2025 DaMa Wines Grenache Blanc

Happy Sunday!  This is indeed a rare occasion as tonight I am opening a bottle of white wine to enjoy with my dinner.  I recently received this wine in a wine club shipment, and I am excited to try it with a Sunday dinner that really calls for a white wine.  This wine is a 100% Grenache Blanc from the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington, so let's see what this new wine has to offer.

The wine is a crystal clear white in the glass with hints of white grapefruit color.  The nose presents aromas of bright citrus, pineapple and a hint of pear, surely as the winemaker suggests, sunshine in a glass!  The first sip is a rush of tropical fruit intermingled with green apple, course mineral notes and ample vibrant citrus that transitions to some notes of white floral midpalate.  This finish is crisp and dry with plenty of acidity along the way, a perfect sip for a warm and humid evening on the patio as I am experiencing tonight!

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it seems to be altering my perception of white wine, and I could see myself enjoying this throughout the summer!  This wine would pair well with such a broad range of dishes, from spicy Thai or Indian, to seared sea scallops or pan seared halibut.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic Midwest Sunday dinner of bourbon crusted chicken thighs, steamed asparagus and corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2023 Punch Winery Napa Valley Red Blend

Happy Saturday!  Today was Graduation at Saint Maty's College and I have so many emotions as I saw some of my dearest young ladies step forward to become the prominent leaders of women in business, I feel pride, anxiety and joy as I know they will make my accomplishments look small in comparison to what they will do, but for now I will celebrate with them with a bottle of wine and a great meal!  Tonight, I have opened a bottle of wine that is a recent purchase from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2023 Punch Winery Napa Valley Red Blend is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Merlot, all harvested from the Napa Valley AVA of California.  Let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, just as you'd expect from a Napa Valley blend.  The nose presents aromas of blackberry, raspberry compote and toasted oak, just as you'd expect from the Valley.  The first sip is a rush of black fruit that eases into some earthy notes of dusty limestone, toasted oak and spicy pepper midpalate,  The tannins are well structured and vibrant, lending a firmness to the long, smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's an excellent red blend comparable to those of Bordeaux, but easily approachable.  This wine would pair well with a range of grilled steaks, braised short ribs, or grilled rack of lamb.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse with some grilled asparagus. Cheers! 

2022 Mark Ryan Olivia Grace Red Wine

Happy Wine Wednesday!  With the semester coming to a close, I might be posting more during the week, so watch out!  Tonight I've opened a bottle that's been in the cellar for a couple year, and I'm finally getting around to exploring it.  The 2022 Mark Ryan Olivia Grace Red Wine is a blend of Grenache (59%), Syrah (36%) and Mourvèdre (5%) all sourced from the Olsen Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this Rhône style blend is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, characteristic for the blend.  The nose presents a classic combination of fruit and earthy character, with aromas of strawberry, currant and cherry amid undertones of tar and basalt.  The first sip is a marked departure from what the nose prompted you to expect, with a rush of tart cherry, red currant and raspberry that eases into some notes of dried herbs and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a long, smooth dry finish with a bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's an interesting and well balanced effort at a GSM blend.  This wine would pair well with venison or lamb, hearty braised short ribs or cedar planked salmon.  Tonight, I am taking a different path and enjoying this wine with a midweek dinner of seared sausage with boursin cream sauce tossed with pasta and vegetables.  Cheers!

2024 DaMa Wines Grenache

Happy Mothers Day!  I hope all of you moms out there enjoyed a fantastic day with kids and grandkids!  I finished my grading today, so my first year as a professor is nearly concluded.  All that's left are all the ceremonies that come with graduation.  To celebrate, tonight I've opened a bottle from one of my favorite Walla Walla producers and also one of the only women-owned wineries in Walla Walla, DaMa Wines!  The 2024 DaMa Grenache is a 100% Grenache sourced from the Painted Hills Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington, so let's see how it's tasting.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a little more full bodied than you might expect from a Grenache.  The wine presents and inviting array of aromas, ripe strawberry, raspberry and cherry with undertones of lilac and hints of earthy minerality.  The first sip is a rush of sweet red fruit, cherry, raspberry and currant that east into some mineral notes and oak midpalate.  The tannins are fairly sharp with a good bit of acidity on the long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a fresh and pleasant drinking red wine that is perfect for the warmer days of summer (if they ever arrive!).  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from paella to moules frites, grilled lamb chops to pan seared halibut.  Tonight, I am taking the pacific seafood route and enjoying this wine with a crispy skin salmon filet, steamed rice and sugar snap peas.  Cheers!

2019 Reininger Cima

Happy Sunday!  I did a lot of chores today, from laundry to mowing to transplanting some flowers and now I am ready for a nice Sunday dinner.  It's been a little chilly here lately, so I decided to opt for some warm, hearty Italian food for dinner tonight, which calls for a nice Tuscan style wine, and thus we have the 2019 Reininger Cima.  This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) and Merlot (25%) sourced from the Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and XL Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this pairs with dinner!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with great clarity, a testament to the balance between the Sangiovese and the Bordeaux varietals.  The nose presents aromas of strawberry, red currant with undertones of leather and charred oak.  The first sip is an intriguing rush of tart cherry and raspberry that ease into some earthy notes of minerals, oak and black tea midpalate.  The tannins are firm and well integrated, providing for a classic Super-Tuscan style long dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, and although the quality is comparable to the many vintages I've tried (see my posts on the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 vintages) I find this vintage to be a bit more interesting and complex than past vintages.  This wine would pair well with friends on the patio, hearty Italian dishes, or hard cheeses and charcuterie.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a hearty bucatini with some hot Italian sausage and spicy arrabbiata sauce, a perfect Tuscan dinner on a chilly evening.  Cheers!

2012 Firefly Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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 hasn't been in the cellar long, as I recently purchased it from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2012 Firefly Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is from a stellar Napa vintage and sourced from vineyards in the Coombsville AVA of Napa Valley.  Let's see how this wine is performing after 14 years!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, without a hint of amber at the edges, looking quite fresh.  A gentle swirl of the glass and the nose reveals aromas of ripe blackberry and prune amid undertones of smoke and dusty limestone.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in ripe fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that eases into some dried herbs and black pepper spice midpalate.  The acidity is still vibrant, offering some tartness on the smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it was a solid wine that still has plenty of life left in it.  This wine would pair well with hard cheeses, braised short ribs, steaks or grilled lamb chops.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled ribeye with wild mushroom risotto and grilled asparagus.  The fruit and bright acidity of this wine is ideal to cut through a fatty ribeye.  Cheers!