my dinner tonight.  Which brings me to the wine I've opened this evening, the Eclipse Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Zinfandel blend from the Dry Creek Valley of California.  This wine was made by a friend of mine which he does as a hobby, sourcing grapes from California and blending and aging the wine for his friends.  So, given that my dinner will be barbecued tonight, I couldn't think of a better wine than a Zin-Cab blend!

The wine is an inky color with a deep garnet color along the edges, as you might expect from such a blend.  The nose presents aromas of leather and oak, with some undertones of blackberry jam.  Take a sip and you are treated with an evolving series of black fruit, blackberry, blueberry and currant that transition easily to some notes of charred oak and mineral midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, which opened the door for some pronounced acidity on the dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a 7.5, as it's a solid effort from my friend, but could be a bit more refined in complexity.  As I mentioned, this wine would pair well with barbecue, and it just so happens that I'm enjoying this wine with dinner on the patio, barbecued beef short ribs along with some mustard baked beans and sriracha slaw.  Cheers!