Well, it's the last day of a long weekend, so let's go out with a bang! It's been snowing most of the day, so I think it's appropriate to open a nice hearty red wine to enjoy with dinner. Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2021 Mark Ryan Monkey Wrench Red Wine, a lovely blend from the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington combining some interesting fruit from both the Red Mountain and Yakima Valley regions. This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (30%), Malbec (4%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (3%), from the Quintessence, Olsen, Quinn, Henry Earl, Phinny Hill, Stanton and Klipsun Vineyards, a real powerhouse cast! So, let's see how this wine is tasting!
The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect for such a Cabernet heavy blend. Take a whiff and you're greeted with aromas of cedar, black cherry and plum, with faint undertones of mint and lavender. The first sip is a warm rush of ripe cherry and anise with some tawny undertones, that transitions to some notes of vanilla bean and cherry cola midpalate. The fine grain tannins provide an ideal backbone for a smooth dry finish.
Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very pleasant drinking red blend that is an affordable everyday drinker at just $35 before wine club discounts. This wine would pair well with a range of hearty fall and winder dishes, from Yankee pot roast to hearty chili or beef stew, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared ribeye, baked purple potato and some oven roasted romanesco. Cheers!
No comments:
Post a Comment