2023 Precision Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I spent the afternoon digging up my water meter (long story, don't ask!) and now I'm ready for a nice dinner and glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle I picked up at Costco a few weeks ago and I am hoping it is an under-the-radar wine that I can enjoy (but never find there again!).  The 2023 Precision Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a Napa Valley Cabernet and that's about all I know!  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, textbook for a Napa Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of leather, smoke, dusty limestone and ripe black currant.  The first sip is a rush of ripe fruit, black cherry, currant and plum with a good bit of tart acidity before transitioning to some ripe plum and peppery spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are well behaved, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, not because it's a spectacular wine, but because it's a very good wine that was only $15!  This tremendous value wine will let you glimpse at how the other half lives as you sip a very solid wine on a random weeknight!  This wine would pair with a range of casual dinners, from pizza and tacos to burgers and brats.  Since it's Sunday, tonight I am enjoying this wine with something a bit more elevated, a grilled bone-in ribeye with oven roasted fingerling potatoes and cippolini onions and grilled asparagus.  Cheers!

2021 Esteban Martin Red Wine

Happy Thursday!  It's been an interested day or so, as I drove home from work in a snowstorm yesterday, but since it was all lake effect, by the time I got home there was hardly any snow at all!  Meanwhile there was about a foot at my office, so I worked from home today and now it's time for dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I picked up at Costco in a "case sale" which they tend to do around the holidays, selling cases of wine for low prices, in this case $49 or just over $4 a bottle for the 2021 Esteban Martin Red Wine.  This one is a blend of Grenache (60%) and Syrah (40%) from Spain, so let's see how it's tasting.

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass as you'd expect from these varietals.  The nose presents aromas of cherry, oak, hints of anise and a bit of peppery spice.  Take a sip and you're awash in classic red fruit, cherry, currant and plum with just a bit of tartness, leading you into some earthy notes of tar, oak and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are subdued, but still play along for a nice smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's nothing spectacular, but for $4 a bottle this is a very easy weekday wine.  This wine would pair well with a lot of casual dinners, from pizza and burgers to pasta or Chinese.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic linguine and meatballs as the wine holds up well to the spice of the sauce and richness of the meatballs.  Cheers!

2023 Kirkland Signature Stag's Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday! It was a great first week of classes, have I mentioned that I am now a teaching professor of finance?  In any case it was a good week, and now I am spending the weekend preparing for next week, but in the interim I can enjoy a nice dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I picked up at Costco yesterday, the 2023 Kirkland Signature Stag's Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  You had me at Stag's Leap Costco!  So, let's see how this (likely too young) wine is tasting!

The wine has the look of a classic big Napa Cabernet, inky black at the center and bright ruby all around.  The nose presents aromas of leather, Bing cherry, hints of white pepper and just a bit of dried herbs.  The first sip is an intriguing combination of green grass up front that transitions to some ripe cherry and blackberry and earthy limestone midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing for a long, smooth dry finish with a bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it would have rated higher, but it's still quite young and has a bit of sharpness along the edges (if they release this a year later, this wine would be really singing!).  This wine would of course pair well with steak, but also with barbecue, braised lamb shank, or even a variety of pasta dishes, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic Midwest dinner of pan seared New York strip, over sautéed red onions and mushrooms with some corn on the cob (I am reliably told there is more than corn in Indiana).  I will likely enjoy the rest of this wine beside the fire this evening, cheers!  

2018 Château Fonréaud Listrac-Medoc

Well, it was a busy Saturday, working, then working in the yard, then running errands and now I am more than ready for dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I bought a month or so ago from Costco, the 2018 Château Fonréaud Listrac-Medoc.  I am a big fan of the Medoc in France, as this was one of the first wines I fell in love with on my first trip to France in 1995.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, so what could go wrong?

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a classic Bordeaux look.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of ripe black fruit, leather, basalt and a classic Bordeaux funk.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit at first, which instantly transitions to some notes of earthy peat and ripe plum, before transitioning to notes of black pepper spice, leather and dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are supple yet firm, providing an ideal foundation for the long, smooth dry finish that is classically Bordeaux.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderfully drinking classic red wine, that was a terrific value at under $20 (I don't recall exactly what I paid, but I think it was around $18).  This wine would pair well with classic steaks and chops, hearty pasta dishes, or braised short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a seared prime New York strip over a bed of sautéed peppers, onions and mushrooms with some oven roasted potatoes.  Cheers!

2020 Browne Family Vineyards Bitner Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been another inordinately hot weekend, with highs in the mid- to upper-80s with high humidity, so working out in the yard today was just exhausting as I think I must have sweat through a gallon of water.  Now, I am tired and sore and ready for dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I picked up at Costco a few months back, the 2020 Browne Family Vineyards Bitner Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a classic Columbia Valley Cabernet with fruit sourced from the Browne Estate Vineyard (30%), Shaw (25%), Quintessence (17%), Red Mountain Vineyard (9%),  Blackwood Canyon (9%), Pepper Bridge (5%), and Aqualini (5%).  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a classic look for a Columbia Valley Cabernet.  The nose is a rush of leather and oak, with support from ripe blackberry, candied plum and hints of violet.  The first sip is a surprisingly fruit forward affaire, with blackberry, blueberry and plum that give way to a bit of tart cherry before heading to some toasted oak and earthy minerality midpalate.  The tannins are graceful yet firm, providing just the right foundation for the long, smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it punches way above it's weight class (I think I bought this at Costco for around $20, but even the full retail price online is only $35).  This wine would pair well with grilled steaks and chops, roasted vegetables, cedar planked salmon or barbecue.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip with butter and rosemary, mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2022 Clos de Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I finished all the leaves and fall trimming today, and now I am doing laundry and getting ready for a nice Sunday dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of wine that I picked up at Costco yesterday, I'm not sure how great it will be, but certainly the price was amenable.  They had two different bottles from this maker, and I bought a bottle of each, but we will start with the 2022 Clos de Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, a nice varietal from a troublesome vintage, so let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, fairly standard for a big Napa Cabernet.  The nose displays aromas of broad floral notes over the top with undertones of black currant and cherry, a very surprising result.  The first sip is classic Napa Cabernet, with a rush of blackberry, black currant and cherry that wash over your palate before transitioning to some notes of mocha and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing for the classic dry finish of a Napa Cabernet.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very pleasant drinking Cabernet at an outstanding price of just $15 at Costco.  This wine would pair well with steak, rack of lamb or hearty pasta, almost any dish with a backbone that need a big wine.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye with Cowboy crust seasoning, topped with blistered yellow grape tomatoes, an oven roasted purple sweet potato and some steamed asparagus with Hollandaise.  Cheers!

2019 "The Pledge" Malbec

Happy Sunday!  It's the last Sunday of the month, which means it's "Dinner in the Diner" day, when I make a recipe from the golden age of passenger rail travel in the United States.  We'll get to that later, but first there is wine!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of wine I purchased recently from Costco, the 2019 "The Pledge" Malbec is an interesting wine made from fruit harvested from vineyards with vines that are more than a century old all throughout Mendoza, Argentina.  This seems to be an interesting concept, so I can't wait to try it!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Malbec.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, black cherry, anise and hints of oak.  The first sip is a rush of ripe berries, black raspberry, blueberry and currant that dance around your palate before inviting some mineral notes of dusty limestone and white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are smooth and understated, but they work the background to support the long, smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a very pleasant drinking Malbec, that like so many wines from Mendoza is also a terrific value at just $15 at Costco!  This wine would pair well with many classic gaucho meals, from grilled steaks and chops to classic Yankee pot roast.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some home style beef stew based on the recipe from the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad.  The C&O wasn't as well known for famous named passenger trains, but their dining cars featured many recipes from the old south, including Maryland and Virginia.  And please don't worry, I cut down this recipe from the quantities listed to something more manageable, as I didn't have a full dining car to serve tonight!  Cheers!

2023 Wines of Substance Ro Rosé

Happy Sunday!  Well, even though it seems that summer is oh so quickly easing into fall, there are still a few weeks left in rosé season, and since it's hot and sticky here today I am going full steam ahead with a 2023 Wines of Substance Ro Rosé that I recently picked up at Costco.  This wine is made from Syrah sourced from the Buckshot Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is pale peach color in the glass, ideal for a nice rosé.  The nose presents aromas of tart apple, grapefruit and a bit of honeysuckle, that has summer written all over it.  Take a sip and you have an interesting complex of smooth summer fruit flavor, melon, peach, strawberry and a hint of citrus that isn't nearly as pronounced as the nose would suggest.  The tannins are well hidden, providing for a smooth dry finish that is very different than you standard crisp finish of a rosé.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a lovely sipping wine that was also a terrific value at just $10.  This wine would pair well with summer evenings on the patio, caprese salad or lighter seafood dishes.  Tonight, I am making this a pure Pacific Northwest experience and enjoying this wine with a miso and sesame glazed wild Alaskan sockeye served with steamed rice and Italian pole beans I bought at the farmer's market.  Cheers!

2019 B by Fonbadet Bordeaux

Happy Sunday!  Well the long holiday weekend is almost over, but there's still time for Sunday dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a nice bottle of Bordeaux that I think I bought a few months back at Costco, and I have no idea about the wine or it's composition, but being a Bordeaux, I can only imagine it has some Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and any other combination of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, so let's just try it out shall we?

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from a nice Bordeaux.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, toffee, earthy mineral notes and baking spice.  The first sip is a rush of stark minerality, with notes of basalt and tar, that transition nicely to some notes of black cherry and cassis, intermingled with black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are classically structured for a Bordeaux, leaving you with a dry finish that you scarcely notice.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it was a solid example of a daily drinker in the heart of France, and like so many Bordeaux, this wine is very affordable as I think I paid about $15 for this one at Costco.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from pasta and jambalaya to hearty steaks and chops.  Tonight I am opting for the latter and enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Cajun spiced ribeye with sautéed onions, mushrooms and peppers and some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2018 Chateau Beaumont Haut-Medoc

Happy Sunday!  I've been working in the yard all afternoon, so I am not pretty tired and ready for a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 Chateau Beaumont Haut-Medoc that I recently picked up at Costco, which was also a pleasant choice since one of my personal favorite Bordeaux from my first visit to Paris in 1995 was the Haut-Medoc.  This wonderful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot is an ideal way to end my weekend, so let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, as you might expect from this Cabernet heavy blend.  A swirl of the glass reveals classic Bordeaux aromas of leather, black cherry and cassis that beckon you to take a sip.  After imbibing you are confronted with a rush of ripe black fruit intermingled with hints of mint that eases into some black pepper notes midpalate.  The tannins are supple but well integrated, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that is classic Bordeaux. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a great example of the Haut-Medoc I grew up on in the mid-1990s, and it was a terrific value at just $18!  This wine would play well with pasta, seafood and steaks, as well as a great charcuterie wine.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime ribcap (also from Costco) on a bed of grilled leeks and topped with horseradish and fresh rosemary, some tomato basil farfalle with some fresh pesto and shredded parmesan, and some bacon maple roasted brussels sprouts!  Cheers!

2019 Poggio Badiola

Happy Sunday!  Well, last week I was traveling, and last night I had a dozen people over for a practice run of hot dogs and hamburgers ahead of Labor Day, so tonight is the first chance I've had to post in a while!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of wine that I picked up at Costco yesterday, the 2019 Poggio Badiola.  This wine is an interesting "super Tuscan" as it's primarily Sangiovese (65%) and Merlot (30%) along with some Petit Verdot (5%).  So, let's see what this wine has to offer.  

The wine is a light ruby color in the glass, with great clarity, a nod to the heavy hand of Sangiovese in the blend.  A gentle swirl reveals a funky little wine, with notes of tar, strawberry, anise and dried spices.  One sip and you are immersed in a wild ride that starts with a bit of red meat which then zigs to some fresh strawberry before taking a zag to some white pepper spice at the finish.  The tannins are well structured, offering a pleasing dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a pleasant drinking everyday wine at a value price of just $13.  This wine would pair well with pasta, steak, or even hearty fish like salmon or branzino.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled veal rib chop along with some squid ink linguine tossed with cherry tomatoes roasted with garlic, olive oil, balsamic and pancetta.  Cheers! 

2018 Bieler Family Born to Run Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Friday!  We are enjoying summer hours now, which means I get the afternoons off on Friday, so today I did some volunteer work, then came home for a bike ride, then a couple limoncello martinis on the porch, and now it's time to get serious!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of really inexpensive wine I recently picked up at Costco, the 2018 Bieler Family Born to Run Cabernet Sauvignon from California (it was mislabled at Costco as being from Washington).  I have to admit I was captivated by the grille of a 1960s Cadillac on the label, but the price sealed the deal to pick up a few bottles, sight unseen.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from a nice Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of green grass, blackberry, plum and hint of kirsch.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, plum, blackberry and blueberry that wash over your palate before transitioning to some earthy notes of dusty limestone and hint of vanilla bean midpalate. The tannins are well structured to provide for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's not a stunner, but for $9 plus tax, this is an excellent everyday Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with anything from burgers and barbecue to steak or lamb.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a bone-in ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare served with some grilled asparagus and some grilled garlic scapes (hooray it's garlic scape season!).  The acidity of this wine was ideal to counter the rich fat of a ribeye.  Cheers!

2019 Tinazzi Vinum Italicum Opera No. 3 Red Wine

Happy Sunday! I got back from vacation early yesterday morning, so it's taken me a bit of time to recover, but now I feel ready to get back at it.  I've been working in the yard this afternoon and doing laundry, so now it's time for a nice Sunday dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of super Tuscan that I picked up at Costco a couple weeks ago, the 2019 Tinazzi Vinum Italicum Opera No. 3 Red Wine.  I am not sure of the blend, but I suppose it's Cabernet dominant since the label describes the wine as "full bodied, elegant, intense."  So, let's see what this wine has to offer.

The wine is an inky black at the center with soft ruby along the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of oak, black cherry, hints of violet and spice box, quite characteristic of a super Tuscan blend.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of candied cherries and plum that transition to some earthy notes of tar and basalt midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a wonderfully long, dry finish with a reprice of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's an easy sipping wine at a great price of just $16 if I recall correctly.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from steak to lamb, pasta to pizza.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a summer barbecue with North Carolina style beef ribs, chipotle cole slaw, baked beans and corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2020 Kirkland Signature Malbec

Well, tonight's blog post is made possible almost entirely by Costco!  Of course the main reason I went there today was to get some less expensive gas, since I was on the last orange bar, and about to get the warning light on my car.  But one thing led to another and I ended up with a cart full of meat, wine, coffee and snacks!  So, to celebrate, tonight I've opened a bottle of 2020 Kirkland Signature Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer and what else Costco provided for this evening!

The wine is a classic Malbec, deep, inky purple in the glass with bright ruby along the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of prune, black cherry and charred oak, with some undertones of pipe tobacco.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a blast of tart cherry that gradually subsides to notes of plum, blackberry and currant, intermingled with some earthy mineral notes of basalt.  The tannins are bright and well structured, providing for a rounded finish that's dry with a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's a very solid Malbec and a terrific value for just $7 on sale, but it could use a year in the cellar to mellow a bit.  This wine was practically made to be enjoyed with a fatty steak, as the acidity would cut right through the richness of a prime steak.  And wouldn't you know it, Costco is a great source for prime beef, so I'm enjoying this wine with a prime tomahawk ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, along with some grilled leeks and asparagus and a big baked potato with sour cream and chives.  Cheers!

2018 Basilica Cafaggio Chianti Classico

Happy Sunday!  I spent the afternoon doing some work along with laundry and other chores around the house before heading out for a bike ride before the sun set.  So, not it's time to make some dinner and open a bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle I recently found at Costco, the 2018 Basilica Cafaggio Chianti Classico is a 100% Sangiovese that was just released.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, just as you would expect from this varietal.  A quick swirl in the glass releases aromas of black cherry, currant and the faintest hint of anise and prune.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of cool black fruit, cherry, currant and plum that wash over your palate before transitioning to some notes of spice box and violet midpalate.  The tannins are soft, but well structured for the long, smooth dry finish with just a kick of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's just a pleasant drinking wine that would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes.  This wine was also a solid value at just $9!  This wine would go well with hearty pasta dishes, steaks and chops, and even a midweek pizza.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some hot Italian sausage with onions and peppers along with some spaghetti with garlic and olive oil.  Cheers!

2017 Time Waits for No One Monastrell

Happy Sunday!  It was a rainy day today, so I didn't do a whole lot except for indoor chores like laundry.  As tiring as all that can be, it's now time for a nice bottle of wine with my Sunday dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that was a recent Costco find, the 2017 Time Waits for No One oak aged Monastrell, a fine Spanish Varietal that should go nicely with my dinner.  And besides, with Halloween rapidly approaching, who could resist a label with a skull and crossbones?  So, let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with great clarity as you might expect from this varietal.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of rose petals, tawny dark fruit and a good bit of oak.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a tempest of flavors, with a rush of mulberry and cherry up front that transitions nicely to some vanilla caramel notes midpalate.  The tannins are well structured to provide for a wonderfully long, smooth dry finish that lingers with a bit of oak.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a value (I think this was around $12) that is quite food friendly.  This wine would pair with a variety of Spanish dishes, grilled lamb, wild mushroom risotto or a hearty pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a Zhatar seasoned New York Strip grilled rare on a bed of grilled leeks with grilled purple cauliflower and some oven roasted rose fingerling potatoes.  Cheers!

2016 Famiglia Castellani Chianti Classico Riserva

Happy Saturday!  I basically spend the day working around the house and running errands, and with some cooler weather, I'm looking forward to a fire on the patio tonight.  But until then, it's time to open a bottle of wine and enjoy some dinner.  Tonight I've opened a recent purchase from Costco, the 2016 Famiglia Castellani Chianti Classico Riserva.  Who doesn't love a nice Sangiovese based wine, and this one should be just about to hit its stride, so let's have a taste!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, with great clarity, just as you would expect from the varietal.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of cherry, strawberry, leather and oak with undertones of spicy peppery notes.  Take a sip and your greeted with plenty of ripe red fruit, cherry, strawberry and currant that lingers on the palate before transitioning to earthy notes of dusty limestone and a hint of anise midpalate.  The tannins are soft, creating a wonderfully supply, dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a really pleasant drinking example of a Chianti Classico at a value price of just $14 at Costco.  This wine practically begs to be paired with Italian food, and I would enjoy it with a classic bistecca Fiorentina to a risotto alla Milanese, hearty pasta with red sauce or my dinner tonight, some sweet Italian sausage sautéed with onions and peppers along with some linguine tossed with garlic and olive oil and broccoli rabe, topped with shaved Parmesan.  This is the type of dinner that reminds me of the great Italian fests, like for San Gennaro back when I lived in Hoboken in the 1990s.  Cheers!

2018 Wente Wetmore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Well today was a fairly relaxing day, I was planning to have some folks over for a cookout, but unfortunately we had to cancel it - perhaps next weekend might work.  So that left me with some options for dinner, and of course picking a wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 Wente Cabernet Sauvignon single vineyard wine sourced from the Charles Wetmore Vineyard in the Livermore Valley AVA of California.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer.

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, for a classic Cabernet look.  A gentle swirl in the glass releases aromas of black cherry, currant and blackberry intermingled with earthy notes of leather and oak.  Take a sip and a rich cascade of ripe black fruit envelops your palate, blackberry, cherry and plum which easily transition to some notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are subdued, but still provide some structure to the velvety dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a very pleasant drinking Cabernet, and at a price of $17 at Costco, this wine would be an ideal everyday drinker.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from steaks and lamb, to pizza and barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some beef bulgogi that I also picked up at Costco, atop some steamed jasmine rice and garnished with scallions and sesame seeds.  Cheers!

2019 In Sheep's Clothing Cabernet Sauvignon

So today I ventured out to Costco to pick up some steaks and I was a bit stunned by the prices, which are up on average 25% over just the past few months.  But what can you do, I'm clearly not a typical consumer as viewed by the Federal Reserve Board or any other number of idiot economists, so I'm not going to substitute prime steaks for hot dogs or chicken, but I digress.  At least I found an interesting wine there from the Columbia Valley of Washington, the 2019 In Sheep's Clothing Cabernet Sauvignon, which was only $14.  So let's see what this wine has to offer.

The wine is an inky black at the center, with deep ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a nice Cabernet.  A swirl of the glass releases aromas of blackberry, blueberry and currant with hints of thyme and lavender beneath the surface.  A first sip reveals an unpretentious everyday drinking Cabernet with a rush of ripe black fruit intermingled with caramel that easily transitions to some notes of smoke and dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, with a bit of acidity at the finish that makes this wine an easy dinner wine during the week.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's nothing spectacular, but you might be well served with a case of this wine to reach for during the week when your glamorous instragram food gives way to days of leftovers.  This wine would pair well with everything from burgers and pizza to pasta and steaks.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with one of the aforementioned expensive steaks, in this case a prime ribcap grilled rare with grilled leeks and roasted peppers, smashed purple potatoes with parsley (aka Joker potatoes) and some steamed asparagus with Hollandaise. Cheers!

2018 San Pedro "1865" Carmenere

Happy Sunday!  It seems that summer is starting to calm down, we've seen hot and humid and rather chilly evenings on consecutive days, so I'm hoping for consistency!  As I get ready for Sunday dinner, I've decided to open a bottle of a recent Costco find, and one of my favorite varietals, Carmenere, the lost Bordeaux grape.  Carmenere was long thought extinct thanks to the phylloxera plague in 1867.  It was later discovered in Chile, having been cultivated since 1850 from French cuttings mistaken for Merlot.  The 2018 San Pedro "1865" Carmenere is named for the winemaker's founding year, and is sourced from a variety of vineyards in Chile's Del Maule Valley.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, as you might expect from a pure Carmenere.  A quick swirl in the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, plum with some mineral notes of basalt and a hint of green cedar.  A taste reveals flavors of black cherry and currant that ease into notes of tobacco and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are rather subdued, but still find time to support a supple, dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a pleasant drinking wine and a solid value at just $13.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from tacos to pizza, pasta to steak.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with the latter two, a rare grilled New York Strip along with some garlic scapes and asparagus sautéed in olive and tossed with linguine and topped with shaved parmesan and a bit of purple basis.  Cheers!