2019 Forgeron Cellars Zinfandel

Let me be the first to wish you a Happy New Year, as this will likely be my last blog post of 2025!  Tonight, as I prepare for a relaxing New Year's Eve, I've decided to open a bottle of 2019 Forgeron Cellars Zinfandel to enjoy with my Taco Tuesday dinner!  This wine was sourced from the Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington.  Let's see if I picked a winner for my dinner!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Zinfandel.  The nose presents aromas of toasted oak, ripe cherry and currant intertwined with hints of earthy basalt, suggesting a more subdued affair than the typical jammy Zinfandel that is so common.  The first sip is an complex and layered journey that starts with a rush of tart cherry amid a flood of oak that transitions into some earthy mineral notes and white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, for the long, smooth dry finish with a bit of acidity at the end.

If you are a fan of jammy Zins, this wine is not for you, which is why I rate this one a solid 9, as it's a pleasing and complex wine that offers many avenues to explore.  This wine would pair well with a range of everyday dishes, from tacos on Tuesday to pizza or alder planked salmon.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some steak fajita tacos with all the trimmings.  Cheers!

2022 Mark Ryan 216 Miles to Go Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I spent the afternoon working in the yard and enjoying the sunny, cool weather, and now it's time for dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of the inaugural vintage of a new Cabernet from Mark Ryan that was just delivered to me last week.  The 2022 Mark Ryan 216 Miles to Go Cabernet Sauvignon tells the story of the humble beginnings of Mark Ryan Winery and the 216 mile trip between Woodinville and the vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), Merlot (10%), Cabernet Franc (4%) and Petit Verdot (1%) from the Phinney Hill and Quintessence Vineyards of Washington.  So, let's see how this first vintage is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a solid Washington Cabernet.  The nose reveals aromas of tart cherry, green grass and dusty loam.  The first sip is an adventure, with a rush of tart cherry, raspberry and currant that easily transitions to some notes of dark chocolate and tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are well structured to provide for a warm dry finish that will have you imagining an afternoon at a wonderful Red Mountain vineyard at harvest time.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a very pleasant Cabernet at a price under $40.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from barbecue to tacos, hearty pasta to braised lamb.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic Sunday dinner of a rare grilled T-bone, baked potato and bacon roasted broccolini.  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!

2018 Forgeron Zinfandel

Happy Saturday!  I apologize for the lack of posting last week as I had to be in Charlotte for work, so I     had no time for blogging (though I did have time for a few instagram posts).  So I'm back at it today, and just in time for summer to arrive.  After the arctic blast that had our lows at freezing or below over the past few weeks, this week we reached the upper 80s and I have been sweating nonstop for the past two days!  But at least with the heat it seems that it's finally time to barbecue, and what's better with barbecue than Zinfandel?  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars, the 2018 Forgeron Zinfandel, which is a pure varietal from the Alter Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington.  Let's see if this one is rib ready!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from a nice Zinfandel.  A swirl of the glass and you slowly inhale to reveal aromas of boysenberry, raspberry and leather with undertones of dark chocolate.  Raise the glass and take a sip to have a rush of candied plum and cherries wash over your palate before easing into some earthy mineral notes and a touch of graphite at the finish.  The tannins are well structured providing for an added textural component to the long, smooth dry finish that will have you quickly reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of the nicest Zinfandels I've had in quite some time.  This wine would pair exceptionally well with barbecue, from ribs and chicken to pulled pork and brisket, this one would do well.  Tonight I am taking a bit of a detour from our traditional rich midwest barbecue and enjoying this wine with some smoked baby back ribs finished with some South Carolina mustard barbecue sauce, along with some coleslaw and baked beans.  Memorial Day is next weekend, but I couldn't resist starting a week early!

2013 Helix Columbia Valley Syrah

Well, that was a week!  It seems like time moves much quicker, the older you get and so far this year is flying by.  So I guess I better enjoy some wine while I can, and tonight it's a bottle I just happened to find as I was looking through the cellar for something to pair with tonight's dinner, the 2013 Helix Columbia Valley Syrah from the Phinny Hill Vineyard 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 with a lot of substance, almost more Merlot like.  The nose is a classic Syrah, with aromas of black cherry, currant and vanilla bean, overlaid with a hint of lavender that tempt you to take a sip.  The taste is a rush of rich black fruit, blackberry, cherry, plum and currant that envelop the palate before embarking on a journey to a bit of anise and white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are smooth, with some vibrant acidity that playfully develop a long and very smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as I get the feeling this wine is just starting to come into its own.  This wine is an excellent everyday wine that's a pleasure to sip, but would assume a solid supporting role for a variety of dishes, from steaks to pizza to seafood.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some pan seared sea scallops, on a bed of spinach and baby arugula along with some pasta with garlic and olive oil and steamed Brussels sprouts.  The fruit and acidity really play well with the richness of the scallops.  Cheers!

2017 Forgeron Zinfandel

Today was Washington's Birthday, but unlike many government workers, I and many others like me had to work today, so it's time to relax and enjoy a nice dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of the latest wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars, the 2017 Zinfandel.  This wine is a 100% Zinfandel from the Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington.  The 2017 vintage was a challenge given the record cold winter in Eastern Washington that year, so let's see how this food-friendly wine is shaping up!

The wine is a lovely ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from the varietal.  The nose offers and intriguing blend of earthiness and refined fruit notes, smoke, oak and candied cherries get your attention quickly.  The taste is classically Zinfandel, with a rush of ripe cherry, blackberry and blueberry up front that gives way to some notes of vanilla bean midpalate with a hint of white pepper spice as you approach the finish.  The fine tannins are ideal as a base for the long and elegant dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it is a solid contender to challenge the quality of a classic Lodi Zinfandel.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of weekday dishes, from barbecue to burgers, steaks to pizza and tacos.  Tonight I am taking a cue from the Italian connection of this varietal and enjoying this wine with some slow cooked braciole with linguine and topped with shaved Parmesan and fresh basil.  Cheers!

2017 DaMa Winery Tempranillo

Happy Sunday!  I had the best of intentions today, with plans to get some work done, go to the gym, and...well at least I started making dinner!  Tonight I've decided to pair my upcoming feast with a recent wine club selection from DaMa wines, the 2017 Tempranillo, a 100% Tempranillo from the Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington.  I think the producers in the Columbia Valley are doing some wonderful things with some Spanish varietals like Tempranillo, so I'm excited to see how this one tastes. 

The wine is a bright ruby in the glass, somewhat darker at the center than I might have expected.  The nose is a lovely old world breath of fresh air loaded with ripe berry fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant, intermingled with notes of tobacco and dried sage and a hint of leather over the top.  The taste is a refreshing rush of rip fruit up front, cherries, blackberries and strawberries that evoke a bit of sweetness before transitioning on to more rustic notes of green cedar and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are sturdy, providing for a robust yet velvety smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a lovely example of an old world varietal taking root in the new.  This wine would be ideal for a broad range of dishes, from paella to taco Tuesday, from pizza to steaks.  But tonight, after the snowstorm earlier in the week, I needed a reprise of summer, with some barbecued beef back ribs, red skin potato salad, cole slaw and corn muffins.  Cheers!

2015 Double Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Tuesday!  It seems like we've just started and this has already been a busy week, so it's time to take a bit of a break with a nice glass of Washington wine.  I bought this particular wine a few weeks ago from Wines Till Sold Out and it's from a producer that I'm not as familiar with, the 2015 Double Canyon Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), Merlot (14%), Malbec (6%) and Petit Verdot (3%) from the Double Canyon Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this one is shaping up!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a nice Cabernet.  The nose is an interesting display of ripe black fruit, green grass, dried herbs and hints of lavender that portend a rather fruit forward wine.  The taste is a rather subdued affair, with a rush of ripe cherry, blackberry and plum that transitions to some notes of vanilla bean and pipe tobacco midpalate.  The fine grain tannins are a bit chewy, but provide a nice base for the long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very drinkable Cabernet and a terrific value at just $20!  This wine would pair well with steak, and well, really it's just begging to be consumed with steak!  And it's a good thing too as tonight I am enjoying this wine with a bone-in Kansas City strip grilled rate with fire roasted hatch chiles and oven roasted root vegetables.  Cheers!

2016 Forgeron Zinfandel

Happy Sunday!  I've spend much of the afternoon tying to memorize lines for the play I'm in as well as doing laundry before tonight's rehearsal, so I figured I deserve a break with a glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of the recent wine club selection from Forgeron Cellars, the 2016 Zinfandel, a 100% Zinfandel from the Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA in the Columbia Valley of Washington.  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a bright garnet in the glass, with nice clarity, just as you'd expect from a nice Zinfandel.  The nose is a tempting array of anise, candied fruit, tobacco and smoke that expresses why this red wine is a perennial summer favorite.  The taste is characterized by a halting rush of fruit, cherry, blackberry and currant that transitions nicely to some warm spice notes of white pepper and clove with a hint of mocha midpalate.  The tannins are soft and well structured for the long, smooth and wonderfully dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's just a very pleasant drinking Zinfandel that's very food friendly and approachable.  This wine would be ideal for many summer favorites, from barbecued ribs and steaks to burgers and brats.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some grilled pork tenderloin along with some asparagus and butternut squash and kale farro.  Cheers!

2014 Helix Syrah

Happy Sunday!  I've heard there's some sort of awards program on television tonight, but I can't be bothered with that when there is wonderful Washington wine to drink!  All day we've had these tremendous winds, so even though it's not nearly as cold as it was at the end of January, you just feel colder hearing the wind howling outside your windows.  So when it's cold, what could be better than a nice Syrah?  Tonight I've opened a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from Reininger, the 2014 Helix Syrah, a 100% Syrah from the Phinney Hill Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. So let's see if this wine can warm me up this evening!

The wine is a beautiful deep inky color, with a garnet hue along the edges.  The nose is a lovely combination of earthy peat, smoke and a bit of mushroom over some ripe black fruit and a touch of lilac.  The taste is just divine, with a rush of ripe blackberry and blueberry that rushes over your palate as the thick, chewy mouthfeel just washes over you.  This is the type of wine you just want to ruminate over for a while, as the ripe black fruit flavors subside, giving rise to some white pepper spice and a reprice of blueberry and cassis.  The tannins are expertly crafted to provide a thick and hearty feel of the wine as you enjoy the long, smooth finish that just lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it has to be one of my favorite examples of the varietal, and in fact, might by my favorite Helix wine ever!  This wine is perfect for a wintry evening and would be ideal with a broad range of dishes, from pizza to barbecue to steaks, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a classic winter comfort dinner of tuna noodle casserole, just like my mom used to make.  Cheers!

2015 Forgeron Zinfandel

Happy Taco Tuesday!  I bet you'll never guess what's for dinner tonight, but about the wine to pair it with... well tonight I've decided to open a bottle of a perennial favorite Zinfandel, the 2015 Forgeron Cellars Zinfandel.  This wine is produced from 100% Zinfandel sourced from the Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA.  I've read a little about Zinfandel and how the large clusters of grapes tend to ripen unevenly, making this a challenging wine to make well, but when it's done right it's hard to resist!

This wine is a lovely deep garnet color in the glass.  The nose presents aromas of tobacco, licorice, mocha and smoke, just what you'd expect.  The taste is a rush of ripe black fruit, with undertones of fig and smoke that transitions effortlessly to some notes of mocha and spicy clove and white pepper midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing for a wonderfully long and smooth dry finish with a reprise of tartness at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's one of my favorite Zinfandel's year in and year out.  And it's not your typically jammy Zinfandel, but more elevated.  This wine would pair so well with barbecue, pizza or tacos, which is what I'm having tonight, wonderfully blackened walleye for fish tacos with black beans and edamame corn salsa, all on my new taco plates!  Cheers!

2014 Forgeron Zinfandel

Happy Selection Sunday!  Now that all the NCAA seeding is complete, we can get down to business, and enjoy a bottle of wine!  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of 2014 Forgeron Zinfandel, a 100% Zinfandel from the Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills.  This was a recent delivery from the Forgeron wine club so let's see how it is!

The wine is a lovely, bright ruby color in the glass.  The nose is a wonderful combination of leather, spice, boysenberry jam and clove with just a bit of earthiness.  The taste is a rush of ripe black fruit up front, blackberry and boysenberry, that transitions nicely to some notes of dark chocolate, tobacco and pepper spice.  The finish is very nice, with balanced tannins providing a nice base for the long, dry and very smooth finish that leaves you thinking about your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a really nice example of a varietal that can be difficult.  This Zinfandel would pair well with a variety of dishes, from a London broil to a smoky barbecue, but tonight I am going a different route.  My local market had red, yellow, green and orange peppers on sale today for 2 for $1 so I decided to make my mom's old recipe for stuffed peppers!  The richness of the peppers with a bit of spice in the sauce and creamy mozzarella melted on top makes an ideal pairing for this wine.  Cheers!

2013 Forgeron Zinfandel

Oh happy Monday!  I just returned from the gym and now I'm ready for a glass of wine before dinner.  Tonight I've decided to help celebrate Washington Wine Month with a bottle of 2013 Forgeron Zinfandel (and you know how I love a good Zin!).  This wine is a blend of Zinfandel from the Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills (83%) and Primitivo from the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope.  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of cedar, anise, clove and allspice with an underlying layer of black fruit.  The taste is lovely, with a rush of ripe fruit up front, plum, blackberry and cassis, that transition nicely to some mineral and spice notes intermingles with cocoa powder midpalate.  The finish is quite rustic, with supple tannins supporting a long, smooth and exceptionally dry finish.  This is way beyond the fruit bomb style of many Zinfandels, this one is well structured and well thought out in blending.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's one of my all-time favorite Zinfandels from the Columbia Valley.  Although I'm enjoying this wine with leftovers tonight, it would pair very nicely with a variety of easy favorites, from grilled steak to pizza to barbecued ribs.  Cheers!