2022 Perle du Sud Rosé

Well, it's Thursday evening and the work week is coming to a close.  It's also been a week of crazy weather, yesterday we had 5.7" of rain in a 12-hour period and now it's unbelievably hot and humid with highs expected in the mid-90s tomorrow!  So, it must be time for rosé!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of wine I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out, the 2022 Perle du Sud Rosé.  This wine is a wonderful blend of Grenache (60%) and Syrah (40%) from the Languedoc-Roussillon region of the south of France.  So let's see if this wine can provide a cool break in the hot weather!

The wine is a lovely pale peach color in the glass, with aromas of pear, strawberry and melon with undertones of tarragon.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of tart cherry, strawberry and honeydew, that transitions to some notes of green grass and mineral notes midpalate.  The acidity is well balanced for a wonderfully crisp dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a wonderfully refreshing summer rosé with the French craft that will have you feeling Mediterranean breezes as you sip.  This wine would pair well with summer salads, particularly caprese salad, light fish dishes or fresh poke bowls.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a cedar planked coho salmon filet topped with lemon and dill, farro and steamed sugar snap peas.  Cheers!

2021 DaMa Grenache Blanc

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a while since I've posted on a Wednesday given how busy my work life has been, but tonight that changes with a recent wine club selection and a wonderful spring dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2021 DaMa Grenache Blanc from the Painted Hills Vineyard in the Columbia Valley of Washington.  It's rare that I review a white wine, so let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a wonderfully pale golden hue in the glass.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of citrus, honeydew and pear with just a hint of oak underneath.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of white grapefruit, melon and white peach, that transitions to some earthy notes of green grass and oak midpalate.  The finish is crisp and delightful, with a balanced acidity and classic dryness that make this wine an ideal summer sipper for the patio.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, and although white wines are not my forte, this wine was truly a pleasure to drink.  This wine would pair well with summer salads, pasta or halibut, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a special dinner.  I picked up some fresh morel mushrooms at my local market as they are now in season and decided to make some morel and asparagus risotto for dinner this evening.  The acidity of this wine is a perfect balance for the earthy richness of this risotto.  Cheers!

2018 Anvil Boushey Vineyard Syrah

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's finally beginning to feel like spring as it hit 84 yesterday and today we were in the upper 70s.  So it's definitely grilling and sipping wine on the patio weather finally!  Tonight I've decided to settle my Washington Syrah challenge obligation by opening a bottle of a recent wine club shipment, the 2018 Anvil Boushey Vineyard Syrah from the Yakima Valley AVA of Washington.  This particular vintage came from the Birdhouse block of the vineyard during a record hot vintage, so let's see how it's tasting. 

The wine is a wonderfully rich garnet color in the glass as you might expect from a nice Syrah.  A quick whiff and you're greeted by aromas of blackberry and currant, with undertones of beef and earthy mineral notes.  Take a sip and a rush of ripe black fruit washes over your palate, with blackberry, currant and cherry that ease into notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, with a balanced acidity that ushers you into a smooth dry finish with hints of cocoa at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a beautiful example of a solid Washington Syrah with great curb appeal for a variety of dishes.  This wine would pair well with grilled lamb chops, venison or even a hearty pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a nice rare grilled porterhouse along with some grilled broccoli rabe and a baked potato with sour cream and scallions.  Cheers!

2018 Mark Ryan Monkey Wrench

Happy Saturday!  I have to admit I took it easy for much of the day, though I did run some errands and cut the grass, but to be fair it was really hot today!  In any case, it's time for a nice dinner and glass of wine, and tonight I've opened some wine that just arrived yesterday from Mark Ryan Winery.  The 2018 Mark Ryan Monkey Wrench marks the second vintage of this wine (see my review of the 2017 vintage here) and is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (68%), Merlot (18%), Cabernet Franc (13%) and Petit Verdot (1%) from five different vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this latest vintage is tasting!

The wine has the look of a solid Cabernet-focused blend with a deep, inky center and bright ruby along the edges.  The nose is full of leather, surrounded by ripe black cherry, blueberry and baking spice.  The taste is a rush of rich fruit, black cherry, currant and plum that transitions easily to some white pepper spice midpalate.  The velvety tannins and balanced acidity provide for an ideal base for the lingering dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as I think this vintage is just a bit better than the first, providing for the aging potential of a great Bordeaux-style blend, but at a very approachable price.  This wine would pair well with many weeknight dishes, from burgers and pizza to tacos and steak.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye, with the last of the grilled garlic scapes, some blistered cherry tomatoes and charred broccoli rabe.  Cheers!

1996 Lazzarito Barolo

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month, so time to dig deep in the cellar to find some wine at least a decade in the making to open and enjoy.  I'll admit today's post was the result of a confluence of events that ultimately worked out, despite my second thoughts!  You see, I knew that my favorite TV chef, Gordon Ramsay was going to make spaghetti carbonara on "Ramsay in 10" on Instagram today, so I thought that sounds like a perfect meal, so I need to find a great Italian wine to pair with it.  Then came the beautiful weather today, the first time this spring we approached 80 degrees, and when I was mowing the lawn, all I could smell was my neighbors cooking out, and I just really wanted a nice steak!  Well, discipline prevailed and I went with my original plan and made linguine Carbonara and opened a bottle of 1996 Lazzarito Barolo!  Now I freely admit that I really cannot tolerate a wine from Piedmont that's less than a decade in the making, but since this one is now clearly of legal drinking age, let's see what it has to offer!

The wine is a rustic garnet color in the glass, with a tinge of amber at the edges as you might expect from a wine of this maturity.  The nose presents aromas of leather, anise and spice box, that brings me back to the time I spent in Rome and Florence in the mid 1990s.  The taste is a rush of floral notes, with flavors of rosehips that gives way to earthy flavors of tar and tobacco midpalate, as you might expect from a Nebbiolo.  The finish is still quite vibrant, with nice balanced acidity that frames a wonderfully long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as this Barolo is just singing right now and approaching a peak in terms of flavor and complexity.  This wine would pair with a broad range of Italian dishes, from a classic morel mushroom risotto to a bisteca fiorentina.  But tonight, I am enjoying this one with the classic Gordon Ramsay linguine carbonara, made with pancetta, garlic, petit peas, and some lovely egg yolks and creme fraische, finished off with some shaved parmesan and parsley.  Cheers!

2015 Forgeron Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  Today was a catch up on errands and things I've been meaning to get done for a little while, like getting my oil changed and my tires rotated, doing laundry and now I'm ready to relax for the evening with a nice dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a recent wine club bottle from Forgeron Cellars, the 2015 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (94%) and Malbec (6%) from the Minnick Hills, Seven Hills and Birch Creek Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this wine 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 a layered and complex affair with notes of leather and oak cascading to notes of toffee and vanilla, before ending up with some ripe black fruit notes of cherry and blackberry.  The taste is a rush of ripe blackberry, cherry and plum up front that give way to some note of vanilla with a bit of peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are fine and well integrated, with balanced acidity that gives this wine a decidedly old work character amidst a long, smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasure to drink (and at only $35, it's punching well above it's weight class!).  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty winter dishes, or just simply sipping by the fire.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a boneless ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts and a big baked potato with sour cream and scallions.  The rich fruit and balanced acidity in this wine make it great with a rich, fatty steak.  Cheers!

2016 Giuseppe Campagnola Valpolicella Ripasso

Happy Sunday!  Sometimes on a Sunday, you just need to open a wine from Italy, and after spending the afternoon working around the house on various projects and finishing with yard work, I am in need of a nice Italian Wine!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2016 Giuseppe Campagnola Valpolicella Ripasso that I bought from Wines Till Sold Out a few months back.  I am a big fan of Amarone, and for a more affordable alternative, I love a good Valpolicella Ripasso, or the second pressing of the dried grapes used for Amarone.  This wine is a classic blend of Corvina (60%), Rondinella (35%) and Molinara (5%).  So let's see how this one tastes.

The wine is a wonderful deep ruby color in the glass.  The nose presents aromas of blueberry, currant, and cherry with hints of rosehip and graphite.  The taste is very fruit forward with a rush of cherry, blueberry and currant that transitions nicely to notes of tar and pomegranate midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, with balanced acidity to drive the long, lush and wonderfully dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's a pleasant drinking and food friendly wine that's also q solid value at just $15!  This wine would be wonderful with a creamy risotto, or pasta with cream sauce as the acidity of this wine would be an ideal balance.  It would also pair well with lamb, wild game or a classic well-marbled steak as the fruit and acidity would be great to cut through the fattiness of a prime steak, which is great since tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a grilled prime ribcap along with grilled romanesco and a big baked potato with all the trimmings.  Cheers!

2014 Forgeron Walla Walla Merlot

Happy Sunday!  It's been a bit of a break today after a couple weeks of seemingly non-stop busyness, today I relaxed, did a bit of work and a lot of laundry and some de-cluttering around the house.  So, as always I'm ready for a nice dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Forgeron in Walla Walla.  I have a lot or admiration and respect for Marie-Eve and the wonderful wines she produces, and this one is no exception, the 2014 Walla Walla Merlot.  This wine is 100% Merlot blended from the Birch Creek (75%) and Minnick Hills (25%) vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley AVA.  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is deep, inky purple at the center with bright garnet along the edges, more similar to a fine Cabernet, but still quote fine for Merlot.  The nose is a cascade of wonderfully earthy Bordeaux-esque aromas, leather, peat, tar and green grass intermingled with ripe blackberry and black currant.  The taste is just beautiful as the silky smooth mouthfeel envelops your tastebuds with blackberry, cherry and floral notes before transitioning to dark chocolate and mocha notes midpalate.  The tannins are balanced with wonderful acidity, providing for a luxurious, smooth and exceptionally dry finish that seems to go on and on.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a pleasure to drink and quote frankly, one of the nicest Merlots I've had in quite some time.  This wine is ideal for fall, and would pair quite well with steak, lamb and a broad range of stews.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime filet mignon, with some grilled asparagus and a bit ol' baked potato with sour cream and scallions.  Cheers!

2007 Louis Boillot Volnay 1er Cru Clos de la Chapelle

Happy April Fools Day!  No, I'm not joking on this post, but at least it's the first Saturday of the month, which means it's Cellar Saturday!  That fun day when I open a bottle that's at least a decade old that's been waiting to be tried.  Today was a day of spreading mulch around the yard, so full of earthy aromas, which means it's probably appropriate to enjoy a nice earthy pinot noir from Burgundy tonight!  And for this Cellar Saturday, I've opened a bottle of 2007 Louis Boillot Volnay 1er Cru from Clos de la Chapelle, one of the 30 premier crus from Volnay.  I believe I may have received this wine as a gift from my boss, so let's see how it tastes!

The wine is very light in color, almost appearing like a rose.  The nose is a lovely combination of bright red berries, floral notes and a heaping helping of earthy goodness.  The taste is interesting, as you have a good bit of ripe red fruit, raspberry, cherry, mulberry, that has a nice balance of acidity, before you transition to some wonderful earthy mineral notes.  The finish is quite dry but very elegant, with a reprise of mild acidity from the very well integrated tannins.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's a very nice Burgundy, but unfortunately I'm not the biggest fan of pinot noir.  This wine would be fantastic with lamb, mushroom risotto or about any hearty, earthy dish.  Tonight I am enjoying this with some classic comfort food, stuffed cabbage!  I used to love my mom's stuffed cabbage, but I put on a little twist simmering it with some arrabiata sauce and top with a bit of shaved parmesan.  Cheers!

2014 DaMa Wines Rose of Cabernet Franc

Well now that I've completed all my posts about my fabulous Walla Walla road trip, we will be treated with reviews of the many great wines I brought back from the trip!  First up, as summer seems to be winding down much faster than I'd prefer, I thought I'd enjoy a bottle of rose, particularly since this hot and humid summer has really been the "Summer of Rose!"  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2014 DaMa Wines Rose of Cabernet Franc that I picked up in the tasting room a week or so ago.

The color on this wine is exceedingly pale, a quick glance and you might actually mistake it for a white wine, but rest assured it's all rose.  The nose presents lovely aromas of strawberries, honeydew and crisp citrus notes, ideal for a summer on the patio.  The taste is a rush of floral, melon and citrus, that takes a bit of a break for some nice mineral notes midpalate.  Surprisingly, the finish recounts some lovely sweet strawberry notes that cap off this beautiful glass of summer.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 7.5, simply because it's not quite as dry as I prefer, particularly on the finish.  Tonight I am enjoying this with a classic Pacific Northwest dinner of wild Alaskan Coho salmon filet grilled on a northern white cedar plank, with some steamed wild rice and fresh picked green beans.  The fruit and acidity of this wine make it a perfect foil to the richness of the salmon, and I have to mention that white cedar imparts very different flavors to the fish than your normal red cedar, which go perfectly with this wine!  Cheers!

2012 Helix Columbia Valley Rose

So today it was about 80 degrees, but the humidity went way up so it felt stifling, which I guess is natures friendly reminder that it's rose season!  That glorious warm and sunny time of year when it's just grand to enjoy a chilled glass of rose on the patio.  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of 2012 Helix Columbia Valley Rose, a limited production from Reininger Winery of Walla Walla.

The color is a deep pink, truly the color of a nice rose.  The nose is lovely combination of cool citrus, strawberry and watermelon notes.  The taste is blast of summer right from the outset, fresh fruit flavors of strawberry and watermelon with a hint of fresh cut grass transports you to your favorite picnic spot.  The acidity is well balanced and the dry finish seems to last 30 seconds or more, just long enough to get you to your next sip.

Overall I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's a delicious, crisp and refreshing rose that's sure to get you through the dog days of summer, or if you're like me, looking out on the patio as a thunderstorm rolls in!  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some seared sea scallops over a bed of baby greens tossed in aged white balsamic, some toasted pine nut couscous and fresh picked steamed asparagus.  And if this bottle lasts, I might enjoy my last glass with a dessert of fresh strawberries over shortbread, cheers!