2020 Mark Ryan Winery Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  Well, I admit I'm a bit embarrassed as I chose my wine for this evening as I was considering my Sunday dinner choices, and I realized that I went out of order on the Mark Ryan Winery Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, as last month I reviewed the 2021 vintage (see here) but had never reviewed the 2020 vintage (curse you shiny object focus!).  So, I am making amend and opening a bottle of 2020 Mark Ryan Winery Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, a 100% Cabernet from the Red Willow and Ciel du Cheval vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up with an extra year in the cellar!

The wine is an inky black at the center, with deep ruby all around, just as you'd expect from a nice Cabernet.  A little swirl reveals aromas of black cherry, currant, leather and cedar signaling a perfectly Northwest experience ahead.  The first sip is a rush of intriguing fruit with tart cherry, leading into blueberries and blackberries, all easing into some mint and dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured to provide the backbone to the lingering dry finish that will have you pondering the shortness of summer at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's not quite as nice as the 2021 vintage, but still a lovely Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with classic steaks and chops, grilled lamb or hearty pasta.  Tonight, I am celebrating the start of Hatch chile season, as I just picked some up at my local market, so I'm enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye with fire roasted Hatch chiles, oven roasted purple potatoes and asparagus with Hollandaise, for a completely random Sunday dinner!  Cheers!

2021 Seven Hills the Rocks District Syrah

Happy Sunday!  I spent my afternoon at the county fair, looking at all the animals and tractors and of course eating a bit of fair food, but I didn't spoil my appetite.  Tonight I am having a bit of a different Sunday dinner, which calls for a little different wine, and nothing more different than the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater when it comes to Syrah!  The 2021 Seven Hills the Rocks District Syrah is the inaugural vintage of this 100% Syrah from Seven Hills, so let's see what this new wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep crimson in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Syrah.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, currant and cherry with undertones of oak.  Take a sip and you experience a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, blackberry and currant that carefully ease into the classic Rocks District earthy mineral funk that makes these wines such fun ones to imbibe.  The mineral notes intermingle with floral notes of violet and before you know it, you are experiencing the well structured tannins for a wonderfully lingering dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderful young example of what a classic Rocks District Syrah should be.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops to braised lamb shank or short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some grilled Za'atar seasoned lamb rib chops along with roasted garlic mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy and steamed green beans.  Cheers!

2023 Bledsoe Family Winery Healy Rosé

Happy Sunday!  I spent yesterday trimming hedges and mowing, so today I needed a break!  I did some laundry and now I'm ready for a nice glass of wine and my Sunday dinner.  Given the recent heat and humidity, I thought it appropriate to once again celebrate rosé season!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from the Bledsoe Family Winery, the 2023 Bledsoe Family Winery Healy Rosé.  This wine is a 100% Syrah from the Flying B Estate, Los Oidos and Kenny Hill Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how summer is treating this wine!

The wine is a pale peach color in the glass, with a more solid color than some recent rosé vintages.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of peach, orange blossom and citrus that signal a bit of refreshment coming your way.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of sweet summer fruit with subtle acidity that practically begs you to enjoy this bottle fully engaged on your patio. The mild acidity and well integrated tannins create a finish that is lingering on the palate, much different from the acidic crush of most rosés.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as I think it's the best vintage yet of this fun summer wine.  This one would pair well with summer salads, particularly a nice caprese with aged balsamic, seared tuna or fun fish tacos.  Tonight, I am taking a decidedly Mediterranean route with this wine and enjoying it with some grilled octopus and fresh summer veggies grilled with herbs de Provence and flaky sea salt.  Cheers!

2019 B by Fonbadet Bordeaux

Happy Sunday!  Well the long holiday weekend is almost over, but there's still time for Sunday dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a nice bottle of Bordeaux that I think I bought a few months back at Costco, and I have no idea about the wine or it's composition, but being a Bordeaux, I can only imagine it has some Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and any other combination of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, so let's just try it out shall we?

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from a nice Bordeaux.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, toffee, earthy mineral notes and baking spice.  The first sip is a rush of stark minerality, with notes of basalt and tar, that transition nicely to some notes of black cherry and cassis, intermingled with black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are classically structured for a Bordeaux, leaving you with a dry finish that you scarcely notice.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it was a solid example of a daily drinker in the heart of France, and like so many Bordeaux, this wine is very affordable as I think I paid about $15 for this one at Costco.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from pasta and jambalaya to hearty steaks and chops.  Tonight I am opting for the latter and enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Cajun spiced ribeye with sautéed onions, mushrooms and peppers and some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2022 Bledsoe Family Winery Flying B Estate Red Wine

Happy Independence Day!  I am always happy for the 4th of July, the heat of summer and all the outdoor cooking and eating, it's just an all around pleasant time of year!  We had a lot of rain today, which may have impacted the parade and early fireworks, but it cooled things down enough for a great cookout and a good excuse to open up a nice red wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I recently received from Bledsoe Family Winery, the 2022 Bledsoe Family Winery Flying B Estate Red Wine!  Some of you more astute fans may recognize this branding as it was what Bledsoe used for the family Cabernet Sauvignon from 2015-17, but then it became the Bledsoe Family Cabernet, so let's see what this throwback blend has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, reminiscent of the old Cabernet, though we are uncertain of this current blend!  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, green grass, tart cherry and lavender that hearken back to the old wine, but there is something just a bit different.  The first sip is a rush of rich, black fruit, plum, currant, cherry and blackberry that thickly coat your mouth before transitioning to some earthy mineral notes and eucalyptus midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing a solid base for the long, smooth and very dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, it's not quite to the level of the old Flying B Cabernet, but it's a very interesting and lovely red wine to enjoy with food or sipping on the patio with family and friends.  Speaking of food, this wine would pair well with steaks and chops, but it won't stop there, as it would be great with grilled vegetables, hearty pasta or spicy fajitas.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with my 4th of July dinner of grilled picanha with fire roasted poblanos and smoked black beans, corn and rice.  Cheers!