2020 Helix Petit Verdot

Happy Saturday!  I have been working on my annual sauce production today, combining 25 pounds of tomatoes, freshly roasted garlic, pancetta, basil, wine and olive oil to make a festive Italian treat for my friends and neighbors.  And as that is simmering, I have time for a glass of wine and dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2020 Helix Petit Verdot, a highlight of a normal blending varietal for Bordeaux, so let's see how this wine is shaping up! 

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with nice clarity, almost having the look of a Cabernet, but just a bit lighter.  The nose presents aromas of leather, lilac and blackberry, with just a hint of anise over the top.  The first sip is a rush of ripe berry, blackberry, cherry and marionberry that wash over your palate before transitioning to some earthy loam midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a fine example of a single varietal that normally takes a back seat in a blend.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hard cheeses, but would also fare well with burgers, steaks and barbecue.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled T-bone, with roasted hatch chilies, and some fresh corn on the cob that was just picked yesterday!  Cheers!

2019 Helix Cima Piccola

Happy Saturday!  I am pleased to say that I have completed all of my Christmas shopping, and all the the presents have been wrapped and are awaiting delivery to their intended recipients.  So, now that I can breathe a little easier, it's time to open a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2019 Helix Cima Piccola, which is a Super Tuscan style blend composed of Sangiovese from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard as well as Merlot (33%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (17%) sourced from other vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  Let's have a taste of this Pacific Northwest interpretation of Tuscany!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a somewhat heavier body no doubt a credit to the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend.  The nose presents an intriguing combination of cedar, violet and spice box that marks the Sangiovese in the blend.  The first sip is not what I expected at all, a rush of blueberry and tart cherry wash over your palate before transitioning to some earthy tar and white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannings are so well integrated, you can miss them entirely as you enjoy the lush smooth finish that will have you coming back for more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as this vintage is right up with the wonderful 2017 vintage I enjoyed nearly four years ago.  This wine is very food friendly and would pair well with a range of dishes, from classic pasta and risotto, bisteca Fiorentina, or simple Tuscan toast.  Tonight, I am going the classic as classic can get route and enjoying this wine with a mixed green salad with pomegranates and sage blossom vinaigrette along with linguine and meatballs.  Cheers!

2020 Helix Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Today has been an extra work day as I try to catch up on a number of projects (I think I have a bad habit of allowing too much on my plate, and not just at dinner!), so now I've decided to open a bottle of wine that just arrived yesterday.  I think I ordered this around Father's day as Reininger was running a sale, but because of the heat of summer it didn't ship until last week.  The 2020 Helix Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend if Cabernet Sauvignon (89%), Tempranillo (7%) and Malbec (4%) from the Phinny Hill, Stone Tree and Stone Valley Vineyards 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 with nice clarity.  The nose reveals and intriguing and complex layer of aromas, graphite, blackberry, leather, pipe tobacco, floral notes of violet amid hints of basalt, all of which have your mind racing in anticipation of the taste.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant, surrounded by bright acidity that catapults you to some wonderful mineral notes midpalate.  The fine grain tannins provide for a lengthy dry finish amidst notes of toasty oak that make this wine a rustic champ.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderfully complex, yet easy drinking wine that belies it's inexpensive price tag (I bought a half case for $160, and wish I'd bought more!).  This wine would pair well with a range of fall comfort dishes, from hearty beef stew or chili, pasta and risotto, or classic grilled steaks or lamb.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled, prime bone-in ribeye with sautéed onions, peppers and mushrooms with some steamed corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2022 Helix Sangiovese Rose

Happy Saturday!  I trust you are all enjoying a wonderful Memoria Day weekend.  I spend much of the day at the cemetery planting flowers for my relatives, but now I am back home and ready for a nice glass of wine dinner.  Given the near proximity of summer, tonight I've decided to open a classic summer wine, the 2022 Helix Sangiovese Rose.  This wine is a rose of 100% Sangiovese from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this burst of summer is tasting!

The wine is a pale peach color in the glass, and a gentle swirls reveals aromas of peach blossom, strawberry amid hints of citrus.  Take a sip and summer comes rushing in, crisp refreshing notes of grapefruit, fresh melon and tropical notes of guava and mango.  This wine has a crisp and refreshing dry finish that's just perfect for summer sipping on the patio.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5 as it's just a wonderfully simple, refreshing wine that is an ideal representation of what rose should be.  This wine would pair well with seafood, light salads or beef tartare.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with my Memorial Day lobster fest, as my local market had live Maine lobsters on sale for just $9.99, along with a sale on corn on the cob, so here I am, enjoying a perfect taste of summer in late May.  Cheers!

2020 Helix Columbia Valley Tempranillo

Happy Saturday!  Today was a bit of a relaxing day, though I may be the only one that finds running errands relaxing.  So, after the farmer's market, the supermarket and visiting with some friends, I am now back home and ready for a relaxing dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Reininger Winery, the 2020 Helix Columbia Valley Tempranillo.  This wine is a blend of Tempranillo (76%), Syrah (19%) and Malbec (5%) from the Stone Tree, Phinney Hill and Stone Valley Vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a beautiful deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  After a gentle swirl, you're greeted with all manner of fruit and funk, blackberry, chalk, vanilla bean, peat and dusty limestone with just a bit of twang at the end.  Take a sip and the funk evaporates like a distant memory as you are treated to all manner of blackberry, from fresh to jam to compote, before easing into some notes of pipe tobacco and a hint of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are chewy, providing for a wonderfully full, velvety dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a pleasure to sip, but I just wish there was a bit more in the center.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from classic risotto and pasta, to hearty stews and robust fish dishes.  Tonight I am taking a different tack, and enjoying this wine with a dinner that should not be paired, a wonderful pretzel crusted chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy and steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2018 Helix Horse Heaven Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  The weather cleared up, so I did a bit of yard work this afternoon, which gave me a firm feeling of accomplishment.  And now it's time for Sunday dinner and opening a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from Reininger Winery, the 2018 Helix Horse Heaven Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) and Merlot (10%) from the Bacchus and Phinny Hill Vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with great clarity, definitely an approachable Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, currant, green grass and vanilla with some undertones of tarragon.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum that transitions to some earthy mineral notes of toasted oak and tar.  The tannins are wonderfully structured for a lingering dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5 as it's a pleasant drinking wine that is exceptional for everyday enjoyment.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from burgers and brats to pizza and pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with my Sunday dinner of a rare grilled New York strip on a bed of grilled leeks with some smashed red potatoes with butter and parsley and haricots verts almondine.  Cheers!

2019 Helix Pomatia (aka Tucker Legacy Red)

Happy Friday!  Yes, I've been neglectful of my wine blogging duties, but I am back for hopefully a good weekend.  So, today I received my wine club shipment from Reininger Winery and was a bit surprised when three big boxes of wine were dropped off by my friendly UPS man.  I recalled ordering a case of Helix Pomatia and then the normal shipment, but silly me, it appeared I accidentally ordered a case of Pomatia in January when it was too cold to ship and then called to add a case to my March wine club shipment as well!  Despite my rabid incompetence, I can assure you that extra case will not go to waste (perhaps an office wine club selection?).  So, since I have so much of this wine now, I'm enjoying a bottle of the 2019 Helix Pomatia, which was recently renamed the Tucker Legacy Red wine.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Syrah (32%), Merlot (10%) and Petit Verdot (2%) from the Phinny Hill, Stillwater Creek and StoneTree Vineyards 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, with nice clarity.  A gentle swirl releases aromas of leather, oak and wild berries with a hint of cedar.  Take a sip and you have a rush of berries, blueberry, cherry and mulberry intermingled with a bit of umami before transitioning to some notes of vanilla and sandalwood midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing a solid base for the long, smooth dry finish with a slight kick of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a perfect everyday red wine that punches way above it's weight class.  It's also a terrific value, as this wine was just $18 with the wine club discount (which I highly recommend you join, or at least get on the waiting list!).  This wine would pair with a broad range of weekday dishes, from barbecue and burgers, to pizza and pasta.  Tonight I am taking the everyday approach and enjoying this wine with some linguine and Italian sausage marinara with a bit of shaved parmesan and fresh basil.  Cheers!

2018 Helix Cima Piccola

Well, it's Tuesday and I've decided to make a wine blog post!  I am making a nice dinner for this midweek night and thought why not enjoy a nice bottle of wine as well?  So, tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club selection from Reininger Winery, the 2018 Helix Cima Piccola.  This Super Tuscan inspired wine is a blend of Sangiovese (50%), Merlot (33%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (17%) sourced from the Phinny Hill, Stillwater Creek and Seven Hills Vineyards of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity as you might expect from a Sangiovese heavy blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of cherry, red currant, cedar and dusty limestone.  Take a sip and you experience a marked shift from what your nose was expecting, with a rush of ripe cherry, blackberry and currant that's almost sweet on the palate, before transitioning to some earthy mineral notes of basalt and limestone.  The tannins are fine grained and seemingly ever present, providing for a wonderfully long, smooth dry finish that lingers.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a very pleasant drinking Super Tuscan style blend, that will likely improve with another year or so in the cellar.  This wine would pair well with a wide range of dishes, from classic Italian pasta, to seafood or hearty stews.  Tonight I am taking a more classic approach and enjoying this wine with a risotto alla Milanese topped with some pan seared sea scallops.  The lighter style of this wine makes it ideal with the gentle flavors of saffron and seafood.  Cheers!

2018 Helix Cabernet Franc

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a while since I've posted and it's because last weekend was just crazy busy for me, but I'm back not and able to open up a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight's selection is a recent wine club shipment from Reininger, the 2018 Helix Cabernet Franc.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Franc from the Weinbau vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this underappreciated varietal is tasting!

The wine is a bright garnet color in the glass, with great clarity.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of pomegranate, violets and raspberry with subtle undertones of dusty limestone.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of ripe red fruit, raspberry, mulberry and cherry, that transition easily to some earthy notes of tar and tobacco, before easing back into notes of pomegranate.  The tannins are expertly structured providing for a wonderfully long, velvety dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a perennial favorite for this varietal, and this vintage is a real treat to drink.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from grilled lamb chops, to venison, pork tenderloin to veal chops.  Tonight however, I am going a different route and enjoying this wine with some Thai red curry chicken and vegetables atop a bed of jasmine rice an a sprig of fresh Thai basil.  Cheers!

2020 Helix Rose of Sangiovese

Happy Friday!  It's been a busy week, and I am more than ready for the weekend, so tonight I've opened a nice summer rose, since the weather has been heating up again.  It's also Washington Wine Month (though I confess, reading on Twitter, it seems as though Washington Wine Month happens at least three or four times a year), so I've opened a bottle that I brought back from my vacation to Walla Walla last month.  The 2020 Helix Rose of Sangiovese is a wonderful rose wine based on Sangiovese sourced from the Royal Slope AVA of Washington (the Royal Slope was designated as an AVA in 2020, with a south facing slope that's much cooler than the Wahluke Slope to the south).  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a lovely, light peach color in the glass, in line with many recent Washington roses.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of peach, citrus and green grass that seem like a breath of summer to be inhaled.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of crisp summer flavors, bright citrus, wild berry and vibrant herbs with hints of melon and apple.  The tannins are wonderfully integrated for a delightfully crisp, dry finish that lingers on the palate more than you might expect from a rose.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderful summer sipping wine that I will enjoy on the patio later this evening.  This wine would pair well with summer salads, lettuce wraps of Thai chicken, and of course seafood.  Tonight I am taking the classic approach and enjoying this wine with some herb crusted wild cod loins, along with some farro and steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

Helix Crush Crew Red Wine

Happy Tuesday!  Well, I made it back from vacation, which is really hard work by the way, and had about three days worth of work to be done around the house to welcome me back.  But now that I've adjusted back to the normal routine, I thought I might open one of the many bottles of wonderful Washington wines I brought back with me.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of Helix Crush Crew Red Wine, another creative product from Chuck Reininger and his team, which combines a number of grapes, vintages and vineyards to form a really pleasant everyday red wine.  This is a non-vintage blend of Merlot (75%), Petit Verdot (12%), Cabernet Sauvignon (7%) and Cabernet Franc (6%) from a number of different vintages in the Columbia Valley.  I recall enjoying this one a lot in the tasting room, so let's see how it is back home!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a testament to the heavy Merlot presence in the blend.  A quick swirl brings out aromas of oak, leather, black cherry and just a hint that reminds me of the barrel room.  Take a sip and you have a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, currant and plum that transition easily to some earthy notes and dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are bright and well integrated, making for a remarkably velvety mouthfeel on the long dry finish. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as this wine punches way above its weight class for a $20 everyday drinker.  This wine is ideal for summer as it would pair well with about anything you could cook on the grill, from steaks and burgers to brats and barbecued ribs.  Tonight of course, I am going a different route and enjoying this wine with a maple sesame glazed wild sockeye filet with steamed jasmine rice and sugar snap peas.  Cheers!

2018 Helix So Rhô

Happy Memorial Day!  This is a day that we honor those who gave their lives in service to our country.  It's a day that I spend each year heading to the cemetery to plant flowers on the graves of my family members.  But in addition to the more somber aspects of this holiday, it's also a time for parades and spending time with family and friends enjoying the first cookouts of the summer.  Today I am definitely participating in the food aspects, and to set the mood I've opened a bottle of 2018 Helix So Rhô, a southern Rhône style blend of Mourvèdre (42%), Cinsault (30%) and Grenache (28%) from the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this one is tasting.

The wine is a beautiful garnet color in the glass, with nice clarity.  Raise the glass and you're greeted by aromas of black raspberry, currant and strawberry intermingled with an intriguing blend of dried herbs that hint at the adventure that awaits.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in ripe red fruit flavors, cherry, strawberry, plum and currant that take a easy detour to some notes of dark chocolate and black pepper spice midpalate.  The fine grain tannins make an ideal base for the long, smooth dry finish with just a slight kick of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5 as it's just another stellar vintage in a long line of successful Rhône style blends the Chuck and his team have produced.  This wine would pair well with some hard to pair dishes, like Indian curry, Moroccan dishes or even barbecue.  Which is fortunate as tonight I've made some South Carolina style barbecued chicken breasts, with a tangy mustard barbecue sauce, along with corn on the cob, pasta salad and Sriracha cole slaw.  Cheers!

2006 Helix Columbia Valley Merlot

I had such high aspirations for how this day would progress, the yard work and errands that I would accomplish, and I pretty much got nothing done except spreading some GrubX on the lawn and going for a bike ride.  At least it's the first Saturday of the month, which means it's Cellar Saturday, that magical time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2006 Helix Columbia Valley Merlot, from Chuck Reininger's second label, so let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, classic for a nice Merlot.  A quick swirl in the glass and you can drink in aromas of candied plum, black currant, toasted oak and an array of spice notes reminiscent of an old Italian grocery.  A long sip reveals a rush of blackberry, cherry and currant that washes over you before transitioning to some wonderful earthy notes, smoke and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are well behaved, providing for a wonderfully smooth, dry finish with a kick of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a beautifully old-world style Merlot that is meant for sipping with friends.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from steaks and lamb to risotto or seared tuna steak.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a big honkin' Angus ribeye that was grilled rare, along with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and horseradish to round it out.  Cheers!

2017 Helix Petit Verdot

What a day it's been, working around the yard, raking the leftover leaves from fall and picking up all manner of sticks, and now I'm quite ready for a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've decided to open a bottle of the recent wine club shipment from Reininger Winery, the 2017 Helix Petit Verdot.  Chuck Reininger saw a lot of potential in this varietal, and the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington produces some Petit Verdot that rarely disappoints.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

This vintage featured a warm to hot summer, which resulted in smaller berries and clusters, creating a deep purple color to this wine, very reminiscent of a big bold Cabernet.  But a quick whiff in the glass reveals that this wine is not a Cabernet, with floral notes of lilac intertwined with toasted oak and hints of earthy graphite.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of vibrant, ripe blackberry, cherry and currant that dance around your tongue before opening up to some notes of tobacco and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are bold but well structured, creating the perfect foundation for the long, dry finish, with subtle reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a wonderfully interesting wine to enjoy with dinner, or to just sip on a quiet evening.  This wine would pair with a broad range of dished, from braised short ribs to lamb chops, mushroom risotto to a prime filet.  But of course, I am taking the road less traveled tonight and am enjoying this wine with some oven roasted salmon, with some lemon dill cream sauce, cilantro lime rice and asparagus with hollandaise.  Clearly I couldn't decide on a single bold flavor, and decided to go with bold flavors in every area of my dinner, cheers!

2005 Helix Stillwater Creek Merlot

 Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month and time to dig in the cellar for something at least a decade in the making, and tonight I have opened a bottle from a recent library tasting done by Chuck Reininger and the gang at Reininger Winery.  In this case it was a tasting of library Merlots from the Helix label and tonight I've opened a bottle of the 2005 Helix Stillwater Creek Merlot.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky color at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, characteristic of the varietal, but still bright for the age of this wine.  A quick swirl in the glass releases aromas of charred meat, white pepper spice and faint hints of white floral notes, that just exclaim the rustic nature of this wine.  A quick sip reveals flavors of black cherry, currant and umami, that transitions nicely to some smoky oak and earthy tar notes midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, but the acidity is rather abrupt at the long, very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a very interesting, mature Merlot that's a real treat to drink.  This wine would pair very well with charred meat, steaks, chops, grilled pork tenderloin or even some earthy dishes like a wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some friends that came over for some grilled picanha, along with oven roasted Yukon gold potatoes and some grilled asparagus.  Cheers!

2017 Helix Cima Piccola

Happy Friday!  It's been quite a busy week, so I'm glad to settle back and open a nice bottle of wine to start the weekend.  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of a recent wine club selection from one of my favorite Washington wine makers, Chuck Reininger.  The 2017 Helix Cima Piccola is a super Tuscan style blend from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  This vintage is made up of Sangiovese (49%), Merlot (32%), Cabernet Sauvignon (16%) and Petit Verdot (3%) from the Phinny Hill, Stillwater Creek, Stone Tree and XL Vineyards.  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a testament to the heavy hand of the Bordeaux varietals in the blend.  Take a whiff and the aromas of blackberry, cherry and currant intermingle with earthy notes of leather and dried herbs.  A sip reveals the Tuscan roots, as notes of black cherry dance with espresso bean, as black pepper bursts forth from a dusty spice box at the finish.  The tannins are expertly structured to provide for a wonderfully dry finish amidst peppery spice notes and balanced acidity.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as I think this might be my favorite vintage of the Cima Piccola!  This wine strikes me as a very versatile food friendly wine, which would pair well with steaks, veal chops or barbecue as well as it would with hearty Italian dishes from risotto to classic pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a bit of off the beaten path Italian, some basil and garlic linguine that my aunt sent for Christmas tossed in some Boursin cheese sauce with smoked sausage and shallots.  Cheers!

2003 Helix Columbia Valley Merlot

Well, it's Cellar Saturday!  That magical first Saturday of a new month where I open a bottle that's been maturing in the cellar for a decade or more.  This month, I've opened a bottle that has only been in my cellar for a month.  You see, Reininger Winery recently had a virtual "mystery" tasting featuring some older vintages of Helix Merlot, and I tasted the 2005 that night (you can see that post from a coupler weeks ago here) and tonight I've opened the oldest of the four bottled, the 2003 Helix Columbia Valley Merlot.  So let's see how this one is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a hint of garnet along the edges, as you might expect from a Merlot of this maturity.  Aromas of prune, cherry and fig intermingling with earthy graphite and lavender notes greet you as you prepare to take a sip.  The taste is somewhat of a departure from the nose, with a rush of tart cherry and blackberry compote that transitions easily to some earthy notes of toasted oak and tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, but well integrated for a long, smooth dry finish that hits you with a bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a lovely Merlot that has survived the test of time.  This wine may have a few more years left to drink, but I'm happy I opened this now.  This would be a great winter wine, with great fruit and a hefty presence in the glass and it would pair well with a lot of winter comfort food, from soups and stews, to chili and pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some ham and bean soup that I made in the slow cooker today from last weekend's ham bone along with some corn muffins.  Cheers!

2009 Helix Columbia Valley Syrah

 So this has been one of my classic days without even a smidge of organization whatsoever!  I thought I was doing well, taking advantage of the one non-rainy day this weekend to get my yard work done, and I thought I was doing well as I was putting the leaf blower away at 6:45, when my phone alarm went off, telling me I have theater tickets and the performance starts in 45 minutes!  So, instead of dinner and wine, I raced to the theater to enjoy a marvelous performance of Silent Sky and now I'm back for dinner and wine!  Sure, it's 10 pm, but there are still two hours left of Cellar Saturday, that first Saturday of the month where I open a bottle at least a decade in the making, and tonight it's a good one, the 2009 Helix Columbia Valley Syrah!  So let's see how this wine is shaping up.

The wine is a beautiful, deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from a nice Syrah.  The nose is a cavalcade of lovely fruit aromas that seems to scream autumn, blackberry, currant, cherry with undertones of earthy tar, pepper and sage.  The taste is a rush of ripe, jammy blackberry, plum and mulberry, that transitions easily to some notes of dusty limestone and peat midpalate, with a reprise of vanilla bean.  The tannins are smooth and well integrated, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it is likely at its peak, but still providing a food friendly approach that is full of fall flavors.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dished from lamb, to eggplant Parmesan to a wonderful slow cooked chili with cornbread.  Tonight I am enjoying this with a wild autumn meal of rare grilled elk strip steak, with a Blue Smoke Game Changer rub that is spiced with clove and juniper, along with some oven roasted fingerling sweet potatoes and grilled asparagus.  Cheers!

2013 Helix Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  I had the chance to go to the farmers market this morning and picked up some basil plants (purple, Thai and Tuscan) and found out that they should have some garlic scapes next week, so watch out!  Then I spend much of the afternoon doing yard work, mowing, weeding, and I finally got the patio furniture and fire pit out so I'm ready for outdoor dining.  I find something cathartic about yard work, where the cares of the world and everyday life just seem to fade away as I'm digging up dandelions or trimming branches.  So tonight I've opened a bottle of wine I've apparently had in the cupboard for a while, the 2013 Helix Cabernet Sauvignon, from the Phinney Hill Vineyard in the Columbia Valley of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges as you might expect for a Cabernet.  The nose is rich with black fruit, blackberry, plum, cherry and currant, overlaid with hints of prune and rose petal.  The taste takes a very different path, with some distinct floral notes up front before transitioning to some ripe black fruit and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are ever so smooth, providing for a wonderfully dry, lingering finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, I'm not sure whether its the extra couple years in the cellar or something else, but this Columbia Valley Cabernet is punching well above it's weight class!  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty meat dishes, from venison and lamb to classic steaks.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a smoke grilled filet mignon, baked potato with sour cream and chives and some steamed sugar snap peas.  Cheers!

2017 Helix SoRho

Happy Sunday!  I confess I've spend much of the day relaxing which is a switch from yesterday when it seemed like I was going non-stop all day.  But at least I got the flowers planted and the yard work done before the thunderstorms came.  So tonight I've set my mind to food and wine, and I've opened a bottle of the 2017 Helix SoRho, a southern Rhone style blend of Mourvedre (49%), Grenache (28%) and Cinsault (23%) from the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this vintage is shaping up!

The wine is a lighter color in the glass, with great ruby clarity.  The nose is classic Rhone, with fresh herbal notes of green grass, earthy peat and dusty limestone underlying hints of rhubarb and strawberries.  The taste is a surprising rush of sweet berry fruit, boysenberry, raspberry and currant that transitions easily to notes of black tea and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing the backbone for the long, smooth and very dry finish, with just a hint of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's drinking very well and would be an ideal summer red wine.  This wine would pair well with a variety of rustic dished, from mushroom risotto, to ratatouille, lamb to port tenderloin.  Tonight I am using this meal to try new things, as I bought a stainless steel smoking tray to use in my gas grill.  Tonight I've taken some Jack Daniels barrel chips to smoke some lamb loin chops along with some oven roasted root vegetables and grilled romanesco.  Cheers!