Happy Cellar Saturday! It's the first Saturday of a new month and time to dig in the cellar for something at least a decade in the making, and tonight I have opened a bottle from a recent library tasting done by Chuck Reininger and the gang at Reininger Winery. In this case it was a tasting of library Merlots from the Helix label and tonight I've opened a bottle of the 2005 Helix Stillwater Creek Merlot. So, let's see how this wine is tasting!
The wine is a deep, inky color at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, characteristic of the varietal, but still bright for the age of this wine. A quick swirl in the glass releases aromas of charred meat, white pepper spice and faint hints of white floral notes, that just exclaim the rustic nature of this wine. A quick sip reveals flavors of black cherry, currant and umami, that transitions nicely to some smoky oak and earthy tar notes midpalate. The tannins are well integrated, but the acidity is rather abrupt at the long, very dry finish.
Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a very interesting, mature Merlot that's a real treat to drink. This wine would pair very well with charred meat, steaks, chops, grilled pork tenderloin or even some earthy dishes like a wild mushroom risotto. Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some friends that came over for some grilled picanha, along with oven roasted Yukon gold potatoes and some grilled asparagus. Cheers!
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