2019 Gramercy Cellars Lower East Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy New Year's Eve! I had to post tonight since I am really having my New Year's dinner tonight, as I'm heading to a pot luck with friends tomorrow.  So here we go!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a recent purchase from Wines Till Sold Out, as they had a nice selection of wines from Grammercy Cellars, producers of some top notch Syrah.  But tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2019 Gramercy Cellars Lower East Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), Merlot (9%) and Petit Verdot (1%) from the Phinney Hill (50%), Pepper Bridge (25%) and Grammercy Estate Vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is deep ruby color in the glass, not as heavily bodied as some Cabernets, but still quite endearing.  The nose presents aromas of leather, cedar and a beautiful forest floor, intermingled with ripe Bing cherry, Marionberry and wonderful dried herb notes.  The first sip is classic Columbia Valley Cabernet, with a rush of blackberry and cherry fruit that ease gracefully into some tawny vanilla bean notes, before transitioning into some classic dark chocolate and mocha notes midpalate.  The tannins are smooth as silk for the lovely smooth dry finish, with a reprise of dried Italian herbs at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it punches way above its weight class, particularly as a $20 purchase from WTSO.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty winter dishes, from leg of lamb to braised short ribs, grilled tri-tip London Broil to hearty mushroom pasta.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with my New Year's Eve dinner of a rare grilled petit bison tomahawk with some linguine tossed with garlic, olive oil and sautéed broccoli rabe.  Cheers!

2020 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  Yesterday was the day of my annual Christmas Party, and we had a great crowd which means there were not a lot of leftovers!  I use this party as an opportunity to try some new dishes for the guests, and this year we had three new ones that were all well received.  Today, after spending a good portion of the afternoon cleaning up, it's now time to open a bottle of wine and enjoy a good dinner.  Since this is the last Sunday of the month, it's also Dinner in the Diner Sunday, the last one of this yearlong effort, but more on that later.  For the wine, tonight I've opened a bottle of 2020 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the original vineyard planted by Seven Hills founder Casey McClellan and his father back in the early 1980s.  The other vintages I've enjoyed (including the 2017 and 2019) were well worth it, so let's see how the 2020 is faring!

The wine has the classic look of a big Cabernet, inky black at the center and bright ruby along the edges.  The nose presents aromas of leather, blackberry, cherry and dark chocolate, inviting you to take a sip.  That first sip is a wild ride of flavors as you experience and eruption of sweet cherry up front, that eases into some earthy notes of toasted oak and dusty limestone, before transitioning to some espresso and dark chocolate notes midpalate.  The tannins are youthful, but well behaved, providing for the wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a classic example of the age worthy potential of Walla Walla Cabernets.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from rack of lamb and braised short ribs, London broil to hearty pasta dishes.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a main course derived from the dining cars of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, fried country ham with red gravy, along with some mashed sweet potatoes and green bean casserole.  Cheers!

2021 Woodward Canyon Estate Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I finally had a day to relax on my vacation, so I did some laundry and went out for a movie, and now it's time for Sunday dinner and a nice bottle of wine. Tonight I've opened a bottle from a recent shipment from Woodward Canyon Winery, the 2021 Woodward Canyon Estate Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the oldest vines in the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley of Washington.  Let's see how this latest vintage is faring!

The wine has a classic Cabernet look in the glass, inky at the center and bright ruby along the edges. The nose is a more subtle affair, with aromas of leather, blackberry, toasted oak and basalt with undertones of lavender.  The first sip is a dynamic combination of black cherry, caramel and vanilla bean up front, that transition easily to some earthy notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are surprisingly mellow for such a young wine, providing just the right foundation for the long, smooth dry finish with just a faint bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's drinking well right now, but will likely gain a good bit of traction with a few years in the cellar.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty meat dishes, from braised bison short ribs to rack of lamb to a big steak.  Tonight I have opted for the latter and am enjoying this wine with a Bisteca Fiorentina, grilled broccoli rabe and sweet potato puree.  Cheers!

2019 Helix Cima Piccola

Happy Saturday!  I am pleased to say that I have completed all of my Christmas shopping, and all the the presents have been wrapped and are awaiting delivery to their intended recipients.  So, now that I can breathe a little easier, it's time to open a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2019 Helix Cima Piccola, which is a Super Tuscan style blend composed of Sangiovese from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard as well as Merlot (33%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (17%) sourced from other vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  Let's have a taste of this Pacific Northwest interpretation of Tuscany!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a somewhat heavier body no doubt a credit to the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend.  The nose presents an intriguing combination of cedar, violet and spice box that marks the Sangiovese in the blend.  The first sip is not what I expected at all, a rush of blueberry and tart cherry wash over your palate before transitioning to some earthy tar and white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannings are so well integrated, you can miss them entirely as you enjoy the lush smooth finish that will have you coming back for more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as this vintage is right up with the wonderful 2017 vintage I enjoyed nearly four years ago.  This wine is very food friendly and would pair well with a range of dishes, from classic pasta and risotto, bisteca Fiorentina, or simple Tuscan toast.  Tonight, I am going the classic as classic can get route and enjoying this wine with a mixed green salad with pomegranates and sage blossom vinaigrette along with linguine and meatballs.  Cheers!

2021 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Red Wine

Happy Taco Tuesday!  Well I guess that ruined the surprise of what's for dinner this evening.  Of course, there are so many good red wines to enjoy with classic tacos, but tonight I've settled on a bottle of 2021 Pepper Bridge Vineyard red wine.  This wine is a classic Walla Walla red blend of Merlot (34%), Malbec (33%), Cabernet Sauvignon (24%) and Petit Verdot (9%), making this an ideal wine for steak tacos! This wine is composed of varietals exclusively sourced from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington, so let's have a taste shall we?

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, as you might expect from such a blend.  The nose presents an intriguing blend of aromas, blackberry, ripe plum with undertones of anise, baking spice and cocoa powder.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit counterbalanced with tart cherry, that eases into notes of cedar and dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a lush mouthfeel and a deliciously smooth dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a solid example of the quality of red wine blends consistently produced in Walla Walla.  This wine would pair well with grilled steak, classic spaghetti and meatballs, rack of lamb, tacos or barbecue.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with my Taco Tuesday dinner of steak fajita tacos with all the trimmings.  Cheers!

2022 Helix SoRho

Happy Sunday!  Today was an eventful day, as not only did I finish my laundry, I managed to complete all of my Christmas decorating, including the three trees, leg lamp and the stormtrooper (new for this year!).  So, now I am ready for a spectacular dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Given my menu choices this evening, I've decided on a something inspired by the south of France, the 2022 Helix SoRho blend!  This wine is a blend of Grenache (35%) Cinsault (34%) and Mourvèdre (31%) from the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, with a lighter balance as you might expect from such a blend.  The nose presents aromas of cherry, plum and cassis intermingled with earthy peat and rustic herb notes that have you thinking you are out in the pasture in rural France.  The first sip is a rush of sweet fruit, cherry, strawberry and red currant that transition easily to notes of vanilla and toasted oak midpalate.  There is a mild acidity that carries through to the finish, which is supported by modest tannins for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that will leave you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a pleasant domestic homage to a blend from the south of France, making it a wonderfully food friendly wine.  This one would pair well with a variety of dishes, from rustic seafood to hearty stews, braised lamb to grilled steak tacos.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a two course celebratory dinner, starting with seared sea scallops over a bed of greens with aged white balsamic and pomegranate, leading to the main course of Scottish black pearl salmon with oven roasted sweet potatoes and asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2022 DaMa GSM

Happy Saturday!  Today I went on my annual hunting trip to bag a couple of trees to decorate for Christmas, and it was a successful venture (more on that tomorrow).  I also had a chance to meet some new friends at a wine bar that opened here in town, which could be an interesting development, but again more on that later.  Tonight, I am focused on enjoying a nice bottle of wine that would offer an excellent pairing with my dinner this evening.  The 2022 DaMa GSM is a classis blend of Grenache (52%), Syrah (30%) and Mourvèdre (18%) from the Yakima Valley of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a lighter bodied affaire, with bright garnet color in the glass, just as you might expect.  The nose presents aromas of strawberry and plum, intermingled with notes of lavender, green grass and basalt.  The first sip has a lot going on, a rush of cherry cola with a hint of tartness that will have you second guessing what is happening in you mouth. Midpalate you are treated to some ripe black fruit and undertones of floral notes and earthiness.  The tannins are well integrated providing for a wonderfully mellow dry finish, with a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine an 8.5, as it's a very good example of a pleasant drinking GSM that is food friendly.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty pasta to crispy skin salmon, braised lamb to prime steaks.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classing pairing of risotto with butter poached lobster tail as the subtle fruit and mild acidity pair well with the richness of the dish.  Cheers!

2021 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  Tonight's wine represents another installment of a great series of Washington wines that I've been reviewing since the 2010 vintage more than a decade ago!  I didn't say the latest, as I just received the next vintage in my wine club shipment a week or so ago, but at least I'm trying to catch up!  The 2021 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Petit Verdot (7%), Merlot (5%) and Cabernet Franc (1%) from the Woodward Canyon Estate, Weinbau and Sagemoor Vineyards of Washington State.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep, enticing ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a great Washington Cabernet.  The nose presents vibrant aromas of sweet cherry, violet and toasted oak, with an undercurrent of dark chocolate and espresso.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black cherry, marionberry and currant that transition easily to some notes of baking spice and dusty loam midpalate.  The tannins are pronounced and expertly structured, providing for a silky smooth dry finish that will have you quickly reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of my favorite Washington Cabernets, given its quality and consistency over many years.  This wine would pair well with a big steak, grilled lamb chops, braised short ribs, or almost any hearty winter dish that needs a big wine to dance with.  Tonight, I am taking the advice of the winery and enjoying this wine with a big ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, with bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and classic mashed potatoes.  Cheers!

2007 Mouton Cadet Bordeaux

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month, which means it's time to raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making. Tonight, I've opened a bottle that's been in my cellar since 2010, so it definitely qualifies.  The 2007 Mouton Cadet Bordeaux is a blend of Merlot (65%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Cabernet Franc (15%), and as I recall, this wine was very inexpensive when I bought it, so let's see if it was worth the wait!

The wine is a lovely garnet color in the glass, with just a hint of amber along the edges, which seems somewhat remarkable after 17 years.  The nose presents subdued aromas of leather, prune and a hint of mint, as the youthful vibrant fruit has long since left the building.  The first sip is classic aged Bordeaux, with a rush of tart cherry, that gives way to some earthy peat and mint midpalate.  The tannins are subdued, providing for the classic dry Bordeaux finish that makes you feel as though you hadn't had a sip of red wine at all.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it seems to be a bit past its prime, but still not bad for what I recall was a sub-$20 bottle of wine.  This wine would pair well with red meat, barbecue, tacos or even pasta.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip served on potato puree, topped with Béarnaise with steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2021 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Petite Verdot

Happy Sunday!  Given that the last Sunday of November was 6 days ago, I missed it, so I've decided to do my "Eating in the Diner" tribute this Sunday, so you'll see what I've made from the Dining Car archives.  But first, I've selected a wine that I believe will go well with my selected repast, the 2021 Seven Hills McClellan Estate Petite Verdot, a 100% Petit Verdot from the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting.

The wine is a lovely bright ruby color in the glass, with a somewhat lighter body than you might see in the prime Bordeaux varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.  The nose is in intriguing blend of green grass and floral notes of violet and buttercup, with undertones of leather and cocoa powder.  Take a sip and enjoy the rush of tart cherry, black currant and hints of baking spice, that easily transition to some flavors of cherry cola and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are supple and well integrated, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a delightful examples of a supporting cast member of the Bordeaux family that stands up well by itself.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty fall and winter dishes, from braised short ribs to hearty stews, pasta to pot roast.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with Swedish meatballs as prepared by the Pennsylvania Railroad on many of their signature trains, like the Broadway Limited.  Although, the recipe only includes the meatballs, I've opted for a less traditional plating, serving them with pappardelle rather than mashed potatoes, but still with the pickled cucumber salad and lingonberries.  Cheers!