2023 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Thanksgiving!  Yes, I know it was two days ago, but this is the official start to the holiday season, and in the past 48 hours we've had over a foot of snow, the Christmas lights, garland and wreaths are all up and I am enjoying my "White Christmas" preview!  Of course, the holidays are better with wine, and tonight I've opened bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Woodward Canyon Winery, the 2023 Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a perennial favorite, and I think I've reviewed just about vintage since the 2010 Vintage, so let's see how the latest is shaping up!

The wine has the classic look of a deep, brooding Cabernet, inky black at the center, ruby along the edges.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of earthy, leather, graphite and toasted oak, amid fruit notes of blackberry, cherry and plum.  The first sip is a total fake out from the nose, with a rush of black fruit up front, before moving into earthy notes of dusty limestone, peat and hints of oak midpalate.  The tannins are just the right amount of structure and ease to provide for a delightfully smooth finish that lingers into your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic expression of Washington Cabernet that is so consistent year after year.  This wine would go perfectly with a fire in the midst of a snowstorm, but as for food, enjoy this one with a range of winter comfort foods, from braised short ribs to alder planked salmon, hearty beef stew to roast lamb shank.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a very beefy dinner of a grilled thick ribeye, mushroom farro and steamed asparagus.  Cheers! 

2021 Mark Ryan Winery Crazy Mary Mourvèdre

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a while since I've had a midweek post, but it's the holiday season and I don't have to work tomorrow so why not?  Tonight I am enjoying a new fall dish, so why not open a wine that is perfect for fall?  In this case, the 2021 Mark Ryan Winery Crazy Mary Mourvèdre, sourced from the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  Let's see how it's shaping up!

The wine is a dark, brooding ruby color in the glass, much more characteristic of a Cabernet, than a Rhone varietal.  The nose presents aromas of lavender, baking spice, prune and smoke, classic for a Mourvèdre.  The first sip is a cleansing rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, currant and plum with plenty of acidity to provide a nice backbone for this wine's structure.  The acidity seems to pause a moment midpalate to let some pepper spice and vanilla bean make a cameo appearance before the dry, sultry finish.  

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just an interesting take on a single Rhone varietal that is just perfect for Fall.  This wine would pair well with aged cheese, hearty braised short ribs, or classic Yankee pot roast.  Tonight, I am veering off into a different autumnal highway and enjoying this wine with a roasted acorn squash risotto topped with a bit of crème fraiche and chopped parsley.  Cheers!

2021 Reininger Cabernet Sauvignon

 Happy Sunday!  At long last, I finally finished getting all of my leaves up to the street so the city can come pick them up next week, so now it's time for a nice bottle of wine!  Tonight, I've opened a wine club selection from Reininger Winery, the 2021 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (91%), Merlot (5%) and Petit Verdot (4%) from the Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, a classic look for a Walla Walla Cabernet.  The nose is chock full of ripe black fruit and classic earthy notes for the Walla Walla AVA, currant, cherry and plum intermingled with leather, smoke and earthy peat.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black cherry, currant and plum that break down the doors of your palate, before easing into some mineral notes and peppery spice midpalate.  There is plenty of acidity to bring some backbone to the wine as the black fruit just guides you every step of the way.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic Reininger Walla Walla Cabernet, ideal for fall with hearty dished that will warm you spirit.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from earthy wild mushroom risotto, to classic Yankee pot roast.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a subdued Sunday dinner of pan seared filet mignon topped with Béarnaise, bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

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!