2016 Château Magnan-Figeac Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

Well today was interesting as we started with clouds, then thunderstorms, then sun.  So I took advantage of the sunny afternoon and raked the back yard and dug up two buckets of dandelions from the front and back yards, getting the lawn ready for spring (which after a return of winter last week is sorely needed).  As I thought about what wine to open tonight, I haven't had a nice Bordeaux in a while and I recently ordered a few bottles from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2016 Château Magnan-Figeac Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is a classic Merlot focused wine of the right bank, with this wine a blend of Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc (20%), so let's see how this young Bordeaux is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, as you might expect from the varietal.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, black cherry, charcoal and wonderful white floral notes.  Tale a sip and you're greeted with some fresh ripe fruit, cherry, plum and red currant intermingled with some wonderfully earthy mineral notes of basalt and graphite midpalate.  The tannins are classically Bordeaux, with a dry finish that almost makes you forget you're drinking red wine.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a great example of a Saint-Émilion that is just stepping into its prime drinking years.  This wine would be great with lamb, a hearty afternoon of charcuterie or a classic ratatouille.  Tonight I am taking a bit of a different tack, enjoying this wine with a rare grilled bone-in bison ribeye along with some maple bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and some potato casserole.  The minerality of this wine is ideal with the earthiness of bison.  Cheers!

2016 Pambrun Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Happy Sunday!  It's been an interesting week as last Monday we had 4" of snow and it seemed like we time traveled right from Easter to Christmas, which of course did not prepare us for the weekend which came in with highs in the 80s and a lot of humidity!  At least I got most of my yard work, including my first mowing of the year, done yesterday before the heat and humidity gave way to torrential thunderstorms today!  Such is Midwest weather I guess.  At any rate, to end the weekend, I've decided to open a bottle of wine from a winery that I own shares in, the 2016 Pambrun Walla Walla Merlot, which is a winery owned by Willamette Valley Vineyards. So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a quality Merlot.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals rich, ripe aromas of blackberry, marionberry and kirsch amid the faintest hints of green cedar and tobacco.  A sip reveals a rush of black fruit flavors, blackberry, plum, marionberry and cherry that grab your attention before shifting to some earthy notes of limestone and basalt, amid some savory spice notes and a hint of sweetness over the top.  The fine grain tannins are expertly integrated for a velvety smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic example of why Walla Walla excels with Merlot.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes from rack of lamb to braised short ribs.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime New York strip with some pearl onions and portabello mushrooms sautéed with fresh rosemary, along with a baked potato and some steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2019 Anvil Boushey Vineyard Syrah

Happy Easter!  I started early this morning at church preparing breakfast for the 85 people in the choir and worship team, so needless to say I've tried to relax a bit this afternoon and that means making a non-traditional Easter "ham" and enjoying a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of the most recent Forgeron wine club shipment which arrived yesterday, the 2019 Anvil Boushey Vineyard Syrah.  This wine is a 100% Syrah from the Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA of Washington, so let's see how this is tasting!

The wine is a deep inky purple color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Syrah.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals complex, earthy aromas of leather, graphite and some floral notes intermingled with a hint of cassis.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of ripe blueberry, blackberry and currant that dance on your palate before transitioning to some dark chocolate notes midpalate.  The tannins are nicely integrated for the midrange, dry finish with a bit of tart cherry on the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a nice example of a solid Syrah, but the past two vintages have not been as solid as the 2016 or 2017.  This wine would pair well with a traditional Easter ham, lamb, or even a nice cedar planked salmon filet.  As I mentioned, I am enjoying this wine tonight with a non-traditional Easter ham, being some hickory smoked barbecued pork spareribs, along with some baked beans and sriracha slaw.  Cheers!

2019 Nelms Road Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  This morning started out busy as a group of us met at church to prep for cooking Easter breakfast for 85 members of the choir and worship team, so after that things were much more relaxed.  I did a bit of yard work, bought some groceries and now I'm ready for a relaxing dinner.  To accompany that, I've opened a bottle of wine from one of the first wineries I every visited in Walla Walla, Woodward Canyon, and this from their second label.  The 2019 Nelms Road Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of  Cabernet Sauvignon(76%), Merlot (14%), Petit Verdot (7%), Malbec (2%) and Cabernet Franc (1%) sourced from the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard, Champoux, Sagemoor, Weinbau and Wallula Vinyards.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edges, as you might expect from a nice Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of ripe black fruit, vanilla bean, tobacco and a bit of earthy graphite.  The first sip opens the curtain on the complexity of this wine, as you are at first greeted with some ripe blackberry, cherry and plum, before transitioning to some earthy mineral notes and subdued spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured to create a very old world mouthfeel and profile, supporting a long, smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it punches way above its weight class for a $25 everyday wine.  This wine would pair well with steaks, lamb or barbecue, but would also be an ideal weeknight sipper.  The winery suggests pairing this wine with a French brasserie style onglet steak au poivre, so I am taking a somewhat tangential tack and enjoying this with a classic steak and tots for dinner, a rare grilled bone-in Angus ribeye along with some tater tots and maple bacon roasted giant Brussels sprouts that were on sale at my local market today.  Cheers!

2018 Helix Petit Verdot

Happy Sunday!  That weekend really went fast, but at least the weather turned somewhat spring like today so I could enjoy a bike ride.  And now I'm ready for a nice bottle of wine and Sunday dinner, which made for an interesting pairing challenge.  Undeterred, I have opened a bottle of 2018 Helix Petit Verdot, a 100% Petit Verdot from the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is an inky indigo at the center, with bright ruby along the edges as might be expected from the smaller berries of this varietal.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, dusty loam and a hint of lilac with some undertones of dark chocolate and caramel.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of tart cherry, black currant and raspberry that transitions easily to some earthy notes of dusty loam and green grass midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured to provide a bit of backbone for the long dry finish that lingers to a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's an interesting single-varietal wine for what has long been a simple blending grape.  This wine is a classis for some of those harder to pair dishes, like duck or pork tenderloin, or even smoked brisket.  Tonight I am taking a pairing challenge and enjoying this wine with some chicken and vegetables simmered in some Trader Joe's Thai green curry simmer sauce over some steamed jasmine rice.  The fruit and earthy character of this wine is ideal to counter the richness of this dish.  Cheers!

2021 Bledsoe Family Winery Healy Rosé

Happy Monday!  It's been a while since I've done a Monday post, but I'm having a special dinner tonight, which calls for a special wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from the Bledsoe Family Winery, the 2021 Healy Rosé which is made from 100% Syrah from the Kenny Hill, Flying B and Los Oidos Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  Now I'll admit we aren't even close to rosé season given that's it's barely broken the 50s hear lately, but why not be optimistic and start early?  At any rate, let's see what this wine has to offer for the summer!

The wine is a lovely peach color in the glass, with just a hint of honey color.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of peach, honeydew and a bit of citrus zest that would be ideal for a warm evening on the patio.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of pear, strawberry and a hint of lemon that ease into some mineral notes midpalate.  The finish is dry and crisp, with lingering citrus notes, making this a wonderful summer favorite.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, though I may be biased given this is my first rosé of the year.  This wine would be great with summer salads, burgers and brats or even Thai lettuce wraps.  Tonight however, I am enjoying this wine with a crispy skin Scottish black pearl salmon filet with some wild rice and oven roasted carrots and asparagus.  Cheers!

2018 Helix Horse Heaven Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  The weather cleared up, so I did a bit of yard work this afternoon, which gave me a firm feeling of accomplishment.  And now it's time for Sunday dinner and opening a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from Reininger Winery, the 2018 Helix Horse Heaven Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) and Merlot (10%) from the Bacchus and Phinny Hill Vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with great clarity, definitely an approachable Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, currant, green grass and vanilla with some undertones of tarragon.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that transitions to some earthy mineral notes of toasted oak and tar.  The tannins are wonderfully structured for a lingering dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5 as it's a pleasant drinking wine that is exceptional for everyday enjoyment.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from burgers and brats to pizza and pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with my Sunday dinner of a rare grilled New York strip on a bed of grilled leeks with some smashed red potatoes with butter and parsley and haricots verts almondine.  Cheers!

2011 Jericho Canyon Vineyard Napa Valley Block 16 Restoration Merlot

Happy Saturday!  I've been running errands today as well as completing some repair projects around the house before heading off to some dinner with friends.  But before I go, I must review a wine sine this is Cellar Saturday, that magical first Saturday of a new month where I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that hasn't been in the cellar long, but still qualifies.  The 2011 Jericho Canyon Vineyard Napa Valley Block 16 Restoration Merlot is a wine I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out, and is an interesting wine, partly because a portion of the proceeds from the wine were donated to help restore wetlands in the Sacramento Valley.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting after more than a decade!

The wine is a lovely, warm ruby color in the glass with nice clarity.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of black cherry, toasted oak, black raspberry and baking spice.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit that encases your palate with velvety sweetness before transitioning to some earthy peat and vanilla bean midpalate.  The tannins are nicely integrated and still vibrant, providing a solid platform 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 classically built Merlot with many of the age worthy characteristics you might find in Bordeaux.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from hearty pasta to big grilled steaks, barbecue to crispy skin salmon, but tonight I am just sipping this one until we head to the Mexican restaurant for a new food adventure.  Cheers!