2022 Mark Ryan Winery Dead Horse Cabernet Sauvignon

Well it's been a rainy day that turned much colder, and now I'm ready to head out to the theater for a play after dinner, but there's always room for wine!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of wine that's been in the cellar for a couple years, the 2022 Mark Ryan Winery Dead Horse Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (88%), Merlot (5%), Cabernet Franc (3%), Malbec (2%) and Petit Verdot (2%) from the Quintessence, Ciel du Cheval and Klipsun Vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just what you like to see.  The nose presents aromas of earthy graphite and oak intermingled with notes of blackberry and currant that get your mouth to watering.  The first sip is a rush of black fruit, that quickly evolves into multiple layers of mineral, spice and earthy notes so classic in Washington Cabernet.  Midpalate, we settle on some vanilla caramel notes with a tail of peppery spice on the finish.  The tannins are well integrated into the warm and exceedingly dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9 as it's a very pleasing and drinkable Cabernet in its youth.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from pasta to hearty stews, braised short ribs to rack of lamb.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled bone-in ribeye with some charred Romanesco and a big baked potato with sour cream and chives.  Cheers!

2021 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine

Happy Sunday!  I had a rather relaxing day, doing some chores, going to the gym, and now getting ready to make Sunday dinner and enjoy a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2021 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from some of the oldest blocks of the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from this Cabernet led Bordeaux style blend.  The nose presents aromas of leather, blueberry and hints of lavender amid subtle notes of tobacco and black pepper.  The taste is a mind-bending rush of tart cherry, intertwined with blackberry and blueberry creating a fruit cocktail before transitioning to some notes of dried herbs and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, but well structured to provide the backbone to the lingering dry finish that will have you easily reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic Washington version of a Left Bank Bordeaux.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops, braised lamb shank or wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare, pan seared filet mignon, mashed potatoes and shaved Brussels sprouts with bacon, pomegranate and 25-year white balsamic.  Cheers!

2020 Mark Ryan Winery Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  Well, I admit I'm a bit embarrassed as I chose my wine for this evening as I was considering my Sunday dinner choices, and I realized that I went out of order on the Mark Ryan Winery Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, as last month I reviewed the 2021 vintage (see here) but had never reviewed the 2020 vintage (curse you shiny object focus!).  So, I am making amend and opening a bottle of 2020 Mark Ryan Winery Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, a 100% Cabernet from the Red Willow and Ciel du Cheval vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up with an extra year in the cellar!

The wine is an inky black at the center, with deep ruby all around, just as you'd expect from a nice Cabernet.  A little swirl reveals aromas of black cherry, currant, leather and cedar signaling a perfectly Northwest experience ahead.  The first sip is a rush of intriguing fruit with tart cherry, leading into blueberries and blackberries, all easing into some mint and dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured to provide the backbone to the lingering dry finish that will have you pondering the shortness of summer at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's not quite as nice as the 2021 vintage, but still a lovely Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with classic steaks and chops, grilled lamb or hearty pasta.  Tonight, I am celebrating the start of Hatch chile season, as I just picked some up at my local market, so I'm enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye with fire roasted Hatch chiles, oven roasted purple potatoes and asparagus with Hollandaise, for a completely random Sunday dinner!  Cheers!

2020 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Red Wine

Happy Friday!  I'm enjoying a long weekend, so a perfect time for finishing some yard work and enjoying a nice dinner and bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that's been in my cellar for about a year, the 2020 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Red Wine.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, one of the most established vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So, let's see what this wine is tasting like!

The wine is a deep brooding indigo with bright ruby along the edges, as you'd expect from a classic Bordeaux style blend.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of leather, black cherry and hints of sage.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, currant and plum that ease into some notes of olive, white pepper and dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are thick and chewy, providing for a wonderfully long, dry finish that seems to linger a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a delightful wine, though the fruit can seem a bit heavy at the outset.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty winter dishes, from pasta and casseroles, to chili and stews.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye, grilled leeks, parsley buttered potatoes, asparagus and hollandaise.  Cheers!

2015 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval

Happy Saturday!  It's been somewhat rainy here today, so I've been stuck indoors, reading and doing some work on the computer.  But now it's time to make some dinner and have a nice glass of wine.  For this evening, I've opened a bottle of 2015 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval, a classic Bordeaux style blend from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  I visited Walla Walla in August of 2015, and I can attest that it was a remarkably warm vintage with harvest beginning earlier than any year in recent memory.  We'll see what impact that heat had on the wine, which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (41%), Merlot (36%), Petit Verdot (13%) and Cabernet Franc (10%).  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with an inky center, reflecting the character of its two main varietals.  The nose is an interesting combination of ripe blackberry and cherry intermingled with some floral notes of lilac, with undertones of earth.  The taste is a rush of ripe blackberry and cherry, with notes of fig and black pepper midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing nice body to the long, smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate with a reprise of black pepper spice.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classically styled Washington red blend that marries new world fruit with old world style.  This wine would pair well with lamb, steaks, pasta or risotto, or even just sipping on it's own on a warm late summer evening.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Prime New York strip, with some grilled leeks and peppers, along with some steamed purple cauliflower.  Cheers!

2018 Mark Ryan Crazy Mary Mourvèdre

Happy Thursday!  Today I had an eye doctor appointment, so now that my vision is getting almost back to normal, it's time for dinner and a glass of wine!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent release from Mark Ryan Winery, the 2018 Crazy Mary Mourvèdre.  This wine was a limited production (just 210 cases) of 100% Mourvèdre from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this one is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, very classic for the varietal.  The nose is chock full of warm red fruit, cherry, currant and cassis, with floral hints of violets and rich earthiness.  The taste is a rush of ripe fruit, cherry, blueberry and currant that transition nicely to some earthy notes of tobacco and white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are firm but refined, providing the perfect base for the long, dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just pleasant to drink and one of the better example of a pure form of the varietal.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from summer barbecue to pasta, lamb chops to pork tenderloin.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a Thai green curry chicken with vegetables over jasmine rice (I had a surplus of Thai basil in the garden, so I had to use it!).  Cheers!

2017 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Red Wine

Well, the weekend is almost over, and we even lost an hour during the course of the 48, but at least being leap year we're still ahead by 23 hours for the year so far.  I got a few things done that were on my to do list today, but it seems no matter how hard I try that list never gets any smaller.  But at least there's wine, and tonight I've opened a bottle from one of my favorite Washington producers, the 2017 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Red Wine from the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (48%), Merlot (31%), Cabernet Franc (11%) and Petit Verdot (10%).  So let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep indigo at the center with bright ruby along the edges, as you might expect from this blend.  The nose is a classic for a Bordeaux style blend with aromas of rich leather, cherry, blackberry and a hint of tobacco and black pepper.  The taste is a voluptuous affair with smooth dark fruit, intermingled with anise, black tea and a bit of dark chocolate all dancing in time.  The tannins are smooth and well structured, providing just the right backbone for the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it just ticks all the right boxes for a great red blend.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from steaks to soups, tacos to pizze and pasta, or my favorite just for sipping on its own.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse along with some bacon roasted purple carrots and Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2016 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval

Well, this is officially my 1,000th wine blog post, which is quite an accomplishment considering I started this thing on a lark nearly nine years ago!  And it's come a long way (please don't go searching for those early posts, it's quite embarrassing!) as we now routinely feature lots of photos and additional color on the wines and foods I'm enjoying.  And now, for such a momentous occasion, I've decided to open a bottle from one of my favorite Walla Walla producers, the 2016 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval, a classic Walla Walla Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So let's give it a shot!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center, a tribute to the heavy hand of Cabernet in the blend, with bright ruby along the edges.  The nose is a delightful array of earthy aromas, leather, graphite and oak under-girding a virtual basket of ripe black fruit aromas, cherry, plum and currant.  The taste is cool rush of fruit, blackberry, plum, currant and a hint of cherry cola that washes over your palate before transitioning to some subdued mineral notes and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat gritty, but I suspect they might mellow a bit with a few years in the cellar, in support of the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's still young but clearly not as good as some of the better vintages like the 2009, 2010, or 2014 but I still enjoyed it.  As for pairings, this wine paints with a fairly broad brush, and I could enjoy it with anything from steaks and chops to pizza or pasta.  But tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some classic tacos!  Cheers!

2015 Mark Ryan Dead Horse Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday! I must admit tonight's wine lead me to a bit of housecleaning, or "reorganization" if you will.  So yesterday I received my "Big Dissident" wine club shipment from Mark Ryan Winery, and I started feeling a bit guilty as I realized in addition to the two boxes I received Friday, I had eight boxes in my cellar that I still hadn't opened!  So I committed to rotating my stock and opening a box to drink tonight, alas I opened a box that contained the 2015 Dead Horse Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (88%), Merlot (8%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (1%) from the Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun, Obelisco and Quintessence Vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this tastes!

Ok, I have to admit that I poured a glass of this wine and went out to the deck to just enjoy it and my first thought was, "Wow..."  This is the sort of Washington Cabernet that will make all those Napa Valley Cabernet Snobs just crap themselves (pardon my French).  The nose is a cascade of leather, graphite, green grass and black fruit that signals to your brain that something special is coming right at you.  The taste is a rush of blackberry, cherry and smoky elements that just elevate your senses, like a splash of cold water on you face where you exclaim, "What just happened?!?"  The tannins are velvety smooth and expertly integrated, making for a long, velvety smooth and exceptionally dry finish that rivals m view of perfection.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, though I could go higher as I just thoght this wine was fantastic (so glad I let it sit for a couple years!).  This wine would pair well with the biggest of steaks (and tomorrow I'll be enjoying another bottle with friend and a prime rib roast) but tonight I'm enjoying this wine with some crispy fish tacos along with some mango sriracha slaw and jalapenos!  Cheers!

2014 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I just returned from the gym and am rewarding myself with a nice glass of wine and some dinner of course.  Tonight I've decided to dig into the cellar as I had a bottle of the 2015 vintage in the dining room, but realized I haven't yet tried the 2014 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval red wine, so tonight is the night!  This is a wonderful Bordeaux style blend from fruit grown in the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA.  The 2014 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (46%), Merlot (30%), Petit Verdot (17%) and Cabernet Franc (7%).  So let's see how this vintage tastes!

The wine is a deep, inky black color at the center with bright ruby along the edges, classic for a Cabernet-centric blend.  The nose is wonderfully layered combination of blackberry, white floral and earth that just expresses the vineyard.  The taste is complex and beautifully structured, with layer upon layer of flavor building up to a crescendo, ripe blackberry and plum build into notes of dark chocolate and tobacco which layer on top of earthy notes of dusty limestone and oak.  The chewy tannins provide the perfect backbone for the long, lush and very dry finish that seems to last a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine an easy 9, as it surpasses the 2013 vintage, and is arguably my favorite since the 2009 and 2010 vintages.  This wine would be perfect with nice big steaks, chops, roasts, hearty Italian dishes or wonderful wild salmon.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Angus New York strip on a bed of baby arugula along with some fresh grilled local corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2013 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval

Well, I'm off work this week for vacation, so you might see a few more blog posts than normal this week.  Tonight I am enjoying a bottle of 2013 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval, their 13th vintage of this wonderful red blend from the Ciel du Cheval vineyard on Red Mountain.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (42%), Merlot (30%), Petit Verdot (14%) and Cabernet Franc (14%).  What makes this is bit different is that the wine is blended early and then placed back in the barrel to age another 18 months before release, providing a real taste of the Red Mountain terroir.

The wine is a deep purple in the glass, with highlights of garnet along the edges.  The nose presents aromas of leather, blackberry, black pepper and a hint of smoke.  The taste is surprisingly well developed for such a young wine, with subdued fruit up front that seems to come alive with blackberry jam and caramelized plum, that transition effortlessly to notes of dusty limestone and toasted oak midpalate.  The tannins are a bit chewy given their youth, but still provide a nice base for the long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, with much room to develop over the coming decade.  This is a wine that begs to be paired with a nice steak, so I've obliged tonight as I'm enjoying this with a nice rare grilled Angus bone-in ribeye, mashed sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli.  The wine stands up to the steak just fine, but there's something magical about the ripe black fruit combined with mashed sweet potatoes!  Cheers!

2009 Seven Hills Winery Ciel du Cheval

Ahh...here we are, the third wine from the "Taste My Vacation" wine tasting, a wine from one of my favorite wineries in Walla Walla, the 2009 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Vineyard red wine.  This wine is a wonderful example of the best of Washington wine in my opinion, hand picked, low-yield varietals based mainly on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, along with some Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot to make for a wonderful red blend that is so characteristic of the wines in Walla Walla.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, as you would expect from such a blend.  The nose presents some lovely black cherry and plum, along with some cinnamon and floral notes.  There is also a sweetness in the nose, almost candy-like, which is offset by the aroma of licorice and just a hint of cedar.  The taste is a true delight, with a lovely balance of ripe berry and plum at the outset, giving way to fresh herbs and a certain earthy quality.  The flavors are very sophisticated in the way they play off each other and bring real balance to the overall taste of the wine.  The tannins are still a bit tight for this younger wine, but they work well for a long, smooth finish.

This was one of our favorites at the tasting, and believe me, the competition was pretty stiff!  Overall I would rate this one a solid 9, with much potential for aging.  This wine would pair nicely with a variety of wonderful dishes, from rich Italian dishes, to grilled steak, to Indian curry dishes, as it has the strength to stand up to bolder dishes, but the sophistication to bring out the layers of flavor in more complex cuisines.  If you can find this wine I would recommend buying a few bottles, and if you can't find it, contact the folks at Seven Hills Winery, as I'm sure they'll do all they can to help you get some!