Happy Memorial Day! I spend the day planting flowers at the cemetery for my family, and now it's time to enjoy the classic cookout that we all enjoy. Before I get to grilling, it's time to open a nice bottle of wine. Tonight it's a recent wine club shipment from a Walla Walla favorite, Pepper Bridge! The 2023 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Red Wine is a blend of Merlot (37%). Cabernet Sauvignon (27%). Malbec (27%) and Petit Verdot (9%) all harvested from the Pepper Bridge Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington. So let's see how this latest vintage is shaping up!
The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with great clarity. A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, cherry and leather with undertones of oak. The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, blackberry and currant that transition easily to some notes of charred oak and dark chocolate midpalate. The tannins are velvety smooth, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.
I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant red wine, ideal for meals or just sipping on the patio with family and friends. This wine would pair well with braised short ribs, rack of lamb or hearty pasta, but what it really wants is a big honkin' steak! And we are in luck, as I am enjoying this wine with a prime tomahawk ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare on a bed of sautéed onions and mushrooms with fresh grilled corn on the cob and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts. Cheers!
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