2023 Pepper Bridge Merlot

It's always a fun time when wine club shipments arrive, particularly those who time it out so you get several smaller shipments throughout the year.  And so it was for me last week, when my shipment from Pepper Bridge Winery arrived with three bottle of the 2023 Pepper Bridge Merlot.  You know I am a bit fan of Merlot, so let's see what this latest vintage is offering!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with nice clarity, just as you'd like to see from this underappreciated varietal.  The nose presents a variegated blend of aromas, from anise and oak to blackberry and clove, just a nice breath of fall!  The first sip is a rush of ripe fruit, cherry, blackberry and currant, with an good bit of peppery spice throughout, marking a rather rambunctious first impression, before transitioning to some notes of tawny spice and ripe plum midpalate.  The tannins are young but stand at attention for the long, smooth dry finish that will have you rapidly reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's another classic vintage for a prime Walla Walla Merlot producer.  This wine would pair well with aged cheeses, hearty pasta or classic fall dishes like beef stew.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a grilled T-bone with some sautéed onions and mushrooms, blistered cherry tomatoes and steamed asparagus.  Cheers! 

2023 Helix Marvin Red Wine

I seldom get to review a new wine like I am tonight, but fortunately I received a couple bottles of the new 2023 Helix Marvin Red Wine in my last wine club shipment.  This wine is named for Marvin Tucker, who is the grandfather of the Tucker family, who are partners with Chuck in the wine business.  This particular vintage is a blend of Cinsault (49%), Mourvèdre (33%) and Grenache (19%) from the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this new wine is tasting!

The wine is a lighter style, with bright ruby color in the glass.  The nose presents aromas of strawberry jam, hints of lavender and undertones of earthy tar.  The first sip is a rush of ripe red fruit, strawberry, cherry and raspberry that excite your palate before transitioning to some notes of earthy basalt and graphite.  The tannins are supple and ideal for a dry finish that fully embraces the fruit, allowing for a continuity you seldom find.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a pleasant drinking and food friendly wine.  This wine would pair well with a wide range of dishes, from summer caprese salad to alder planked salmon, steak and brats to barbecue.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a fall classic of grilled lamb loin chops, roasted fingerling sweet potatoes and steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2015 Seven Hills Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month, which means it's time for me to raid the cellar and open a bottle at least a decade in the making!  Tonight it's a special selection from one of my favorite Walla Walla wine makers, the 2015 Seven Hills Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a perennial favorite harvested from some of the oldest vines in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine has matured!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of prune, leather and earthy basalt as it opens up.  The first sip is a blast of black fruit, ripe plum, cherry and currant, intermingled with earthy minerality and peppery spice that sings with mature notes.  The tannins are still vibrant with a strong backbone for the lingering dry finish that will have you pleasantly surprised at this mature wine.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it seems to be just hitting its stride.  This wine would pair perfectly with fall, as the hearty structure of this wine is ideal for chilly temperatures and hearty meals, like beef stew, braised short ribs or big steaks.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a big porterhouse grilled rare, with some steamed asparagus and a baked potato.  Cheers!