2022 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  For most, you are enjoying a long holiday weekend, but now that I am teaching, I don't get many of the traditional holidays, so for me, this is just a routine Sunday dinner.  But at least there is wine!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a perennial favorite, the 2022 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon!  I have reviewed many vintages (not always in the correct time sequence), going all the way back to the 2010 Vintage.  The current vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (98%) and 1% each of Petit Verdot and Malbec.  Let's see how this vintage is shaping up!

The wine has a classic Cabernet look, inky black at the center and bright ruby along the edges. The nose presents aromas of green grass, black currant and blackberry, with hints of floral undertones.  The first sip is classic Washington Cabernet, with a rush of black fruit, overtaken by earthy basalt and oak, that eases into some dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a very smooth dry finish that lingers until your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's drinking very nicely now, but is sure to evolve meaningfully over the coming decade.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, as well as hard cheeses, but it seems like this would feel most at home with a big honkin' steak.  Well, as luck would have it, tonight I am enjoying this wine with perhaps the biggest tomahawk steak I've ever grilled (and don't worry, this will likely be my dinner for the entire week!), with the last of the hatch chilies I just roasted.  Cheers!

2020 Doubleback Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  Tonight, It's been exceptionally hot and humid here lately, but despite the heat, I am enjoying a special dinner, so I've decided to open a special bottle of wine to match.  The 2020 Doubleback Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a very special wine, one that I think arrived at my door a couple years ago and I'm just now opening a bottle!  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Petit Verdor (10%) and Merlot (3%), from the McQueen and LeFore Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  The wine has been patient, aging 22 months in barrel, and now I'm finally getting around to opening a bottle, so here goes nothing!

The wine is an inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, and it seems like a monster of a wine.  A brief swirl of the glass releases a banquet of aromas, from ripe blueberry to green pepper, basalt to mocha.  The first sip is like a warm hug from your mom, blue fruit up front along with some earthy mineral notes that transition easily to some warm white pepper spice, vanilla bean and red currant midpalate.  The tannins are smooth and supple, providing the ideal backbone for the long, smooth dry finish that provides a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, it's s pricy bottle, but worth every penny, as this is perennially one of the nicest Cabernets to come out of the Walla Walla Valley.  This wine would pair well with hard cheeses and charcuterie as an appetizer, braised short ribs or hearty salmon, or as it practically begs, a wonderful steak!  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared filet mignon from Snake River Farms (my local market just started carrying their steaks) along with some oven roasted beets and leeks and steamed broccoli.  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!

2022 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  After doing laundry and a bit of work, I had the chance to go out on my first bike ride of the summer, which was very nice.  And now that I've stopped sweating, I thought I'd open a nice bottle of wine to enjoy with dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a recent wine club selection from Seven Hills Winery, the 2022 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine comes from the original vineyard planted in the 1980s by Seven Hills Founder Casey McClellan and his father, making this a very special wine.  Let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, classic for a nice Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of candied plum, blackberries and vanilla bean intermingled with toasted oak and earthy basalt.  The first sip is a rush of warm black fruit that easily transitions to notes of vanilla caramel and hints of earthy minerals and oak midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a long, smooth dry finish with a bit of acidity at the end. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a perennial favorite, but I just don't think the 2022 vintage has quite reached its prime yet.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from steaks and chops to barbecue, fajitas to earthy mushroom risotto, or simply enjoying with friends on the patio.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Angus ribeye, grilled asparagus and broccoli rabe and some creamy orzo.  Cheers!

2021 Seven Hills SHW Founding Vineyard Merlot

Happy Sunday!  It was a rather melancholy weekend, as I spent a good portion of it taking down all the Christmas decorations and putting them away.  Even though the house is festive for a full month out of the year, it just seems to short when it all comes to an end.  In any event, after that I did some chores and clean up around the house and now it's time for a nice dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2021 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Merlot, a 100% Merlot from the original vines planted by Seven Hills founder Casey McClellan and his father in the early 1980s.  I previously reviewed the 2017 vintage and the 2020 Vintage, so let's see how this one is shaping up!

The wine is deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from this classic varietal.  A gentle swirl of the glass presents aromas of candied plum, blackberry and undertones of vanilla bean and violet that will have you on the edge of your seat.  Take a sip and your taste buds are unexpectedly elevated as the ripe fruit your nose expected is overwhelmed by earthy notes of basalt and cedar intertwined with toasted oak and caramel before that long-expected fruit makes an appearance with lovely blackberry, ripe plum and cherry.  The tannins are balanced with a bit of acidity that provides for a wonderfully smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as this Merlot is proving itself to be a consistent performer over the past five years.  This wine would pair well with a wide range of dishes, from steaks and lamb, to hard cheeses and pasta.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic Pacific Northwest inspired Sunday dinner of pan seared salmon along with creamy butternut squash pasta and oven roasted broccoli rabe and red peppers.  Cheers!

2021 Woodward Canyon Estate Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I finally had a day to relax on my vacation, so I did some laundry and went out for a movie, and now it's time for Sunday dinner and a nice bottle of wine. Tonight I've opened a bottle from a recent shipment from Woodward Canyon Winery, the 2021 Woodward Canyon Estate Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the oldest vines in the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley of Washington.  Let's see how this latest vintage is faring!

The wine has a classic Cabernet look in the glass, inky at the center and bright ruby along the edges. The nose is a more subtle affair, with aromas of leather, blackberry, toasted oak and basalt with undertones of lavender.  The first sip is a dynamic combination of black cherry, caramel and vanilla bean up front, that transition easily to some earthy notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are surprisingly mellow for such a young wine, providing just the right foundation for the long, smooth dry finish with just a faint bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's drinking well right now, but will likely gain a good bit of traction with a few years in the cellar.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty meat dishes, from braised bison short ribs to rack of lamb to a big steak.  Tonight I have opted for the latter and am enjoying this wine with a Bisteca Fiorentina, grilled broccoli rabe and sweet potato puree.  Cheers!

2022 DaMa GSM

Happy Saturday!  Today I went on my annual hunting trip to bag a couple of trees to decorate for Christmas, and it was a successful venture (more on that tomorrow).  I also had a chance to meet some new friends at a wine bar that opened here in town, which could be an interesting development, but again more on that later.  Tonight, I am focused on enjoying a nice bottle of wine that would offer an excellent pairing with my dinner this evening.  The 2022 DaMa GSM is a classis blend of Grenache (52%), Syrah (30%) and Mourvèdre (18%) from the Yakima Valley of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a lighter bodied affaire, with bright garnet color in the glass, just as you might expect.  The nose presents aromas of strawberry and plum, intermingled with notes of lavender, green grass and basalt.  The first sip has a lot going on, a rush of cherry cola with a hint of tartness that will have you second guessing what is happening in you mouth. Midpalate you are treated to some ripe black fruit and undertones of floral notes and earthiness.  The tannins are well integrated providing for a wonderfully mellow dry finish, with a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine an 8.5, as it's a very good example of a pleasant drinking GSM that is food friendly.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty pasta to crispy skin salmon, braised lamb to prime steaks.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classing pairing of risotto with butter poached lobster tail as the subtle fruit and mild acidity pair well with the richness of the dish.  Cheers!

2016 Torrevento 'Vigna Pedale' Castel del Monte Riserva

Happy Sunday!  It's been rainy all day, but I still feel like I've been going non-stop all day (have I mentioned that I need a vacation?) but now it's time for Sunday dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2016 Torrevento 'Vigna Pedale' Castel del Monte Riserva is made from Nero di Troia, a varietal from Puglia that I haven't tried before, so this evening is getting more exciting by the minute!  

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a sturdier body than your typical Sangiovese.  A little swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, earthy mineral notes of basalt amid undertones of plum and red currant.  The first sip is a rush of tart cherry that quickly subsides into pleasant flavors of raspberry, toasted oak and a bit of spice box reminiscent of an old Italian market.  A thread of acidity seems to permeate the taste throughout, making this a little more lively than a typical red wine.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing for a smooth dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a food friendly and pleasant drinking wine that was a terrific value (I bought this one on sale for $13, but even at the regular price of $17 this is a winner).  This wine would pair well with hearty steaks and chops, grilled lamb or any number of hearty, classic Italian dishes.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some stuffed shells I made for Sunday dinner, using some of my homemade sauce from a few weeks ago.  Cheers!

2010 Tiedmann Signature Series Napa Valley Red Wine

Well happy Saturday, and since this is the first Saturday of the month it's also Cellar Saturday, that magical day when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that although it was harvested 14 years ago, has been in my cellar for less than two weeks!  The 2010 Tiedmann Signature Series Napa Valley Red Wine is a new one for me, as after doing some sleuthing on the web, I learned that this wine was made by or for a local resident who would source wines from Napa and either blend them himself or have them made and bottled.  Unfortunately, I also learned that this person passed away in 2022, but somehow I managed to find a few bottles of the 2010 vintage at my local wine store, so let's see what this wine has to offer!

Although a blend, this wine has the classic look of a Napa Valley Cabernet, inky black at the center and bright garnet along the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, blackberry and cassis, reminiscent of a university library.  The first sip is a wonderful blend of blueberry, blackberry and currant with undertones of sweetness that transition easily to some earthy notes of basalt and black tea midpalate.  The tannins are velvety smooth, providing for a lengthy and very dry finish that lingers until you take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking blend from a local guy in Elkhart, Indiana with a passion for making great wine.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from barbecue and fajitas, to roast lamb or grilled steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare, pan seared prime filet topped with béarnaise and served with oven roasted purple potatoes and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  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!

2019 Decero Remolinos Vineyard Malbec

Happy Sunday!  It's been a busy weekend, and always sad when it comes to the end and you're not exactly sure what you accomplished!  At any rate, I'm ending the weekend on a high note with a wonderful wine that is perfect for my Sunday dinner choice. The 2019 Decero Remolinos Vineyard Malbec was harvested from vineyards in the Agrelo sub-appellation of Mendoza, planted at an elevation of 3,500 feet.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is an inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a nice Malbec.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals wonderful aromatics of blackberry, leather and white pepper spice.  Take a sip and you're awash in ripe blueberry, blueberry and currant that transition easily to some earthy notes of basalt and green cedar.  The tannins are expertly structured, providing for a velvety smooth dry finish that lingers till your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderful expression of a Malbec that stands well above the standard fare of this varietal.  This wine was also a terrific value available at Costco for just $16!  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, but practically begs to be paired with a gaucho served steak.  And tonight I'm in luck, enjoying this wine with a cowboy ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare with horseradish, roasted garlic and grilled asparagus.  Cheers! 

2020 Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir

Happy Saturday!  I had so much planned for today, but as I look back, I pretty much accomplished nothing on my list of chores.  That's all right though, weekends are meant for relaxing and I am feeling more relaxed this evening, so I'll call that a win!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2020 Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir, which I believe will be a great wine to pair with tonight's dinner and as a shareholder, I'm always happy to support my investments!  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a beautiful pale ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity, just as you'd expect from a nice Pinot Noir.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, earthy peat, basalt and hints of peppery spice.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in ripe red fruit, cherry, strawberry and currant that easily transition to some earthy notes of tar and basalt, with a good bit of peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are subdued, but still present a nice backbone for the smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a really pleasant example of a quality Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, with all the character and funk you'd expect.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from fresh salmon to Dungeness crab, hearty lamb shank to an earthy risotto.  Speaking of which, tonight I am pairing this wine with a new dish I've been anxious to try making, a hearty roasted beet risotto, topped with shaved parmesan and amaranth microgreens.  Cheers!

2021 Pepper Bridge Seven Hills Vineyard Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  It's been a real waste of a day, I had such plans to get a bunch of work done, but by the end of the day I could only accomplish some basic errands and then I just decided to enjoy some cocktails before dinner.  But at least I selected a nice wine to go with my dinner.  The 2021 Pepper Bridge Seven Hills Vineyard Red wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (66%), Merlot (14%), Malbec (10%) and Petit Verdot (10%) all from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass just as you'd expect from this Bordeaux style blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals an interesting combination of aromas with some ripe red fruit, strawberry, cherry and currant intermingled with some dusty mineral notes of limestone and basalt.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of ripe fruit and minerality, cherry, currant and raspberry that give way to some notes of dusty loam, cocoa powder and baking spice midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat subdued but well integrated to provide a wonderfully long, dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just an ideal red blend for a variety of occasions and food pairings.  This wine would pair well with hearty steaks and chops, braised lamb shank, wild mushroom risotto or any number of hearty fall dishes.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a reprise of summer and some bourbon glazed barbecued baby back ribs, mustard baked beans and cole slaw made with pomegranate, honey, olive oil and sage blossom vinegar.  Cheers!

2020 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been a weekend of yard work as I am nearing the end of leaf harvest, and soon all the trees will be bare and several metric tons of leaves will be hauled to the front of my house.  And now that it gets dark before suppertime, I suppose it's appropriate to open a nice bottle of wine in anticipation of dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a perennial favorite, the 2020 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon (you can see the many other vintages I've reviewed here).  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (76%), Petit Verdot (12%), Cabernet Franc (5%), Merlot (4%), and 1% each of Syrah, Barbera and Dolcetto.  So, let's see what this vintage has to offer!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edges, just as you would expect from a nice Cabernet.  Take a whiff and you're greeted by aromas of black cherry, leather, anise and a hint of mint.  The first sip is rush of ripe black fruit that transitions to some notes of dried spice and earthy notes of tar and basalt.  The velvety mouthfeel and well integrated tannins offer and appropriate yin and yang to a Cabernet that really shines through the Bordeaux aspects of Washington state.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, and since it's still relatively young, there is plenty of opportunity to mature with some time in the cellar.  This wine would pair exceptionally well with hearty steaks, braised short ribs or hearty fall stews.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare American Wagyu strip from Snake River Farms, along with some oven roasted sweet potatoes, leeks and maple bacon Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2020 Mark Ryan Winery "The Dissident" Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been cold an rainy today, so I confess I haven't done much outside of some laundry, but at least there's wine!  Tonight I am getting ready for a bit of Italian for dinner, and though I seriously thought about opening a nice bottle of Italian wine, I opted for a bottle of wine I just recently received from a special promotion by Mark Ryan Winery.  The 2020 Mark Ryan Winery "The Dissident" Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (72%), Merlot (24%), Malbec (3%) and Petit Verdot (1%) from 11 different 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, just as you might expect from a classic Washington Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of ripe cherry, aged leather, currant and a hint of tarragon.  The first sip is a rush of sweet cherry, intermingled with charred oak, hints of tobacco and dark chocolate which transition easily to some mineral notes of dusty limestone and basalt midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured, providing the ideal base for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers and beckons you to take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic example of the new world meets old world character of Washington Bordeaux style blends.  This wine is an easy drinking, hearty Cabernet, that was also a terrific value (normally $45, there is a wine club special for just $32 through the end of the month). This wine would pair well with a big steak, hearty stews, or fall pasta dishes.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some squid ink linguine tossed with some sautéed shrimp in some of my homemade sauce.  Cheers!

2011 Girard Napa Valley Petit Sirah

Happy Cellar Saturday!  It's the first Saturday of a new month and that means it's time to raid the cellar and find a bottle at least a decade in waiting to open and enjoy.  Tonight I've found a bottle that I likely bought while I still lived in Michigan, before they eliminated the requirement to place price tags on all retail products, so even though I can't remember where I bought this wine, I know I paid $26.99 for it!  The 2011 Girard Napa Valley is a big bold wine, as is often the case with this varietal, so let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky black with bright ruby along the edges, still holding up well a dozen years after harvest.  The nose is rich in ripe black fruit, cherry, currant and plum intermingled with some lilac notes intertwined with some charcoal.  The first sip is a rush of black cherry, blueberry and plum that eases into some notes of basalt and mocha midpalate.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a velvety dry finish with a reprise of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderful example of the hearty wines from this oft overlooked varietal.  This wine would pair well with a variety of steaks, rack of lamb, hearty roast beef or rich braised bison short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a seared petite prime filet mignon along with some mushroom risotto and roasted baby cauliflower.  Cheers!

2019 Trestle Glen Vineyards Sonoma Valley Zinfandel

Happy Sunday!  It was rainy and dreary today, so that means catching up on work and doing laundry!  At least there is still wine, and tonight's selection, which I bought from Wines Till Sold Out, combines two of my favorite things, wine and trains!  Trestle Glen Vineyards name and label pay homage to the Sonoma Valley Railway that ran between Sonoma Town and the village of Glen Ellen between 1882 and 1907.  The 2019 Trestle Glen Vineyards Sonoma Valley Zinfandel is a classic example of the varietal with the accompanying high alcohol (in this case 15.3% ABV).  So, let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, somewhat lighter than you might expect from a classic jammy Zinfandel.  The note presents aromas of blueberry, plum with undertones of nutmeg, cedar and peppery spice.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of jammy fruit that is intertwined with some earthy notes of cedar, tar and basalt before transitioning to some white pepper spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are soft, allowing for the acidity in the wine to bite a bit at the smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a pleasant drinking Zindandel that would be ideal for casual dinners, especially at the price of just $17!  This wine would pair well with everything from barbecue to tacos, pizza to steak.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a special steak fajita dinner.  This weekend I had the chance to buy a nice round steak at my local market that was harvested from our recent 4H county fair, so truly farm to table!  I grilled the steak with some spices then added sautéed onions and hatch chiles and topped them with all the accoutrements!  Cheers!

2020 Seven Hills Summit View Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  It's been raining off and on all day here, so I've been doing some indoor chores before heading to the theatre for a play later this evening.  So, to enjoy my upcoming steak dinner, I've decided to open the latest vintage of one of my favorite Cabernets, the 2020 Seven Hills Summit View Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a high-quality Cabernet,  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and plum, intermingled with hints of vanilla and oak.  The first sip presents a rush of cool black fruit and dried herbs that transitions easily to some earthy mineral notes of dusty limestone and basalt midpalate.  The tannins are a bit chalky, but still providing a nice base for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers on your palate until you take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderfully approachable wine, but not quite up to the level of earlier vintages (I've enjoyed this wine since the release of the 2014 Vintage).  This wine would be an ideal hearty beef wine, pairing well with anything from a classic seared filet mignon to a hearty prime rib.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime New York strip along with some grilled leeks and asparagus.  Cheers!

2016 Reininger Syrah XM

Happy Sunday!  It's been another weekend of non-spring weather, with rain an highs in the 40s, and it looks like the next four days will be between 30 and 45, so I guess the "Summer of George" will have to wait a few weeks.  I just finished a virtual tasting with the fine folks from Reininger, focusing on their white and rose wines, and since I didn't have any of those on hand, I decided to open a bottle of their red wine for dinner.  The 2016 Reininger Syrah XM is another interesting wine from Chuck Reininger, one of the most creative winemakers I know.  This wine is an "XM" which stands for extended maturation, so he reserves some of his wine (in this case the 2016 Walla Walla Syrah) and let's it age in barrel for a few extra years and releases it under the XM moniker.  This wine is a 100% Syrah from the Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see what this new, old wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass that has the look of a hearty Cabernet as opposed to a Syrah.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas that bring you right back to the barrel room, with leather, toasted oak, blackberry and cassis dancing in your mind.  Take a sip and you're greeted with one of the most velvety smooth Syrahs you can imagine, a rush of blackberry, cherry and currant envelop your palate with a thick almost syrupy mouthfeel that just makes your mind explode.  The fruit is encased in earthy elements, oak, peat and basalt that evolve to some twang midpalate.  The tannins are almost perfectly integrated, providing for that velvety smoothness to extend to the long, dry finish that will have you begging for more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it has to be one of the most perfect examples of Syrah I've ever tasted.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and lamb, to heaty pastas or stews.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a Sunday barbecue dinner (oh how I long for summer!), of barbecued beef baby back ribs, grilled corn on the cob, mustard baked beans and sriracha slaw.  Cheers!

2020 Bledsoe Family Winery Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It was another cold and rainy day here in the Midwest, sometimes I forget how we apparently skip spring and go right from winter to summer.  In any case, this is a good time to open up a nice bottle of wine to enjoy with my Sunday dinner, and this time it's a selection from a recent wine club shipment from the Bledsoe Family Winery, the 2020 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon!  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%), Merlot (9%), Malbec (7%) and Petit Verdot (6%) from six different vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edges, just as you might expect from a big Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of lavender, blackberry and currant with just some hints of minerality.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of ripe dark fruit, blackberry, currant and plum that transition easily to some earthy notes of graphite and basalt midpalate.  The tannins are velvety smooth, providing for a luxuriously long dry finish that lingers effortlessly for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as I think this is the best vintage yet from the Bledsoe Family Winery (even better than the Flying B wines of 2015, 2016 and 2017 or the Bledsoe Family Vintages of 2018 or 2019!).  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from grilled steaks and chops, to Yankee pot roast and Sunday lasagna!  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared ribeye basted with butter and rosemary, along with some asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!