2019 Seven Hills Pentad

Merry Christmas!  I'm preparing a wonderful Christmas dinner that is far from my usual fare, so this calls for a special wine as well.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2019 Seven Hills Pentad, the most recent vintage of this special blend of five varietals from the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Carmenere, Malbec and Merlot creating a real taste of some of the best varietals Washington state has to offer.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edges, a testament to the heavy hands of Cabernet and Malbec in the blend.  Take a whiff and you're greeted with aromas of tobacco, anise, dark chocolate and dusty limestone, quite a departure from many more fruit laden Cabernet blends.  The first sip reveals wonderful black cherry and raspberry notes that ease into some flavors of vanilla bean and cardamom midpalate.  The tannins are quite subdued making for a delightfully pleasant, smooth dry finish that is reminiscent of a fine Bordeaux.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it certainly lives up to previous vintages that take the best of what the harvest offers to make a truly special wine.  And as I mentioned, I am enjoying this wine with a special Christmas dinner of a mid rare rack of venison, with potato puree, wine pepper sauce and shaved Brussels sprouts with maple, bacon and pomegranate.  Overall, a wonderfully earthy dinner on this traditional holiday.  Cheers!

2018 Anvil Dionysus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Friday!  This is day 11 of my Christmas vacation (mental note to take more PTO throughout the year in 2023!) and after the blizzard that was a dud, I did some volunteer work this morning and am now ready to relax with a nice dinner and a glass (or bottle) of wine.  Tonight I've opened a recent wine club bottle from Forgeron Cellars, the 2018 Anvil Dionysus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.  I've reviewed previous vintages, including the 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, so let's see what the latest vintage has to offer!

The wine has the classic look and feel of a big, bold Cabernet in the glass.  Take a whiff and you're immersed in aromas of a classic college library with leather, dusty limestone, lavender and hints of pipe tobacco that practically beg you to take a sip.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry, plum and currant that transition easily to some tart pomegranate and cardamom midpalate.  The tannins are subdued, but well integrated, providing for a delightfully smooth dry finish that leaves you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's become a perennial favorite Cabernet from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  This wine would of course be great with big steaks and chops, roast lamb or braised short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this with my Christmas Eve Eve dinner of a rare grilled filet mignon, topped with Béarnaise sauce along with some shaved Brussels sprouts with bacon, maple and pomegranate and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2019 Seven Hills Summit View Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  I spent some time shopping and wrapping the last of the Christmas presents before preparing dinner and getting ready for our second performance of "It's a Wonderful Life" done as a 1940s radio play.  In any case, I've a short while to relax before heading to the theater and getting dressed, so why not have a glass of wine?  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2019 Seven Hills Summit View Cabernet Sauvignon, one of my all time favorite Cabernets, so let's see how this latest vintage is shaping up!

The wine has the look of a big, bold Cabernet, just as you'd expect from this wine.  After a gentle swirl, take a whiff and you're enveloped by aromas of fall, with notes of blackberry, cherry, cedar and just a faint undertone of mint.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit cascading from black cherry to plum to currant before transitioning to some earthy mineral notes of dusty limestone and basalt midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated for the long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it certainly lives up to the standard of the clone and the vineyard.  This wine practically begs to be paired with a steak, but it would also go well with pasta, hearty stews or even a simple midweek burger night.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled elk strip steak, roasted baby cauliflower and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2019 Mark Ryan Numbskull

Happy Wine Wednesday!  This is the second day of my long Christmas vacation as I had 11 vacation days left that I needed to use by year end, so I'm finally catching up on work around the house and blog posts among other things.  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of wine I brought back from my Walla Walla trip last year.  The 2019 Mark Ryan Numbskull is a classic GSM blend of Syrah (53%), Mourvèdre (25%) and Grenache (22%) from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  So, let's see if I picked the right wine for my Wednesday dinner!

The wine is a bright garnet in the glass, exactly as you might expect from such a blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of black cherry, anise, baking spice and a bit of dusty loam.  The first sip is a rush of sweet black cherry that transitions nicely to some earthy mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are well structured providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish with just a kick of spice at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a very pleasant example of what Washington wine makers are doing with Rhone varietals.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from lamb to butter chicken, hearty pasta to prime steaks.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a grilled veal rib chop along with roasted root vegetables and steamed broccoli.  Cheers!

2020 Maison Bleue Lisette Rosé

Happy Sunday!  I spend a good portion of the afternoon decorating Christmas trees, and I'll admit I did not quite finish, but at least there is wine!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2020 Maison Bleue Lisette Rosé.  I know it's a bit past rosé season, but what the heck.  This wine is a pure Grenache rosé from the Summit View Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington, so let's see how this wine is tasting.

The wine is a lovely pale peach color in the glass, with aromas of peach, green grass and hints of rose petals.  Take a sip and you're greeted with crisp citrus, melon and fresh herbs that wash over your palate before transitioning easily to some notes of strawberry and earthy mineral notes midpalate.  The finish is crisp and very dry with a reprise of peach and white floral notes and the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's an ideal summer sipper, perfect for friends on the patio.  This wine would be ideal with a range of summer salads, from a citrus and pomegranate with arugula, to roasted beet and feta.  This wine would also pair well with some curry chicken and vegetables, or classic lighter seafood, like alder planked salmon or pan seared halibut.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some steamed snow crab legs with drawn butter, ideal for a Sunday dinner!  Cheers!

2020 Pepper Bridge Winery Walla Walla Merlot

Happy Saturday!  This was a busy day for me as I had to find a new Christmas tree farm for my trees this year as my previous farm had run out of any trees over 6'/  So after driving to Fort Wayne, I bagged to wonderful spruce trees for my annual hunting trip for trees.  And now it's time for a little relaxation and dinner before the daylong decorating party tomorrow.  Tonight I've opened a bottle from the Pepper Bridge wine club shipment that literally arrived today, shortly after I got back from the tree farm!  The 2020 Pepper Bridge Walla Walla Merlot is a blend of Merlot (92%) and Malbec (8%) from the Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and Waliser 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, classic for a nice Merlot.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, raspberry and herb notes of thyme and cardamom with just a hint of cinnamon underneath.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of black fruit with prominent flavors of vanilla bean, cherry and a hint of mint that transition to some dark chocolate midpalate.  The soft tannins are a lovely set up for the wonderfully smooth, lingering dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's drinking nicely now, but could benefit from a few years in the cellar.  This wine would pair well with classic steaks, hearty pasta or a wonderful winter venison stew.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime ribcap, grilled leeks, bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2016 Lasorda Family Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I've spent the afternoon wrapping presents and getting ready for my first neighborhood Christmas party this evening.  But first I need to cook dinner and enjoy a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of wine I bought a couple years ago at a local wine shop, the 2016 Lasorda Family Wines Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, so let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from a nice Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of prune, boysenberry and toasted oak, with just a hint of mint underneath.  Take a sip and you're blasted with a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, currant and cassis that transitions nicely to some notes of dark chocolate and mocha midpalate.  The tannins are refined, providing the base for a very long, smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a pleasant drinking everyday Cabernet that would pair well with a variety of big beef dishes, from steaks to prime rib to braised short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Kansas City strip along with some bacon roasted white asparagus and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2011 Clarendon Hills Grenache

Happy Cellar Saturday! It's the first Saturday of the month, that wonderful time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making to enjoy.  Tonight I've open a bottle that's older, but hasn't been in my cellar very long, as it was a recent purchase from Wines Till Sold out.  The 2011 Clarendon Hills Grenache is a 100% Grenache from the McLaren Vale region of southern Australia.  Though this region is well known for Syrah, let's see what this fellow Rhone varietal has to offer.

The wine is a bright ruby in the glass, with a hint of amber along the edges.  Take a whiff and you're treated to aromas of strawberry, cherry and blackberry intermingled with earthy notes of peat and dusty loam.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in vibrant berry fruit flavors, with just a hint of sweetness, before transitioning to some wonderful earthy mineral notes and white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are robust, providing a solid backbone for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a real testament to the potential for this varietal under extended maturity.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from steaks and chops to barbecue or classis paella.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic pairing of herb crusted rack of lamb, with a wine and berry cardamom reduction and oven roasted rainbow cauliflower.  Cheers!

2016 Otis Kenyon Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Happy Saturday!  So far on this long holiday weekend, I've had a chance to put together a piece of furniture (one more to go tomorrow hopefully!), put up all the outdoor Christmas decorations, make a dent in my Christmas shopping (I think all the kids are taken care of now) and finish my grocery shopping, so I feel like I've accomplished something, but there is always more to do.  So, in taking a break, I've decided to open a bottle I recently picked up at Total Wines when I was in Grand Rapids a few weeks ago.  The 2016 Otis Kenyon Merlot, is a classically styled Walla Walla Merlot that has become a favorite of mine.  So, let's see how this vintage is tasting!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Merlot.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, black cherry, currant and blackberry, with just a hint of mint underneath.  It's the type of nose that brings you back to many of the barrel rooms I've visited in Walla Walla over the years.  Take a sip and you're awash with an unexpected rush of tart cherry, tarragon and roast venison that transition easily to some earthy mineral notes of dusty limestone and basalt midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing a magnificent base 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 just a terrific example of the sort of Merlot that Walla Walla is capable of producing.  This wine would pair well with a variety of pasta, game such as venison or elk, classic mushroom risotto or a big honkin' steak.  Naturally, I've chosen the latter and am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime ribcap, big baked potato with sour cream and scallions, and oven roasted leeks and Brussels sprouts.  Cheers! 

2018 Reininger Walla Walla Syrah

Happy Thanksgiving!  It's a great time to get together with family and friends and recount all the blessings of the past year and remind us to be thankful for all the big things and little things in life, from health and cherished relationships, to wine and good food.  On such a day, it's a pleasure to open up a wine that would be welcome at the traditional turkey dinner, or another feast that strikes your fancy.  The 2018 Reininger Walla Walla Syrah is a 100% Syrah from the Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge 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, just as you might expect from the varietal.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, black currant and smoke, with undertones of floral that bring to mind the sights and sounds of autumn harvest season.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of ripe black fruit, with just a hint of jamminess, that transitions easily to some notes of cherry cola and white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured to provide a base for the long, smooth finish with a reprise of blueberry at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of the nicest examples of Syrah I've tasted this year.  This wine is ideal for a broad range of dished, from traditional Thanksgiving turkey to pork tenderloin or smoked brisket.  Tonight, I am taking a wild turn from traditional Thanksgiving and enjoying this wine with an herb crusted rack of lamb with a red wine and berry reduction, potato puree and oven roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2021 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir

Happy Sunday!  As you may know, I've been a happy preferred shareholder of Willamette Valley Vineyards for a few years, so it's always a treat to review a wine that I have an equity interest in producing!  I previously reviewed the 2018 vintage here and the 2020 vintage here, so let's see what the current vintage has to offer!

The wine is a medium bodied ruby color in the glass with great clarity, just as you would expect from a nice Pinot Noir.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, plum and a hint of mint, with undertones of earthy peat and mineral notes.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of ripe, sweet fruit, strawberry, currant and marionberry, that transition easily to some notes of black pepper spice, green tea and the faintest hint of tar midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated and unobtrusive, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish, that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, though I think this wine is just a bit better than the 2020 vintage.  This wine is very approachable and would pair well with a range of dishes, from barbecue to Asian, but tonight I am taking a traditional Pacific Northwest approach.  I am enjoying this wine with a baked steelhead filet with lemon dill cream sauce, along with rive and some oven roasted baby carrots and leeks.  Pinot and salmon, you can't go wrong, cheers!

2019 Forgeron Columbia Valley Chardonnay

As most of you are no doubt aware, I am not much of a white wine consumer.  That said, I also can't resist a mystery box, so when Forgeron recently offered a mystery case of wine for just $150, I couldn't pass it up!  And one bottle in the mystery case was a 2019 Forgeron Chardonnay, a 100% Chardonnay sourced entirely from the Weinbau Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a bright golden color on the glass, more akin to lemon as opposed to a golden olive oil color.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of lemongrass, pear and hints of tropical fruit amid undertones of oak.  Take a sip and you are treated to a rush of lemon, pear and pineapple notes that envelope your palate before transitioning to some mineral notes and hints of oak midpalate.  The finish is crisp and dry with just a faint impression of the classic Chardonnay "buttery sweetness" at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a lovely Chardonnay that would be ideal for the upcoming holidays.  This wine would pair well with a variety of seafood, Thanksgiving turkey or pork.  Tonight, I am exploring the latter and enjoying this wine with an Asian zing grilled pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes with chives and some maple bacon shaved Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2020 Seven Hills SHW Founding Vineyard Merlot

Well, it's selection day and I am voting for wine!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of wine from my latest wine club shipment from one of my favorite Walla Walla wineries which just arrived today!  The 2020 Seven Hills SHW Founding Vineyard Merlot is a single varietal wine made from grapes harvested from the original estate Merlot blocks planted by the McClellan family in the early 1980s.  So, let's see how this young wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a quality Merlot.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, black cherry, currant and a bit of toasted oak that makes you envision an old estate library.  Take a sip and you're awash in ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant that awaken your senses, before transitioning effortlessly to some vanilla bean and dried herb notes midpalate.  The tannins are as mellow as the finish, which is very dry and velvety smooth.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's drinking wonderfully now, but likely would improve with a few years in the cellar.  This wine would pair well with a hearty steak, roast pork tenderloin, or spicy chili, just in time for the temperatures to fall.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled bison ribeye along with some grilled leeks, oven roasted fingerling sweet potatoes and maple bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2019 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been a busy weekend, but since it was windy for most of it, I hardly did any leaf blowing.  I got the front yard cleared, but the back yard is going to be a challenge.  In any case, it's Sunday night, time for a nice meal and a good bottle of wine.  I was in Grand Rapids last week and stopped at Total Wine and found a few bottles to bring home, including tonight's selection, the 2019 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon.  I've been a fan of Drew Bledsoe's wine efforts for a while now, and this latest vintage is a blend of Cabernet (87%), Merlot (6%), Petit Verdot (4%) and Malbec (3%) from the McQueen, Lefore, Bob Healy and Figgins Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley of Washington.  So, let's see how this Sunday wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, brooding ruby color in the glass, as you might expect from a big, expressive Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, cassis, sandalwood and graphite, all expressive of the vineyards from whence this wine came.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of sweet black fruit, blackberry, cherry and marionberry, which transition easily to some notes of mocha and earthy notes of tobacco and graphite.  The fine grain tannins are well integrated, providing for a velvety smooth finish that lingers until you take your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a perennial favorite for the best of what Walla Walla has to offer to the Cabernet drinkers of the world.  This wine would pair well with a wide variety of hearty dishes, from lamb and steaks, to alder planked coho salmon.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime ribcap, with oven roasted fingerling potatoes and asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2007 Domaine Berthet-Rayne Chateauneuf du Pape

Happy Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of November which means it's Cellar Saturday, that magical time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened a bottle I found while rummaging for a half case of a 2004 Rhone that I mentioned to someone last week, and there is was, the 2007 Domaine Berthet-Rayne Chateauneuf du Pape, a bottle that I bought more than 10 years ago when I was still living in Grand Rapids.  This wine of the Pope is fairly traditional in terms of blend, with Grenache (65%), Mourvèdre (20%), Cinsault (10%) and Syrah (5%) from the southern Rhone region of France.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with great clarity, with just a hint of amber along the edges which comes with this level of maturity.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of black cherry, herbs de Provence and earthy notes of tar and basalt.  Take a sip and you're awash with warm fruit and spice, strawberry, cherry and currant with hints of black pepper spice that transitions easily to some notes of peat and tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are still well structured and provide a wonderful base to the smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a very pleasing example of this classic Rhone blend that would pair well with a range of dishes, from lamb to bouillabaisse, braised beef short ribs to hearty mushroom risotto.  Cheers!

2020 Pepper Bridge Winery Seven Hills Vineyard Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  It's been a solid day of leaf patrol, and after 8 hours I only finished the roof and front yard!  So more to do tomorrow, but at least for now I can relax with a nice meal and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from Pepper Bridge Winery, the 2020 Seven Hills Vineyard Blend.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (25%) ,  Cabernet Franc (10%), Malbec (10%) and Petit Verdot (5%) all from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wonderful Autumn wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby taste of cooling temperatures, falling leaves and gourds, with aromas of leather, blackberry, cocoa powder and cedar on the nose.  One sip reveals a rush of black raspberry, pomegranate and hints of mulling spice that make this wine ideal for the season,  Midpalate, the character evolves to some basalt and mineral notes so characteristic of the vineyard.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a long, smooth dry finish with a kick of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a perennial favorite from Pepper Bridge.  This wine would pair well with classic steaks, but would also pair well with lamb, game or some hearty fall favorites like a sausage and sweet potato hash.  Tonight I am taking a more traditional route and enjoying this wine with some pan seared lamb loin chops with some herbs de Provence, along with oven roasted beets and asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2020 DaMa Wines Chardonnay

Happy Sunday!  It's fall, so that means every weekend that it doesn't rain I'm spending at least one afternoon gathering leaves and putting them out in the street for pickup, and so that's how I spent my afternoon today.  But at least the weather was gorgeous, with lots of sun and highs in the upper 70s, I got one last chance to work in the yard in shorts.  And now that I'm done, I'm ready to sit down for Sunday dinner, which has been roasting as I was working.  And to go with it, I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2020 Chardonnay, which is sourced from the Conner Lee Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this unusual white wine for me to review is tasting!

The wine is a pale gold color in the glass, and a gentle swirl reveals aromas of faint lemon citrus, hints of pear and pineapple, suggesting a much more fruit forward Chardonnay than the classic butter bombs.  Take a sip and it's like you've washed ashore on a tropical island, with a rush of pineapple, mango and hibiscus that capture your imagination as you follow the flavor adventure to some vanilla cream notes on the finish, which is crisp and dry.

I am not a but white wine fan, and many Chardonnays I find very one dimensional, but this one is really a pleasant drinking wine that's sure to please a wide crowd of wine drinkers.  For that, I would happily rate this wine a solid 9, perhaps the highest rating I've ever given a white wine.  This wine would pair well with a wide range of dishes, from halibut to classic fish tacos, moules frites or Thai curry, but tonight I am enjoying this with a classic Sunday dinner of roasted chicken with mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy, along with some asparagus with Hollandaise.  Cheers!

2020 Mark Ryan "Crazy Mary" Mourvèdre

Happy Sunday!  It was the first full day of leaf activity, with the blower, the vacuum and lots of tiring labor!  But, at least I've caught up for a week and am ready to enjoy Sunday dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I recently received from Mark Ryan Winery, the 2020 Crazy Mary Mourvèdre, which is a blend of Mourvèdre (78%) and Syrah (22%) from the Ciel du Cheval and Red Willow Vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this vintage is shaping up!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, which is characteristic of the varietals.  A gentle swirl of the glass unlocks aromas of strawberry, red currant and hints of smoke and pipe tobacco.  Take a sip and you know you're in for a ride with crazy Mary in the driver's seat, a rush of strawberry and sweet red berry fruit up front veers into some spicy pepper notes before spinning right back to some earthy tar, tobacco and black tea notes before heading right off the cliff for some salty mineral notes on the finish.  The tannins are supple and unobtrusive, making a parting gift for the long, smooth dry finish that beckons you to take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of the better vintages I've tried, with wonderfully intriguing characteristics that would be wonderful to enjoy with friends.  This wine would pair well with a variety of fall dishes, from venison to roasted rack of lamb, hearty beef stew or braised short ribs, but tonight I am going the Pacific Northwest route and am enjoying this wine with salmon!  Specifically, I am enjoying this wine with my Sunday dinner of crispy skin black pearl Scottish salmon, steamed brown rice and some oven roasted baby carrots and beets.  Cheers!

2018 Mi Terruño Reserve Malbec

 Happy Saturday!  I can freely admit there was a time when I was just not a fan of Malbec, but I confess it's really grown on me over the past six or seven years, particularly when it's served with some high quality beef!  So, tonight as I am contemplating a nice T-bone, I've opened a bottle of 2018 Mi Terruño Reserve Malbec that I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky purple in the glass, as you might expect from a Malbec from Mendoza.  Take a whiff and you're greeted with leather, green grass, and mineral notes blend with a variety of dark fruit, blueberries, blackberries and currant that just raise your expectation of the taste to come.  Take a sip and you're awash with ripe fruit and earthy flavors of tar, peat and graphite, even as you are drawn back to some wonderful oak and vanilla notes from the barrel aging.  The tannins are well structured and provide for a cascade of delightful earthy notes on the lingering, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a very pleasant wine that is perfect for steak!  Which is a good thing, as tonight I am enjoying this wine with a Cajun coffee rubbed T-bone steak along with some oven roasted fingering potatoes and some steamed asparagus with Hollandaise.  Cheers!

2016 Reininger Cima

Happy Sunday!  It's been an interesting weekend full of a lot of cooking, and apparently I've now taken up canning as well!  As I'll explain, my Sunday dinner has been two days in the making, as yesterday I went to the farmer's market and picked up a bushel of the last of this season's tomatoes, determined to make my first marinara sauce since 1998!  So, yesterday I made about 9 quarts of sauce, which then drove me down the rabbit hole of how can I store all this sauce for future use, and about $50 in jars and equipment later, I am now a canner!  At any rate, I also picked up some other items from the farmer's market, which requires me to open some sort of Italian-esque wine this evening, and so I've opened a bottle of 2016 Reininger Cima.  This wine is one of my perennial favorite blends from the Walla Walla Valley, and this vintage is a blend of Sangiovese (50%), Merlot (25%) Cabernet Sauvignon (22%) and Petit Verdot (3%), primarily from the Seven Hills Vineyard, with a bit from the Pepper Bridge and XL Vineyards.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a lovely deep ruby color in the glass, with great clarity, no doubt a testament to the Sangiovese in the blend.  A gentle swirl and you lift you glass to enjoy aromas of strawberry, currant, cedar and a bit of peat that shows the character of this Tuscan style blend.  A sip reveals flavors of cherry and ripe red fruit that develop gradually before hitting a crescendo of peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are subtle yet provide a nice backbone for the smooth dry finish that lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it just isn't quite at the level of the 2015 Vintage, but still a very nice wine.  This would pair well with steaks, braised short ribs or a variety of Italian dishes.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some homemade eggplant parmesan, with sauce made yesterday and fresh eggplant from the farmers market.  Cheers!

2017 Napa Underground Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  Today was day of a lot of random chores, from yard work to laundry to making an apple pie, I was all over the place today.  but at least it's time now to relax with a nice Sunday dinner and a bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out, the 2017 Napa Underground Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a product of Girard wine maker Glenn Hugo (I opened a bottle of 2007 Girard Artistry on a Cellar Saturday a few years ago and needless to say, I'm a fan.  So, let's see how this more recent wine is faring!

The wine is a deep, inky black in the glass, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of blackberry, currant and a bit of allspice, with a slight undertone of leather.  Take a sip and you have a rush of black fruit, blackberry, currant and cherry, with a hint of mint under the surface.  The rich fruit transitions to some wonderful black pepper spice midpalate, as the tannins take command for a wonderfully complex, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it seems to punch well above its weight class for this $20 Cabernet!  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from summer barbecue, to pizza and tacos, but it's also ideal for fall, and I could see this wine paring with roasts, beef stew or chili.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a transitional summer to fall dinner, a rare grilled prime ribcap, along with some oven roasted leeks and white asparagus, along with some mashed sweet potatoes.  Cheers!

1992 Seven Hills Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  And of course, it's the first one of a new month, which makes this Cellar Saturday!  It's a magical time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making, which I must say is getting easier as time goes on and I have a cellar full of teenagers (wait, that didn't sound right).  In any case, tonight we are going way back, to perhaps the second oldest bottle in my cellar, and from one of my favorite Walla Walla producers.  The 1992 Seven Hills Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon was Founder Casey McClellan's fourth vintage, and the label notes this was still when the winery was located in Milton-Freewater, Oregon!  So, let's see how this wine is tasting three decades later!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with just the faintest hint of amber along the edges, showing how well this wine has stood up over time.  A swirl of the glass reveals classic aromas of prune, cedar and lavender with undertones of basalt, just what you might expect from a mature Bordeaux.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of tart cherry and rustic mineral notes of dusty limestone and basalt.  The tannins are somewhat fading, but still provide for a nice dry finish that's reminiscent of a fine, well aged Bordeaux.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's probably a few years past its peak but still drinking very nicely for a 30-year old.  This wine would be ideal with a variety of fall comfort foods, from mushroom risotto, to hearty beef stew or Yankee pot roast, but as a former Pacific Northwest resident, I'm a big fan of Cabernet with salmon, which is my choice for dinner tonight.  I'm enjoying this wine with some crispy skin salmon, steamed rice and oven roasted white asparagus.  Cheers!

2015 San Rustico Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

Happy Sunday!  It's been a slow, rainy day here, though I managed a couple hours between raindrops to remove some fencing temporarily in anticipation of a tree removal tomorrow morning.  But now I'm back inside, finishing laundry and making Sunday dinner.  For tonight's festivities, I've opened a bottle of a perennial favorite Italian variety that I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2015 San Rustico Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is a blend of Corvina and Corvinone (68%), Rondinella (27%) and Molinara (5%), dried for three months before pressing.  So, let's see how this wonderful and interesting wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  A gentle swirl of the glass releases aromas of black cherry, kirsch and warm spices, with undertones of smoke and earthy loam.  Take a sip and your senses make and abrupt turn with a rush of sweet ripe cherry, blackberry and prune that very gradually evolves into some white pepper spice and bit of charred oak.  The tannins are nicely structured for the long, smooth dry finish with a reprise of spice notes on the very end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a very pleasant drinking wine and it was a great value at just $30.  This wine would be perfect with steaks or game meat, such as bison, elk or lamb, as well as smoky barbecue.  Tonight I've taken a different approach and am enjoying this wine with some bucatini with mussels fra diavalo, as the spice and acidity of the sauce marries well with the up-front sweetness of this wine.  Cheers!

2017 Cave Dog Napa Valley Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  It's been a busy day of cooking for a range of folks, but now it's time to relax a bit with a nice glass of wine and some hearty dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2017 Cave Dog Napa Valley Red Wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) and Merlot (50%) from a stellar vintage in the Napa Valley, so let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby red color in the glass, a testament to the blend.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, earthy cedar, cardamom and peat that has a definite old world sort of vibe.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of cool black fruit that washes over your palate, transitioning easy to some earthy notes and spicy pepper midpalate.  The tannins are robust, creating a wonderfully vibrant dry finish that lingers as you reach for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a pleasant drinking, quality wine at a value price of just $20.  This wine would pair well with steak, slow roasted pot roast, or vibrant Italian dishes.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a thick Angus, bone-in ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare along with some bacon maple Brussels sprouts and oven roasted baby carrots.  Of course, I'll likely be finishing this bottle on the patio with a wonderful fall fire.  Cheers!

2018 Chateau Beaumont Haut-Medoc

Happy Sunday!  I've been working in the yard all afternoon, so I am not pretty tired and ready for a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 Chateau Beaumont Haut-Medoc that I recently picked up at Costco, which was also a pleasant choice since one of my personal favorite Bordeaux from my first visit to Paris in 1995 was the Haut-Medoc.  This wonderful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot is an ideal way to end my weekend, so let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, as you might expect from this Cabernet heavy blend.  A swirl of the glass reveals classic Bordeaux aromas of leather, black cherry and cassis that beckon you to take a sip.  After imbibing you are confronted with a rush of ripe black fruit intermingled with hints of mint that eases into some black pepper notes midpalate.  The tannins are supple but well integrated, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that is classic Bordeaux. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a great example of the Haut-Medoc I grew up on in the mid-1990s, and it was a terrific value at just $18!  This wine would play well with pasta, seafood and steaks, as well as a great charcuterie wine.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime ribcap (also from Costco) on a bed of grilled leeks and topped with horseradish and fresh rosemary, some tomato basil farfalle with some fresh pesto and shredded parmesan, and some bacon maple roasted brussels sprouts!  Cheers!

2017 Mark Ryan "The Vincent" Columbia Valley Red Wine

Happy Sunday!  So, today I had the second flat tire in a week, though this time it was on my wheel barrow, so not nearly as time consuming to fix.  After an afternoon of mowing, yard work and getting a new inner tube for a tire, it's now time to relax with a nice glass of wine as I prepare my Sunday dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of Mark Ryan's second label, the 2017 Board Track Racer "The Vincent" Columbia Valley red wine.  I found this wine a my local wine store on clearance, and it was the last bottle so I took home a bargain!  The 2017 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (25%) and Malbec (15%) from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  Let's see how this one is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, as you might expect from a heavy hand of these Bordeaux varietals.  Take a whiff and you're greeted by deep prune, with hints of cedar and earthy peat, with a bit of spice under the surface.  On your first sip you experience a rush of rich black fruit, blackberry, currant and cherry that wash over your palate before easing into some peppery spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing for a round mouthfeel and a very smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very pleasant wine for under $20.  This wine would pair well with a range of Labor Day dishes, from burgers and brats to barbecued ribs and brisket.  Tonight, however, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Angus New York strip with grilled hatch chiles, along with some roasted root vegetables and steamed green beans.  Cheers!

2008 Heritance Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Cellar Saturday!  This is the magical first Saturday of the month, when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I am taking a second look at a wine I reviewed back in 2015 (see 2008 Heritance Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon), when I went on a ride in a Ford Tri-Motor with my uncle who recently passed away, so this one has meaning on multiple levels for me.  I bought this wine from Wines Till Sold Out and thought it was pretty good as an 7-year-old, let's see how it is as a teenager!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a Napa Cabernet.  A gentle swirl and you're greeted with a whirlwind of aromas, from prune to anise to tar, black currant to olive tapenade, the maturity is certainly becoming pronounced.  A sip and you are completely thrown back with a rush of mint, ripe red fruit and aged tobacco before transitioning to some warm spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are still well structured, providing for a solid base to the long, smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, this wine has definitely improved with age, and although 2008 was not a stellar vintage for Napa Valley, this wine is drinking very nicely right now.  This wine would pair well with great steaks, burgers or barbecue or classic Italian fare.  Tonight I am enjoying it with a combination of those dishes, with a rare, pan seared petit filet mignon, and some tri-color spaghetti tossed with cherry tomatoes roasted with olive oil, garlic, diced prosciutto, balsamic and burrata. Cheers!

2017 Spring Valley Vineyard Frederick Red Wine

Happy Thursday!  This day started on several sour notes as my coffee maker decided to cease functioning half way through the brew cycle, so I started the day with only a half a pot of coffee.  Then when I pulled out of the garage at 7:30 to go buy a new one, I realized I had a screw in my back tire and it was completely flat.  Add changing a tire into the mix and this was set to be an awful day until now!  It's supper time and I have a nice dinner coming and a nice bottle of wine opened.  The 2017 Spring Valley Vineyard Frederick Red Wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (93%), Syrah (5%) and Malbec (2%) all from the Spring Valley Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washtington.  So, let's see how this wine is making up for my sad start!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with bright garnet along the edges, just as you might expect from such a Cabernet heavy blend.  Take a whiff and you are immersed in strawberry and raspberry aromas, with a bit of floral notes and some spicy undercurrents.  One sip and you are thrown into wonderland, bright red fruit intermingled with and acidity that has you first thinking of sweet tarts and then as you progress, you find yourself surrounded by wooded forest notes of cedar and peat, before the sturdy tannins usher in the very tight dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it has the earthy Bordeaux-esque character that I so love about Walla Walla wines.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from braised short ribs to hearty venison stew, thick steaks or mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a prime, dry-aged bone-in ribeye grilled rare along with some grilled leeks and hatch chiles, wild mushroom farro and asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2019 Poggio Badiola

Happy Sunday!  Well, last week I was traveling, and last night I had a dozen people over for a practice run of hot dogs and hamburgers ahead of Labor Day, so tonight is the first chance I've had to post in a while!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of wine that I picked up at Costco yesterday, the 2019 Poggio Badiola.  This wine is an interesting "super Tuscan" as it's primarily Sangiovese (65%) and Merlot (30%) along with some Petit Verdot (5%).  So, let's see what this wine has to offer.  

The wine is a light ruby color in the glass, with great clarity, a nod to the heavy hand of Sangiovese in the blend.  A gentle swirl reveals a funky little wine, with notes of tar, strawberry, anise and dried spices.  One sip and you are immersed in a wild ride that starts with a bit of red meat which then zigs to some fresh strawberry before taking a zag to some white pepper spice at the finish.  The tannins are well structured, offering a pleasing dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a pleasant drinking everyday wine at a value price of just $13.  This wine would pair well with pasta, steak, or even hearty fish like salmon or branzino.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled veal rib chop along with some squid ink linguine tossed with cherry tomatoes roasted with garlic, olive oil, balsamic and pancetta.  Cheers!