2022 Woodward Canyon Estate Cabernet Franc

Happy Sunday!  Today was full of yard work, laundry and preparing for classes tomorrow, so now it's time to relax with a nice bottle of wine and Sunday dinner!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from the spring wine club shipment from Woodward Canyon, which seems fitting since the fall club shipment arrived on Friday.  The 2022 Woodward Canyon Estate Cabernet Franc was harvested from vines in the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard planted nearly two decades ago, so let's see how this latest vintage is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, classic for this typically blending varietal.  The nose presents aromas of blueberry, blackberry and plum, intermingled with some interesting floral notes of lavender and violet amid earthy notes of leather and tobacco.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, with ongoing floral undertones amid evolving notes of black licorice and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing the ideal backbone for the long, 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 the best examples of Cabernet Franc I've had the pleasure of tasting.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, but I think it's highest and best use might be to accompany a standard cheese course, just before dessert.  Of course, I rarely have either cheese courses or desserts, so tonight I am enjoying this wine with some Italian sausage with onions and peppers and some classic spaghetti.  Cheers!

2024 Browne Family Vineyards Gigi's Garden Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  I spent the day running errands and now I am getting ready to head over to Notre Dame to do some volunteer work, rescuing food from the stadium.  But before I go, why not have a taste of the wine that I'll be enjoying by a fire when I get back?  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I bought on Thursday when I stopped at Costco, the 2024 Browne Family Vineyards Gigi's Garden Red Wine, which seemed a little premature, but I was intrigued by the painted label and the fact that this was a liter of wine rather than the standard 750 ml.  So, let's see how this new wine is tasting!

'The wine is a lighter body, with a clear ruby color in the glass.  The nose presents aromas of strawberry, candied plum, and hints of violet, perhaps indicating this might be a bit more sweet and fruit forward.  The taste is nothing that my nose expected, with a rush of tart cherry, plum and boysenberry that transition to some notes of earthy tar and some tobacco notes midpalate.  The finish is quite dry, with well integrated tannins providing for a pleasant dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it was not impressive, but it was a pleasant drinking wine for $15 per liter.  This wine would pair well with a range of cheeses and charcuterie, burgers and brats, or just sipping around a fire with friends.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip over sautéed onions and mushrooms, with steamed Italian pole beans.  Cheers!

2017 Reininger Cima

Happy Sunday!  I spent the afternoon doing laundry and preparing for classes, then since it was a little cooler today (only the low 80s), I decided to go for a bike ride which was very pleasant (I even chased a squirrel across the river bridge, which was fun!).  Now, I am ready for a hearty Sunday dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, since I know I am having Italian, I decided to open a bottle of 2017 Reininger Cima, a classic Super Tuscan style blend of Sangiovese (42%), Cabernet Sauvignon (33%) and Merlot (25%) sourced from the Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington. Let's see if I chose wisely!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a dark and brooding testament to the heavy hands of Cabernet and Merlot in the blend.  The nose is pleasant blend of ripe blackberry, currant and plum, with undertones of leather, earthy peat and a bit of tobacco.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit with just a hint of sweetness that relents as notes of white pepper spice and cured meats take center stage midpalate.  Nicely structured tannins provide the backbone for a long, graceful finish that will have you reaching for another sip before you realize it.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, it's just a bit different than a typical Super Tuscan, with a bit more meat on the bone, making this ideal for heartier dishes.  This wine would pair well with a range of big meals, from Bistecca alla fiorentina to hearty pasta with Italian sausage.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some eggplant parmigiana made with the sauce I made earlier this fall and some fresh eggplant that was picked on Friday.  Cheers!

2010 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Winemakers Series Lot 1 Napa Valley Merlot

Well, it's the first Saturday of the new month which means it's Cellar Saturday!  This is the magical day when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that was recently added to my cellar with an extended vertical vintage purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2010 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Winemakers Series Lot 1 Napa Valley Merlot is a blend of Merlot (76%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (24%) and represents an exploration of the "valley floor" with much of the fruit coming from the Coombsville area of Napa Valley.  After 15 years to develop, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a lighter garnet color with a good bit of amber, reflective of some age.  The nose presents aromas of prune, raspberry hints of charcoal and just a bit of lilac.  The first sip is a surprising rush of fruit, blackberry, cassis and tart cherry that transition to some notes of baking spice and forest floor midpalate.  The nose had me expecting a wine that was well past it's prime, but the taste reflects a youthful vibrancy that has really stood the test of time.  The tannins are still well structured, providing an ideal backbone for a smooth, dry finish that likely has many years to go.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's always good to see a quality Merlot that can stand the test of time.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty fall dishes, from braised short ribs to rack of lamb, mushroom risotto to thick steaks, but tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pappardelle Bolognese, made over six hours to coax as much flavor as possible into the hearty ragu.  Cheers!

2024 Weekend À Aix Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé

Well, I spend the afternoon blowing leaves, which means it is effectively and officially fall, so why not have a last bit of summer with a bottle of rosé?  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2024 Weekend À Aix Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé that I bought from Wines Till Sold Out this summer.  This wine is a blend of Syrah (55%), Grenache (40%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%), which portends and interesting wine, so let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a very pale peach color in the glass, almost Chardonnay like, but we'll overlook that.  The nose is just a breath of summer, with aromas of green grass, citrus, peach and a hint of strawberry.  Take a sip and you're greeted with an unexpected rush of sweet fruit, peach, honeydew and strawberry, balanced with tart notes of pineapple and citrus, and a bit of buttery smoothness heading into a crisp dry finish that leaves you refreshed.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's nothing to knock your socks off, but it's certainly a pleasant summer wine for just $13.  This wine would pair well with summer salads, lighter fish and seafood, or just sipping in the cool of the evening.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a crab fest, a giant pile of snow crab legs with drawn butter.  Cheers!

2022 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny Proprietary Red Wine

Happy Sunday!  I didn't do a whole lot today as I was trying to relax a bit before my theatre performance tonight.  That said, I still wanted to enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner, and tonight I've opened a bottle from a recent Napa Legends Mystery Pack from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2022 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny Proprietary Red Wine is definitely a mystery as I couldn't find much on the blend, so let's just enjoy it anyhow!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edges, which likely reflects some classic Bordeaux varietals in the blend.  The nose presents aromas blackberry and currant, with layers of oak, leather and just the faintest bit of lavender.  The first sip is a rush of rich fruit that has a rather surprising warmth to it.  The ripe blue and black fruit accentuate the textured layers as you embark on a journey though blackberry and huckleberry before heading into the valleys of dusty minerals and graphite.  As you head back up to the finish, you leave the valley for some remarkably smooth and structured tannins that provide for a wonderful dry finish that has a distinctive old world sort of character.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's just an outstanding red wine with the character and boldness of Napa, but the sophistication of a winemaker at the top of their craft.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from wild mushroom risotto to braised short ribs, rack of lamb to it's destiny, a nice grilled steak.  And that's how I am enjoying this tonight, with a pan seared New York strip over a bed of sautéed onions and shitake mushrooms, along with pasta and steamed Italian pole beans.  Cheers!

2024 Belles d'Eguilles Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I have to confess that I've been completely ignoring rosé season, as I think I may have only enjoyed one bottle this entire summer.  Well, now it's time to make up for my oversight, so tonight I've opened a bottle of 2024 Belles d'Eguilles Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé that I bought last month from Wines Till Sold Out.  I have previously reviewed the 2021 vintage and thought it was all right, but still a good value.  This vintage is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan, so let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a very pale peach color in the glass, signaling something crisp and refreshing is on the way for these last few days of summer.  The nose is a refreshing array of summer citrus and tropical fruit, grapefruit, apple and mango with hints of honey and some minerality.  The first sip is delightfully crisp and refreshing, with a cascade of citrus, honeydew, and mango, with hints of red berry and some mineral notes midpalate.  The finish is dry and crisp, a perfect ending for a wine destined for patio sipping.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it impressed me much more than the 2021 vintage.  This wine would be perfect for summer patio sipping (we have 4 more days of summer!) and would also pair well with barbecue, burgers and brats or fajita tacos.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some crispy skin salmon, steamed rice and asparagus.  Cheers!

2021 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Winemakers Series Lot 1 Napa Valley Merlot

Happy Sunday!  It's been a crazy few weeks, starting a new semester while at the same time spending evenings rehearsing for a production at Elkhart Civic Theatre, but today I have the day off, so I am enjoying a nice bottle of wine with my Sunday dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from a recent 8-vintage vertical of Stag's Leap Merlot that I bought from Wines Till Sold Out.  Tonight, I've opened the 2021 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Winemakers Series Lot 1 Napa Valley Merlot, which is composed of Merlot (89%). Cabernet Franc (8%), Petit Verdot (1.5%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5%).  Let's see how this vintage is faring a year or so after release.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Merlot.  The nose presents aromas of leather, cedar and dusty limestone under inviting layers of ripe cherry and currant.  The first sip is a warm embrace of ripe red fruit, coffee and baking spice that eases into some notes of earthy minerals and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured and well integrated, to form the backbone for a velvety smooth dry finish that lingers into your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's an ideal example of a high-quality Merlot that is likely to stand the test of time.  This wine would be an ideal sipping wine on the patio with friends and family as the temperatures start to fall, but it would also pair well with hearty pasta dishes, thick steaks or cedar planked salmon.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye, asparagus with hollandaise and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2015 Force Majeure Parvata

It's the first Saturday of the new month, which means it's Cellar Saturday, that glorious time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that hasn't been in my cellar very long, as I bought it earlier this year from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2015 Force Majeure Parvata is a Southern Rhone-style blend of Mourvèdre (46%), Syrah (34%) and Grenache (20%) from the Force Majeure Estate Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So, let's see if this wine is singing or if it's past its prime as some reviewers projected shortly after release.

The wine is a lovely, deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd like to see from such a blend.  The nose presents its own adventure with aromas of leather, blackberries and currant that jump to some smoked meat and dried herbs, then back to dark chocolate and hints of peppery spice.  The first sip is wildly decadent, with a rich velvety mouthfeel and flavors of ripe blackberry and plum up front, before an easing into some smoked duck and peppery spice, ahead of some earthy basalt at the finish.  The tannins are still right there, thick and chewy and playing their essential role in the long, smooth dry finish that lingers for what seems like ten minutes.

The experts were clearly wrong, as this wine is still singing well past their drinking window into 2023, and I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's one of the best Southern Rhone-style blends I've had from Washington state.  This wine would pair well with a variety of soft cheese, rack of lamb or classic steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip over a bed of sautéed onions and mushrooms along with a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2022 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  For most, you are enjoying a long holiday weekend, but now that I am teaching, I don't get many of the traditional holidays, so for me, this is just a routine Sunday dinner.  But at least there is wine!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a perennial favorite, the 2022 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon!  I have reviewed many vintages (not always in the correct time sequence), going all the way back to the 2010 Vintage.  The current vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (98%) and 1% each of Petit Verdot and Malbec.  Let's see how this vintage is shaping up!

The wine has a classic Cabernet look, inky black at the center and bright ruby along the edges. The nose presents aromas of green grass, black currant and blackberry, with hints of floral undertones.  The first sip is classic Washington Cabernet, with a rush of black fruit, overtaken by earthy basalt and oak, that eases into some dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a very smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's drinking very nicely now, but is sure to evolve meaningfully over the coming decade.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, as well as hard cheeses, but it seems like this would feel most at home with a big honkin' steak.  Well, as luck would have it, tonight I am enjoying this wine with perhaps the biggest tomahawk steak I've ever grilled (and don't worry, this will likely be my dinner for the entire week!), with the last of the hatch chilies I just roasted.  Cheers!

2023 Kirkland Signature Stag's Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday! It was a great first week of classes, have I mentioned that I am now a teaching professor of finance?  In any case it was a good week, and now I am spending the weekend preparing for next week, but in the interim I can enjoy a nice dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I picked up at Costco yesterday, the 2023 Kirkland Signature Stag's Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  You had me at Stag's Leap Costco!  So, let's see how this (likely too young) wine is tasting!

The wine has the look of a classic big Napa Cabernet, inky black at the center and bright ruby all around.  The nose presents aromas of leather, Bing cherry, hints of white pepper and just a bit of dried herbs.  The first sip is an intriguing combination of green grass up front that transitions to some ripe cherry and blackberry and earthy limestone midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing for a long, smooth dry finish with a bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it would have rated higher, but it's still quite young and has a bit of sharpness along the edges (if they release this a year later, this wine would be really singing!).  This wine would of course pair well with steak, but also with barbecue, braised lamb shank, or even a variety of pasta dishes, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic Midwest dinner of pan seared New York strip, over sautéed red onions and mushrooms with some corn on the cob (I am reliably told there is more than corn in Indiana).  I will likely enjoy the rest of this wine beside the fire this evening, cheers!  

2021 Yokayo Frost Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Well, this Saturday was a busy one trying to get caught up with work around the yard and house, but I think I made it and now it's time for a nice dinner and glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2021 Yokayo Frost Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon that I bought recently from Wines Till Sold Out.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Frost Vineyard in the Mendocino County AVA of California.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity, perhaps a bit more subdued than some of the bigger California Cabernets.  The nose is a pleasant affaire with notes of leather, ripe cherry and herbal notes.  Take a sip and you'd be forgiven for mistaking this wine for a Zinfandel with a rush of jammy fruit, cherry, blackberry and plum with a pronounced peppery spice throughout. The tannins are subdued providing for a sharp dry finish with lingering spice.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a very nice everyday wine, that is a good value at just $12,50.  This wine would pair well with steak, tacos, barbecue or hearty pasta, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with some grilled beef kabobs with zucchini, onions, red peppers, yellow squash and shitake mushrooms, and fresh corn on the cob, and ideal Midwestern summer dinner.  Cheers!

2020 Helix Petit Verdot

Happy Saturday!  I have been working on my annual sauce production today, combining 25 pounds of tomatoes, freshly roasted garlic, pancetta, basil, wine and olive oil to make a festive Italian treat for my friends and neighbors.  And as that is simmering, I have time for a glass of wine and dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2020 Helix Petit Verdot, a highlight of a normal blending varietal for Bordeaux, so let's see how this wine is shaping up! 

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with nice clarity, almost having the look of a Cabernet, but just a bit lighter.  The nose presents aromas of leather, lilac and blackberry, with just a hint of anise over the top.  The first sip is a rush of ripe berry, blackberry, cherry and marionberry that wash over your palate before transitioning to some earthy loam midpalate.  The tannins are 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 fine example of a single varietal that normally takes a back seat in a blend.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hard cheeses, but would also fare well with burgers, steaks and barbecue.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled T-bone, with roasted hatch chilies, and some fresh corn on the cob that was just picked yesterday!  Cheers!

2021 Mark Ryan Water Witch

It was another very hot and humid Sunday, so I decided to go see a friend of mine perform in a play and stay in the air conditioning for most of the day.  Now it's time to brave the heat and grill dinner, which means it's time to open a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2021 Mark Ryan Water Witch, which I was surprised was the first vintage I've reviewed since the 2015 vintage!  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (22%), Malbec (6%) and Petit Verdot (2%) from the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep indigo at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, a testament to the impact of Cabernet in the blend.  The nose is a a surprisingly floral affair, with aromas of violet and rose, intermingled with notes of must and blackberry, for what would portend to be a very earthy affaire.  The first sip is an unexpected rush of tart cherry and blueberry that transitions to some earthy mushroom notes midpalate.  The tannins are well balanced, providing for a smooth dry finish with a bit of oak at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's very pleasant drinking, but not a terrific value for the price.  This wine would pair well with steak, grilled lamb or barbecued beef ribs, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a trio of my summer favorites, a cowboy ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare with grilled hatch chilies and fresh local corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2021 Charles Krug Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Today it's been very hot and humid, and although this morning I spent a few hours helping friends clear out a house, the rest of the day has been spend huddling in the air conditioning!  At least inside, I can open up a nice bottle of wine to enjoy. Tonight, I've opened a bottle from a favorite Napa Valley producer, the 2021 Charles Krug Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.   Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of leather, ripe cherry and green herbs with some mineral undertones.  The first sip is a delight, a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant that wash over your palate before retreating and allowing the earthy mineral and warm spice notes present themselves midpalate.  The tannins are firm but yielding, ideal for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a delightful Napa Valley Cabernet that tends to be much more affordable than the bigger names out there.  This wine would pair well with a variety of bold dishes, but as always it would be best with a nice big steak.  Well, we're in luck as tonight I am enjoying this wine with a nice big T-bone grilled rare along with some grilled hatch chilis, the first of the season that I picked up at my local market this morning!  Cheers!

2019 Yokayo Buteo Rockpile Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I am exhausted, I spent seven hours working in the yard today, trimming hedges and cleaning up all the scraps and now I need to relax with a nice dinner and glass of wine!  Although I may find it a strain to lift a glass to my mouth, tonight I've opened a bottle that was an impulse add on to an order from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2019 Yokayo Buteo Rockpile Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (75%), Malbec (16%) and Petit Verdot (9%) from the Rockpile appellation in Sonoma. So, let's see if I can lift this glass and taste this wine!

The wine is an inky black at the center with deep garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a big California Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, plum and green cedar.  The first sip is a rush of ripe fruit, cherry, strawberry and plum with undertones of earthy peat and cedar that transition to some notes of mocha and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are firm and vibrant, providing an ideal foundation for a 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 very pleasant drinking Cabernet that punches above its weight class, as this wine was available for the bargain price of $17!  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from crispy skin salmon to mushroom risotto, steak to grilled lamb chops.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled T-bone steak, oven roasted shishito peppers with flaky salt and grilled corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2015 Château Aney Haut-Medoc

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month, which means it's time to open a bottle of something that's been at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that's only been in my cellar for a month or so, as I purchased this bottle at a wine store in Hillsdale, Michigan on a recent steam train excursion.  The 2015 Château Aney Haut-Medoc does not list a specific blend, but given the requirements of this appellation on the left bank of the Gironde, I would guess this is weighted toward Cabernet Sauvignon, along with some Merlot, Petit Verdot, and perhaps a bit of Malbec.  Let's see how this wine is tasting. 

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity, a testament to this classic Bordeaux blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, ripe blackberry, and hints of lilac, a very refined and rich bouquet.  The first sip is just classis Bordeaux, with a rush of blackberry, currant and fig that eases into the classic Bordeaux funk, earthy peat and white pepper spice midpalate.  The finish is supported by soft tannins, providing the classic smooth dry finish that doesn't linger, but makes itself hardly noticeable.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a solid examples of one of my favorite Bordeaux wines.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty pasta to braised short ribs, grilled lamb to classic steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled ribeye along with some grilled portabella mushrooms and linguine tossed with sautéed garlic scapes and broccoli rabe and topped with parmesan.  Cheers!

2021 Le Quart du Roi Côtes-du-Rhône

Happy Sunday!  I confess I've sheltered in place today with the heat wave we've been having, 87 degrees and 78% humidity is not my cup of tea!  So, I did some laundry and a few other indoor chores and now it's time for Sunday dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2021 Le Quart du Roi Côtes-du-Rhône which I bought last year from Wines Till Sold Out.  This wine is a classic Rhône blend of Syrah (50%), Grenache (30%), Cinsault (10%) and Carignan (10%).  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a beautiful deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  The nose is chock full of ripe red fruit, cherry, plum and currant with hints of green pepper and dried herbs.  The first sip is a fruit forward affaire, with almost jammy red fruit, cherry, currant and strawberry that eases into some spicy notes of white pepper and a bit of rosemary.  Having tasted many French wines, I come to expect a bit of earthiness on the finish, but this wine is well balanced with firm tannings and a smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderfully drinking and food friendly wine that was a terrific value at just $12.49!  This wine would be exceptionally well paired with unusual, hard-to-pair dishes, like Asian or Indian, which is a good thing, since tonight I am enjoying this wine with some chicken Tikka Masals with lots of veggies over basmati rice and a bit of naan to mop up the sauce.  Cheers!  

2020 Doubleback Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  Tonight, It's been exceptionally hot and humid here lately, but despite the heat, I am enjoying a special dinner, so I've decided to open a special bottle of wine to match.  The 2020 Doubleback Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a very special wine, one that I think arrived at my door a couple years ago and I'm just now opening a bottle!  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Petit Verdor (10%) and Merlot (3%), from the McQueen and LeFore Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  The wine has been patient, aging 22 months in barrel, and now I'm finally getting around to opening a bottle, so here goes nothing!

The wine is an inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, and it seems like a monster of a wine.  A brief swirl of the glass releases a banquet of aromas, from ripe blueberry to green pepper, basalt to mocha.  The first sip is like a warm hug from your mom, blue fruit up front along with some earthy mineral notes that transition easily to some warm white pepper spice, vanilla bean and red currant midpalate.  The tannins are smooth and supple, providing the ideal backbone for the long, smooth dry finish that provides a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, it's s pricy bottle, but worth every penny, as this is perennially one of the nicest Cabernets to come out of the Walla Walla Valley.  This wine would pair well with hard cheeses and charcuterie as an appetizer, braised short ribs or hearty salmon, or as it practically begs, a wonderful steak!  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared filet mignon from Snake River Farms (my local market just started carrying their steaks) along with some oven roasted beets and leeks and steamed broccoli.  Cheers!

2022 Reininger Carmenere

Happy Sunday!  I spent the afternoon at our wonderful county 4-H fair looking at all the animals and exhibits, seeing a show and enjoying just a bit of fair food.  Now that I'm home, I am looking to enjoy a lighter Sunday dinner with a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2022 Reininger Carmenere which I believe will go well with my chosen dinner menu.  This wine is a 100% Carmenere sourced from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this one is tasting.

Great color of bright ruby in the glass, with a somewhat lighter body.  The nose is chock full of red and black fruit with intermittent aromas of vanilla, caramel and baking spice that signals your mind to expect something special.  The taste is a rush of tart cherry up front that eases into some notes of blackberry and plum, with undertones of peppery spice.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish with a bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5 as it's a classic Reininger edition of this nearly lost Bordeaux varietal.  This wine would pair well with hearty steaks and chops, salmon, or summer caprese salads.  Carmenere always makes me think of the south of France for some reason, so for tonight's dinner, I am pairing this wine with a Mediterranean dinner of grilled octopus with a variety of summer vegetables seasoned with smoked salt and herbs de Provence.  Cheers!

2018 Château Fonréaud Listrac-Medoc

Well, it was a busy Saturday, working, then working in the yard, then running errands and now I am more than ready for dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I bought a month or so ago from Costco, the 2018 Château Fonréaud Listrac-Medoc.  I am a big fan of the Medoc in France, as this was one of the first wines I fell in love with on my first trip to France in 1995.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, so what could go wrong?

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a classic Bordeaux look.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of ripe black fruit, leather, basalt and a classic Bordeaux funk.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit at first, which instantly transitions to some notes of earthy peat and ripe plum, before transitioning to notes of black pepper spice, leather and dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are supple yet firm, providing an ideal foundation for the long, smooth dry finish that is classically Bordeaux.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderfully drinking classic red wine, that was a terrific value at under $20 (I don't recall exactly what I paid, but I think it was around $18).  This wine would pair well with classic steaks and chops, hearty pasta dishes, or braised short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a seared prime New York strip over a bed of sautéed peppers, onions and mushrooms with some oven roasted potatoes.  Cheers!

2020 Browne Family Vineyards Bitner Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been another inordinately hot weekend, with highs in the mid- to upper-80s with high humidity, so working out in the yard today was just exhausting as I think I must have sweat through a gallon of water.  Now, I am tired and sore and ready for dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I picked up at Costco a few months back, the 2020 Browne Family Vineyards Bitner Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a classic Columbia Valley Cabernet with fruit sourced from the Browne Estate Vineyard (30%), Shaw (25%), Quintessence (17%), Red Mountain Vineyard (9%),  Blackwood Canyon (9%), Pepper Bridge (5%), and Aqualini (5%).  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a classic look for a Columbia Valley Cabernet.  The nose is a rush of leather and oak, with support from ripe blackberry, candied plum and hints of violet.  The first sip is a surprisingly fruit forward affaire, with blackberry, blueberry and plum that give way to a bit of tart cherry before heading to some toasted oak and earthy minerality midpalate.  The tannins are graceful yet firm, providing just the right foundation for the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it punches way above it's weight class (I think I bought this at Costco for around $20, but even the full retail price online is only $35).  This wine would pair well with grilled steaks and chops, roasted vegetables, cedar planked salmon or barbecue.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip with butter and rosemary, mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2022 Stag's Leap Artemis

Happy Sunday!  It's been very hot here today, though I did make it out for a bike ride for about an hour and just got cooled off.  In any case, now it's time to make dinner and open a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of wine that I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out in one of their recent Mystery Selections which have featured two wines from this outstanding producer, this time it's the 2022 Stag's Leap Artemis.  I've been a fan of this wine for well over a decade having reviewed the 2010 vintage and the fabulous 2012 vintage previously.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with a brooding black center, just as you'd expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  A gentle swirl and your nose is treated to aromas of caramel, tar and lavender with undertones of leather and ripe black fruit.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit having a throw down with tart cherry before easing up to notes of warm baking spice, earthy minerality and mocha midpalate.  The tannins are still a bit sharp, but ease right into the warm dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's drinking nicely now, but will likely improve handsomely with a few years in the cellar.  This wine would pair with a variety of hearty dishes from braised short ribs to rack of lamb, but more than anything, this wine begs for steak.  And it's a good thing my local market had a good variety yesterday, so tonight I can enjoy this wine with a rare grilled tomahawk ribeye topped with grilled garlic scapes and served with grilled asparagus and broccoli rabe.  Cheers!